Historical Posts
To Whom Do We Confess?
How Do We Confess - To Whom Do We Confess - What Do We Confess
Who ought to receive our confession? Let’s look to the Bible for an answer.
The religious world is populated with many false ideas about the subject of confession. When it comes to the question of who ought to receive our confession, there are some who say that only a priest can hear such a thing, while others argue that confession must be made only to the Lord. What is the truth of the matter? As usual, the Bible has the answer.
We make a confession in the presence of other people, as a public record.
When it comes to the confession of our faith in Christ, prior to becoming members of His church, it is obvious that we must make such a confession in the presence of other people (Matthew 10:32,33). The confession of our faith in the Lord Jesus is supposed to be a matter of public record. We must never hide our faith from our fellow men (Matthew 5:13-16).
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another.
Once we have obeyed the gospel plan of salvation, and become Christians, it may be necessary for us to confess when we have sinned. James 5:16 says, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” It must be pointed out that this verse says nothing about making a confession to a priest, or about a priest granting absolution for sins. In the New Testament, every Christian is said to be a priest (1 Peter 2:9), and God is the only one who can forgive us for our sins (Matthew 9:1-8). That is why 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
We must confess our sins to God and appeal to Him for forgiveness.
As Christians, we must confess our sins to God and appeal to Him for forgiveness. There is no human priesthood that can do what God does for us.
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in Heaven.” – Matthew 10:32-33
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What Do We Confess?
How Do We Confess - To Whom Do We Confess - What Do We Confess
What are we supposed to confess?
That confession is an important part of the gospel plan of salvation, there can be no doubt. Romans 10:10 plainly declares, “with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Clearly, a verbal confession is something that carries us all toward the ultimate goal of salvation. But, what are we supposed to confess? Admittedly, this is a source of great misunderstanding, in the religious world. But, as usual, a closer look at the Scriptures will make the matter easily discerned.
Confess our faith in the fact that Jesus Christ is the Lord!
In order to properly answer the question at hand, one must consider the full reading of Romans 10:9-10. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” The American Standard Version of the Bible offers us a slightly different, yet more insightful reading of Romans 10:9 ASV, which says, in part, “because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord…” This plainly tells us that, in order to be saved, we must confess our faith in the fact that Jesus Christ is the Lord! This is the very same confession that the apostle Peter made, in Matthew 16, and it is the same confession that the Ethiopian eunuch made, in Acts 8. This the abiding principle upon which the Lord’s church is founded (1 Corinthians 3:11). So it is the case that we must confess the Lordship of Jesus today, if we desire salvation.
Verbal confession of all sins is not required to wash them away in baptism.
Some have the mistaken impression that we must confess all of our sins, prior to their being washed away in baptism. This, however, is an impossibility, since the average person is not capable of remembering every sin that they have committed, especially if they are well into their adult years. Some argue that James 5:16 requires a verbal confession of sin, but the context in which that verse appears is a discussion of what one who is already a Christian ought to do, when sin is ruining his life. Certainly, Christians ought to talk to each other about the spiritual challenges we face, so that we will be better able to bear one another’s spiritual burdens (Galatians 6:2). The Bible does not teach that we have the power to absolve each other’s sins. For that, we must confess our sins to God, and ask Him to forgive us (1 John 1:9).
“…thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord…” – Romans 10:9 ASV
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Order
Concerning the worship of the church, the apostle Paul has written, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).
That is why, in the churches of Christ, the worship we offer our Heavenly Father is purposely designed to be neither ritualistic, nor emotionalistic. Our objective is to worship God “in spirit and in truth,” according to the teachings of the Bible (John 4:24).
We just do what the Word of God authorizes us to do in a way that is spiritual, reverent and orderly (Colossians 3:17).
Come visit us and see what orderly worship is all about.
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Resulting in Reformation of Life
Repentance prompts us to drive sin away.
Repentance does not just change our perception of sin, but it also prompts us to take the necessary steps to drive sin completely away from our lives. The Greek word that is translated, “be converted,” in Acts 3:19 conveys the idea of turning around, or changing the direction of one’s life. Real Biblical repentance must be accompanied by evidence of substantive changes in our behavior (Luke 3:8).
Get rid of all the spiritually negative things.
