“HAPPINESS OR BLESSEDNESS?

The word ‘blessed’ (found in many psalms and the beatitudes) means ‘happy’. But happiness does not necessarily equate to blessedness in the Bible. Satisfying the lusts of the flesh has pleasure (Heb. 11:25), yet such brings a penalty of death (Rom. 6:23).

To be blessed is to have God’s favor. God finds favor on those who walk by faith. Notice the example of (cf. Noah – Gen. 6:8; 7:1; Heb. 11:7). Noah exercised his faith in obedience to the will of God. For this reason, Noah was blessed of God, and therefore ‘happy’. God blesses all who submit to His will. He is their God, and they are His own (1 Kings 8:53; 1 Peter 2:9). When God is exalted by His own, He then exalts His own. This is a fulfillment of what He promised from eternity, being accomplished by Jesus, in His example of submission (Phil. 2:8-9).

There is an inseparable connection between blessedness and obedience taught in scripture. “Blessed are they that are perfect in the way, who walk in the law of Jehovah.” (Psa. 119:1). Again, we read, “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they walk, O Jehovah, in the light of thy countenance.  In thy name do they rejoice all the day; and in thy righteousness are they exalted.” (Psa. 89:15-16). The ultimate blessing in being exalted by God is seen in His forgiveness (Psa. 32:2).

However, blessedness comes with responsibility. The responsibility of loyalty to God who blesses. Our faith in God will be tested for loyalty (James 1:2-4). Let us follow Jesus, even if it means separation from family and friends who seek happiness in the pleasures of sin (Mark 10:26-30).

“THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION”

The Bible declares that sin is committed in one of the following ways:

 ~ Rom. 14:23 – acting without faith

 ~ James 4:17 – recognizing the necessity of obedience but refusing to obey

 ~ 1 John 3:4 – transgressing God’s law

 ~ 1 John 5:17 – committing unrighteousness

The only conclusion that these statements imply is that sin is disobedience to God’s commands, either by going beyond or falling short regarding what God has required of man. Since sin is defined as disobedience to God’s commands, forgiveness for sin necessarily involves obedience to God’s commands. If not, why not?

God’s commands are a blessing to man (Deut. 6:24-25). They give us understanding of our plight because of our sin (John 15:22-24), and they promise eternal life to those who will receive them (John 12:50). God’s commands are also the criteria by which the sheep and goats will be separated at Judgment (Matt. 25:31-46).

The enmity of Gen. 3:15 between the seed of the woman and the seed of Satan resulted over a “thus saith the Lord”. This enmity (hatred) is not mutual, but from those who refuse to acknowledge Christ’s authority to command their lives toward those who do. The distinction between preaching truth versus error is seen in the relevance of commands and obedience as they relate to man’s faith and God’s grace.

You are guilty of sin, not because you inherited Adam’s disobedience (sin), but because of your own disobedience. You will receive an inheritance by obeying the form of obedience patterned after the one who bore your sin—Jesus. (Rom. 6:3-5; 17-18). Righteousness is imputed to the obedient. (2 Cor. 5:19; James 2:23).

“AWARENESS OF BIBLE STUDY”

The full benefit of Bible study is stated in 2 Tim. 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

There is simply no other way to obtain the knowledge of God’s will, than by a commitment to Bible study. The Hebrew writer closed with the exhortation to, “bear with the word of exhortation” (Heb. 13:22). The apostle Paul told Timothy, “…when thou comest, bring with thee the books, but especially the parchments” (2 Tim. 4:13).

Kevin Rhodes observed: Finding time to study your Bible is not about whittling away a little bit at a time from everything else you are doing; it begins when we make a commitment to study our Bibles, follow through on it, and then let other, less important things go undone, until we finally realize that we do not really miss them at all.

For whatever reason, Christians grow tired of personal Bible study and come to expect a sermon here and there and a couple of Bible classes each week to provide sufficient nourishment spiritually to get them through life. However, this itself shows how shortsighted we can become. Shortcuts in Bible study lead to short circuits in life. Our goal should never be simply to get through life; it should be to get to heaven.

Bible study will draw you away from the things of the world. That is exactly its purpose: to separate us from the things of the world which draw us away from God. Bible study is addictive. That is by God’s design. (cf. Heb. 10:22-24).

