An Enduring Faith

 

 An Enduring Faith

 

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither; the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord—Job 1:20-21 

Satan was given permission to use his powers to induce Job to curse God. His efforts to do so brought financial ruin to Job. That effort inflicted upon Job some of the deepest, most agonizing pain and grief of heart known to man, the death of his sons and daughters. Yet even in the darkest hour of his life, Job held firm to his faith in God. Satan's efforts to induce Job to curse God only led him to bless the name of the Lord.  He is a great example of a man with an enduring faith and in this he becomes a great example for you and I.

 We often live for months, even years, in which we experience nothing but good things. O, to be sure there are always those momentary aches, pains and burdens of life but nothing devastating. Then one day it happens, some horrific event comes crashing into our life. What will we do? How will we respond?  It now becomes a question of how deeply we have been willing to submit ourselves to God's will (Rom. 8:28, 31, 35-39, Psalms 23, James 4:6-10).

 When tragic events strike our human frame, they bring grief and pain and cause us to hurt. But for one who has submitted totally to God's will it will not be a question of why did this happen. There are so many things that happen in this life that I do not understand why they happen but one thing I do know, so long as I love and serve God with all my being, he will take care of me and he will do the same for you (Psalms 34:17-19, 1 Pet. 5:6-7). The words of Isaiah 40:31 have come to mean a lot to me: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint".  It is not the tragic events of life that cause us to falter, it is how we handle those events that determines whether we fail or rise to greater heights of faith. The storms of life will not overcome us if we allow the power of God to lift us above them.

 I am human, I am flawed, I am fragile—so are you. When everything seems to be chaos, when our hearts are pained so deeply it seems as if all is lost, I pray ours will be a sustaining faith just like Job of old.  Don't panic, pray (1 Thess. 5:17, Phil. 4:6-7, Heb. 4:16). Recognizing how great our God is will impart to us the strength and courage needed to sustain us all the way every day.

 "Oh for a faith that will not shrink though pressed on by every foe, that will not tremble on the brink of any earthly woe" (William H. Bathurst) 

Charles Hicks

 

WHY DO WE SPEAK AS WE DO?

 

Preface to this article: Our "News & Views" two weeks ago was titled "Why Do We Talk As We Do?" This edition of "News & Views" is a sequel to that article and addresses another way in which we are guilty of the wrong kind of speech. I have changed one word in the title of this article from the previous article – the word "Talk" to the word "Speak." In accordance with I Peter 4:11, "speak" sharpens the focus this article intends to bring. I am aware that some of my readers will think that what I say in this article is much ado about nothing. Too, I acknowledge that this will be considered a hard hitting article by some of my readers. I am reminded, however, of the farmer who was breaking his mule and began by taking a 2 x 4 and hitting the mule squarely across the head, staggering the animal. A neighbor who observed the action asked the farmer why he had hit the mule in such a brutal fashion, to which the farmer replied, "Well, before you can break a mule, you have to first get its attention." I hope to get my readers' attention with this article and cause them to reflect on how so many think, speak, and write about the church in a denominational way. Until we have a clear, biblical, undenominational, non-sectarian view of the church we will never grow "with a growth which is from God" (Colossians 2:19, NASB). Instead, we will continue to think and speak of the church as a denomination, and untaught members will shuffle from one religious group to another, thinking there are no significant differences between them, and therefore no significant consequences to be suffered. I urge you to give the following article a careful, thoughtful reading.

 

I continue to be dismayed by the denominational terminology that I increasingly hear and read so many of my brethren using, including elders, preachers, Bible professors, and others who should know better. For example, not long ago I read where a preacher (who is also a Bible professor) posted on a website and spoke of "CofC churches." He was alerting churches of Christ to how long it might take them to find a preacher if they should be in need of one. He was underscoring the shortage of gospel preachers, or, as per his thinking, "Church of Christ" preachers. His terminology, however, was sectarian and denominational to the core! Some of my progressive brothers now speak unabashedly of "Church of Christ churches." How redundant can one be, to say nothing of being utterly unbiblical!

