Rejoice! Jesus Is Coming!

When the apostle Paul wrote the letter of 1 Thessalonians he did so intending, in part, to correct some false teaching and understanding concerning the Second Coming of Jesus. Paul assures the brethren that those who die before Christ returns will not miss out on His coming and in fact would be given preference in meeting Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). Then he goes on to explain that the coming of Jesus in judgment would be unexpected, like a thief in the night, and that they as Christians should not be ignorant of these truths or unprepared for its occurrence (1 Thessalonians 5:1–10).

While many who claim to be Christians today acknowledge the promised return of Christ in judgment many it seems live as though it has either already occurred or will not. We continue to live in sin and suffer the consequences and guilt of rebellious doubt and disobedience. It is true that because “the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Jesus warned in the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins that “while the bridegroom was delayed, they all [the five foolish, TLD] slumbered and slept” (Matthew 25:5). This is Paul’s admonition to the church for all ages, that is, to be sober, watchful, prepared, and encouraging.

One of the wonderful things about 1 Thessalonians 5 is that Paul follows his teaching and admonition with practical application. While we often look at individual or sets of verses in the later half of this chapter the beauty is found in its context. Paul says we can be prepared and can rejoice in the pending coming of Jesus in judgment if we (vv 16–22)…

Rejoice always. Joy is a staple of New Testament teaching and living! Even in the midst of a sin-filled world, even when persecuted for righteousness, the Christian has something to rejoice in. Jesus is coming…rejoice!

Pray without ceasing. Pray helps keep us focused on heaven and on God. We are totally dependent upon Him for all physical and spiritual blessings. Without Him, His grace, His mercy, and His love the Second Coming of Christ is a horrifying reality. Prayer helps keep us focused so we can rejoice.

Give thanks. The focus on God and heaven help us to live thankful lives. Giving thanks entails far more than just thanking God in prayer. Giving thanks is a way of life. Paul said that whatever state he found himself he had learned to be content (Philippians 4:11). This cannot happen without living a life of thanksgiving.

Do not quench the Spirit. Much has been written and speculated upon concerning this statement, yet in its context we must conclude that the instruction here simply relates to our response to the Spirit’s work. While the Spirit was miraculously guiding the church in the first century the emphasis is on the Spirit’s work on our behalf in revealing unto us the will of God (Ephesians 3:1–13). We need to be humbly submissive to the Word of God and not live in rebellion to it.

Do not despise prophecies. This goes hand-in-hand with the idea of quenching the spirit. We must embrace the inspired revelation of God in our lives if we are to live joyful, expectant lives.

Test all things. When we have done the preceding things we must then put everything to the test. Many false prophets and teachings have emanated from the simple truths taught by Christ and the apostles. We need to put everything to the test (1 John 4:1) as to not be moved (Galatians 1:6).

Hold fast what is good. When we have tested all things and have separated the precious truths from the false ways of evil through purification we must hold on to those truths with vigor and valor.

Abstain from every form of evil. We cannot live joyful lives if we hold on to the good but attempt to keep the evil around as well. We must desist from every kind of evil in this life. Jesus said simply, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). You cannot hold on to the bloodstained hand of Christ with one hand and the world with the other!

In conclusion Paul writes that if we do these things the “God of peace” will sanctify us “completely!” And the entire “spirit, soul, and body” will be preserved blameless, hear it, “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v 23). We then can live joyful lives, knowing that Jesus is coming and that He is faithful and will do what He has promised (v 24).

What is keeping you from living a joyful life in earnest expectation of His coming? Simply focus on doing the things Paul has laid out for us in this beautiful text, live joyful, expectant lives. God loves you, He sent His Son to die for you! He’s coming back to receive those waiting for Him with those who have gone on before. Will you be ready? Obey Him and be faithful!

 

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Respect for Teachers

Respect for Teachers as Christian Students

There is no question that being educated in the secular educational system is a challenge today for any Christian young man or woman.  Many of have opted out of the public schools and chosen rather to home school.  Such an option is preferable when adequate resources and parental involvement are available.  However, many, for one reason or another, simply do not have this option and children must be placed into the public schools.

In public school one will be faced with a variety of temptations both socially and educationally.  Friends who are not expected to live according to Christian standards of behavior will be poor examples.  Teachers who have been indoctrinated by scientism and the notion that man is just another animal pose special challenges to students who correctly understand to be created in the image of God.  How are Christian students to behave in such an environment and particularly toward their teachers?

While the challenges are great, the rewards of being a faithful Christian in such an environment can be ever greater.  One may very well bring a lost soul to Christ by so correctly behaving; perhaps even a teacher can be converted in this way.  Christian youth must focus upon living the kind of life that Christ desires us to live and being a positive example toward those around them.  Christians are called to transform a world that is steeped in darkness by the light of the gospel, the good message for those who are trapped in sin.  In harmony with God’s desire for us not to go out of the world (1 Corinthians 5:10), but to be a strong influence for good on the world, Christian youth must be engaged in overcoming evil with good (Romans 12:21)!

