A CHRISTIAN, BUT NOT A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST?

Is it possible for one to be a Christian (what some often speak of as a Christ follower), and not be a member of His spiritual body, the church?  Most people would say no, if one is a Christian that person is also a part of the universal spiritual body of Christ.  At the same time, many people would say that one can be a Christian without being a member of the church of Christ, or, as they would likely write it, the Church of Christ, or the Church of Christ church or the Church of Christ denomination.  This indicates that in the minds of many people two different things are under consideration when one speaks of “the one universal spiritual body of Christ” and when one speaks of “the church of Christ.”  In the case of the latter, they are thinking of and viewing the church of Christ as a denomination, only a part of the much larger universal spiritual body of Christ.  But is this in fact the biblical concept of the church of Christ?  Is this the view of biblically informed members of the church of Christ?  Let us study and think together on this vital question.  Please note that the title of our essay is not an affirmation, but a question. 

 

Christ established His church (Matthew 16:18).  He purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28).  It is His spiritual body (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18).  There is but one body (Ephesians 4:4; I Corinthians 12:20, 27), therefore, there is only one true church.  In New Testament times, when people heard the message of Christ, believed it, turned from their sins in true repentance, and were baptized for the remission of their sins, they were saved and added to the one church (Acts 2:47).  While they had human weaknesses and sinned, and while the church in New Testament times faced both internal and external problems, still all Christians were members of just the one church.  Christ prayed for all of His followers to be one (John 17:20-21).  When parties began to arise in the church at Corinth, Paul severely rebuked the congregation and urged the members to “all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Corinthians 1:10).  Those who caused divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine of Christ were to be marked (noted) and avoided (Romans 16:17).  Those who preached a “different gospel” were under heaven’s anathema (Galatians 1:6-9).  Those who went beyond the doctrine of Christ did not have God (II John 9).  Those who would add to or take from the word of God would experience severe and eternal consequences (Revelation 22:18-19).  (Yes, I know the context has reference to the book of Revelation, but the principle extends to all of God’s revelation to mankind [Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; I Corinthians 4:6]).

 

The one spiritual body of Christ in New Testament times was not divided into a multiplicity of denominations.  Denominationalism did not arise until many years after the close of the New Testament, and came about as a result of men corrupting the original doctrine and practice of the church as set forth in the New Testament.  In this connection, the following passages need to be carefully read and thoughtfully considered: Matthew 7:15; Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 15:8-9; Acts 20:28-30; II Thessalonians 2:3-11; I Timothy 4:1-5; II Timothy 4:1-5; I John 4:1).  In short, denominationalism (both Catholic and Protestant) is a perversion of original, apostolic Christianity, and as such, it is severely condemned by the word of God.

 

But, what happened in the first century of Christianity is still happening today.  When people today hear the message of Christ, believe it, turn from their sins in true repentance, and are baptized for the remission of their sins, they are saved and added to the one church of which we read in the New Testament, the church Christ established, the one He purchased with His blood, the one of which He is the head, the one of which He is the Savior (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; Acts 2:41-42, 47). This is precisely what members of the church of Christ have done down through the ages since the first century and are still doing here in the 21^st century—nothing more, less, or else!  The seed is the word of God (Luke 8:11), and still produces today what it produced in the first century—Christians only, Christians without denominational membership or affiliation.

 

If one has not obeyed the gospel plan of salvation, that person has not been saved and added to the one church.  One may very well comply with the conditions for being a member of a denomination (the Catholic, the Baptist, the Methodist, the Lutheran, the Nazarene, the Episcopal, the Disciples, a Community church, etc.) and still not obey the gospel.  In such a case, one has met the conditions for membership in a particular denomination but that person has not obeyed the gospel, been saved from his/her sins, and added to the one church of the Lord.