 

On another website I read where one who claims to be learned among us referred to "the Stone-Campbell tradition of churches." In this, he was including the churches of Christ, but he was speaking of them as though they were but one of many religious traditions in the broader "Christian community of believers," i.e., his view that the church is just another denomination among many other denominations. I hear and read of brethren who refer to the church as "our tradition, our tribe, our tributary, our little corner of the kingdom," etc. In God's matchless plan for Christianity He made no allowance for various traditions, tribes, tributaries, and corners in His kingdom! In fact, His word forbids and severely condemns such. (See John 17:20-21; Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 4:1-6).

 

A columnist for what purports to be the brotherhood newspaper spoke of her "Church of Christ" friends, lumping them in with her Baptist and Methodist friends. As per her thinking, all three groups fall into the same category. But are they all in the same category? Is the body (church) of Christ just another denomination originating with men such as the Baptists and Methodists? How far some have come from thinking, speaking, and writing simply about "churches of Christ" or "churches of God" (Romans 16:16; II Thessalonians 1:4; et. al.)! Is it not enough to speak of individual members of the body of Christ simply as "Christians"? (Acts 11:26). Why do so many today resort to expressing themselves in ways which the New Testament writers never thought of, spoke of, or wrote of?  "CofC churches" indeed! "Church of Christ" friends! What an embarrassing shame such speakers and writers should feel for their denominational view of the Lord's church!

 

When I read such statements, I ask myself, "What have these guys been reading? Where do they come up with such terminology?" Unfortunately, I know the answer to my questions. These men (and women) have lost all sight (if indeed they ever had such) of the restoration principle and the restoration plea and the great work of going back to the New Testament alone to determine how to become and be God's people in the 21st century. They have totally lost the import of Peter's words, "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Peter 4:11a). Their notion seems to be, "If anyone speaks let him speak as the religious (denominational) world around us speaks." After all, we do not want to sound exclusive or be offensive!

 

Was the church of which we read in the New Testament a denomination? Can we be today what it was then? Why then this lumping of God's church with the denominations that men have founded? Why speak "the language of Ashdod" (Nehemiah 13:23-24), the language of sectarians and denominationalists, when we can and should speak as the oracles of God? Of course, before we can speak as the oracles of God, we must first be informed in the oracles of God.

 

Yes, I know that over the years I have written much along the lines above, but I have no intention of letting up in my efforts to set before my readers the beautiful bride of Christ, the church of my Lord in all its radiant splendor as depicted on the pages of the New Testament.

 

As I close this essay, I want to acknowledge that many members (hopefully, most) do not view the church as a denomination and do not wish to intentionally portray it as such. But they find themselves living in a denominational world and have thoughtlessly and unknowingly adopted denominational language. After all, so goes the thinking, if I have friends and family members who are Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, Lutherans, Nazarenes, etc., then I must be Church of Christ! They have not learned how not to think and speak in denominational terms about the undenominational church of the New Testament. A sweet lady who resides in the Senior Living Community where I now live and a member of the body of Christ since her youth, recently stopped by my dinner table, leaned over and whispered to me, "We have a new resident and she's 'Church of Christ.' " She meant no harm and just sincerely wanted me to know that another sister in Christ was now a part of our community, but she had never been taught nor had she learned how to speak biblically of one who is just a Christian without any denominational affiliation, a person who is only a member of the spiritual body of Christ, the church. To all such, I urge thoughtful and careful reflection on what I have written above.

 

Hugh Fulford

Count Your Blessings

 

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward--Romans 8:18

 

Notwithstanding the fact that as children of God we are the recipients of so many wondrous blessings and exceedingly precious promises (2 Peter 1:4) there will fall upon us those times of sorrow and suffering that are common to all mankind. At this moment there are so many thoughts echoing through my mind. Sometimes it seems as if the sufferings of this life are so overwhelming. There are the times when we try and try to say and do that which is right only to become disappointed. Sometimes the burdens weigh so heavy on us making our pilgrimage on earth one in which the days do indeed become weary and the nights become dreary. Stop and listen to the words of 2 Corinthians 4:17-18: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal".