When we repent, we must turn away from sin. That means that we must get rid of all the spiritually negative things in our lives, which are constantly tempting us to sin. It may mean that we must stop watching certain TV shows and movies, or that we must stop listening to certain songs, or reading certain books. It may mean that we must stop spending the majority of our time with certain friends and family members who are a bad influence on us (1 Corinthians 15:33). It may mean that we must look for a new job, or a new place to live, so we can get away from evil influences (2 Peter 2:8). This may be a painful process, like plucking out an eye, or cutting off a hand (Matthew 5:29-30), but it is necessary to take such drastic measures, in order to secure our salvation.
If possible, make restitution for the sinful things we have done.
When we repent, we must also be willing make restitution for the sinful things we have done, if it is possible to do so. Under the Law of Moses, restitution was required of everyone who stole, or destroyed other people’s property, as well as those who caused injury or death of another person (Deuteronomy 19:21). This is one of the basic principles of repentance. If a man were to steal another man’s car, and then decided that he wanted to repent of what he had done, he would have to give the car back to its rightful owner. If a liar wants to repent of what he has done, then he must tell the truth.
Some people do not want to give up what got them into trouble.
This is really just a matter of common sense, but it is also what stops many people from repenting. In some cases, people simply do not want to give up what got them into trouble in the first place. People who fail to fully repent are certain to go back to their old sinful habits (2 Peter 2:20-22).
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” – Acts 3:19
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Brought About by Godly Sorrow
“I’m Sorry”
People say, “I’m sorry” all the time, but with varying degrees of meaning. Some say it to express sorrow for having been caught in wrongdoing. Next time, these people will be more carful, so they do not get caught. Some say it with no expression of meaning, at all. They are merely saying what they believe others want to hear, in order to appease them. Then, there are those who say it as an expression of deep and meaningful sorrow for the wrongs they have done. This is “godly sorrow.”
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” – 2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow will prompt us to fully repent.
In 2 Corinthians 7:10, “godly sorrow” is said to be the underlying cause of repentance. It is the kind of sorrow that Jesus indicated we must feel as we “mourn” for our sins (Matthew 5:4). It is the kind of sorrow Peter felt, as he “wept bitterly” over having denied the Lord (Luke 22:62). It is the only kind of sorrow, which will prompt us to repent – fully repent – of all our sins (Acts 17:30).
Worldly sorrow hardens the heart.
The text in 2 Corinthians 7:10 also mentions “the sorrow of the world,” which is said to be the underlying cause of spiritual “death” (Romans 6:23a). This is the kind of sorrow that Pharaoh expressed, as he hardened his heart against the Lord (Exodus 9:27-28, 35). It is the kind of sorrow that Judas expressed, when he tried to give back the silver he earned, when he betrayed Jesus Christ to His enemies (Matthew 27:3-5). Worldly sorrow does not result is repentance. It hardens the hearts of men and women, until the message of the gospel no longer has any effect upon them (Hebrews 3:12-13).
Has the sorrow of the world hardened your heart to the love of God?
If so, open it up to the gospel and let God’s love into your life!
Resulting in a Reformation of Life…
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Repentance Requires A Change of Mind
Repentance may be many things.
In all the years that you’ve been going to church, you have been told that you need to “repent” of your sins. But, do you know what it really means to “repent?” Whenever I ask people what they think repentance is, in a Bible study, or just in casual conversation, I typically get a variety of responses. Some might say that repentance is when you feel sorry for your sins. Others may say that repentance is when you stop sinning and start living right. Still, others say that repentance is when you stop loving sin and start loving the Lord. All of these responses are correct—for repentance is many things and every one of them is an important part of getting on the right path in life.
Repentance requires a change of mind.
The fact that repentance is a change of mind is seen in the definition of the Greek word, which is translated, “repent,” in our Bibles. Metanoew (meta-noeo) appears, in one form or another, scores of times in the New Testament. The root meaning of the word is “to change one’s mind” (according to Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament). It is used as such in the parable of the man with two sons, in Matthew 21:28-30. In the parable, the man asks both of his sons to go and work in his vineyard. One says, “No,” but then reconsiders and goes to do the work. The other says, “Yes,” but then fails to go. Concerning the first son, the Lord used these words, “but afterward he repented, and went.” That young man changed his mind, illustrating perfectly the fact that repentance is a change of mind.
