The By-Products of Salvation

I was watching a television show the other day in which an experienced chef was training a kitchen staff in preparing a new menu item. The menu item would call for half a chicken (in which two orders could be prepared) but they would also use the by-products from that those orders to create two other items: a stock for chicken soup and shredded chicken for a salad.

The author of Hebrews speaks of our great salvation in chapter two and verse three and the fact that there is no escape if we neglect the salvation that comes through the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ. But in Hebrews 6:9 the inspired writer speaks of things that accompany our salvation, by-products if you will. Three things come to mind that, while we know intellectually, we sometimes forget to apply the applications.

  • A Transformation of Character and Personality. The Apostle Paul said, “ if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). And he knew what he was talking about. What a profound transformation took place in this man’s life. There have been many times that I thanked God that I am not the man I used to be. But how many Christians really allow themselves to be transformed? Many continue to be rebellious, prideful, arrogant, disobedient, inconsiderate, inhospitable, and unkind. The new man will be transformed into the image of His Dear Son and his existence will become a life, his house a home, and his eternity life unending.
  • A New Kind of Influence. The fact is we all hold sway over others. Sometimes this persuasion is for good while often times it is not.  What we hold dear in our hearts, the kind of men we are, will express itself to those around us. The sobering thing is we are influencing not just those closest to us that we are trying to influence but to many who are standing at a distance watching what we say and what we do. Jesus, in the greatest sermon ever preached said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16).
  • A Peace That Passes Understanding. Salvation brings peace, serenity, and contentment into the hearts and minds that the world can neither give nor take away. Philippians 4:7 says that the Christian, in addition to salvation and in conjunction with it, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” and that it, “will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” We, like Paul and Silas, can sings songs at midnight, even in our darkest hours.

When you take an honest appraisal of your life can you truly say that it has been transformed by and into the image of Jesus? Do you and I bear the “brand marks” (Galatians 6:7) of being His disciples? The journey starts with hearing and understanding the will of the Lord (Ephesians 5:17); believing that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God (John 8:24); repenting of all our past sins (Acts 17:30–31); Confessing our faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32–33); and being baptized for the remission of those sins in order to be added to the body of Christ (Acts 2:38–47). Have you done these things? Why not? Do it now while there is still time!

You have? Be faithful!

Article Adapted[1]

[1] Holdcraft, Paul E. “The By-Products of Salvation.” Page 95 in 440 More Snappy Sermon Starters. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1954.

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Leader from Youth

Youth Can Be Leaders Too!

Although adults have the responsibility of leading, young people can be leaders, too. I cringe whenever I hear various ones pray for our youth and refer to them as “the church of tomorrow,” because while I realize the sentiments of the prayer, we ought never to forget that young people can shine as leaders in the church of today. Notice a few Biblical examples of godly youth who were leaders in their youth.

David was a leader among adults. When he obeyed his father to visit his brothers who were in the Israelite army, he witnessed a tragic situation. The enemy was ridiculing not only the Israelites themselves, but Jehovah God as well. Sure, their champion was more than nine feet tall and was a ferocious bully, whose spear head alone weighed about 125 pounds. However, no one, not even King Saul (who was not near as tall as Goliath, but was taller than any of the other Israelites [1 Sam. 9:2]), took the bully’s challenge. They cowardly let Goliath blaspheme Jehovah in fear. Just a youth at this time, David had enough faith in God, apparently more than any of the adults who should have been seasoned in their faith, to take Goliath’s challenge. Through the help of Almighty God, David was victorious.

Joseph was a leader among strangers. As a young lad, his brothers sold him as a slave, and he became a servant in the house of Potiphar in Egypt. When the wife of Potiphar tempted Joseph to do wrong, his conviction in God helped to withstand the temptations. When she pressured, he ran! He did exactly what the Bible tells us to do as well: “Flee fornication…Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry…But thou, O man of God, flee these things…Flee also youthful lusts” (1 Cor. 6:18, 10:14, 1 Tim. 6:11, 2 Tim. 2:22). As a youth, Joseph could have reasoned that he was in a place with strangers and that no one would find out. Nevertheless, he knew that God would know who was watching and caring for him.

Josiah was a leader in the kingdom. He was just eight years old when he became king of Judah. His father and grandfather, both kings before him, were evil kings. However, “he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left” (2 Chron. 34:2). When he was sixteen, he began to seek the Lord faithfully. When he was twenty, he began to exterminate idolatry that had plagued the country for many years. When he was twenty-six, he began to repair the temple of God. During the construction, the Law of Moses was found. He began to read the law of God, even doing so before the elders of the country. He did what was right spiritually, and he turned the kingdom of God around with a spirited reformation. He is an example for youth to search for the truth and put it into practice, even as a young person in the church today.