The Christian student’s opportunities to so overcoming evil in the world around him begin with his attitudes toward his teachers.  While we may disagree with some of the things that our teachers tell us, we can at least demonstrate an attitude of respect toward their position of authority.  God wants us to be subject to authorities whether those in authority are behaving in a godly way or not (1 Timothy 2:2).  In fact, biblical condemnation is pronounced upon those who despise authority (Jude 8).  Christians are individuals who conduct themselves lawfully regardless what setting.  We are always under a greater Authority than an earthly one.

Subsequently, respecting a teacher in school begins with one’s attitude toward God.  Students who show proper respect toward God will know how to properly respect their teachers.  This involves understanding the concepts of obedience (Hebrews 5:8-9), proper use of the tongue (James 3:1-12), Christian sobriety (1 Timothy 2:6), positive thinking (Philippians 4:8), a willing mind (2 Corinthians 8:12), and many other attitudes that the Christian employs to be faithful to the Lord and thereby a positive and productive member of society.

Students will want to obey instructions of teachers regarding homework assignments if they wish to receive good grades.  Appropriately addressing the teacher with a respectful tongue will prevent one from meriting a trip to the principal’s office.  Thinking soberly about one’s attitude will cause the Christian student not to act rashly for the sake of popularity or to fulfill a “dare.”  Positive thinking will enable the Christian student to perform well on quizzes and exams and a willing mind will aid the student in accomplishing whatever daily tasks are assigned to him in an expeditious manner.  Each of these traits are principles of Christian living that students must employ to maintain a respectful attitude toward the teacher at school.  Adopting these attitudes will aid the student in being successful not only in his school work, but in life as well.  May God bless each of our students and may each one consider their lives in service to the Master above all other temporal concerns.

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The Danger of Riches

There is a great danger when Americans ignore those verses in the Bible which discuss the dangers of riches. The average annual income in America is about $47,000. That number is the gross amount you receive, not the amount you bring home after the deductions at work. With that in mind consider the following. If you make $41,000 each year you are in the top 3% of the wealthiest people living on the earth. There are approximately seven billion people on the earth and three billion of them make less than $2 per day! This means that over forty percent of people earn less than $14 per day or less than $800 per year. Those verses about riches apply to all of us!

The dangers of riches. The wisdom of Solomon so vividly describes the dangers that Americans face. He asked the Lord to grant him two things. One was that he would not be poor and be tempted to become a thief. The other concerned riches. “Give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You and say, ‘Who is the Lord’” (Prov. 30:8-9). His words are easily understood, yet difficult for Americans to apply since so few realize that most of the world knows we are rich.

Riches are not sinful. Having money is not sinful. Abraham, the friend of God, was very rich. His wealth was described by his servant. “He has become rich; and He has given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and servants and maids, and camels and donkeys” (Gen. 24:35). This is further seen in the fact that he had 318 men who were trained and able to go to war to rescue Lot (Gen. 14:14). Job was also an extremely wealthy man who was described by God as a “…man that was blameless and upright,” and yet his wealth made him “…the greatest of all the people of the east” (Job 1:1-3).

God’s special message to “rich” Americans. The Lord gives nine direct commands to those who are rich (1 Tim. 6:17-19). I beg that you prayerfully consider them.

1. Do not become haughty because you are rich.
2. Do not trust in uncertain riches.
3. Do trust in God.
4. Do good by using your money.
5. Be rich in good works, not just rich.
6. Always be ready to give.
7. Always be willing to share.
8. Use your money to store up treasures in heaven.
9. Use your money to lay hold on eternal life.

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Old Paths Instruction

Following the Old Paths

In the world in which we live today there is a philosophy permeating the thinking of most people that suggest that everything old needs to be replaced or updated. This concept is also true with the purveyors of religious theology today, most religious professors, and professionals think that religious ideals of past ages are now outdated and require change or alteration to meet the crises that prevails in modern times. One of the problems with this reasoning is simple, the nature, need, and quality of mankind is still the same as it was after God created him and has been that way ever since.

Since man has not changed, he still has the same problem with the devil and with sin that his forefathers had. Indeed, mankind still needs to find a way to reach his Creator, God so that he might find out what is needed for acquiring a good relationship with Him.

GOD’S INSTRUCTION TO MAN

The Bible (i.e., the 66 books in one) is God’s only form of communication with mankind today, cf., 1 Cor. 13:10. Since the Written Word is God’s only method of communicating His will to man, it behooves man to follow the instructions contained therein correctly cf., Jude 3. Man can only accomplish this whenever he has in his possession a copy of the Bible correctly translated from the Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. There are too many translations and paraphrases of the Bible today that are not accurate, therefore the individuals that are persuaded to use one of them will find it extremely difficult to find that which God would have them do in order to be acceptable to Him (See note 1).

