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| Vol. 15 No. 4 April 2013 | Page 16 |
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| Vol. 15 No. 4 April 2013 | Page 16 |
Therman Hodge
Often times an autopsy is performed when someone dies to determine the cause of death. What would an autopsy reveal about a Christian?
A Christian has observant eyes, rather than having “eyes full of adultery” (2 Peter 2:14). The Christian is to focus his attention on the harvest of lost souls around him (John 4:35). By looking for ways to serve the Lord, the Christian will find open doors of opportunity (1 Corinthians 16:9).
A Christian has helping hands. Christians need to be seen as a caring community of believers. In the first century, Christians were quick to respond to the needs of their brethren (Acts 11:17-30). Today, we need to “do good” to those in or out of the church (Galatians 6:10).
A Christian has a tender heart. Christians need to have compassionate hearts that motivate them to respond to the needs of their brethren (Acts 11:17-30). When we are tenderhearted, we are able to be kind and giving to one another (Ephesians 4:32).
Christians are concerned spirits. Sin should stir the spirits of Christians (Acts 17:16). We cannot afford to ignore or minimize the effects of sin in a person’s life. We have a responsibility as “watchmen” to warn the erring (Ezekiel 3:17).
Would an autopsy of your life show these qualities? Your life can be a good influence if you have these qualities.
Raymond Elliott
Most believers in the Lord have sung or have heard the song “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so…” However, the expression ‘Jesus (God) knows me’ is equally as scriptural, and we all should love this great truth and the One who knows us. In 2 Timothy 2:19 we read, “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’” The church of our Lord has a sure foundation, and the gates of hades cannot successfully prevail against it (Matthew 16:16-18; 1 Corinthians 3:11). In the New Jerusalem, the wall “had twelve foundations, and on these were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:14). The house of God (the church) has this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His…” In Nahum 1:7 the prophet wrote these comforting words, “The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.”
God is all knowing. The Psalmist declared this in Psalm 139:1-6, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.” Rather than being a frightening thing to me, as His child I should be so thankful that the Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of life, knows my heart’s intentions, my weaknesses, my heartaches, my cares, my trials and tribulations, my desires, my needs and yes, even the number of hairs on my head. He knows my name. He knows more about me than my wife, my children, my friends, my brethren and even the federal government.
The mere thought is overwhelming. To know that He cares for me moves me emotionally, and I love it so. Among the teeming millions who live on this earth, He hears me when I pray to Him. How can this be? There is not a place I can go but that He is there (Psalm 139:7-12), and I love it so. He knew me when I was in my mother’s womb and He knows the way I shall go (Psalm 139:13-16). The Psalmist closes the chapter with these words, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).