We could notice many other examples: Vashti, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Esther, Jonathan, Timothy, Miriam and Samuel. All these were leaders as youth. Young people, you can be a leader too! “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).

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Seeing the Church of Christ

Looking at the Church through the Eyes of Jesus

Before the world began, God knew that someday He would establish the church. Paul described this mystery of God’s plan as having been hidden in Him from the beginning of the ages (Eph. 3:9). He planned for all men to be brought together into one body, the church (Eph. 3:6; 1:22-23).

Modern America seems to have no regard for God and even less for the church. It is true that denominationalism, religious divisions and actions done by those who claim to be Christians but fail to honor the Lord and His original plan have contributed to this disrespect. However, think of the contrast in the view America has for the church and the way Jesus looks at the true church He established.

The world despises the church because the church believes in an absolute standard for right and wrong. It is not culture or society which determines what is moral or immoral. His people are often seen as “pests” whose influence must be eradicated from our land. Freedom in America means that every person should do what is “right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6) and no one has the right to criticize anyone’s choices.

Christians in the first century were seen as ignorant, unlearned, uneducated and untrained (Acts 4:13), and twenty centuries later they are often seen in the same way. The world refuses to look at the evidence for the deity of Jesus and the work He did, and they mockingly describe Christians as having blind faith in a myth which has no more basis for reality than the blind faith children have in Santa Claus.

Now contrast this with how Jesus sees the church. His regard for the church can be seen in the agony of Gethsemane and the cruelty of Calvary. Why would Jesus, God in the flesh, endure such things? The answer is found in the reality that the blood the Lord shed was that which purchased the church (Acts 20:28). He sees the church as those people who have been washed in His blood (Acts 22:16) and have been sanctified, cleansed and therefore are without blemish (Eph. 5:26-27).

Because the church as been cleansed “with the washing of water by the word,” His people are “a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing.” The church is His beautiful bride and He loved His bride so much that He gave Himself to purchase her (Eph. 5:23-27).

So the question to be determined is which view is the right view of the church? Once we understand the answer, we must never share the world’s view of the body of Jesus. Someday those who have mocked the church and denigrated His bride will stand before God. You will also stand there. Which view do you have of the church? Which view will you have when you stand before the Lord? Think about it!

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Did You Read the Fine Print?

The American congress passes many bills. These bills are often hundreds or thousands of pages long. Imagine how long it takes them to read through each word to make certain they are not committing Americans to something that will be harmful to the country. Unfortunately, when imagination meets reality there is a sharp cliff. Consider the Health Care Reform Bill which the 111th congress passed. Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House at the time, stated: “But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it”. Evidently, a whole lot of congressmen took this to mean them as well, for few read the approx. 2,000 page bill. Later, as mature, responsible citizens read the bill which had become law, they were appalled. Aspects of commitment required by Americans which were not previously known were uncovered. How did they discover these requirements of the new law? They read the “ fine print ”.

Esau is a well known man of the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and had a twin brother Jacob. Esau was the firstborn of Isaac and therefore he had the “birthright”. The birthright entitled him to be the primary heir to the inheritance of the household of Isaac. It entitled him to a blessing to be given by his father later in life. It had great meaning because it established him as the physical and spiritual leader of the family when his father passed on. As a young man, Esau sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a bowl of food. “Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:34). He didn’t regard the significance or importance of it. He didn’t care about it. Essentially, he didn’t read the “ fine print ”. For this disdainful act, Esau is remembered in scripture.

At a later period of history recorded by the Bible (Judges 11), there was a man by the name of Jephthah who was a great warrior. He made a vow to the Lord stating that if God would enable him success over the Ammonites, he would offer up a sacrifice to God. That sounds just dandy, until you read the fine print. He further stated his sacrifice would be the first thing that came out of the door of his home to meet him after the battle. When Jephthah returned home successful from battle, his only child came out to meet him. Jephthah was completely distressed. Why? Did he not read the “ fine print ”? Did he not really consider what he had agreed to do? The truth is no, though he did live up to his vow.

The “ fine print ” is something a great number of people did not consider as they purchased online games from GameStation. Gamestation as part of an “April Fool’s Day” promotion in 2010 added an “immortal soul clause” to its End User Legal Agreement (EULA). Essentially, by purchasing the game and agreeing to the EULA the purchaser gave Gamestation the right to their soul. The company estimated some 88% of the people did not read the agreement. Those that actually read the “ fine print ” and rejected the agreement received a financial prize (http://www.foxnews.com/…opinionPrint).