You can only follow the “Old Paths” if you know what they are, the teaching that is referred to as the “Old Paths” are those teachings that emanate from the Written Word of God Jeremiah 6:16, “Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and Ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said we will not walk (therein)” (ASV). The teachings that are under consideration in this passage were the teachings known to the Jews as the Law of Moses, the law under Which they were living at the time Jeremiah the prophet wrote this passage.

The “Old Paths” that apply to mankind today are the laws contained in the New Covenant (i.e., the covenant that Jesus Christ established, cf., Ephesians 2:11-21). Consequently, to follow the law of Jesus Christ today means the same as following the “Old Paths”.

Why not make the decision today to seriously examine the teachings of the Written Word of God from a reliable translation of the Bible, believe it and obey it so that you too may walk in the old paths with other faithful Disciples of Christ that wear the name Christians, cf., and Acts 11:26.

Note 1: The problem of many Bible translations today such as Taylor’s translation, Good News for Modern Man, The New World Translation, etc. — they are simply unsupported by the original language.

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Thankful?

When we usually think of being thankful, we think of the Thanksgiving holiday during the month of November. Nevertheless, Paul says of Christians, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess. 5:18). Therefore, while our minds (as well as the minds of many) are on this subject this month, let us examine the subject of “Thanksgiving.” In this article, we wish to turn our attention to Luke 17:11-19 and provide some positive points to ponder.

First, note the diseased men (Luke 17:11-12). It was due to their leprosy that they “stood afar off.” Why was that? Leprosy was a disease that eats the flesh, as well as the skeletal system underneath, with people losing their extremities, including their ears, noses, hands and/or feet. It is caused by insufficient diet and poor sanitary conditions; hence, note the irony in the term “unclean.” There are a few leper colonies today, in India, Crete, Japan, the Philippines, and even one in Louisiana and one in Hawaii. Today, the disease is controllable by medicine, which leads me to believe that there is a slight difference in leprosy today from the leprosy about which we read in the Bible. One may see what the Bible says about leprosy in Leviticus 11-15 (specifically Lev. 13- 14), which deals with impurities. The term “leprosy” is a general term that refers to a rotting disease, which may apply even to clothes or a house. The first reference to it is in Exodus 4:6 with Moses’ confirmation. Another famous example is in Second Kings 5 with Naaman and later with Gehazi. In fact, from the statement that King Jehoram made, it seemed as if only God could cure some forms of leprosy. Miriam became temporarily leprous in Numbers 12. There were four lepers of Samaria in Second Kings 7 who saw the effect of the destruction of the Syrian army. Not only that, King Uzziah became leprous because of his disobedience in Second Kings 15. In the New Testament, Jesus touched a leper in Matthew 8, who may later be Simon (Matt. 26:6). The Law of Moses dictated that a priest needed to check anything that even remotely looked as leprosy. One could not determine himself if he had leprosy, but he needed a priest to determine such. One who was leprous had to be shut out of the camp and did not have fellowship within. The many regulations to determine it leads one to confuse it with such modern things as psoriasis or eczema. Moreover, the washings needed to verify cleansing reminds us of what David said in Psalm 51:7: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Therefore, we see the connection between leprosy and sin.

Second, note their pitiful cry (17:13). They were not begging for alms—they were begging for mercy. They knew what was important! They knew who to ask—Jesus! Therefore, He is the source of mercy!

Third, note the miraculous healing (17:14). By such, we see how faith operates (cf. 17:19)—their cleansing occurred when they obeyed Jesus! In like manner, our cleansing from sin occurs when our faith complies with obedience. Only Jesus could cleanse/ heal them. I believe the command from Jesus is quite significant, considering Matthew 5:17: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” He could have triumphed over the Law of Moses, but rather, He fulfilled it (cf. Matt. 17:24-27). In other words, He understood the authority of the word of God (cf. Matt. 28:18).

Fourth, note the thankful Samaritan (17:15-16). The emphasis that Luke gives to this man being a Samaritan probably implies that the others were Jews—if not all, then some. Jesus often spoken of Gentiles, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Thus, positive interaction with Samaritans prepared the soil for Philip in Acts 8!

Fifth, note the penetrating question, which is the title of this article (17:17). The sin of ingratitude is one of the ugliest of all sins (cf. Rom. 1:21; 2 Tim. 3:1-2). Moreover, the sin of ingratitude is a root sin of unfaithfulness. For example, would Adam and Eve have eaten of the forbidden fruit if they had really been grateful for the fruit from the tree of life? Would Judas have betrayed Jesus if he had been grateful as one of his closest companions? Would spouses who cheat on each other do so if they were truly grateful for their mates? The list of examples is almost endless!

How do we conquer ingratitude? First, put away selfishness (cf. Acts 20:35). Second, become a humble servant (cf. Matt. 20:26-27; Phil. 2:3-11). Third, count your many blessings! Jesus is our example of being thankful. He gave thanks for the bread and cup in the Passover Feast to represent the Lord’s Supper. Are we thankful for what Jesus has given us? May we never represent the unthankful nine!

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