Writing to the Christians in Rome, the apostle Paul made a very thought provoking statement: “…for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11). It is quite clear that the writer is looking to the time when Christians will have completed all possible preparations for meeting the Lord in judgment to come, whenever that time will be. For this reason he said, “…it is high time to awake out of sleep…” On this basis, he urgently admonished those Christians to “cast off the works of darkness,” “walk properly, as in the day” and “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (vss. 12-14). One thing is certain: if that coming judgment day would be in this second millennium or if God chooses to delay it for ten thousand years (or more), no person, including those of Paul’s day, will have had, generally speaking, more than three score and ten years (maybe fourscore – cf. Psalms 90:10) in which to make the needed preparations. No wonder Paul said, “…it is high time to awake out of sleep…” That is the urgency that presses upon every responsible soul–not that the Lord was expected to come soon, either in the first century, or A.D. 999, or A.D. 1843, or A.D. 1914, or A.D. 1975, or whenever. By prior experience, this writer knows that 80 years seems almost like an eternity when one is young. But, oh, how short the time seems as we near the end of that time period! The

Deceptive words was not a phenomena exclusive to the first century Christians. Both the Lord and his apostles warned about this constant danger. For example, Peter wrote concerning false teachers among Christians, saying, “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words…” (2 Peter 2:3). This phenomena is very much alive and prospering in our day, and as Peter warned, “And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed” (2 Peter 2:2). How sad it is to see or hear about pious people being duped by words artfully and skillfully designed to bring them into the persuasion of the speaker. One’s compassion naturally goes out to those (as reported in the Saturday, March 4, 2000 issue of Clarksburg Exponent TELEGRAM) who were victimized by the Y2K scam that played on their religion by the Greater Ministries International, of Tampa, FL. The article reads in part, “They targeted church people…they would come right into the church before the congregation…and use the scriptures to justify themselves. They really worked the churches…Using the motto, ‘Give and it shall be given to you.’” Time and again, not just on this occasion, this motto has been taken out of context (unknowingly to the poor Bible student) and used to persuade pious people to invest their money in a supposedly good cause. It is so sad to see good people taken by the these “slick-tongued,” self-serving “hucksters” and motivated to “liquidate their assets, take out a mortgage on their houses and cash

Much of the diversity of beliefs, radical extremism or liberalism, division, etc. have arisen because of the wisdom of man inserted into the Gospel of Christ. Paul faced this problem early on in the church of Christ in Corinth, and he wrote, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect” (1 Corinthians 1:17). What is “wisdom of words” (word wisdom), that it could nullify the purpose and effect of the cross? A perfect example of “word wisdom” and its cross-nullifying effect is noted in Acts 15:24 and this written statement: “…we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law…’” The “unsettling words” in this case was the word wisdom of false brethren who wrested the Scripture, lifting words out of their scriptural context to bind what they in their wisdom thought ought to be inserted into the Gospel of Christ. In so doing, they nullified the effect of the cross of Christ, causing their auditors to fall from grace (cf. Galatians 5:2-4). The big battle in which the church of Christ in Corinth was engaged was to stop the word wisdom of the philosophers of their day from becoming entrenched in the all-sufficient Gospel of Christ and having the same effect as the word wisdom of the Judaizing teachers in the

A very serious mistake is made in biblical interpretation when the expression “the day is at hand” in Romans 13:12 is sometimes made to refer to the second coming of Jesus Christ. In this passage of Scripture Paul said, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” On the basis of this statement, there are those who say Paul was expecting a soon return of Christ. That makes Paul contradict himself when he rebuked the Thessalonians (who were looking for an imminent coming of the Lord), saying, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand” (2 Thessalonians 2:1). The day of Christ is not noted in the Bible by any projected date or by any precursory signs. Those who say so are not properly interpreting the Bible and are misleading people. The statement in Romans 13:12 “the day is at hand” stands in contrast to “the night is far spent” and is expressive of an expected corresponding change in the conduct of the saints in Rome. They are not to be asleep to the righteousness of God that has been revealed in the Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:17),