Consider how many people enter agreements like this where they do not earnestly consider the consequences. Folks do it all the time in regard to electronic media. They are so used to seeing such agreements that they don’t read them anymore, they throw them away, or just click yes to them. The truth is man does the same thing with many of his actions. He operates as if there will be no repercussions to what he says or does. Man often approaches God in the same manner. They see His Will and commandments as a EULA which cannot or will not be enforced.

In the Biblical passage Luke 14:25-33, Jesus is recorded telling the people following him to consider the cost, the “ fine print ”. He explains to them that there is a strong commitment needed. It is a commitment that rises above family, friends, and even a person’s own life. Essentially, when a person commits to Christ, they give their life up to him. Their actions must conform to what he desires, no longer what they desire. There is no commitment greater. Not even a commitment to an employer, spouse, or government is greater. Consequently, consider the words of the Apostle Peter:

1 Peter 4:3-5 – “For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”

Peter was reaffirming to the Christians their commitment to Christ. He pointed out they were living according to the “ fine print ” of salvation (Matthew 7:24-25), but there were folks of the world (Gentiles) who did not understand why the Christians would enter into such an agreement. Folks of the world often wonder why Christians will not engage in the “blessings” of worldly pleasure. The truth is, the people of the world were/are not paying attention to the portion of the agreement which all men are given opportunity to understand (Matthew 7:26-27, 2 Peter 3:9). The Christians believe this “ fine print ” and live accordingly.

For a further look at the “ fine print ” of commitment given by God, all men are encouraged to pick up their Bibles and read from beginning to end. However, as a beginning to understanding the fundamental changes in an individual’s life that God requires, the reader is encouraged to read the book of I Peter, found in the New Testament portion of the Bible. By reading the “ fine print ” and adhering to what is required of all men, there will be no surprises, no astounding shocks, but rather an understanding of the impact adherence or non-adherence to God’s law will bring.

Hebrews 5:9 – “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

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Church of Christ Only Ones Saved?

Seriously? You Hear The Strangest Things About The Church Of Christ!

In a world where people generally claim to believe that they shouldn’t rush to judgment about anything or anyone – and especially not at least until they have all of the obtainable facts in hand – what a contradiction they have been known to sometimes practice when it comes to the churches of Christ! One reason is because several decades ago in the mid-20th century, churches of Christ were the fastest growing religious group in America. When denominational preachers were being defeated wholesale in biblical debate, and denominational churches were being decimated by biblical conversions to Christ as a result, those most ill-affected eventually stuck us with a tag, the effects of which we are still dealing with today…

You’ve probably either heard it said, or perhaps even had it spat in your face when discussing with someone the fact that you are a member of the church of Christ, that, “Oh yeah, you’re the bunch that thinks you’re the only ones going to heaven!” This charge is sometimes made by well-intentioned denominational religious people, who then summarily dismiss any further positive discussion of the church of Christ folks and their biblical positions, based on what they themselves have instantly and inadvertently ‘judged,’ to be the inappropriate ‘judgmentalism’ on the part of those same church of Christ folks!

But in reality, when discussed more deeply, most denominational folks – and even the general (non-atheist) populace at large – will eventually come to understand and be forced to admit that their own thinking isn’t all that far off from what the church of Christ folks actually believe – if we handle it right. But how do we do that? How do we handle the charge that we “think we’re the only ones going to heaven,” when hurled venomously at us by those who have judged us to be too judgmental? By those who have themselves, excluded us from any serious spiritual consideration because they believe us to be too exclusive?

Now, we can’t point out the hypocrisy of their position as that would surely shut down further opportunity for productive conversation. And certainly we can’t deny the Lord and His word (Mk. 8:38) which shows us that His church is simply all the sinners He has saved by His blood (Acts 20:28; 2:38-47), and that subsequently, the ‘saved of Christ’s’ are ‘the church of Christ.’ Those two terms are indeed synonymous. But at the same time, how do we feed that spiritual “meat” to those who haven’t even been born again into the family (Jn. 3:3-5) so as not to even be able to handle spiritual “milk” yet (I Ptr. 2:1-3)? Answer: We must be, as Jesus put it, as “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16). For the sake of illustration, please consider for a moment, the following fictitious – although accurate to reality – conversation, as it could occur in “Anytown, U.S.A.,” on any given day, between your average “Joe” on the street, and “Chuck” who is a member of the church of Christ:

“Hey Joe, how’s it going,” Chuck said, as he saw one of the guys he recognized from work walking out of the corner store. They had spoken briefly before, while standing in line at the office cafeteria but that was about it.