 

If one only says the so-called “Sinner’s Prayer” that person has not been saved and added to the Lord’s church (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:8-9).  If one has only had water sprinkled or poured on him/her, that person has not been scripturally baptized, and therefore has not been saved and added to the one church (Matthew 3:16; Acts 8:38-39; Romans 6:3-4).  If a person was not baptized “for [in order to] the remission of sins” (or some biblically synonymous reason) but baptized only to “join the church,” that person has not been saved and added to the one body (church) of Christ (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Galatians 3:27; I Peter 3:21). (We must remember that God does not lie; it is impossible for Him to do so [Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18]). In other words, one may have become a member of a denomination, and still not have obeyed the gospel of Christ, been saved from sin, and added to the one church that Christ established! 

 

Sadly, with the passing of time, many who obey the gospel and are added to the one church remain untaught (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:42), fail to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18), buy into the religious pluralism of the age, come to believe there is nothing wrong with denominationalism, defend denominationalism, and come to view the church of Christ as just another denomination.  When this happens, these people become easy targets to leave the church and join a denomination.  This is happening on an increasing level today, and some preachers, elders, and congregations have bought into this kind of unbiblical thinking about the church. In so doing, they have become traitors to the cause of New Testament Christianity, every bit as much as Judas Iscariot betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ!

 

Some schools, colleges, and universities associated with the churches of Christ now proclaim the church of Christ “a denomination among denominations.”  A Bible professor at one large university has said that many of the professors no longer hold to exclusive “Church of Christ-isms.”  Such an expression itself manifests a rank denominational view of the church and is a repudiation of New Testament Christianity.  This same university now has a Center in which it trains Baptist preachers, instructing them in Baptist history and Baptist polity, and helping them find Baptist pulpits!  Faithful Christians resist such perversions of the “one faith” (Ephesians 4:5) and speak out against it. Baptist doctrine and practice and Bible doctrine and practice stand in stark contrast on a number of points, and no person or institution can maintain the slightest degree of integrity and teach and/or defend both. This university (and others like it) has betrayed the very principles upon which it was founded and has become a disgrace to the cause of Christ and undenominational Christianity!

 

When one talks about being a Christian (a Christ follower) but not a member of the church of Christ, he and I have two entirely different things in mind by the term “church of Christ.”  We are not at all on the same page, and until we get on the same page, effective communication between us will not be possible.  Most seriously, when one speaks of being a Christian but not a member of the church of Christ he is at odds with the New Testament concept of the church, and has instead bought into a denominational view of the church.  In this case, he is at odds with the Lord Himself—terribly so!

 

I have not the slightest hesitation in affirming that one can be a Christian without being a member of any denomination.  But in making such a declaration I am not saying that one can be a Christian and not be a member of the blood-bought church of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  A denomination and the church of Christ are two entirely different things!  All who have obeyed the pure gospel of Christ and been saved from their sins have been added to the one church by the Lord Himself (Acts 2:47).  All who have not obeyed the gospel and been saved from their sins are not members of that one church, even though they may be members of a denomination.  All truly saved people, all who have become Christians (according to the New Testament definition of such) are members of the church of Christ!  Those who have left the church, thinking it to be a denomination, and have joined, what to them, is “another denomination” to keep peace in the family or because it better “suits” them or meets their “felt needs,” need to do some deep, serious Bible study, some sober, biblical thinking, and some deep, sober soul-searching! 

 

Rather than being a straying sheep, one needs to stay where the Lord puts a person when he/she is saved from sin by obedience to the gospel (Acts 2:47).  Instead of joining a denomination, one needs to obey the gospel, be saved, and added to the one church that Christ established and the only one of which He is the Savior (Ephesians 5:23).

 

Hugh Fulford

 

Tammy Harris began searching for her biological mother

Reunited

On the day after her 21st birthday, Tammy Harris began searching for her
biological mother. When she was two-years-old, she and her brothers were
taken from their mother (who had a serious drinking problem) and were
adopted by separate families.