“AWARE SERVANTS”

The concept of awareness suggests, among other things, cognizance. As this relates to discipleship, awareness is having spiritual wisdom—the ability to discern God’s will, and to foresee danger. The Bible speaks of having eyes to see, which is not only knowing God’s will, but also recognizing how to prepare our hearts to do God’s will.

Jesus often made mention of the need for eyes that see and ears that hear. Jesus was speaking of the need for perception and understanding of His word. Matt. 13:15 – “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should turn again, and I should heal them.” The absence of spiritual wisdom was the underlying reason for which Jesus was crucified. (1 Cor. 2:6-8).

Spiritual awareness involves the exercise of our senses to discern good from evil (Heb. 5:14). Spiritual awareness involves foresight. For example, we might have the wisdom and knowledge to get ourselves out of a hole, but do we know how to recognize the hole and avoid falling in? That’s foresight. Satan’s traps are disguised. “A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.” (Prov. 22:3).

It is always wise to leave an environment ripe for temptation. This requires both awareness and resolve. These environments are always hard to turn from. Lust will always conquer a person who has not crucified himself to the world (Gal. 5:24; 6:14). The saying that “where there’s a will there’s a way” applies to the fulfillment of lust as well as to overcoming lust. 

“THE VALUE OF ASSEMBLING”

How would you determine the value of a diamond ring? You would likely ask for an appraisal by a competent authority. How does one determine the value of assembling with the saints to worship God? By seeking the appraisal of Him who has all authority: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25).

God did not arbitrarily command us to assemble just to give us someplace to go. The book of Hebrews was written to restrain the apostasy that was in progress among certain brethren. One of God’s safeguards, designed to protect them from apostasy, was for brethren to assemble TOGETHER!  This had been the habit of disciples before and after Pentecost (Acts 1:14; 2:42, 46).  

The focus of the command to assemble is not just be together. The phrase ‘with one accord’ is significant to our assembling (Acts 2:1, 46, 4:26; 5:12; 15:25). It indicates harmony of purpose. The absence of accord indicates the presence of division. It is clear from the N. T. epistles that this lack of accord was attributed to a lack of diligence (Eph. 4:1-3). Diligence is a personal effort. The lack of diligence has a negative effect upon the ‘lump’ (1 Cor. 5:6). Giving diligence ensures that our ‘gathering together’ will be in sincerity and in truth (1 Cor. 5:4, 7-8).

Diligence begins with oneself. When the Corinthians sought proof of Christ’s speaking in Paul; he told them to examine themselves to see if they were in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5).

Through diligence, brotherly love will ‘cover a multitude of sins’ (James 5:20).

THE PARTING OF THE RED SEA AND SALVATION IN CHRIST

As the Israelites neared the Red Sea, Jehovah gave instructions on where they were to encamp (Exodus 14:1-2). Jehovah then told Moses of Pharaoh's reasoning and plans to pursue, which would result in two things: 1) Jehovah gaining honor upon Pharaoh, and 2) the Egyptians being convinced of Jehovah's greatness (Exodus 14:3-4).

As Pharaoh's army neared, Moses said to them, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” (Exodus 14:13-14).

Jehovah told Moses, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” (Exodus 14:15-16).

Notice the differences in Moses' words and Jehovah's words. Moses told the people to “stand by and watch the Lord save…”; God had a different response… “tell the people to go forward…”.

How often is it that people are preached a message similar to Moses’; i.e., “do nothing; keep silent...just believe in God to do it all; sit back and let Him save; you can’t be saved by ‘doing anything’; salvation is by faith alone...”?

God has given commands to obey with the assurance that He will save us…do we believe that? THAT is exactly what happened in this story from Exodus. Their deliverance from bondage was by the Lord’s hand, yet they were not to sit idly and watch, doing nothing…they were to ACT on their belief in God to save. On the night of the exodus, they were commanded to apply blood. They were then to march as directed by the pillar of cloud and fire that HE provided. At the Red Sea, they were to march across; Moses was to do something as well. “Lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it…”.

Now think for a moment on that command…did Moses, by his own power, cause the waters to divide, or was it God who caused the parting? What did this command have to do with anything…could not God part the waters without Moses doing this act with his staff? Consider also, had Moses NOT obeyed God's command, would the results have been the same?

We need look no further than another instance when God gave a command to Moses about causing water to flow by speaking to a rock, yet Moses smote the rock. Water came forth, but what effect did it have on Moses? Who caused the water to come forth? Did Moses please God, or disobey God? Did it matter? Truth is simple, we can easily see the implication that is meant from these stories…that’s why they’re there for… “our learning”; “our admonition” [Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:6, 11].