“It’s going okay I guess,” Joe responded in a friendly manner, not knowing too much about Chuck at all, except that he seemed to be a genuinely friendly ‘nice guy.’ “Hey,” Joe added, “I really wanted to let you know how nice it was to see someone praying over their meal like I noticed you doing yesterday in the cafeteria. You don’t see that much anymore.”

“No, I guess you don’t. But God is the center of my life and I believe all good things come from Him and so I always strive to say ‘Thank You,’ like our preacher said we should in Sunday School class last week,” Chuck said.

“Oh yeah? You go to church,” Joe questioned. Chuck nodded. “What church do you go to,” Joe followed up quickly but a bit tentatively. He and his family had been hoping to find some sincerely bible-believing and practicing place to worship, and one that took God’s word very seriously since their moving into town some months ago. But they had been exercising caution and not hurrying it because they were sick and tired of the “spiritual entertainment spiral” and were more interested in really learning and exploring what the bible actually said and meant rather than just simply being entertained anymore.

“We attend worship with the church of Christ over on Delaware,” Chuck responded without hesitation.

Oh no, not them, Joe thought. And before he could bite his tongue and catch himself, he had blurted out a thought implanted in his head since childhood by his extremely religious older brother: “That’s the bunch that believes they’re the only ones going to heaven, right?”

Chuck, completely unruffled and unsurprised by this not unanticipated response, simply said, “Actually, we probably don’t believe too awfully different on that than you yourself actually do Joe.”

Somewhat surprised, suddenly challenged, and more than just a little bit taken aback himself by Chuck’s totally unexpected and unruffled response, Joe simply stuttered, “How so?” And as Chuck calmly and quietly responded, it would probably be an understatement to say that he had Joe’s complete and undivided attention!

“Well, do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that only He can save you just like He said in John 14:6,” Chuck asked. Joe nodded. “Well, so do we,” Chuck said.

“Do you believe that only those saved by, of, and through the sacrifice of Christ Himself will be in heaven,” Chuck continued. Joe nodded in agreement once again. “So do we,” Chuck said.

“And do you believe that in order to go to heaven, one must receive the gift of eternal life by accepting God’s grace and Christ’s sacrificial gift on Their terms,” Chuck asked, now intently looking Joe straight in the eye. Once again, Joe nodded in complete agreement. He had spent enough time reading His bible to know that one must have faith enough in what God said, to submit themselves to God’s will and accept His gift of grace in order to be saved. It made no sense to him at all that it all just happened arbitrarily.

“Hmmm,” Chuck sighed after a momentary silence, “Imagine that; that’s exactly what we believe too! So, let me see if I’ve got this straight… You believe that the only way a person can be truly saved, is by God’s grace, through their faith, which involves believing what God said enough to submit to His terms and conditions for accepting His grace, according to His word? Does that about sum it up” Chuck asked. “Because if so, then you believe the same way as we do,” Chuck said.

“…Yes,” Joe replied somewhat hesitantly, now quite intrigued by what he had just learned in this little encounter.

“Do you know what God’s word actually states those terms and conditions are,” Chuck asked. “Because those are obviously vital to know – believing what you just said you do and all.”

“All I have to do is believe,” Joe stated quickly and not a little bit uncomfortably. After all, even though he had never been completely convinced of the “faith only saves” position, he had heard it preached many times from many pulpits.

“Tell you what,” Chuck continued; “James, chapter two would probably add a little bit of insight into that answer. It says in verse 19 that ‘even the demons believe – and shudder.’ It goes on to say, in the only passage in the entire New Testament where the phrase ‘faith only’ is found, that justification is ‘not by faith only,’ in verse 24. But please don’t take my word for it – go home and check it out for yourself in God’s word and see what you find. You do believe the bible is the truth of God I assume?”

Joe stuttered a quick “Yes, of course I do,” while his mind whirled about and sought to process this new information which he had never known before. And all of the sudden it hit him as to just how little of the Bible (for a semi-regular church-goer) that he actually did know, and just how vital it was to his spiritual well-being to know so much more…

As if able to read his newly-confused thoughts, Chuck invited Joe to come and join them for Bible study this coming Sunday with the church of Christ. “We don’t do entertainment,” Chuck quickly added. “It’s all about ‘book, chapter, and verse.’ You’re always welcome and we always learn something new from the word of God. Love to have you; you can sit with my family. Might we see you there on Sunday Joe?”

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