 

Find a song book and turn to the song "When Upon Life's Billows". Look diligently at the sentiments of each verse and then heed the words of the chorus  "Count Your Many Blessings, See What God Hath Done". To be sure, the path we walk often becomes difficult but the blessings of God on our lives far out weigh the hardships. I am convinced that when we  reflect on our lives, we will find that God has been so good to us and in fact has "blessed us with wealth untold". The greatest blessing for all of us is found in the honor of being  called the sons of God (1 John 3:1-3). For us to have this honor our Lord had to endure some tremendous trials while on this earth. He suffered ridicule and shameful treatment at the hands of his accusers. He had to walk that lonely road to Calvary and have nails driven into his flesh and then be hung on a cross to die. He gave his life, shed his precious blood to make it possible for us to be called the sons of God (Colossians 1:12-14). Whatever besets us on this journey will not deter us as we press onward toward that prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14) so long as we lean on the mighty arm of Jesus and stand firm on the Rock of Ages (Psalms 18:2; Isaiah 26:4).

 

Charles Hicks

 

THE CONVERSION OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR

THE CONVERSION OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR

 

Nebuchadnezzar was a ruler of the Babylonian Empire for some forty years (from near the close of the 7th century B.C. to 562 B.C.). His conversion and why he needed to be converted is detailed Daniel 4. Before looking at his conversion, we need a bit of historical background concerning the connection of the Babylonian Empire with the people of God, the Kingdom of Judah.

 

Following the death of Solomon in c. 933 B.C., the one united Kingdom of Israel, composed of the twelve tribes, divided into two separate kingdoms. The tragic story of the division and why it occurred is recorded in I Kings 12 and II Chronicles 10. Ten of the twelve tribes revolted against Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and the rightful heir to the throne, and formed a separate kingdom under Jeroboam. These ten tribes retained the name of Israel and were known as the Northern Kingdom. This ten tribe kingdom did not have a single good king during the entirety of its existence! In 721 B.C. this kingdom was attacked by the Assyrians and taken into captivity, never to return as a distinct kingdom of its own.

 

The other two tribes—Judah and Benjamin—remained loyal to Rehoboam, and because Judah was the larger of the two they became known as the Kingdom of Judah or the Southern Kingdom. This kingdom fluctuated between good and bad kings. After the captivity of the Northern Kingdom by the Assyrians the Southern Kingdom continued for another 100 plus years before being attacked by the armies of Nebuchadnezzar and taken into Babylonian captivity. Among the first to be deported from Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They were given Babylonian names, but Daniel continued to be known as Daniel rather than by his Babylonian name of Beltezhazzar while the other three became (and remained) famously known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. In Babylon, these men were given positions of authority (see Daniel 1).

 

Nebuchadnezzar had a series of dreams that Daniel was able by the Spirit of God to interpret. Daniel 2 records an exceptionally important dream that foretold the setting up of God's eternal kingdom, the church (V. 44). In Daniel 4 we read of a dream by Nebuchadnezzar in which he saw an exceedingly high tree whose height reached to heaven. It was so large that it could be seen to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were lovely and its fruit was in such abundance as to provide food for all. In the dream a holy one came down from heaven and ordered the tree to be cut down, its leaves stripped, and its fruit scattered. The beasts of the field were to flee from its shade and the birds were to fly from its branches. However, the stump of the tree was to remain with its roots in the earth and a bronze band around it. The stump was to be watered by the dew of heaven.

 

Daniel was called in to explain the dream to Nebuchadnezzar. The tree and stump symbolized Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom which had grown strong and powerful. But Nebuchadnezzar had also become haughty and arrogant. (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego had been thrown into the fiery furnace for failure to worship Nebuchadnezzar as God). Daniel informed Nebuchadnezzar that he would be driven from his kingdom until "seven times" (years) had passed. During these "seven times" he would dwell with the beasts of the field, eat grass like oxen, and be wet by the dew of heaven until he had come to know "that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses" (Daniel 4:19-25). The stump of the tree was left to assure Nebuchadnezzar that his kingdom would be returned to him after he had come "to know that Heaven (God) rules" (Daniel 4:26).  In the meantime, Nebuchadnezzar was instructed by Daniel to "break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor." He was told, "Perhaps there may be a lengthening (prolonging) of your prosperity" (Daniel 4:27).

 

Exactly one year later, Nebuchadnezzar was walking in his palace. He said (perhaps musing to himself), "Is this not great Babylon that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:28-30). While his words were still in his mouth, a voice from heaven said, "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it has been spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses" (Daniel 4:31-32). "That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like bird claws" (Daniel 4:33).

