A Threat to the Church

The Greatest Threat to the Lord’s Church

“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5).

The candlestick had a long Old Testament history.  In Hebrew, the word for candlestick is “menorah.”  It was originally commissioned by God to be used in the tabernacle.  “And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made” (Exodus 25:31a).  It was placed on the southern wall of the holy place just outside the veil that separated this area from the holy of holies (Exodus 26:35).  The light was to be perpetually lit (Leviticus 24:4).

In 606 B.C., the candlestick was carried off into captivity by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 52:19).  The next we read of it is from the pen of the priest Zechariah who describes it in a vision (Zechariah 4:1-6).  He asks an angel what it means and the angel replies: “This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

This imagery is drawn upon in the Revelation.  “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle” (Revelation 1:12-13).  “The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches” (Revelation 1:20).

A candlestick is a confluence of several things: the source of light, the flame, and the light itself.  Within the symbolism of the candlestick is a confluence of several spiritual things: God’s truth, God’s Spirit, God’s church.  All must be present for the candlestick to fulfill its purpose.  Neither God’s Spirit nor God’s truth can fail, but the church may, should she stop being the pillar and ground of God’s truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

We must take the undesired prospect of the Lord’s removing Ephesus’ candlestick seriously.  Just as it was once removed by the forces of Babylon, the removal of the candlestick denotes God’s people’s failure to practice God’s truth, the subsequent apostasy of God’s people, and the consequential removal of God’s Spirit.  The Lord cannot abide in fellowship with those who have ceased living by His will.

The prospect of a church ceasing to be the Lord’s church is worthy of lamentation; it is, nevertheless, possible.  Of the many dangers that threaten the church, the greatest of these dangers comes not from without, but from within; not even from amongst “other” members, but within the individual.

It matters not who I am: member, song leader, preacher, youth worker, deacon, or elder.  Truth must be applied to my life first and foremost.  When my attitudes or actions become skewed from the Lord’s truth, I am the greatest threat to His church.

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Repentance

When speaking to an assembly in Athens, Paul made a statement about God and repentance which is recorded in Acts 17:30, God “now commandeth all men every where to repent”. The command for man to repent is universally extended to all. It has been said that repentance is the hardest command of all to obey. True repentance has three major elements which are necessary in order to be valid Biblical repentance.

The Intellectual component of Repentance is that change of a sinner’s mind that leads him or her to turn from evil ways and live according to the will of God. Intellectually, human beings must perceive sin as evil and the divine law as perfect and binding. One must also realize that they have sinned and fallen short of the requirements of God, (Romans 3:23).

There is an emotional aspect to repentance as well. It is possible to have a knowledge of sin without recognizing it as something that dishonors God and beings ruin upon humanity. A change in emotional attitude is necessary in genuine repentance. A Christian cannot be emotionally indifferent to sin, rather, they must have a genuine sorrow over it.

The type of sorrow that issues in repentance must be distinguished from that which is simply remorse. There is a godly sorrow and a worldly sorrow: the former brings life, the latter death. The difference between the two is distinguishable by one’s actions. True repentance because of sorrow must be accompanied by action. Those who do not turn from their sinful behavior have not exhibited the Godly sorrow which leads to salvation, (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).

The most prominent characteristic of true repentance is the changing of one’s will. This is the action aspect of true repentance. It involves not only a conviction of personal sinfulness but also an earnest attempt to abandon one’s old life and turn to a life of righteousness according to God’s will. The demand for repentance clearly implies human free will and an earnest desire to seek and serve God according to His righteousness (Romans 10:3).

True repentance has been defined as a sorrow and conviction of one’s heart over sin that leads to a change in behavior.

The relation of repentance to salvation is one of necessity. . In Luke 13:3 we read the words of Jesus saying that “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”. Failure to repent leaves one in a state of condemnation which will result in one’s spiritual death. In short, those who fail to recognize sin, be sorrowful for it and turn from that life to a new life will be condemned to eternal separation from God.

Have you truly repented? Are you obedient to the will of God? If not, then we invite you to visit our website or attend services with us and learn more of God’s will for man concerning repentance. You can visit our website at www.granbychurchofChrist.org.

