Author: Gale Nelson

I, Beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service and be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2.

When we freely and truly come together to worship our Lord and Savior in spirit and truth (John 4:24), It is truly an outward showing of our belief and love for the Lord. The bible teaches us to consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works; 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. Hebrews 10:24-25. Some do forsake the assembling together and thus forsake the teachings of God. When we forsake the command of God we have forsaken God.

Regular attendance is necessary because we need all the help we can get: surely something will be said or done to help us spiritually. 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12-15; Galatians 5: 13-26; Psalm 1:2-5; 46:1; 121: 1-2; 133:1. We should attend regularly and learn to enjoy it, for if we do not enjoy being with the people of God in worship here, we would not enjoy heaven even if we go there. Our presence also will help to build up and strengthen the church.

No congregation can grow without attendance. There are many things we may not be able to do, but we can attend if we’re not ill. Let us all do our part to make the church stronger. Keep the faith!

We should be present at all the services, thus showing our love for the Lord and one another.

Among the remarkable touches one notice in the writings of the apostle Paul are his relationships with other Christians. Of Paul’s thirteen inspired letters, four are personal letters to fellow laborers in the faith. Of his nine epistles to churches, three conclude with lengthy lists of individual salutations and commendations, in which Paul expresses his appreciation for various saints by name.

Throughout his writings, we see Paul’s gratitude for those with whom he shared a common hope and experience. He thanked Priscilla and Aquila for saving his life at the risk of their own (Romans 16:3-4). He frequently mentions the fact that brethren in Christ were in his prayers (Ephesians 1:15-16; Colossians 1:3,9; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4; 3:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13) and that he coveted others’ prayers on his behalf (1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1).

There’s a lesson in this for us. We are often quick to give thanks to God for the material blessings we enjoy. We thank Him for our food when we eat, and for the clothing and shelter He supplies from His abundance. But how often do we remember to be thankful for the people with whom He has surrounded us, our brothers and sisters in the family of God? We ought always to remember one another in our prayers to the Father and that, not merely in a general way, but specifically, individually, by name.

For an example, read the closing chapter of Romans and reflect on the language Paul uses to mention these other Christians who were precious to him. Epaenetus, Amplias and Stachys were “my beloved” (16:5,8,9). Tryphena and Tryphosa “have labored in the Lord” (16:12); Mary had “labored much for us” (16:6); the beloved Persis “labored much in the Lord” (16:12). Andronicus and Junia were “of note among the apostles” (16:7). Apelles was “approved in Christ” (16:10). Paul acknowledged Urbanus as “our fellow worker in Christ” (16:9) and Rufus as “chosen in the Lord” (16:13). When was the last time you used any of these expressions to show your appreciation for a brother or sister in Christ?

Our fellow Christians constitute one of the most cherished blessings we enjoy in the Lord. Jesus’ promise of hundredfold abundance of “brothers and sisters and mothers and children” to those who forsake the attachments of the world for His sake and the gospel’s Mark 10:29-30 is fulfilled in the brothers and sisters and parents and children we are to one another in Christ. We need to understand the immense value of that blessing and embrace it as a beautiful gift of God. And we need to let each other know that we appreciate each brother, sister, parent, and child we have in him.

Paul exhorted “that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1). If it is good that we give thanks for all men, then all the more good it is that we give thanks for those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10). We can demonstrate our thankfulness in tangible ways — by seizing every opportunity to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15), to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24), to “teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16), to do good to “the least of these” (Matthew 25:34-40).

Saints, let us at the church of Christ that meets on Miami Gardens Drive take the time to give thanks for and to one another. For us thanksgiving is a WAY of life and not just a season.

Spiritual health is to be treasured above all treasures found in this world. Sadly, many preachers and Christian educators no longer believe and teach the healthy and true doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today many in the church have forgotten what it means to a New Testament Christian.

A healthy doctrine may be maintained in the brotherhood only if preachers and teachers stress the fundamental principles of the gospel. The old sermons on the proper division of the Word, the establishment and identity of the church, the Holy Spirit, what one must do to be saved, etc., must be preached over and over again. The errors of sectarianism must be pointed out and answered. There seems to be a strong tendency away from this type of preaching today.

The inspired apostle admonished the church to stand united upon the doctrine of Christ (1 Cor. 1:10). The first doctrinal departure Paul treated at Corinth was the splintering of the body of Christ: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor. 1:13). The crucifixion of the sinless lamb entitles men to be baptized in His name, and to wear His name only. The proper concept of biblical baptism is essential to man’s salvation.