Only understanding of the truth about sin can bring true repentance.
In order to experience the change of mind that is part of true repentance, it is necessary for one to learn the truth about sin. Sin is deceitful (Hebrews 3:13). It promises us satisfaction and fulfillment, but it leaves us empty and burdened with consequences (Galatians 6:7-8). The Word of God tells us everything we need to know about sin, so we may develop a healthy loathing for it. As the psalmist has written: “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:104). If we will open our hearts and minds to the wisdom of the Lord, we can learn the truth about sin, and about the change that must take place in our minds, in order to repent of it.
God wants every human being to repent (2 Peter 3:9). But, in order for us to do that, we must learn what repentance really is. Let us look to the Word of the Lord for understanding.
…but afterward he repented, and went. – Matthew 21:29
Brought about by Godly Sorrow…
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Comfort One Another With These Words
Comfort One Another With These Words – 1 Thessalonians 3:18
What hope is there for us, when last day comes?
People who don’t have a proper relationship with the Lord dread the coming of the end of the world, and rightfully so. But, those who are faithful members of the Lord’s church ought not to be afraid of the second coming of Christ. For them, the end of the world will mean the end of suffering and the beginning of eternal joy (Revelation 21: 1-4).
Our only hope is to obey gospel plan of salvation.
The Bible does warn that the outlook is grim for those who are not prepared to meet the Lord, on judgment day. In 2 Thessalonians 1:8 and 9, the Bible warns us that, when Jesus returns, He shall come “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.” People who know nothing about God, as well as people who know Him but will not obey Him shall be irretrievably lost on the day of judgment. Their only hope—our only hope—is to obey gospel plan of salvation, as it is revealed in God’s Holy Word.
Begin by opening up the Bible.
The process begins, when we open up our Bibles and read for ourselves what God’s will is for all of us (Romans 10:17). If we believe what we read, then faith will take root and grow in our hearts (Hebrews 11: 6). When our faith is strong enough, it will motivate us to repent of our sins (Luke 13: 3-5). Then we shall have the incentive we need to confess our faith in Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:32-33) and be baptized for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38). At that point, the Lord shall add us to His church, and we shall be saved from our sins (Acts 2:47).
The judgment of our Lord ought to be comforting to every member of the family of God.
Once we have obeyed the gospel, we shall not have to be afraid of the judgment of our Lord. As long as we are faithful to Him, we may look forward to the end of the world, as a day when we shall finally be united with the One whom we adore. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, the idea of resurrection from the dead and the judgment of our Lord ought to be a comforting thought to every member of the family of God.
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first – 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 16
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The Heavens Shall Pass Away
The Heavens Shall Pass Away – 2 Peter 3:10
What will happen to the world, when it finally meets its end?
Actually, there is a great deal of disagreement about the answer to this question, among religious thinkers. Some propose that the world will not really come to an end, but will be the eternal home of God’s faithful children. Others suggest that the world will be decimated by war, famine, disease and natural calamity before the Lord comes to pass judgment upon humanity. But, what does the Bible say about the end of the world? In fact, it has a great deal to say about the subject.
The world shall not survive the day of judgment.
The day in which Jesus Christ returns to judge the world in righteousness shall be the last day in Earth’s history. 2 Peter 3:5-7 teaches us that God destroyed the world once with a global flood, in days of Noah and that He shall destroy it again with fire, on the day of judgment. 2 Peter 3:10 says that, on the day of judgment, “the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” The world shall not survive the day of judgment. That is why the Bible teaches us to “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (1 John 2:15).
God made the world to be temporary. Heaven is infinitely better!
As good as life can be in this world, life in Heaven is infinitely better! That is why God made the world to be temporary, in its nature. Our bodies can last for a very long time, but we are not designed to live on Earth forever (Psalm 90:10). Our souls long for Heaven and are looking forward to the day when we will no longer be burdened with life here (2 Corinthians 5:1-4). The end of the world is coming (2 Peter 3:9). Let’s be ready for it, when it gets here.
…by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the judgment … – 2 Peter 3:5-7
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As a Thief in the Night
As a Thief in the Night – 2 Peter 3:10
When will the world come to an end?
This question has preoccupied the minds of men for centuries. Some have sought the answer in the night sky. Others have tried to divine such knowledge from the spirit world, itself. Still, others have believed that they could figure it out with an imaginative interpretation of the Bible. But, in spite of man’s best efforts, no one has yet succeeded in predicting when the end of the world will be.