These stories are in our Bibles, so we might know for sure how God saves us from our bondage to sin. Faith in God’s power to save us is the gospel message (Rom. 1:16). The gospel calls upon us to exercise our faith in obedience to specific commands, whether those commands are relevant in our minds or not. Nothing commanded is an act of merit, nor is it understood to be robbing God of the glory due Him.

So it is with belief, repentance, confession, and immersion in water. These are commands from God. Through them God reveals the treasure in men's hearts. This is seen from the parable of the sower. "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. And those on the rock are they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience." (Luke 8:11-15).

Faith, repentance, and immersion in water are not works of merit. They are, however, commands from God which constitute the response to His grace. The pardoning is God's doing.

​​“DO YOU KNOW THE CONDITION OF YOUR TENT?”

TEXT: Job 5:17-27

Take note especially of v. 24. Has God ever delivered you from troubles? Can you identify with the many situations mentioned by the Temanite? If not, then you have the answer for why happiness has eluded you. What is this deliverance? God’s corrective love “maketh sore” and “wounds”. Afterwards, God binds and heals. This is an exaltation to a blessed status. The blessings are enumerated in vss. 19-23. While Job’s latter end may reveal physical exalted-ness (cf. Job 42:12-13), harmony of scripture points to an exaltation of wisdom. “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” (Prov. 3:13). “Happy is the man that feareth always; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” (Prov. 28:14). Blessed is the man whom Jehovah has exalted from the wages of his sin. This story of Job really speaks to the assurance and certainty God’s word provides about our salvation.

Job’s exhortation to confess his sin from his three friends, raises some interesting questions. Was Job an alien sinner? Are sinners to acknowledge this in a prayer, for sins remission (as is popularly taught)? Harmony of scripture reveals that Job was a righteous man, blessed for his endurance of trials of his faith (cf. Job 1:22; 2:10; 42:7-9; James 5:10-11).

Eliphaz spoke the truth about Jehovah’s chastening. Job acknowledged the same (chapt. 22:23); so also the Hebrew writer and James (Heb. 12:1-8; James 1:2-4; chapt’s. 4 and 5). God’s sore-wounding is an act of love and for our benefit as his children. God’s longsuffering is with a view to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Let us count our blessings for His enduring mercy.

“DISAGREEMENTS: THE SOURCE”

Some hold to the idea that we cannot understand the truth, but that is not what the Bible declares. How fair would GOD be to place our salvation upon “what is written” and then give us a written revelation, knowing that we could not understand it? The apostle Paul declared by inspiration, “when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4; see also Eph. 5:17; 2 Tim. 2:7).

If the Bible cannot be understood, only one of two reasons would explain why. Either God does not want us to understand it (cf. 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:3-4), or He is not able to make the word understandable. Yet, the Bible says that we can “know” truth (cf. Psa. 119:60; 117:1-2; Prov. 23:23; John 1:17; 2 Thess. 2:10-12).

There can be only one correct understanding of GOD’s will. There is a rule of logic that says two things cannot differ on the same subject and both be right. We can agree on what is written. Disagreement arises on the Bible’s silence. Note these examples:

1. Exod. 3:1-3. We can agree that it was a burning bush. The Bible doesn’t reveal the kind of bush.

2. John 3:1-2. We can agree that Nicodemus came to Christ by night. The Bible doesn’t reveal why.

3. John 8:1-8. We can agree that Jesus wrote on the ground. The Bible doesn’t reveal what He wrote.

4. 2 Cor. 12:7-10. We can agree that Paul had a thorn in the flesh. The Bible doesn’t reveal what it was.

Faith and opinion are not the same thing. It is that which is written that produces saving faith, and which is the standard and foundation for unity. 

“AUTHORITY: IN WHAT IS STATED”

 I have often thought that if we applied what we use in everyday language to the scriptures, we would have much less trouble. We recognize that ‘saying what a thing is, eliminates saying what it is not’. It is understood that “the authority” is in the statement of “what is said”; not in “the silence of what is not said”.

A few examples:

1. In Cooking ~ When a recipe calls for 4 eggs, must it state, “this does not mean 1,000 eggs”?

2. In a Wedding Invitation ~ When the date and time are listed, such as Thursday, September 21, 7:30 p.m., must it also state, “this does not mean to come at 2:00 or at 9:00 p.m., or on Saturday, or on the 23^rd”?

