Vol. 2, No. 1 | Page 10 | January 2000 |
That Dog Won’t HuntBy Paul HooverThe time came when the conditions were right. He
owned the greatest male coon dog in the state, and was fortunate enough
to purchase the most prized female. He felt that his dream of producing
the perfect coon dog would be realized through this pair. After some
initial difficulties, the female became pregnant. She received the
best care available. The man was in a high state of excitement throughout
the pregnancy. Finally, the great day came. The female dropped
four pups. Three of the pups were splendid animals, but the fourth
was the most perfect the man had ever seen.
I do not wish to draw too much out of this story,
but there is a good and simple point to be made here. A dog that
will not hunt is not a hunting dog. That is easily understood and
is applicable to many things. A toaster that does not toast is not
a toaster. A boxer who will not box is not a boxer. Perhaps
he used to be a boxer. Perhaps he will be a boxer again, but he is
not a boxer now. By the same token, a Christian who will not practice
Christianity is not a Christian. He may have been a Christian and
may be a Christian again, but if he is not actively practicing Christianity
he is not now a Christian.
One is expected, because of these characteristics, to remain faithful. However, becoming a Christian does not guarantee him eternal life, for he must remain a Christian for the rest of his life. If he ceases to practice Christianity he is no longer a Christian. “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2:20-22). In order to become a Christian,
one must come out of the world. In order to remain a Christian, one
must stay out of the world. Regardless of what one has
done in the past, either good or bad, he will answer for where he stands
when he dies or the Lord returns. “. . . be diligent that ye may
be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14b).
Christianity is not only a rebirth, it is a way
of life that must be lived every day. A Christian is only
a Christian as long as he practices Christianity.
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