Of that day and hour knoweth no man.
Of course, the reason for humanity’s lack of progress in cracking this conundrum is stated in the Word of God. In Matthew 24:36, Jesus said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” The day and the hour when Jesus comes again is privileged information that no human being may know. All of these people who are trying to frighten us with dire warnings of the impending end of the world are absolutely wrong! They cannot possibly know when the end will be.
His coming will be a complete surprise.
That is why the apostle Peter wrote what he did in his second epistle, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). When a thief comes in the middle of the night to rob someone’s house, he does not phone ahead of time to say when he will drop by. His coming is a complete surprise—and so shall the second coming of Christ be to the whole world.
Be ready for the Lord to come.
Now, you might be thinking, “Doesn’t the Bible talk about ‘signs,’ which indicate that the coming of the Lord is near?” While that may be popular fodder for sermons in denominational churches, it is without basis in the Bible. In Matthew 24:4-35, Jesus talked about “signs,” which would indicate that the destruction of Jerusalem was coming (and it did, in A.D. 70). But, the Lord never indicated that we would be able to tell when He will come again. As a matter of fact, in Matthew 24:37-41, Jesus indicated that the day of His coming would be an ordinary day, just like any other. Also, in Luke 12:40, He said that His coming would be at a time when humanity is not expecting Him. Let’s all get ready for the Lord to come—for so He shall—sooner or later.
…the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not. – Luke 12:40
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My Words Shall Judge Him in the Last Day
My Words… Shall Judge Him in the Last Day – John 12:48
It is intimidating to appear in court.
Have you ever stood before a judge, in a court of law? I have, and I can tell you from my own understanding that it is an intimidating experience, even if you have not broken the law. But, as intimidating as it is to appear in an earthly court of the laws of men, think of how much more intimidating it will be to appear before the court of divine judgment.
All humanity shall be judged by the Lord.
The Bible speaks very plainly of a day in which all of humanity shall be judged by the Lord (Matthew 25:31-46). It is the same day in which Jesus shall return, all the dead shall be resurrected, and the world in which we now live shall be destroyed (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 5:28-29; 2 Peter 3:10). It is a day from which we shall not be able to escape, or to excuse ourselves (Romans 14:12).
God hath appointed a day when will judge the world.
This is why the imperative to repent and obey the Lord is so strong, in the Bible (Acts 17:30-31). Paul preached that “all men everywhere” ought to repent, because God “hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” In reference to the future judgment of all mankind, Paul wrote, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11). When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, we will not want to find out that we are unprepared. For those who are not ready to meet their maker, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).
We shall all be judged by His Words.
Fortunately for us, Jesus said that we shall all be judged by His Words, on the Day of Judgment. According to Revelation 20:11-15, the books of the Bible shall serve as the standard by which all humanity shall be judged. It is not the case that some will judged by one standard and some by another. God’s impartiality will not allow it (Romans 2:11). We will not be judged by the words of the Koran, or the Book of Mormon, or any of the creeds, disciplines, or confessions of faith found in the denominations. The Bible is our only standard, in religion!
We must all appear before the judgment seat.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. – 2 Corinthians 5:10
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Do All in the Name of the Lord
Do All in the Name of the Lord – Colossians 3:17
Authority must be granted.
Have you ever acted in someone else’s name? It is quite a common thing for people to be given the “power of attorney” over someone else, so they may act on their behalf. This kind of power may not legally be assumed by anyone, however, without authority being granted by the one in whose name the action is to be taken. In other words, before I can do anything in someone else’s name, I must have their authority to do so.
What we teach or practice in religion must have God’s authority.
This same line of thinking applies in religion. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Everything we teach or practice in religion must have God’s authority to back it up. Without divine authority, it may not be said that a particular religious teaching or practice meets with the approval of the Lord.
The Word of God, which supplies us with authority.
It is the Word of God, which supplies us with authority from God to do or say anything in His name (Acts 4:7-10). Unless there is a direct statement, necessary inference, or approved example from the Bible to authorize a particular teaching or practice, it is simply impossible to affirm that there any divine authority behind it. That is why most preachers in the churches of Christ quote the Bible so many times in their sermons.