3. In Advertising Our Assembly times ~ When we list the time of Bible study at 9:00 and the assembly at 10:00, must we explain that we do not meet at 7:30 for Bible study and 11:15 for the assembly?

4. In Giving My Telephone Number ~ When I give my telephone number to someone, must I say, “Now you must dial it in the order that I give it, and be sure you do not invert the order”?

5. In Ordering Shoes...?

6. In Naming a Child...?

7. In Buying a Car...?

Perhaps these are sufficient to see that we live, work, worship, and buy by ‘the thing stated, not by what isn’t stated’. The answer to all the above items is, of course, “no”. The reason is so simple. Authority is in the stated; the written.

Remember, God's power and the source of our faith is God's word (Rom. 1:16; 10:17). 

Understanding the phrase "FILLED WITH"

Peter and John were arrested for preaching the resurrection (Acts 4:1-2). They were threatened not to teach in the name of Jesus anymore (Acts 4:18). They then assembled with the disciples and offered prayer to God, seeking strength to continue preaching with all boldness (Acts 4:23-30). Luke records at this point, “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all FILLED WITH the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).

A little further in the history of the first-century church, we read that Ananias and Sapphira lied about selling a possession and giving all of the proceeds to the apostles (Acts 5:1-2). Peter asked, “Ananias, why has Satan FILLED your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?” (Acts 5:3).

First, let us observe that being FILLED WITH the Holy Spirit leads one to speak the word of God, truth (cf. John 17:17). Being FILLED WITH Satan leads one to speak lies.

Second, a person may either be FILLED WITH the Holy Spirit or Satan, but not both. We cannot live in righteousness and sin at the same time. We cannot serve God and mammon (Matt. 6:24).

Third, the Holy Spirit FILLS us in the same way Satan FILLS us. If the Holy Spirit FILLS us directly and guides us in our thoughts, then so does Satan. If Satan FILLS us directly, then we are not accountable for our actions. It would mean Ananias suffered consequences for something over which he had no control. The fact is, the devil and the Spirit fill us in the same way: their influence over us. When we listen to the Spirit’s revelation, God’s word, He FILLS us, guides us (Eph. 5:18; Col. 3:16). When we heed the temptations of Satan, he FILLS us, guides us (cf. Gen. 3:1-6). It is as simple as that.

We have a choice to follow the Spirit or the devil. When we listen to the Holy Spirit, we are righteous children of God (1 John 3:7). When we listen to Satan, we are unrighteous children of the devil (1 John 3:10). Both are striving to persuade us; it is our decision as to which one we will allow to FILL us.

“AND I WAS AFRAID”

It is an awful hour when we must lie about our actions. When we fear questions that address the truth of our actions and cannot face those who desire our spiritual well-being, then we have passed the point Cain was at in Gen. 4:7. Adam and Eve “knew they were naked” (Gen. 3:7) when they disobeyed God. Likewise, when we disobey God, our eyes are opened. But what we see does not cause us joy; rather, it causes shame and fear...as with Adam and Eve.

When we disobey, we gain knowledge, but this knowledge does not cause us to rejoice; only to hang our heads in shame. We aren’t drawn near to God. We do as Adam: attempt in vain to hide from God (Gen. 3:10). How did Adam learn of his nakedness? Satan only spoke a lie. We read, “Each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed…when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin” (James 1:14-15). Who allows lust to conceive?

Adam blamed Eve...Eve blamed Satan...Three things to remember: God’s words were transgressed. God’s words were perverted. However, Satan’s words were obeyed. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Rom. 6:16).

When confronted with our sin, we ought not blame someone else, as Adam & Eve, but rather do as the Romans did: “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Rom. 6:17-18).

“THE WORD OF OUR GOD SHALL STAND FOREVER” - Isa. 40:8

 Harold Turner observed that just about any Bible doctrine or concept can be completely devastated, insofar as any practical value is concerned, with a "what if". The following exchange, while not actual, makes a valid point set forth in Prov. 26:4-5, as to the proper response to a ‘what if-er’, regardless of motive. “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.”

Found—ancient document detailing the following exchange:

Joshua: “God requires holiness from His people. He requires us to offer sacrifices in the place He chose to put His name to atone for our sins.”

Nameless Israelite: “Sacrifices cannot be necessary. What if a man is on his way to offer a sacrifice and a tree falls on him and kills him?”