Tammy wanted to know the identity of her mother. "I felt like I was
incomplete," she said. "I didn't know whose eyes I had. I didn't know where
my big feet came from. I wondered who I looked like."

"I knew they [her parents] were out there, and I wanted to find them before
they died."

Meanwhile, Joyce Shultz had been looking for her biological daughter for
almost 20 years, to no avail.

Harris and Shultz worked at the same convenience store. One day, Harris was
talking with another co-worker about her search for her mother. The
co-worker asked if she was having any luck. Shultz, overhearing part of the
conversation, asked, "Luck about what?"

Harris told her about her search and produced her birth certificate to show
to her. Upon seeing it, Shultz immediately knew that Harris was her
daughter. Shultz did not immediately reveal her identity; she didn't know
how Harris would react. Instead, she told Harris, "I might know somebody
who can help." She asked Harris for a baby picture. She took the picture
home and compared it to a baby picture she had; they were a match.

Shultz did not reveal her identity to Harris for three days. She wondered,
"Will she like me?" She told her boss, Ron Lynch, about the discovery.
Lynch brought the two into his office, so that Shultz could reveal her news.

When Harris walked into the office, she saw Shultz standing by the two baby
pictures. "Are you my mother?" Harris asked. Shultz said, "Yes."

"When she said 'yes,' I just fell into her arms. It felt so natural. We
held on for the longest time. It was the best day of my life.″ *

You and I are "the offspring of God" in that God created us; He created all
mankind. But because of our sins, we became lost and estranged from Him
(consider the Prodigal Son in Luke 15). But God never stopped loving us and
wanting us to "come home."

In order to "come home," our sins had to be "paid for." God paid the price
for our redemption by giving His one and only Son to die on the cross for
our sins (1 Peter 1:18-19). The means of reconciliation was accomplished
when Jesus died for us.

In order to "come home," we must accept God's offer of redemption. We must
place our faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in
repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and
be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
Then, as we continue to walk in the light of His Word, the blood of Jesus
continues cleanse us from sin and keep us in fellowship with God (1 John
1:7-9).

Our sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), but God still loves us and
wants us to "come home." If we'll humble ourselves and accept His offer of
redemption, we'll find that He's been lovingly, patiently waiting for us the
whole time. When we obey the Gospel, He will warmly say, "Welcome home."

It will be the best day of your life.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Daughter Finds Biological Mother is Co-Worker"
by David Reed in www.apnews.com, March 5, 1991.

How much do I need to know before being Baptized?

Concerning one’s knowledge before baptism. . .
How Much Is Enough?

How much should a person know before being baptized into Christ? It’s a good question, and one we need to consider as we teach people the gospel.

On the one hand, some accounts of conversions in Acts seem to imply a very introductory understanding of the facts about Jesus. Cornelius (Acts 10) and the Philippian jailer (Acts 16) were baptized at their first hearing of the good news, apparently without any in-depth discussion of all that discipleship requires. At least, no such discussion is recorded.

On the other hand, biblical teaching about repentance and the costs of discipleship needs to be made clear to the prospective Christian before they make an ill-informed commitment which they may not be inclined to keep. Obviously, they cannot be fully advised of every difficult spot in the road to heaven that they will encounter. But they need to be aware that “we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God’ (Acts 14:22), and that anything less than total devotion to Christ is useless.

This seems to be the point of some of our Lord’s teaching. Please read Luke 9:57-62 and 14:25-35, where Jesus bluntly insists that one must be prepared to give up everything to follow Him. Repentance itself involves change — something that many people are simply not intending to do. Unfaithful Christians are sometimes Christians who didn’t make this fundamental commitment at the start, only to find somewhere down the road that Christ demands more than they are willing to give.

The rich young ruler (Mk. 10) might have made a ‘good” lukewarm Christian. But Jesus saved him the trouble. We do no one a favor by watering down a message that will face them, undiluted, in judgment.