The Lord taught that many people will be surprised to learn, on the Day of Judgment, that their souls are lost, simply because they did not “do all in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 7:22-23). Let us all resolve not to be numbered among them!
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Keep My Commandments
Keep My Commandments – John 14:15
We keep the commandments of Christ because we love Him.
Obedience is a crucial part of our relationship with God. Jesus has said, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Keeping the commandments of Christ is what we do because we love Him and we appreciate the wonderful things He has done for us (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3).
Keep the Lord’s commandments as they are!
It is interesting to note that the word, “keep” is translated from a Greek word, which means, “to preserve something as it is.” Not only does the Lord require our obedience; Hebrews also requires us to be careful not to change His Word, in any way. There are numerous passages in which the Bible warns us not to tamper with its contents (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19; et al). Let us heed the Bible’s warning and keep the Lord’s commandments as they are!
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Let No Man Deceive You By Any Means
Let No Man Deceive You By Any Means – 2 Thessalonians 2:3
How can we keep from being deceived?
In a world that is inhabited by so many competing religious institutions, how can anyone be sure that his faith is the “one faith” given by God, Himself (Ephesians 4:5)? How can we keep from being deceived by false religion and lured into a Devil’s snare (Hebrews 3:13b)?
Don’t listen to men; listen to God!
The answer is really quite simple: don’t listen to men; listen to God! Do as the Bible says, and “Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Don’t fall for a stylish show and a slick sermon.
The Word of God will not deceive you (John 17:17)!
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Let God Be True, But Every Man a Liar
Let God Be True, But Every Man a Liar – Romans 3:4
Who do you trust?
- Your parents?
- Your best friend?
- Your preacher?
Do these people always tell you the truth? Do they always give you the best advice? Are they always right?
Certainly, we ought to place our trust in those who are closest to us, but that does not necessarily mean that those people will always be honest with us, or that they will always know what is best for us, or that the things they tell us will always be right.
Human beings are fallible.
Even when we are being sincere and honest, it is possible that we may be wrong.
God will always lead you in the right direction.
There is one person who will always tell you the truth, always knows what is best for you and is always right about everything. That person is God, and He speaks to all of us through His Word. In Second Timothy 3:16, the Bible says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God.” The literal meaning of the word, “inspiration” is “God-breathed.” That means that all of the Bible originated in the mind of God, and that it will always lead you in the right direction.
If you want to get to Heaven, don’t trust any human being.
Even your dearest loved ones might lead you the wrong way, but the Word of God will always lead you in the right way (Psalm 119:105).
These were more noble… they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. – Acts 17:11
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Without Faith It Is Impossible to Please Him
Without Faith It Is Impossible to Please Him – Hebrews 11:6
The Bible has much to say about the significance of faith.
Preachers in the churches of Christ are frequently accused of failure to recognize the importance of faith in the process of salvation. We tend to place so much emphasis upon the role of baptism in salvation, that many among the denominations get the idea that we do not believe in the worth of faith. This, however, is a mistaken impression. We preach and teach only what the Bible authorizes; and the Bible has much to say about the significance of faith.
Faith is absolutely essential to the salvation.
In Hebrews 11:6, it is written: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” If one does not have faith in God, then one can never be saved from his sins. This means that faith is absolutely essential to the salvation of every human being (John 8:24)!
But, faith is not all that is necessary for salvation.
People, however, tend to get terribly confused about faith, when they start thinking that faith is all that is necessary to effect the salvation of a living soul. Much of the modern “religious” world is under the impression that one needs only to believe in God and to ask Him for forgiveness, and salvation shall be granted. Their assertion is that there is nothing for us to “do” about our spiritual condition, be- cause God does it all for us. This notion is ridiculous, in light of what the Bible actually says about faith, works and our salvation.
Faith and works go hand in hand.
In Acts 2, when Peter was preaching to a vast multitude, the Biblical record says that, “with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation” (Acts 2:40). Peter told to people to save themselves, indicating that there was something that they could “do” about their spiritual condition. In his epistle, James argued that faith and works go hand in hand. He wrote, “show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18). There can be no salvation without faith in God, but salvation does not arise by faith alone. Every step in the plan of salvation must be taken to get us to where we want to go (Matthew 7:21).
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For We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight
For We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight – 2 Corinthians 5:7
The human mind can so easily be tricked.