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No Bible, No Horse

A Man without a Bible is Like a Man Without a Horse

There was a time when the saying “a man without a horse” was widely understood.  Its meaning may not be as quickly grasped as it once was.  However, the phrase certainly is applicable even in this age where many folks do not or have never owned a horse.  “A man without a horse” is one who is incomplete.  He is lacking.  Perhaps, a similar situation today would be a man without a car, a job, or his spouse.  Figuratively a man’s horse is that which gives him the desire to go forward and conquer in life and when it is not there, he struggles with his identity.  For the next few minutes, consider how the Bible is the Christian’s horse.

In the early American west, the cowboy would rise each morning with a host of duties to do.  He did not wake to a life of idleness and uncertainty about what to do.  He had endless duties of mending fence; moving, watering, feeding, or branding cattle; and chores in town.  His constant work mate was his horse.  In this sense, the Christian and his Bible are like the cowboy and his horse:  they are workmates through each and every day.  The Christian is not meant to be idle (Matthew 25:24-30).  He has many duties to be engaged in.  In fact he was created for good works (Ephesians 2:10).  The Christian is to follow the example of Christ (I Peter 2:21), teach others (2 Timothy 2:24), encourage (Hebrews 10:24), warn, comfort, support (I Thessalonians 5:14), relieve the widow and orphan, care for saints in need (I John 3:17), and so much more.  Through each and every task, his work mate (the Word of God) is to be there with him (Psalm 40:8, 119:69, 80, 112, Ephesians 6:10-17, Colossians 3:16).

As a cowboy goes about his daily work, the horse is his source of power.  It transports him, cuts cattle when needed, holds taught the rope that binds a calf, and totes any supplies that he requires.  The horse is a power which saves the cowboy much time and effort.  The Bible is the source of power for all Christians.  It is a power for their salvation by the deliverance from sin (Romans 1:16, I Corinthians 1:18).  It is the knowledge of God which gives man all things for life and Godliness.  The Word of God provides strength for that Word is Christ (John 1:1, Philippians 4:13).

The horse helps a cowboy travel farther.  If he were left to his own path, he would stumble about and become weary.  Yet, the horse enables a man to cover terrain with endurance and speed he does not have on his own.  The horse gives the cowboy an advantage he simple would not have on his own.  The word of God is guide for man’s feet (Psalm 119:105) and if man were left to his own way he would only find destruction  (Proverbs 14:12, I Peter 4:17).  If a Christian holds fast the Word of God which he is taught he will reach the end of his journey no matter how long it may be (2 Thessalonians 2:15, Hebrews 5:9).  The advantage the Bible gives is the key to heaven and life.  In it are the words of Jesus (John 6:68) and it is only through Him man will be able to go to the Father (John 14:6).

Being a cowboy is often a lonely profession.  There may be long periods of time when there is no one around, but the cowboy’s horse.  The horse becomes a good trusted friend, one he often trusts above men.  The cowboy relies on the horses steps to be true and relies upon it as a warning in time of danger.  He learns the horse in and out and treats it with respect and care.  In the same manner a Christian learns to properly handle God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15).  Men may mock or belittle the Christian, but he trusts God’s word above them (Psalm 119:42).  Sometimes in this world a Christian feels alone, but if he simply turns to God’s Word, there is comfort (Psalm 119:50).

It should be easy to see the great many similarities between a cowboy with his horse and a Christian with his Bible, but what happens when someone – spiritually speaking – is “a man without a horse”?  Consider that a great number of people are like “a man without a horse”, except, they have no clue what they are missing.  They have a great ache, but don’t know how to fulfill it.  They pursue self actualization, possessions, good works, self denial, approval, recognition, and love of others, yet, at the end of the day, it isn’t enough.  Everything comes up empty for them.  They are lonely for something and growing weary.  Those who seek a true identity will find it (Matthew 7:7). Yet many like the rich young man of Matthew 19:16-22, when presented with the solution to their dilemma, cannot accept it.  They become frustrated and reject it as those of Acts 7:57-58.  One may point out that many individuals calling themselves Christians also seem to struggle with who they are and what their purpose is.  Sadly, this is true.  This author and other Christians have at times forgotten where our solace lies.  We have ridden on the horse so long that we take it for granted.  We begin to think we can do just as good or better on our own.  So, we put the Word aside and begin to struggle.  Sometimes it takes awhile to realize the foolishness of our choice.  Sometimes, folks refuse to admit their foolishness and keep on walking by the power of their own two feet or they just sit down and don’t go anywhere at all.  They have once again become incomplete, lacking, “a man without a horse”.