Joshua’s reply: “God requires holiness from His people. He requires us to offer sacrifices in the place He chose to put His name to atone for our sins.”

 

Found—modern document detailing the following exchange:

Peter: “God requires repentance and baptism for remission of sins.”

Nameless believer: “Repentance cannot be necessary. What if a man is contemplating repentance and a tree falls on him and kills him?”

Peter’s reply: “God requires repentance and baptism for remission of sins.”

Nameless believer: “Baptism cannot be necessary. What if a man is on his way to be baptized and a tree falls on him and kills him?”

Peter’s reply: “God requires repentance and baptism for remission of sins.”

 

“If thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” ~ Ezekiel 3:19

LEARNING FROM THE DENOMINATIONS"

Moses wrote, “Yahweh your God will cut off before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land, and after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.’ You must not worship Yahweh your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things Yahweh hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods. See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.” (Deut. 12:29-32
). Those words constitute a powerful principle that emerges through both Old and New Testaments!

Do not do as the false religions do; obey God. “You must not worship Yahweh your God in their way.”

Yet, many of God’s people become so enamored with denominations and their gimmicks that they feel compelled to “learn from the sects!”

A multitude of erroneous practices have been picked from the denominational world. Things that seem to be good, practical, and beneficial, but they have no authorization from God’s word. Things such as choirs to sing for the assembly, seeking to draw large crowds with gimmicks, appealing to the physical man by the social gospel and carnal appeals, mixing politics and religion by providing a forum for politicians, mechanical instruments of music in worship, mid-week congregational collections to finance the work of the congregation, building expensive facilities for worship while neglecting opportunities to support men to preach the saving gospel of Christ, and snatching the power of the pure word by preaching a pleasant, soft message that does not honor God have all been learned from the denominations. It’s time to “unlearn” those things and get back to the book!

Ironically, there are some things that we can learn from the denominations.

We learn that we cannot follow God’s word and human tradition! The Jews could not do it, and neither can we. Jesus said, “You nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.” (Matt. 15:6). Whenever God’s word is set aside, in order to satisfy the human will and man-made practice, the result is disaster. Substituting sprinkling and pouring for immersion is a human tradition. (Col. 2:12). Giving and receiving religious titles of distinction is a human tradition. (Matt. 23:7-11).

We learn from denominations that you cannot save souls by preaching a social gospel. For generations, they have used carnal enticements such as bar-b-que dinners, fish fries, ball teams, and the like to draw large crowds. The crowds became thin when the bar-b-que ran out, the fish got cold, and the ball teams lost!

The one thing that never runs out, never becomes cold, and never loses is the gospel. Draw souls by the preaching of the gospel and let it do its work. (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:17-18, 21; 2 Tim. 4:1-2).

“BLAMELESS: SINLESS, or OBEDIENT?”

Does God command that which is impossible? Can we be sinless? Can we be obedient? Notice from Gen. 17:1-2, what God COMMANDED of Abraham: “…I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be thou perfect.  And I will make my covenant between me and thee...”.

Notice that the command to “be blameless” was the CONDITION upon which the covenant rested. It was the 'foundation' upon which the blessings would come. The condition of “be blameless” has characterized EVERY covenant offered to man by God. Was obedience possible from Abraham? Whatever definition is put forth for ‘blameless’, one thing ought not change....IT WAS A COMMAND given to Abraham. Being a command......IT WAS “DO-ABLE”!

The significance of being a command provides us with the evidence as to what ‘blameless’ both cannot mean, as well as what it MUST mean. ‘Blameless’ cannot mean 'sinless' (remember Rom. 3:23); it must therefore mean 'obedient'. Obedience is possible because of God’s grace/mercy, but still, obedience is commanded! However, grace/mercy are not commands, but promises from God. A promise cannot be obeyed; a command, however, can be. In connection with obedience, there is a command to repent, and it is this that God commands of ALL (Acts 17:30-31).

By this, we understand another aspect of God's grace/mercy; the long-suffering of God (cf. 2 Peter 3:9). God'
s long-suffering demonstrates His desire for man to repent (turn from) his sins and become obedient (submit to) His Son. In turning from sinful living to a submissive life of obedience, each does as God commanded of Abraham: “walk before me AND BE BLAMELESS”. 