People become citizen in God’s kingdom through the exercise of faith in Christ Jesus as Lord, through a devout and genuine repentance of all their sins, through the acknowledgement of the Christ as God’s Son, and through their baptism by immersion for the remission of their sins. There is no other way revealed of God by which they can become naturalized into God’s kingdom. No amount of assumed authority upon the part of religious hierarchies, no amount of combined wisdom among men, and no amount of well-intended charity by sincere individuals can change these laws. They are the laws of Him whose kingdom was to dissolve and consume all the wisdom of men. The world’s religious creeds but add to the long list of ignorance and confusion, and increase the high presumptions of men.

Obviously, there is another famine among God’s people (Hos. 4:6). Like in the days of old, some of God’s people have rejected His infallible Word. Men are needed today to stand in the gap and preach those old gospel sermons, even if some of our brethren are embarrassed by them. God’s Word is needed out of season just as much as it is needed in season (2 Tim. 3:16-4:4). Men will be eternally lost if they fail to believe, love and obey the truth (Mark 16:16; 2 Thes. 2:9-11). Therefore, brethren, preach and teach the word! If men, love the truth they will obey it (Acts 2:41). Yes, some brethren are on a mission to take the church of our Lord into denominational error.

Miami Gardens, just remember that the treasure found in that Old Jerusalem Gospel is worth more than anything this life has to offer.

Among the post exilic works, that is those writings after Judah’s captivity in Babylon, was the prophet Zechariah. He was a contemporary of the prophet Haggai, and began his prophetic work approximately 520 B.C., some 16 years after Judah was released from captivity. Among his treasured writings, are a series of visions in which he converses with the angel of the Lord.

In Zechariah 5:5-11, the prophet sees a vision of a woman sitting in a basket. The angel identified the woman, by noting, “This is Wickedness!” And he thrust her down into the basket, and threw the lead cover over its mouth” (Zechariah 5:8, NKJV). As the vision progressed, the prophet witnessed two women with wings, who came and carried the basket, with the woman in it, to the land of Shinar (Babylon). There a house would be built for it, and, “when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its base” (Zechariah 5:11).

What the prophet was seeing in a vision was wickedness being sent or returned to the sinful, heathen land of Babylon. God did not want such sinfulness to remain in the land with His people.

Here is a powerful lesson that needs to be stressed in the Lord’s church today. That lesson is that sin should not be brought into the church; it should be left in the sinful world. Things such as prejudice, faultfinding, backbiting, gossip, envy, jealousy, hatred, pride, arrogance, etc. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21), need to be left in the world, and should not even be named among the Lord’s people.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”. . . “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:14,17). “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11).

“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.” (Titus 3:1-2)

The early Christians were taught to obey the government. The Cretans were subjected to Roman rule. They objected to this rule and many were guilty of causing rebellion against a government. Christians were to show no interest in works of evil. They were to be patient in their attitude toward those who were placed in authority to rule over them. Paul said in Titus 3:3-4 “for we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts, and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.” Now, today we have learned better, and we know we must obey the laws of the land.

Christians are saved not by their own righteousness, but “by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Titus 3:5) God’s Spirit affects the renewal of the spirit of man, by bringing him to faith, and repentance through the preaching of the gospel. Romans 6:1-8 shows that the sinner dies to sin, is buried by baptism, rises to a new life, and is a new creature. Washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5) refers to baptism.

Romans 13:1-2 says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore reisisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive damnation.”

Government is ordained to help man lead a quiet and peaceful life (1 Timothy 2:2). Government is ordained to punish evil doer (Romans 13:4). God did not ordain monarchy, dictatorship, or democracy, but government. Government is ordained for the good of mankind (Romans 13:3-4). Without government, a state of disorder (anarchy) will prevail. Anarchy produces every kind of evil. Men may abuse and pervert God’s idea of government under anarchy. Those of us who love God are bounded to obey the laws of the land, but we are not bound to obey a law of government which commands something sinful and wrong. “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) We must be subject to the government in that the Bible says “Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)

God has planned for government to exist, and for His children to be in submission to it. Government is not of the devil, but it is of God.

He informed the corrupt Pharisees that they were not legitimate heirs of Abraham; rather, they were devilish in their actions (John 8:33ff). One can scarcely read the 23rd chapter of Matthew without feeling the “heat” of Christ’s rebuke of certain corrupt Hebrew leaders. It is not, therefore, wrong to oppose error. Further, it is a gross inconsistency to “rebuke” someone for being a “rebuker.” Why is it that folks cannot see the flaw in their argument when they are intolerant of those with whom they charge intolerance?