Many years ago, I visited a museum of science and industry in Columbus, Ohio, where I got to see a demonstration of optical illusions. It was amazing to me that the human mind could so easily be tricked into thinking that it is seeing one thing, when, in fact, it is seeing something else entirely. If you have ever seen a “magic” show then you know what I mean.
When we close our eyes to the truth we get into trouble.
Memories of that day always get me to thinking about 2 Corinthians 5:7, in which the apostle Paul wrote, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Some have the idea that to “walk by faith” is to close one’s eyes to all evidence to the contrary and make one’s way through the world, blindly following the Lord. But, this is simply not the case. Our Lord wants us keep our eyes open to the world, for “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1ff). It is when we close our eyes to the truth that we get into trouble (Matthew 13:15).
Eyes can be deceived, but faith cannot.
We “walk by faith,” because faith is superior to sight. Our eyes can be deceived, but our faith cannot. Remember that faith in God is supposed to be based upon substantial evidence (Hebrews 11:1). Our faith ought to be sure enough that nothing can move us away from it.
Keep focused on Jesus.
When Peter walked on the Sea of Galilee, he was able to do so only when he kept his eyes focused on Jesus, and he began to sink when he looked at the storm raging around him (Matthew 14:22-33). We must keep our eyes fixed upon the One who can lead us from Earth to Heaven, if we want to make it (Hebrews 12:1-2). If we walk by sight, rather than faith, we will surely fail.
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The Substance of Things Hoped For
A Leap of Faith?
Have you ever heard of somebody making a “leap of faith?” People use that term all the time, but do they really understand what it means? It is a phrase that was born of a philosophy of religion—one that makes a bold assumption. It is assumed by some that there is not enough evidence to conclusively prove that God exists. Therefore, it is necessary to make a “leap of faith” from where the evidence ends to where God begins.
The problem with this view is that it is unbiblical.
In Hebrews 11:1, the Bible says that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” It is not the case that faith is a substitute for evidence, but that it is composed of evidence. I have faith in God, because I have plenty of evidence, which proves that He exists. My faith is not an expression of my personal desire for God to be real, but rather my faith is the result of my being absolutely convinced that He is real.
Faith is an expression of absolute certainty.
One of the greatest examples of Biblical faith is that of Job. He suffered the loss of his property, his family and finally, his health. Wracked with excruciating physical pain, he was also troubled in his spirit, because he, like his three friends who came to comfort him, believed that God had done all of these terrible things to him. In the discussions he had with Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, Job tried to figure out why the Lord had afflicted him to such an extreme degree. Still, through it all, he did not give up his faith in God. In Job 19:25, he expressed his firm belief in the existence of God, when he said, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.” Job did not say, “I think that my redeemer lives,” or “I hope that my redeemer lives.” He said, “I know that my redeemer lives!” That is the kind of confidence called for, in the Biblical definition of faith. Only when faith is an expression of absolute certainty can it truly be “unwavering” (James 1:6).
I believe in the North Pole…
I have never been to there. I have never seen it, or touched it, or smelled it, or tasted it – but I know it’s there. I know because I have heard the testimony of eyewitnesses who have experienced it firsthand, and because of all the other evidence there is of its existence. People might scoff at the idea of one having faith in the North Pole, but it is in just the same way that I have come to have faith in God.
“For I know that my redeemer liveth…” – Job 19:25
Content by Russell Kline
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One is One Too Many!
A preacher went out to talk to a farmer about his soul, but the farmer wasn’t receptive. “There are just too many hypocrites in the church,” he said. “You know Mr. Smith, and I’m just as good as he is. And there’s Mr. Jones, a member of your church, and I saw him downtown drinking last night. No sir, preacher, there are just too many hypocrites in the church to suit me!”
A few days later the preacher came back to the farmer to buy a pig. The preacher picked out the runt of the litter. “That’s the one I want,” said the preacher. But the farmer protested, “You don’t want that one! I have much better pigs than him!” The preacher assured him that he had made his choice. They agreed on a price and as the preacher was loading the little pig into his car, he turned to the farmer and said, “Now I’m going all over the county and show people the kind of pigs you raise.” The farmer protested. “You can’t do that. I have much better pigs than that one. You can’t judge the whole litter by that runt.” “That’s exactly my point,” said the farmer, as he drove away.