A song we sometimes sing has a clause in the first stanza that often penetrates our heart with piercing pain. The first stanza reads like this: Years I spent in vanity and pride,Caring not my Lord was crucified,Knowing not it was for me He died,On Calvary. Think about it! “Caring not my Lord was crucified.” When we in deep and penetrating thought stand “at the foot of the cross,” really comprehending what occurred there, the terrible, terrible pain Jesus willingly endured, the nerves in our own body cause us to cringe! The thought of the penetration of those large iron nails alone is almost unbearable. Then to think about the hours of searing pain–we would shrink back from the thought of even a dog being so treated! But this happened to our Savior, God who became man in order to so suffer that we might be rescued from wrath, escaping eternity in hell. What love beyond comparison (cf. Romans 5:6-8). Then, suddenly returning in thought to where we are and what we are doing (how we are living and conducting ourselves), our consciences burn with the realization that all too often we are “caring not my Lord was crucified.” What shame! What a thoughtless and unthankful people we can become! After we revitalized our own lives, renewing our spiritual commitments and determining to be a dedicated Christians, then in thought we view and grieve the carelessness of so many, many people who live day after day with little or no concern as to

Not long ago a young man (a teenage Christian) was asked where he went to “church” (meaning worship). He responded: “I go to (name of the church), but if I could find a “church” (he meant a congregation) where I could have more fun I would go there.” This statement represents a very pitiful condition that is all too prevailing in our time, in a society that is said to be the most “entertainment oriented society” in history. There is nothing wrong with good, wholesome entertainment in moderation. But when it becomes so prevalent as to contaminate or interrupt spiritual obligations and worship activities, then the very nature of genuine Christianity is compromised with the profane. Both the person who demands to be entertained at “church” and the “church” that is willing to entertain is not worthy of the name Christian and the demands of Christianity. How despicable would these appear in the eyes of those souls under the altar,”those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held” (Revelation 6:9)? How could any right-thinking person in an entertainment mode appear in worship at the foot of the cross in the presence of the anguishing Christ? The genuine Christian life is not an easy one; in fact, it can be (and has been at times) exceedingly harsh, as the above quote indicates. And at the best, it has always been a very serious matter. The misconception at the time of conversion of Christianity

In the Seventh Chapter of 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul deals more extensively with the matter of marriage, separation, divorce and remarriage than in any other section of the New Testament. Yet, this divine instruction is being more and more disregarded in our social setting and even among the saints of God to whom it was written. We should be greatly concerned about the general dismissal of the instructions written by this apostle who was chosen to speak for God and “whom the Lord in His Mercy has made trustworthy” (vs. 28). Concerning these spokesmen, Jesus said, “He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me” (Luke 10:16). The things Paul wrote “are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37). To tamper with the words of Paul is to tamper with the words of God. Seven times in this chapter dealing with the matter of marriage, Paul uses the expression “I say” (or the equivalent, e.g., “I command,” vs. 10 and “I give judgment,” vs. 25). There are those who conclude that Paul was speaking out of his own opinion or personal bias, being accused of having a low view of the marriage relationship. But no writer of the inspired Word of God had a higher view of the marriage relationship than did Paul, using it to describe the holy union of Christ and the church (cf. Ephesians 5:22ff). Furthermore, in this Corinthians Chapter he admonished, “…let

Who is it among us who has not known the embarrassment of a mentor saying to us, “Don’t you know any better than that!” Those are cutting but sobering words that greatly profit the person wise enough to listen, who knows that one is susceptible to foolish thinking and/or unwise actions resulting from pervading influences. Mother Eve learned the terrible lesson that one can be motivated to foolish thinking and unwise action through the influence of Satan’s cunning deception. That pattern begun in the Garden of Eden has continued in the world to this very day, reaching unto those who sit in the sanctum of “the heavenly places” (cf. Ephesians 2:6). Satan has continued his deceptive tactics ever since the “Garden” incident, using the power, wisdom and passions of the “world” to lure and ensnare the saints of God through ungodly influences. He was having success in varying degrees among the early Christians, which required the admonitory and corrective writings of the New Testament. A typical example of this is the First Corinthians epistle in which Paul says eleven times “Do you not know…” to awaken the dulled conscience of those saints in Corinth. These cutting but sobering words, for the most part, caused the Christians in Corinth to recall the truths they already had come to know, and carried a rebuff for being influenced by some means to act contrary to what they knew. If they were worthy auditors of this Epistle (which the Second Epistle implies they were), they