Pay attention saints: Disagree about God?

The most stunning component however, is the allegation that it is permissible for people to entertain “different understandings” of divine truth that pertains to the salvation of one’s soul. We must call attention to the following. God is infinite in his knowledge (Psalm 147:5). He is a “God of knowledge” (1 Samuel 2:3), who “knows all things” (1 John 3:20). The riches of his knowledge is a reality too deep for human conception (Romans 11:33). It is never accurate to say, or even to imply, that God is unconcerned with disagreements among men relative to the eternal truths that he has revealed to the human family. Disputes regarding what the Lord requires men and women to believe and practice is not the result of “different understandings.” It is because of misunderstandings on the part of misinformed people – even though they may be very sincere.

God is a being of truth, i.e. faithfulness (Deuteronomy 32:4). All his words are “pure” (Psalm 12:6). He cannot speak that which is untrue (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18), for his word is truth (John 17:17). Any disagreement as to what God requires, therefore, is a disagreement over the difference between truth and error. To suggest that God is not concerned with the difference between truth and non-truth, is to cast serious reflection upon the God of truth. It is a dangerous thing to suggest that folks may disagree about what God demands, and, at the same time, stand approved in his sight. In his letter to the Roman saints, Paul discussed the advantage that historically had been granted to the Hebrew nation. For one thing, they had been entrusted with the “oracles of God,” i.e., the sacred Scriptures (Romans 3:1-2). The question then is raised: “what if some were without faith”? The meaning of that question is this. What would be the case if some of the Jews proved to be unfaithful to Jehovah’s plan on their behalf? What if some of the Hebrews decided to chart their own course, thus, by implication, entertained disagreements with the faithful about what the Lord required of them?

Would they have nullified the divine plan? Would they have exposed God as being unfaithful? Absolutely not! This stinging rebuke is then offered: “… let God be found true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).

Conclusion
This conclusion must be drawn from the apostle’s argument. Any theory, opinion, or doctrinal position that is adverse to the revealed will of God is a lie, and those who perpetrate such are liars (whether they intend to be or not). Most assuredly this is strong language, but the force of it is designed to preserve the integrity of the Almighty, by implication this text teaches that those who profess to be Jehovah’s people must agree with him, and among themselves. The Lord expects us to strive for a submission to him, and a united teaching on fundamental truths. It is exceedingly foolish to suggest that God does not care whether people understand his will or not. “Be not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).

The fact that we as Christians frequently have occasion to dispute certain doctrines that are taught within the religious community have oftentimes caused some to feel that this is wrong. Their philosophy is “live and let live.” But does the Christian not have a responsibility to truth foremost?

Is it mean-spirited to dispute points of doctrine with different religious groups who identify themselves as “Christians”? Many in society believe that we should be loving and accepting towards all religious groups because God is a just and loving God.

Pay attention saints: Acceptance of Error

First, it should go without saying that the Christian is to demonstrate love towards all – even those who resist the truth in the most militant fashion. The love of God for rebellious mankind is portrayed repeatedly in the Scriptures. The Father commended his love toward us by giving his Son for our sins, even while we were hostile and sinful toward him (Romans 5:8). That does not mean, however, that he ignores how we live, or what we teach. In this same context, the lost are described as being “weak” and “ungodly,” as “sinners and enemies” – worthy of divine “wrath.” (Romans 5:8, 8:9-10). Love offers a remedy for humanity’s sinful condition, but it does not close its eyes to reality.

An understanding of Old Testament history would demolish forever the erroneous notion that God is unconcerned with whether men and women entertain “different understandings of Him.” For example, many of the nations of the antique world “understood” God to be identified in various idol forms, which they devoutly worshipped. But the prophets rebuked these base activities, and Jehovah destroyed nation after nation that persisted in this evil ideology and practice.

No informed Bible student will deny that Jesus Christ loved men and women supremely. When they ignorantly languished under the effects of sin, he tenderly sought to reclaim them (cf. Luke 7:36ff; John 8:1-11). He was the compassionate Christ!

On the other hand, the Lord could be (and was) very severe in dealing with corrupt religious leaders who should have known better (and frequently did) than to act and teach contrary to truth. He even cast out of the temple those who trafficked in religion for commercial purposes (Matthew 21:12-13; John 2:13-17). Keep the faith!