The Word is a steed indeed.  Christians must trust it, work with it, rely on its power, and allow themselves to be comforted by it.  If their desire is to live eternally in heaven, the Word of God will be there (Isaiah 40:8).  It will be just as faithful and true as it has always been.  In every good western movie, there is a scene where the cowboy is heading off to happier trails.  The movie is ending, a good day’s work has been done, and the cowboy is a silhouette against a sun setting on all cares and troubles.  He may have been battered, bruised, beaten, tested, and forsaken.  However, his trusted horse is under him and he knows better days lie ahead.  When the final day sets on this ball of earth, may those hailing the name of Christ have the trusted Word with them, so they too can draw close to the Son.

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The Perfume of Christians

Last week we discussed how Christians may stink to the world, but there is no stench from godly lives as far as heaven is concerned. Little does the world realize that there is a beautiful fragrance which ascends to heaven from the saints, and that aroma surrounds His throne and perfumes the corridors of heaven.  What a contrast!

This fragrance is first mentioned when Noah came out of the ark. “Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma” (Gen. 8:20-21). Think about it for a moment. Have you ever smelled hair as it was burning or the abiding smell in your house when meat was burned because someone forgot it was in the oven? Yet, this is precisely what Noah offered to God. On that altar were the burning animals, hide and all. To many it would have been a horrible odor, yet when it reached heaven, “. . . the Lord smelled a soothing aroma.”

The book of Revelation describes the incense that comes before His throne. “Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God” (Rev. 8:3-4). The psalmist understood this imagery. “Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Psa. 141:2). To the ungodly, prayer seems meaningless, almost a stench to them, but God sees it as a part of the aroma of heaven.

Hebrews chapter thirteen shows that our singing is part of the fragrance of heaven. “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” The world may judge singing by the melody and harmonious tones which come from our vocal cords, but God judges it by the melody made in our hearts. Sometimes, the world may think that the songs of some, unskilled in music, stink, but rest assured that “with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Heb. 13:16). Any Christian who has ever thought that he does not enjoy singing fails to see that God judges singing by the melody from our hearts (Eph. 5:19).

There is far more than just prayers and singing that is a beautiful aroma to God. When we tell others about Jesus it ascends to heaven as perfume (2 Cor. 2:15-16), and the same is true when we give to those in need (Heb. 13:16).

So, how do you smell? Not to the ungodly, but how often do you fill heaven with the perfume of your life?

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Good and Evil

The Source of Good and the Source of Evil

God is Not the Source of Temptation – James 1:13-15

Verse 13a – “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God…” God is not the source of temptation and we cannot say that God tempts us. James uses the word temptation in two different ways in Chapter 1. First, he uses it in the context of verses 2-12 as a trying or testing of one’s faith through the trials of life that befall all mankind. But in the context of chapter 1:13-15, James is speaking of a temptation to do evil.

Verse 13b – “For God cannot be tempted with evil…” It is not in God’s divine nature to do evil. Hab. 1:13 says “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity…”

It would therefore appear that, when it is affirmed that God is “un-tempt-able,” it is meant that having no experience in any evil thing, there can be in Him no desire for evil, and thus no ground for temptation. One who is Himself wholly removed from evil could never desire to see it, or cause it to appear in others. – Guy N. Woods, Commentary on James

One who is perfect in holiness and in knowledge, by his very nature, is excluded from temptation and sin. God is perfect in holiness. (Rev. 4:8). God is perfect in knowledge. (Rom. 11:33; Job 37:16). Therefore…

Verse 13c – “Neither tempteth He any man…” Because evil is against His nature, He does not tempt us to do evil. God allows temptations and trials to test our faith for our good (Jas. 1:12), but He is not the author of them. The author of all that is good cannot be the source of sin in us.

Verse 14a – “But every man is tempted…” Temptation can be simply defined with this “mathematical” formula. Temptation = desire + opportunity. Every man who has ever lived or ever will live is subject to temptation. Even Christ Himself was tempted in all points like we are. (Heb. 2:18, 4:15)

Verse 14b – “When he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed…” One is tempted when he is (1) drawn away (2) of his own lust and (3) enticed. One is drawn out by his own lust. Lust, in this context, is evil desire or passion. Lust seeking satisfaction entices us to sin. As was previously mentioned, temptation happens when lust or desire meets opportunity. When one has a desire and the opportunity presents itself to fulfill it unlawfully, he is faced with a choice.