You can’t judge the whole litter by the runt
It’s sad, but there are a lot of people like that farmer. They judge the whole church by one or two runts. I readily admit that there are too many hypocrites in the church. One is one too many! But, we must not judge the whole church by them. And, we certainly should not let them keep us from doing what is right. Jesus condemned those who pretended to be something which they were not (Matthew 23:1-39). Those who are only “acting” at religion today stand condemned as well. We can’t use them as an excuse for our failure to honor God.
- It’s a very serious mistake to compare ourselves with others (2 Corinthians 10:12).
- Jesus is the perfect standard.
- His word is the final authority.
- Let us conform to it, even if others do not!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Put Down Your Beer and Open Up Your Bible
It is time to set the record straight.
On our way back from Polishing the Pulpit, my wife and I spent several hours listening to the radio, as we drove. It’s always fun to sing along with the songs we know, as we reminisce about old times and come to appreciate new music, too. We were almost home, when we heard a new country song that we hadn’t heard before. It’s called, “If I Could Have a Beer With Jesus”— that’s right, “If I Could Have a Beer With Jesus”—and it was written by Thomas Rhett Akins. At first, I laughed out loud at the very notion of a song about a good ole boy sitting down in a honky tonk to share a pitcher of brew with the Son of God. But, as the words of the song came pouring out of my radio speakers, my amusement turned into outrage. Songs like this one,—and there are many others—perpetuate a misrepresentation about our Lord that vexes the souls of faithful Christians everywhere. Once again, it is time to set the record straight.
Jesus would even join them in doing the same?
First of all, there is the notion that Jesus approves of our sinful behavior, and the assumption that He would gladly join us in it. Miranda Lambert sings a song about drinking wine with the Lord, called “A Heart Like Mine.” The chorus says, “I heard Jesus; He drank wine. And I bet we’d get along just fine. He could calm the storm and heal the bind. And I bet He’d understand a heart like mine.” Many people live their lives by the assumption that sinners are just misunderstood and that, as long as they don’t commit any of the “really big” sins, God understands, and forgives, and would even join them in doing the same. Back in the 1960’s and 70’s, this was the mantra of the “hippie generation.” Men grew out their hair, fornicated and abused drugs; arguing all the while that Jesus did the same things. It is infuriating to me to hear such vile slander leveled against the Lord of humanity! Jesus did not drink alcohol, He did not commit fornication, and He did not have long hair (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Corinthians 11:14)!
Learn to be ashamed and put down the burden of sin.
It’s about time that people learned to be ashamed of their sinful behavior and did something about their spiritual weakness, besides using it as an excuse (2 Peter 3:18). Like the people of Jeremiah’s day, we no longer blush, when sin is brought to light (Jeremiah 6:15; 8:12). When is somebody going to write a song about smoking a joint with Jesus, or going to the casino with Jesus, or going to a strip club with Jesus? When that day comes, will people think it is sentimental and cute, or will people be outraged by the idea that the Lord would ever engage in such behavior? Jesus wants us to put down the burden of sin, and not drag it around with us for the rest of our lives (Matthew 11:28-30).
Pick up your Bible to find the answers.
Another thing about the lyrics to “If I Could Have a Beer With Jesus” that I find astonishing is the quandary that Mr. Akins seems to be in over such questions as, “Do you hear the prayers I send? What happens when life ends? When you think you’re comin’ back again?” It seems to me that, if this guy would just put down his beer and pick up his Bible, he would be able to find the answers he seeks. The Word of God tells us all that we need to know about prayer, in passages like Matthew 6:5-15, among many others. The Bible tells us about what happens when life ends, in passages like Luke 16:19-31. As to the question of when Jesus will come back again, all that one needs to do is read Matthew 24:36.
Don’t delude yourself into thinking the Word of God is too hard to understand.
People like to think that spiritual questions like this are deep and the answers to them are elusive. But, the truth of the matter is that these questions are simple and the answers we seek may be found in the Bible. If you want to know about Jesus, just “Search the Scriptures” (John 5:39). You may not like what you find there, and maybe that’s why some people do not open their Bibles to begin with, but don’t delude yourself into thinking that the Word of God is just too hard for the common man to understand (Mark 12:37b).
We will be judged by the standard that Jesus set.