 

Nebuchadnezzar spent seven years as a mad man and as a beast of the field, experiencing all that Daniel had said would happen to him. "And at the end of the time" he said, "And I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?' At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down" (Daniel 4:34-37).

 

Thus we have the conversion of Nebuchadnezzar. He learned his lesson. How many today need to undergo a similar conversion from arrogance and pride to humility and a recognition of the omnipotence of God? Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).

 

Hugh Fulford

Give More Earnest Heed

Give More Earnest Heed 

 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip (Hebrews 2:1) 

The writer of Hebrews tells us in verse 2 of chapter 1 that God has in these last days spoken to us by his Son and he goes on to tell us that the Son is superior to angels or any man who has ever lived (Hebrews 1:3-13, 2:5-8, 3:1-6). Now he tells us to pay close attention to that which is spoken by the Son.  

We hold in our hands one of the greatest treasures the world has ever known, the Bible, the word of God. Every word of this great treasure is divinely inspired (2 Timothy 3:16). The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12-13). This great treasure is able to cleanse us and purify our souls (1 John 1:9, 1 Peter 1:22). This treasure is comprised of truth and it is truth that will set us free (John 8:32, 36, John 17:17).

For all who will allow it to do so, this great treasure becomes the power of God that leads to eternal salvation (Romans 1:16, Hebrews 5:8-9) We must give strict adherence to the truths of the gospel of Christ, the word of God, not to just some of them or only to the ones we like but to all of them without exception. If we neglect to feed on the treasure of God's word and be doers of that word (2 Tim. 2:15, 1 Peter 2:1-3, James 1:22-27, 2:17-26), it will result in the truths that make us free and bring eternal salvation to slip from our minds and be forgotten. Don't let that happen! 

We are weak, frail human beings and if we do not diligently guard our hearts, it will be so easy to become engrossed in the pursuit of worldly things (wealth, homes, cars, possessions, things of all kinds) that we have little or no time left for spiritual things like studying God's word, praying, being involved in the work of the church. It will be so easy to become obsessed with material things, pleasures, amusements, recreational activities and allow those desires to leave no opportunity to do those things that will secure the eternal salvation of our soul to slip away (1 Cor. 15:57, 2 Peter 1:4-11, Hebrews 10:23, 2:1, Colossians 3:5-8).

 It is a great privilege and an honor to be a member of the Lord's church. To be called out of this world, to have redemption, the forgiveness of sins and be translated into the kingdom of God's beloved Son is cause for much rejoicing and praise to God (Col. 1:12-14). Giving heed to things spoken by the Lord, we must realize that we are a branch in Christ the vine. I cannot get by on the fact that the other branches are fruitful and function as they should while I do not and neither can you (John 15:1-8). We are a living stone in the building (1 Peter 2:4-5). I cannot get by on the fact that the other stones fit into their place and do their work well while I do not and neither can you. We are lights in the world and must shine (Matthew 5:14-16, Phil. 2:14-16). I cannot get by on the fact that other lights shine leading the lost and erring into the fold of safety while I do not and neither can you. 

Hold on to your faith so tenaciously that we will not falter or give up regardless of the struggles we face in this life (Hebrews 12:1-3).

 Charles Hicks

End of the Journey

End of the Journey

 

"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it"--Ecclesiastes 12:7 

Today we are on a great earthly journey that began the day we were born. It is uncertain as to when our departure from this life will take place. Each day we live just brings us one step closer to the time when our sojourn on this earth will come to an end (Eccl. 9:5, Heb. 9:27). If we live another week, a month or even years, it will still be only a short time when we consider the eternity to which we are going (Psalms 90:9-10). We do not need to be anxious about the when or how of death. Our major concern should center on being ready to exit this world and enter the world that will never end (Eccl. 12:13-14, 2 Cor. 5:10, 2 Tim. 4:6-8, 2 Corinthians 5:9).

   The words of Ephesians 5:14-17 sound out a great warning to us, especially verse 16: "Making the most of your time, because the days are evil".  Every step we take must be taken with great caution and watchfulness lest we find ourselves walking down that broad way that leads to everlasting destruction (Matthew 7:13).  Walk not after the flesh but strive to walk in a manner that becomes a faithful child of God (Gal. 5:19-25, 2 Pet. 1:3-11).