All men are faced with a choice when it comes to sin. God allows us to make the choice. “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” (Deu. 30:19) God wants us to choose life and he has guaranteed us an escape from all sins. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Co. 10:13) In escaping from sin, we need to “take up arms” against sin, especially the “Whole armor of God.” (Eph. 6:11)

Verse 15a – “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin…” Lust is the “mother” of sin. Temptation is the seed that Satan implants in the “fertile soil” of lust. Sin is the offspring that is begotten of this evil union. This metaphor of seed implantation, conception and the bringing forth of sin is an apt metaphor here. James uses a Greek word that means, “To become pregnant.” It is here translated as “conceived.” Also, in this verse, James uses another Greek word that literally means to give birth and it is here translated as “bringeth forth.”. This is an active verb in the present tense, and signifies a continuous action on the part of the one giving birth. The word, “conceived”, is in the past tense, and it took place prior to the main verb, “bringeth forth.” Thus, we can conclude that, once lust has conceived, it continuously gives birth to sin.

Verse 15b – “And sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death…” Sin, that illegitimate offspring of evil desire, when it grows to maturity and remains unrepentant and rebellious, brings forth death. The word here translated as “bringeth forth” is from a Greek term normally used when referring to an animal giving birth.

God is the Source of All That is Good – James 1:16-18

Verse 16 “Do not err, my beloved brethren…” In light of the fact that temptation is not of God, but of Satan, we had better not make a mistake and attribute the source our own sins to God. Make no mistake about it! Adam erred in the garden when he attempted to shift the blame for his own sin from himself to God, by saying: “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” (Gen. 3:12)

Verse 17a “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…”  He makes a stark contrast here between the evil that comes from Satan and the good that comes from God. Every good and perfect gift comes from God. James uses two different Greek words for gift. The word used in the phrase “every good gift” indicates the goodness of the giver is noted as well as the goodness displayed in the act of giving. The word used in the phrase “every perfect gift” refers to the completeness of the gift that has been given.

Every gift that is good and every gift that is perfect in its completeness comes from God. Our daily bread, our financial means and all other material blessings come from Him. Of course the greatest gift mankind has ever received originated with God and that is the gift of his Son as an atonement sacrifice for us. This gift and all others come down on us continually. God’s gifts are the gifts that keep on giving.

Verse 17b “And cometh down from the Father of lights…” God is the father of lights. The Greek word used here for “lights” is phota.  The word generally refers to heavenly bodies and it describes God as the cosmic Father of the heavenly bodies. Symbolically this is speaking of the light of the Gospel that originated with God. Ps. 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Verse 17c “With whom is no variableness…” The Gospel light is unvarying and without shadow of turning. Unlike the stars in the sky, the Gospel light is unwavering. One notices when they look up at the stars that they seem to twinkle. God’s Gospel light is steady and sure; it does not “twinkle.” It is an all encompassing light and does not cast a shadow.

When one holds his hand in front of a light source it casts a shadow. There is no light other than Divine light that casts no shadow. Photographers when they seek to capture an image without shadow use many different flash bulbs from different angles, yet even they can not remove all shadow.

Verse 17d “Neither shadow of turning…” There is no shadow caused by turning. The Gospel always remains fixed. Again in contrast to the sun, moon and stars, God remains fixed overhead in relation to us. In comparison to the shadow cast by a sun dial, God’s light stays fixed at “high noon.” “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all…” (1 Jo. 1:5)

Verse 18a “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth…” God is the father of redemption through the word of truth. Notice the similarity of phrase between verse 15: “conceived,” “bringeth forth” and verse 18: “begat,” “firstfruits.” Remember that Satan implants the “seed” of temptation into the mother of sin which is lust. But God is the father of the redeemed, through the implanted seed of the Gospel into a fertile heart (v.21), such as the one described in Mat.13:23.

Verse 18b “That we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures …”  Christians, in a sense, are the firstfruits of all God’s creation. Mankind is the apex of creation and Christians are the fruit brought forth by obedience to the Gospel. “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb…” (Rev. 14:4).

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