This was what God purposed for man. In this, we understand the teaching of the apostle Paul in Eph. 2:8-10: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

“COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS”

  

“The Lord Jehovah hath given me the tongue of them that are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as they that are taught.” (Isa. 50:4)

The words of Isaiah above, are certainly applicable to every Christian. What a blessing! Yet, as is true of all blessings, with them comes a great responsibility. To have such a gift to speak with encouragement, but fail to do so, is more than a waste; it is an injustice to both God who gave the blessing, and those who were not encouraged by your speech.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11).

The Hebrew writer declared, “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today’, so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb. 3:13).

In these two texts, we see encouragement being practiced by the church of Christ at Thessalonica and the reason for which encouragement is so needed by brethren in Christ is to prevent hearts from becoming hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Brethren, let us be reminded of the deceitfulness of sin – it destroys our peace, unity, and love for each other. Let us give diligence to be encouragers: within our families, among our neighbors, but more so, among each other as brethren.

Sin can overtake any of us; don’t self-deceive that you are immune to Satan’s deceptions. Discouragement is all that it takes to open the door to self-deceit. Never allow this in our homes nor in our congregation. Read daily the words of Isaiah above and commit them to your life.   

“And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it.” (1 Thess. 5:23-24).

DOCTRINE MATTERS ~ 2 Corinthians 11:12

"Those who desire an opportunity 

to be regarded just as we are”

~ 2 Cor. 11:12 ~

The statement above was made by the apostle Paul. The context shows that he was speaking of evil men who sought to be “regarded” as Paul and other apostles of the Lord. Paul, however, has severe scorn and rebuke for these ambitious men. In vss 13-15, he states, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore, it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”

Why would Paul dare to be so harsh and pass such judgment? It was because of their teachings. They taught DIFFERENTLY from what the Lord’s apostles taught by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. As such, they were giving people a false hope in regard to their salvation. Earlier in this chapter (vss. 3-4), Paul said of these false teachers, “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.” (Paul wrote similar words in his other epistles:

(cf. Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 3:11; Gal. 1:6-9; Eph. 5:6; Phil. 3:2; Col. 2:4, 8, 18; 1 Thess. 2:14-16; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; 2:2-4, 9-11; 1 Tim. 1;19-20; 4:1-2, 16; 6:3-5; 2 Tim. 4:3-4; Titus 1:9-11)

Those who preach “other gospels”, i.e., messages that the apostles did not preach, are FALSE TEACHERS! Their doctrine is FALSE DOCTRINE!

False doctrine results in the damnation of both the teacher and his hearer. (Note especially the “hearer” in 1 Tim. 4:16 – “…both save thyself, AND THEM THAT HEAR THEE.” [Preaching ACCURATELY saves, both the preacher and the hearers.] and,

2 Tim. 4:3-4 – “…THEY (i.e., the hearers) WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE, but after their own lusts…heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears…turn away…from the truth…unto fables.)

A most relevant question for everyone…DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE REALITY OF FALSE DOCTRINE?

A related question will perhaps drive the point home. DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE REALITY OF HELL?

If there was no such thing as false teaching, why would there be a need for HELL?

Beware of those who come in sheep’s clothing…false apostles disguised as apostles of Christ…those WHO DESIRE TO BE REGARDED AS AN APOSTLE IN WHAT THEY TEACH!

TEST THEM! As the apostle John warned in 1 John 4:1, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

They are false if their preaching does not match the preaching of the Lord’s apostles!

Now, what did the Lord’s apostles tell people to do to be saved???

What did the preacher who preached to you, tell you to do to be saved???

Did their messages match???

This is why doctrine is so important in religion.

Jesus taught:

"Take heed WHAT ye hear" ~ Mark 4:24

"Take heed HOW ye hear" ~ Luke 8:18

“ACCURACY OF THE BIBLE”

Over 2,200 years ago, a man measured the Earth… using shadows and a stick. In the 3^rd century BCE, in the great Egyptian city of Alexandria, lived a man named Eratosthenes. Some mocked him by calling him Beta — the second letter of the Greek alphabet — implying he was second-best at everything. But in truth, he was an Alpha in knowledge. Astronomer, geographer, philosopher, poet, historian, mathematician, and director of the Great Library of Alexandria — he was a true Renaissance man… centuries before the Renaissance.

One day, he read in a scroll that in the city of Syene (modern-day Aswan), on June 21st, the summer solstice, a vertical stick cast no shadow at noon. The sun stood directly overhead. But in Alexandria, on the same day and same hour, a stick did cast a shadow. Where most would overlook such a detail, Eratosthenes saw a cosmic clue.