- by Jim King

 

Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

In Remembrance

President Abraham Lincoln was not the primary speaker at the dedication of
the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19,
1863. Edward Everett gave the primary oration at the dedication ceremony.
Everett spoke for two hours.

President Lincoln had been invited to come by the committee who organized
the event to officially dedicate the cemetery. One of the committee's
members, David Wills, in his invitation to the President, wrote: "It is the
desire that, after the Oration, you, as Chief Executive of the nation,
formally set these grounds to their sacred use by a few appropriate
remarks."

Those "few appropriate remarks" given by President Lincoln comprise one of
the best-known speeches in American history. Many recall studying the
opening lines of his address: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers
brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and
dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

Lincoln's entire address was given in just a few minutes in only ten
sentences and 271 words. Yet, it is his "Gettysburg Address" that is
memorialized as one of the greatest speeches ever given.

In his brief speech, Lincoln proclaimed that it was not those present who
could dedicate those grounds. "In a larger sense, we can not dedicate - and
we can not consecrate - we can not hallow - this ground. The brave men,
living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our
power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what
we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."

Lincoln noted that It was those who "gave the last full measure of devotion"
that consecrated that ground. *

On the first day of every week, members of the church of Christ engage in a
memorial. It is called "the Lord's Supper." It was instituted by Jesus
when He met with His disciples and observed the Passover feast just hours
before He would be taken away by an angry mob and nailed to a cross. Read
Matthew's account in 26:26-29. Read the Apostle Paul's instructions about
the proper observance of the Lord's Supper (when it was being abused) in 1
Corinthians 11:20-30.

The Lord's Supper is a memorial. "Do this in remembrance of Me," Jesus
said. We are instructed to remember what Jesus did on the cross for us as
we partake of the Lord's Supper. "He Himself bore our sins in His body on
the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His
wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24). He shed His blood for the
forgiveness of our sins (Matthew 26:28). On the cross, Jesus paid the price
for our sins, for our redemption (1 Peter 1:18-19).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Then those who have accepted His offer of salvation and eternal life on His
terms have the opportunity to remember the One Who "gave the last full
measure of devotion" in obedience to God and for our salvation. We remember
what He did for us in the observance of a weekly memorial. It was the Price
that was paid for us that hallows and consecrates the memorial of the One
who died for us so that we might live. We must never forget what He did for
us on the cross.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from Wikipedia's entry for "Gettysburg Address."

Is the Bible just a Tedious Fairy Tale?

 

Why is the Bible so long? A whole 66 books. One book has 66 chapters! And it’s mostly too good to be true!

 

Most life stories are long. The Bible is the story of our life and for our life. It’s God’s story of real life – from the creation to the final judgment, with so much in between, and even beyond into eternity. It’s a story of families and tribes and how they lived and struggled and sometimes prospered in various countries and widely spaced centuries. How a Great King was working a plan for all people. But if you just glean a few isolated highlights, you miss this story. For example, Abraham’s life is far more than a couple of promises God made to him in a few verses in chapters 12,15,17 and 22. It spans 14 chapters (12 – 25) from his call to his death, including his interaction with angels and other humans, and many other references throughout the entire Bible.

 

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ Acts 17:24-28

 

God made people to live all over the face of the earth, and He made them not only to live, but to seek Him and find Him – to find the real meaning of life that He intended when we finally live happily ever after. “And they lived happily ever after.” That’s how fairy tales end, isn’t it?

 

Yes, and that’s the whole point! It is a sort of fairy tale: a story from God that includes wars and struggle, miracles and wonder and love and living forever. Of kings and queens, of angels, seraphim and cherubim, of thrones, thunder, lightning, fire, floods and power. Of a devil and evil spirits. A story where the goodie defeats the baddie and, like kids at a Saturday afternoon matinee, we cheer when the goodie arrives to save the world. A story in which the star is Jesus Christ. And in the end Jesus is victorious, and all the co-stars and extras join in the victory.

 

But too many have become too cynical and lost their sense of wonder and hope - that in the end it will all turn out good. That life can actually have a happy ending.