When I researched the lyrics of this song on the Internet, I was surprised to see so many comments about it that lauded it with praise. Some said that it was such a good song that it made them cry. I makes me cry to think of all the poor souls who are convinced that they don’t need to change their lives to be pleasing to the Lord. Let us never forget that we will be judged by the standard that He set, and not the standard that the world sets for us (John 12:48).
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed…” – Romans 12:2
Content by Russell Kline
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Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
Suffering is not punishment from God for the sins of humanity
The ancients thought that, if something bad happened to someone, it must have been because that person had done something to bring God’s wrath down upon him. Generally, it was assumed that only a sinner would be made to suffer in this life. That was the view of Job’s friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, but Job could not think of anything he had done to prompt the Lord to inflict upon him the loss of his riches, his children and his health (Job 16:1,2). In Jesus’ day, people still held on to similar beliefs. On one occasion, the Lord addressed the issue, when some who were with Him told Him about some people from Galilee, who were killed by order of Pontius Pilate, while making a sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem (Luke 13:1). Jesus said, “Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:2-3). Then, Christ brought up another example: “Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:4-5). With the word, “I tell you, Nay,” the Son of God forever dispelled the notion that human suffering is punishment from God for the sins of humanity. There are many reasons why bad things happen to good people, and we would do well to learn about them.
People Suffer Because of Their Own Sins
This suffering is not necessarily punishment from God for their sin, but it is simply the result of the consequences of a particular sinful activity. For example, when people commit the sin of fornication (Hebrews 13:4), they run the risk of contracting a deadly illness, or creating an unintended pregnancy. People who commit fornication may be forgiven by God for the sin they have committed, but they still have to deal with the consequences of their actions—maybe for the rest of their lives on Earth. King David provides us with an excellent example of this point. He committed fornication with Bathsheba and an unintended pregnancy resulted from their sin (2 Samuel 11:1-5). When David’s attempts to cover up what he had done failed, he arranged for Bathsheba’s husband to be killed on the field of battle, so he could then take her to be his wife (2 Samuel 11:6-27). The prophet Nathan reminded David he had not gotten away with anything and David begged the Lord for mercy (2 Samuel 12:1-13a). Even though the Lord forgave David for his sin, he still had to bear the consequences of his action (2 Sam. 12:10,13b-14). The result was that David’s sin with Bathsheba had a profound impact upon the rest of his life (Psalm 51:3b).
People Suffer Because of the Sins of Others
When a thief steals something precious from someone, or an abuser assaults someone, or a murderer takes away someone’s life, innocent people suffer. In such cases, the victim may have done absolutely nothing to provoke the incident, but he suffers just the same. The slain Galileans mentioned in Luke 13 are a good example of this principle. Jesus specified that they did not suffer because of their own sins (Luke 13:2-3). They were simply the victims of a ruthless Roman governor, who sought to impose his will upon the Jews. When something like this happens, in the modern world, it is always a terrible tragedy, but it is not necessarily a punishment from God. People Suffer and it is Not Anyone’s Fault People suffer terrible losses of life and property in natural disasters almost every day. Such losses occur through no fault of their own, or anyone else, but they still happen. The people who perished in the tower in Siloam are a good example of this principle (Luke 13:4-5). They died because gravity pulled the tower down upon them. Natural forces, like gravity, work to keep the world in which we live operating in the way that is most beneficial for us. Sometimes, those same forces can bring suffering into our lives, but most of the time they do not. This kind of suffering is not punishment from God, but merely the forces of nature doing what they were designed to do.
Our Lord wants what is best for us – He does not delight in human suffering
Some believe that God delights in human suffering, but nothing could be further from the truth (2 Peter 3:9). Our Lord wants what is best for us, and He urges us to resist temptation, so we will not have to suffer its consequences, or cause anyone else to suffer, either. When suffering does come into our lives (And it surely will), God enables us to cope with it, through the comforting wisdom that can only be found in the Bible (Psalm 119:50). Some argue that God does not exist, because of the suffering that goes on in the world. But if God removes suffering from our lives, but not the lives of others, then it could be argued that He is not being fair (Romans 2:11). If God removed suffering from all of us, then what would be the point of life on Earth? It has been said that suffering exists on Earth to make people want to go to Heaven—for in Heaven “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying…” (Revelation 21:4).
Content by Russell Kline
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