 Yesterday is gone forever, tomorrow may never come, thus we must understand that all we have is this present moment of time and it can end in the blink of an eye. Now is the time to be obedient to the Lord (Heb. 5:8-9, 2 Cor. 6:2, Phil.2:12). Now is the time to put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11-18), to set affections on things above (Col. 3:1-3, to lay up treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21, time for those members of the Lord's church who have become lukewarm, indifferent, inactive and unfaithful to come home, repenting and praying for God's forgiveness (Rev. 3:15-16, 1 John 1:9). Are you ready to come to the end of the way and take that last step through the door of death? Take heed, it may be later than you may think. Make peace with God while it is still today, tomorrow may be too late. Hear him, believe him, repent, confess him, be baptized for remission of sins, then live faithfully for and with him until that hour comes when these earthly bonds are cast off and we go to meet our God face to face (Romans 10:17, John 20:30-31, Acts 17:30-31, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:37, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Revelation 2:10, Hebrews 10:19-23).

 The end of this earthly journey for the child of God is a home of eternal rest (Rev. 14:12). The builder of that home has promised that he will come again and take us there to dwell with him (John 14:1-3). As I have grown older, I have become acutely aware of the insecurity of this earthy life. I have seen so many of my loved ones and friends slip silently through the door of death and I am keenly aware that my days on this earth are passing swiftly and all too soon I too will be leaving this world behind. Now, none of us knows when, where or how we will die. The only thing we know for sure is that the day is coming when our fleshly heart will beat for the last time. Does the thought of that day scare you or excite you (Phil. 1:21-23, 2 Cor. 5:6-9, Gal. 2:20). I venture to say that how you answer this question depends on the way you are living your life right now and how you view death.

 Charles Hicks

 

 

Afflicted But Not Crushed

Afflicted But Not Crushed

 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

 As we turn to 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 and learn from Paul of the many trials and afflictions he faced, we can understand why at times he would have a troubled heart and even be puzzled as to why those things were happening to him. However, we learn from 2 Corinthians 4 that he did not allow those afflictions to fill him with anxiety and grief that would throw him into a state of hopelessness. Paul knew that he served a God who was willing and able to calm all the storms of his life (Psalms 23, Psalms 56:3, Isaiah 12:2-3, Philippians 4:6-7, Hebrews 4:16).

 While we do not suffer the same afflictions Paul speaks about (hopefully never will), there will come into all of our lives those times when our human frame will be afflicted with events that will trouble us greatly. It does not matter how much peace and calmness may surround us, at any moment, often with no advance notice, our world can be turned upside down replacing that peace and comfort with a burden that will be difficult to bear. We serve the same God Paul served and like Paul, we must never allow the storms of this life to take control of us. When those dark clouds gather and the storms rage around us, turn it over to God, let him handle it.

 Some time ago, due to a medical issue, I found myself sitting in a room at the local medical center waiting to find out what was going to take place. There was a bulletin board in the room and as I sat there. I read these words. "Good morning. This is God. I will be handling all your problems today. So relax and have a great day," I know that these are words written by a human being but I do believe the thought expressed in them is biblical truth (Hebrews 13:5-6, 1 Peter 5:6-7, Psalms 59:16-17)

 There is always a measure of strength, hope, comfort, calmness and peace available to sustain those who are willing to submit themselves to the Lord, ever trusting and confiding in him (Jeremiah 17:7-8, Psalms 62:8, Proverbs 3:5, 1 Peter 5:6, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18) I love Psalms 4:8, "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety." Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning (Psalms 30:5) We sing a beautiful song by Eliza Hewitt, Sunshine in the Soul, that proclaims, "There's sunshine in my soul today, more glorious and bright, than glows in any earthly skies, for Jesus is my light. There's gladness in my soul today, and hope, and praise, and love, for blessings which he gives me now, for joys laid up above. O there's sunshine, blessed sunshine, when the peaceful happy moments roll; when Jesus shows his smiling face there is sunshine in my soul."

 As for me, this pilgrimage has been one great adventure. Sometimes it has been exciting while at times a little boring. There have been so many good days and there have also been many that were not so good. Recently, I received a post that truly sums up how I feel about my life: "I'm at peace today no matter what I'm facing, the Lord is with me." How about you? Always remember, the eyes of the Lord are in every place (2 Chronicles 16:9, 1 Peter 3:12, Hebrews 4:13).

 Charles Hicks