 

The Bible is a real fairy tale. A true story that is meant to give us hope! It’s about how life actually was and is for millions of people, and how the hero – God – plans for it to never end. It’s entrancing, spell-binding, fascinating – even scary in parts – but always capturing your attention! And God makes it never end in heaven. Like little children we should look forward to reading it

at bed-time – again and again and again – our sense of excitement never waning or wavering.

No … death is not the end of life. It needn’t have the final say. You thrill at the excitement of that

final galactic battle, in which love triumphs over evil, and lasts forever in the eternal City of God.

 

Yes, we can live happily ever after with King Jesus in Wonderland. Our dream can come true.

“The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

And you have to believe the story to benefit. But Oh, what a story!

 

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5

 

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17.

 

 

Work out Your Salvation with Fear and Trembling to Inherit God’s Magnificent Promises (Yippee!!). Thus You Avoid the Unfortunate, Irrevocable, Fateful Pain of Eternal Separation from God in Hell (Yuck!!)

 

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:5-13

 

And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:32-36

 

Notice that the distressed and troubled soul of Jesus  is yet committed to obeying His Father’s will (Philippians 2:8; Mark 14:33-36) as  he dies on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for all sins, but that it will secure nothing for us sinners unless we too “work out our own salvation with like fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Obedience is not always easy, but it is always right. 1 Peter 1:22-23

 

Basically the same truth is found here:

 

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated

by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:7-10

And just as the exhortation in Philippians is speaking to Christians already saved, so the

Hebrews’ truth goes on to warn the saved of the danger of losing the salvation their

obedience has thus far brought them:

 

    About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of

hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach

you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.  6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. Hebrews 5:11-6:6

 

But the Hebrew writer does not remain pessimistic, since he goes on to add:

 

Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:9-12

 

And again:

 

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:32-39. Compare 12:25-29 for another picture of the ugly end when all created things are removed and only the heavenly kingdom will remain: that place prepared and promised by Jesus. John 14:1-3

 

Notice the contrast in verse 39: we either “shrink back” in our faith (compare “drift away” in 2:1), and are destroyed, or we maintain faith and preserve our souls. The Hebrew writer is confident they will choose the latter option. Jesus had said earlier that we must “fear God who can destroy our body and soul in hell,” Matthew 10:28, after which separation from God and all good, for the wicked, will be eternally complete. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10. This, of course, refers to the resurrected body and soul after the final judgment, which you read about here: John 5:24-29; Acts 17:30-31; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Hebrews 4:9-13; 9:27; 1 Peter 4:17-19

 

Essentially, in 2 Peter 1:1-15, we find the same truth about inheriting God’s “precious and magnificent promises” when we work out our salvation by adding to our faith, knowing that the Lord will reward us. Isaiah 40:10.    Why not read it and see? Here’s part of it:

 

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11For in this way there will be richly provided for

you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:8-11

 

David Carr

Defining Success

Defining Success

How do you define success?

Here are some various answers to that question: *

Someone once asked Paul Harvey, the journalist and radio commentator, to
reveal the secret of his success. "I get up when I fall down," said Harvey.
-- Bits & Pieces, March 3, 1994, p. 16

In his book Be Free, Warren W. Wiersbe mentioned the fact that young
ministers often visited the great British preacher G. Campbell Morgan to ask
him the secret of his success. When someone inquired of him what he told
these aspiring preachers, Morgan replied, "I always say to them the same
thing -- work; hard work; and again, work!" - Our Daily Bread

"To succeed in life you need not only initiative, but also finishiative." --
Zaida Jones Blaine in Chicago Tribune

"The secret of success is to do the common things uncommonly well." -- John
D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Dan Crawford (1870-1926) spent most of his adult life serving as a
missionary in Africa. When it was time to return home to Britain, Crawford
described to an old Bantu the kind of world he was about to return to. He
told him about ships that ran under the water, on the water, and even those
that flew above the water. He described English houses with all of their
conveniences, such as running water and electric lights. Then Crawford
waited for the old African to register his amazement. "Is that all, Mr.
Crawford?" the aged man asked. "Yes, I think it is," Crawford replied. Very
slowly and very gravely, the old Bantu said, "Well, Mr. Crawford, you know,
that to be better off is not to be better." - W. Wiersbe, The Wycliffe
Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, p. 188.