Christians, because of their stance for purity and holiness according to God’s standard and not the world’s standard, are often accused of being intolerant, regressive and bigots. This is not something new or peculiar to the twenty-first century. The first century Christians who ceased walking “in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” were thought to be strange and were evil spoken of (1 Peter 4:3-4). Jesus warned, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). The church is the Lord’s people who are “called out” to himself, who are therefore to think, talk and act like the Lord Jesus and stand firmly for his standard of purity and holiness. In our time, we are hearing a strong plea for tolerance by the American people to break down barriers that divide this pluralistic society and give rise to hatred and violence. In many ways this is a valid plea, especially when this hatred (sometimes augmented by violence) disregards God’s design, such as his creation of races, intending for them to “dwell on all the face of the earth” (cf. Acts 17:26). But that is not always the idea behind the plea for tolerance, “the allowing to be or to be done without hindrance” (Webster’s New American Dictionary). In

A crucial question is coming to the forefront in America today that is becoming a major concern for Christians, or at least it should be a major concern. The question is: How tolerant should Christians be of sinful practices (as identified in the Bible) and when and to what extent may Christians manifest intolerance? This matter can be, and is, taken to two extremes: On the one hand, there is the extreme of complete tolerance for everybody and everything someone may choose to believe and/or practice within the framework of their religious beliefs, political preferences and moral standards, to the point of saying, “They have the personal right to do as they think; God will accept them if they are honest and sincere about it, and if that is what they want, more power to them.” On the other hand, there is the extreme of intolerance for everybody and everything they choose to believe and/or practice that is outside the framework of one’s own religious beliefs, political preferences and moral standards, having the desire to enforce conformity to the extent of using all available means of coercion, persecution and violence, lawfully or unlawfully in regard to the law of the land. Both extremes are totally outside the letter and spirit of Christianity as set forth by directives from the Lord and by his examples. Certainly, Christians are not to be “weak as water” flowing with the “tide,” but neither are they to be radical “rabble-rousers.” Christians must know what is

It is amazing what difference there is between the concept of God and of man as to what constitutes a great memorial. Man looks toward what represents mightiness, powerfulness, exquisiteness, artfulness, etc. Whereas the two great memorials God instituted to memorialize his efforts to rescue mankind from bondage are of such a lowly design that no man, great or small, would ever have thought of or suggested them. The first great memorial was the Passover ordinance that commemorated an event that had no precedent or anything like it to follow. Israel saw the mighty hand of God that was visibly manifested throughout all Egypt in the death of the first born of man and beast–the death stroke that liberated the children of Israel. Therefore, they were instructed to “Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; …You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year” (Exodus 13:3-10, NKJV). The Passover memorialized an event so significant that fleshly Israel was never to forget. But as so often is the case with man, Israel’s remembrance waned at times and the significance of that event was corrupted through other devised and/or adopted devotions. In such a time, God had Ezekiel say to them, “Because you did not remember the days of your youth, but agitated Me with all these things, surely I will also recompense your deeds on your own head” (16:43). Very often, the lowly Passover memorial became an established ritual

For more than three years, Jesus worked and taught among his own people in an almost futile effort to persuade them that he was the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God. It was not until after his resurrection that any of his four half-brothers became believers in him (cf. John 7:5; 1 Corinthians 15:7). As a believer, his half-brother James became a very prominent man in the church in Jerusalem, and he penned a letter especially designed to motivate Jewish Christians to be stronger, more dedicated, having a zeal that conformed to the will and purpose of God. Among the many exhortations contained in the epistle that bears his name is one found in Chapter 2, Verse 1: “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.” There are possible attitudes on the part of man that are not compatible (will not blend) with “the faith of Christ,” and no effort or excuse will change the matter. Therefore, whoever claims to be holding “the faith of Christ” must conform to “the faith of Christ.” What are we to understand by the “faith of Christ”? Let the apostle Paul answer that question. Writing to the church in Philippi, he described his honored position and zeal under the Law of Moses as that which did give “confidence in the flesh” (3:4-6). But he counted this all as “…dung, that I may win Christ and be found in Him, not having mine own

On January 13, 1957, President Harry S. Truman said: “I’ve got the most awful responsibility a man ever had.” Great leaders feel the weight of their responsibility. King Solomon prayed for “an understanding heart” (1 Kings 3:9). His responsibility seemed so overwhelming that he asked, “Who is able to judge this great people…” (1 Kings 3:9). He recognized, as do all great leaders, that it is by wisdom that “kings reign, and rulers decree justice” (Proverbs 8:15), and by wisdom “princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth” (Proverbs 8:16). Franklin D. Roosevelt referred to God in each of his inaugural addresses. In his fourth, and last, he stated: “So we pray to Him now for the vision to see our way clearly…” Dwight D. Eisenhower began his first inaugural address with the following prayer: “Almighty God…give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby, and by the laws of this land. Especially we pray that our concern shall be for all the people regardless of station, race, or calling.” Paul enjoined “that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority… (1 Timothy 2:1-2). As George Walker Bush serves as the 43rd President of the United States of America may he, and we, rely on God. Mr. President, we are praying for you. May God bless America!