He reasoned: If the Earth were flat, the sun’s rays would hit both sticks equally — the shadows would match. But they didn’t. So, what could explain the difference? Only a curved Earth. He measured the angle of the shadow in Alexandria. It was about 7 degrees — roughly 1/50^th of a full circle. He hired someone to measure the distance between Syene and Alexandria: about 800 kilometers. Then he did the math: 800 km × 50 = 40,000 km — the circumference of the Earth.

That’s astonishingly accurate. No satellites. No telescopes. No calculators. Just observation, curiosity, and a mind that dared to ask why. Eratosthenes became the first person to calculate the size of a planet — and he did it by watching how a stick cast its shadow.

“It is he that sitteth above the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in…”. (Isa. 40:22).  

“When he established the heavens, I was there: when he set a circle upon the face of the deep…” (Prov. 8:27). 

by: Carl Sagan

“THE PLACE OF UNDERSTANDING”

 Job 28:1-11 - The wealth that is hidden in the earth cannot be obtained but with a great deal of difficulty. So is it true of spiritual wealth (TRUTH). It’s situated purposefully by God and can only be uncovered with great effort. Only those who pursue with all their heart will find it and benefit therefrom. Job observes in the remainder of this chapter:

“But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The deep saith, It is not in me; and the sea saith, It is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. Gold and glass cannot equal it, neither shall it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal: Yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the birds of the heavens. Destruction and Death say, we have heard a rumor thereof with our ears.  

God understandeth the way thereof, And he knoweth the place thereof for he looketh to the ends of the earth,  and seeth under the whole heaven; to make a weight for the wind: Yea, he meteth out the waters by measure. When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder; then did he see it, and declare it; He established it, yea, and searched it out. And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”

God’s wisdom is as the pearl of great value and the hidden treasure (Matt. 13:44-45). Once discovered, nothing should prevent us from possessing it. 

“Honoring the Father”

 Honoring someone is one of the highest forms of respect that can be performed,  especially when given with understanding. This is especially true in honoring God. God is a heavenly Father and He deserves honor from his children. God’s love for His children is the basis for which they give honor. God’s love for His children is stated in the following passages:

“My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art reproved of him; For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” (Heb. 12:5-7). Moses said: “as a man chasteneth his son, so Jehovah thy God chasteneth thee” (Deut. 8:5). God told David: “I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he does wrong, I will discipline him with a rod of men and with strokes of sons of mankind” (2 Sam. 7:14).

Solomon wrote of a father’s love: “He who withholds his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” (Prov. 13:24). “Discipline your son while there is hope, and do not desire his death.” (Prov. 19:18). “Withhold not correction from the child; for if thou beat him with the rod, he will not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from Sheol. My son, if thy heart be wise, My heart will be glad, even mine: Yea, my heart will rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. Let not thy heart envy sinners; But be thou in the fear of Jehovah all the day long: For surely there is a reward; and thy hope shall not be cut off. Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thy heart in the way.” (Prov. 23:13-19).

Honoring God has great reward: “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; and he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him. Let thy father and thy mother be glad, and let her that bare thee rejoice. My son, give me thy heart; and let thine eyes delight in my ways.” (Prov. 23:24-26).

“THE BENEFIT OF BIBLE STUDY”

   

Gus Nichols (1892-1975), minister of the Lord's church in Jasper, AL, preached in a gospel meeting in Munford, AL, in 1937. During the meeting, he stated that he had studied the Bible five hours a day for twenty years. Franklin Camp (1915-1991), a young fellow, heard that statement. He decided that if a man of Gus Nichols' ability needed to study the Bible five hours a day, he needed to study it even more. He started then to spend at least six hours a day in Bible study. He would go to his study at four-thirty or five o'clock in the morning because he had learned that early morning is the best time for meditation. He believed that his greatest responsibility was to study God's word to be able to teach it to others. Think of the examples of Gus Nichols and Franklin Camp and admire them for devoting all those hours to Bible study, and the subsequent knowledge they gained for themselves and for teaching others.

If we believe the Bible is the word of God and the only guide for our lives in spiritual matters, how devoted to reading and studying it are we? The Bible is not just for preachers, it is for all people. Let us give ample time to its precious and powerful message and live by it.

“To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.” (Proverbs 8:4-9).

There is a fountain of wisdom open to us in Bible study. Let us remember this when we sing, “There’s a fountain free; 'tis for you and me; let us haste oh haste to it’s brink”.