What is success? In my book, one ingredient of success is meaningful time
with my children. As a friend of mine observed, "I have yet to hear of
anyone who, on his deathbed, wished he'd spent more time at the office." --
Joseph Stowell, Moody Monthly

A popular singer who recently went from rags to riches was quoted as saying,
"I still don't understand it. If you don't have any time for yourself, any
time to hunt or fish, that's success." -- Bits & Pieces, November, 1989, p.
18

Here is the key and the definition of true success: "Do not let this Book of
the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you
may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous
and successful" (Joshua 1:8 NIV).

True success is to know the will of God and to do it.

It is the will of God that you be saved. He "desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). Sin condemns,
but God gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

It is the will of God that you serve Him. "For we are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for
us to do" (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).

True success is to know the will of God and to do it. Won't YOU?

-- David A. Sargent

* These various answers come from
http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/s/success.htm

Mike Hadl of Lawrence, Kansas

208 Pints

Two hundred eight pints. That is 26 gallons. That is how much blood Mike
Hadl of Lawrence, Kansas, has donated since 1982. Last Saturday was the
date of his most recent donation, and he doesn't want it to be his last.
"When I get done and head home, I say to God, just let me do one more pint,"
he told WIBW in Topeka.

Why has he donated so much blood? The need for blood transfusions is
ever-present, especially during this coronavirus pandemic. But for Hadl,
there is an even greater motivation.

Hadl's mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer. At one point in her
treatments, she needed a blood transfusion. "She had to have two pints of
whole blood and she lived four [more] months," he told the local TV station,
"but the two pints of blood, whoever gave them, gave her one more
Thanksgiving, one more Christmas, one more New Years, with her children, her
grandkids, her family and friends."

Since then, Hadl has donated as much blood as he can, as often as he can, so
that perhaps his blood can help save a life - or at least extend it. He
encourages others to give as well. *

Our sinful condition is fatal: "for the wages of sin is death" (Romans
6:23). But God loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son to die on
the cross for our sins (John 3:16). The blood that Jesus shed in His death
is the remedy - the only remedy - for our condition. When His blood is
applied to our lives, we receive eternal life. "For the wages of sin is
death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans
6:23).

Jesus willingly "shed His blood" (gave His life) so that we can have eternal
life. It is the very reason that He, the eternal Word, "became flesh and
dwelt among us" (John 1:14). "In all things He had to be made like His
brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things
pertaining to God, to make propitiation [an atoning sacrifice] for the sins
of the people" (Hebrews 2:17).

"Let me help save one more," seems to be the mantra of Mike Hadl. Jesus'
desire is always to save one more. He said, "The Son of man has come to
seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10).

You can take it personally: Jesus wants to save YOU.

The Good News is that the blood of Jesus is sufficient to save YOU and as
many as will accept His offer on His terms. "He Himself is the propitiation
[the atoning sacrifice] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the
whole world" (1 John 2:2).

God will save by the blood of Jesus and give eternal life to those who place
their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in
repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and
are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
In baptism, the penitent believer has his/her sins washed away by the blood
of Jesus (Acts 22:16). That same blood continues to cleanse the Christian
from sins as he/she continues to walk in the light of His Word (1 John
1:7-9).

Jesus always wants to save one more. He wants to save YOU.

Won't YOU accept His offer of salvation and eternal life through your
trusting obedience?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Kansas man gives 208 pints of blood: 'Let me do
one more'" by Caleb Parke, www.foxnews.com.