One of the greater privileges enjoyed by American citizens is the freedom (liberty) guaranteed by the Constitution of this great country. Many of our noble citizens have given the ultimate (their physical lives) to ensure a continuance of this prized possession. How often and fervently we should thank Jehovah God for being so blessed in this time of the world. Yet, there is another freedom enjoyed by Christians that far exceeds the freedom enjoyed by the citizens of this great nation; it is a freedom from the bondage of sin that gets its strength from law (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:56). Every person who perceives the terribleness of sin and its destructive bondage is made to rejoice for the redemptive work of Jesus. Our Lord by his death, burial and resurrection broke the bondage of sin for all who die to sin, who are buried with him in baptism and raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-6, 16-17). This freedom is obtained through the “faith of Christ,” i.e., the Gospel of Christ, and is enjoyed so long as one remains in/under the “constitution” of the kingdom of heaven. “For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1 ASV). The apostle Paul wrote this admonition to the churches in Galatia to prevent them from returning to the Law of Moses for justification. They were falling under the persuasion of Judaizing teachers to practice circumcision and keeping the

Most people want to be right, to the fullest extent of their ability, in the sight of all observers. However, there are some depraved souls who could not care less how they appear in the sight of either God or man, and they conduct themselves solely by their own selfish whims and notions. When they are reminded of being out of harmony with God’s perfect moral and spiritual standards (or even man’s imperfect standards), their response often is: “I don’t care what anyone thinks or says” or “It’s none of your business” or “It’s my life to live and I will live it as I please.” This latter concept is often heard these days to the sad dismay of parents from their children, and it generates a double grief in godly parents: grief because of the sin of rebellion, and grief when that rebellion ultimately results in fruits that hurt and sorrow for their children. Sadly, the above expressed attitudes are becoming more and more prevalent in our society as a whole, and it is spilling over into the precious body of Christ, the church for which Christ died. “That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:26-27). We would expect an infidel, who is regulated only by humanistic values, to have an “I don’t

Often we hear the argument (and see the results) that Christianity does not exist by the keeping of law but by applying the principles of law as one personally sees fit and more fully appreciates. This allows for all kinds of activities foreign to the New Testament pattern for worship and personal conduct. This belief and practice is argued by misapplication of such Scripture as Galatians 5:1: “For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage” (ASV). So, the conclusion is drawn that a Christian is not under law, but is free to live, act and worship in principle according to his/her freewill choice. The results of this false concept of “under no law in Christ” is seen in loose living that differs little, if any, from many non-Christians, and accentuates the current philosophy that allows one to do as one pleases. It is the idea that “If it feels good it can’t be wrong.” So, sexual immorality, divorce and remarriage for any cause, drinking, gambling — you name it — occurs, often with impunity, among those professing to be Christians. Another result of this false concept of “under no law in Christ” is the common engagement in worship activities that titillate feelings and desires far more closely connected with the “outward man” with its appetites and passions than with the “inner-man” (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:16). This comports with the current desire to be entertained in worship, to “get

As the apostle Paul closed his letter to the churches in Galatia, he said, “From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks [stigmata] of the Lord Jesus”(Galatians 6:17). The word “stigmata” (translated “marks”) means, “a mark incised or punched (for recognition of ownership), i.e. (figuratively) scar of service” (Strong’s Concordance). The “marks” or “scars” in Paul’s body evidently were due to 195 stripes he received from the Jews, the 3 times he was beaten with rods and the many other abuses he received (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:24ff), all because he preached the Gospel of the crucified and risen Christ. Although these were literal marks or scars in Paul’s body, which were evidence of his being owned by the Lord Jesus and his being a faithful servant, yet they also reflected the “stigma,” i.e., the “mark, label, or the like” (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary) that he bore because of his deviation from the norm of that day’s religious and philosophical thought. The Gospel that Paul preached, the Gospel predicated upon the crucifixion, resurrection and coronation of Jesus Christ, incited great physical opposition from the Jews who rejected Jesus of Nazareth as being their expected Messiah. The Gospel had hardly begun to be preached when the Jewish leaders tried by physical violence to stop its spread (cf. Acts 4 & 5), and the persecution became so severe “…against the church which was at Jerusalem; that they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea