Jumping to Conclusions

Conclusions

Sometimes we jump to conclusions, don’t we?  When something appears a certain way to us it becomes easy to believe that all the facts are in and the whole picture is before us.  Yet, do we really have the whole picture?  Contrary to the views of many in our
society, not all “judging” is condemned in the Bible; however, unrighteous judgment is (but that’s a discussion for another article).

The problem of jumping to conclusions stems from judging things by the way they appear to be instead of coming to the correct conclusion based on the evidence available. For example, the story is often told of Dr. Glenn Olds (a former President of Kent State University) who, in 1941, during his junior year in college, recalled the sight of Mt. Rushmore as he hitchhiked cross-country.  From 10 miles away, he easily made out presidents Washington and Lincoln, but in the middle was a figure that looked a lot like
Adolf Hitler.  Yet, once he got closer he realized that what looked like hair combed over a forehead was really cable wires.  What looked like a mustache was really scaffolding. This made an impression on him and he noted in his journal, “What was Adolf Hitler at
10 miles away was Thomas Jefferson under construction.”

Remember this, friends: in John 7:24 Jesus does not say “Do not judge” (period).  He says, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous
judgment.” See the difference?

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Marine Corps

Marine Corps and New Recruiting

The story is told of a high-school recruitment seminar wherein representatives from three different branches of the armed services were to make their presentations for potential recruits. During the one hour seminar, the first two speakers took a combined total of fifty-six minutes to make their presentations, leaving the last one, a Marine Corps recruiter, only about four minutes. He walked very slowly and purposefully to the podium, silently but thoughtfully surveyed the audience for about one full minute of his scant four, and then said something like: “I only see about maybe three of you in this entire audience whom I believe have any chance at all of even remotely making it in the Marine Corps. You know who you are. Come and see me in a couple of minutes when this is over.” He then returned to his seat without another word. Care to guess who had the longest line of determined potential recruits demanding consideration as they engaged and engulfed him at the end of the seminar?

We who are members of the churches of Christ are quite aware that we will probably never be one of the largest congregations in the towns we seek to serve and save with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are very much aware that the lifetime of study, transformation, and hard work that it takes to be a true and devoted disciple and soldier of Jesus Christ (II Tim 3:1-4:8; I Ptr 4:1-19) simply will not appeal to everyone – and especially to any of those who might prefer a little bit easier, less exclusive, less exhaustive, more relaxed doctrine, or more politically-correct, people-pleasing, “anything still goes because God loves us all so much” religious lifestyle (See Romans 6:1-2). Jesus Himself said as much as He told us that very truth in Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

We should therefore be ever-mindful that we are ever-searching for those precious few (amongst those very many) who are truly seeking, and very seriously willing, to take God at His Word in all things and obey whatever He says in order to get to Heaven – no matter what (Jn. 10:27-28). Not only will this new understanding help us to realize just how wide of a net we must spread amongst the many to catch the few; just how much work we must put in in the process; and help us better cope when we’ve done all we can and they still walk away; but it will also help us to lovingly but firmly find a way to say and convey as we seek new converts to Christ and His kingdom: “If you’re possibly one of the many who might prefer the wide and easy way, then you’d really never be seriously spiritually happy here. But if you’re one of those few who want real, relevant, vital and vibrant Biblical Christianity – and you know who you are – then come by and see us this coming Sunday.”

Now while some might say that that particular approach is perhaps a bit on the harsh side when it comes to evangelism, I would like to suggest that maybe, just maybe, like the Marine Corps Recruiter, you just might find yourself with the most “potential recruits” you’ve ever had visiting with you this coming Sunday if thus challenged, instead of coddled and cuddled, petted and pampered! To God be the glory!

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The Noble Bereans

In the seventeenth chapter of the book of Acts, we read of the apostle Paul’s work in the Grecian city of Thessalonica. As was Paul’s usual pattern upon arriving in a Gentile city, he went first to the Jewish synagogue and attempted to teach the gospel to the Jews.  There he “reasoned with them (the Jews) out of the scriptures… (the Jewish scriptures) Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ…”  (Acts 17:2-3). Paul was unable to convert many Jews there because of a certain element, within the synagogue, that refused to hear and understand the gospel and subsequently stirred up trouble causing Paul to flee that city.

Next we read how Paul went to Berea, some fifty miles to the southwest of Thessalonica, and entered the synagogue there (verse 10). Unlike Thessalonica, here he found a ready audience, one that was willing to listen and was open to the gospel. Why were the Bereans more open to the Gospel than the Thessalonians? The Bible says, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11).

Luke records, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that the Bereans were more noble. The word “noble” here literally refers to those who were of the highest social order – the nobility. However, in Acts 17:11 it is used figuratively. They had a noble character, an open and ready mindset. They were like the “good ground” in Jesus’ “Parable of the Soils” in Luke 8:4-15. Verse 15 of that passage says, “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Their hearts were honest and good. Therefore, they received the Word with readiness of mind. That they “received” the gospel meant they listened to it. That they received it with “readiness of mind” meant that they were willing, even eager to accept it. They were open enough to the gospel that they would, at the very least, withhold judgment on it until they could give it a careful and thorough examination.

How did they go about examining it? They SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES to see if Paul’s teachings were correct. Jesus challenged certain men to “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39). Paul had been preaching the Gospel from the Old Testament scriptures. The Bereans studied the scriptures every day to verify he was teaching the TRUTH even as the Law of Moses demanded in Deuteronomy 18:22. The result of this noble searching of the scriptures was that “many of them (the Jews) believed…” (Acts.17:12). (Compare this with Acts 17:4 “some (few) of them believed…”).

What is the application for us today? We should all be like the Bereans in at least two ways. One, let us each have a “noble” mind; one that is willing to heed the Gospel and to change our lives to conform with it’s teaching. Two, let us like the Bereans, search the scriptures daily! (2 Timothy 2:15). In doing so, we will not be fooled by those who come preaching a perverted gospel (Galatians 1:6-7). I challenge you therefore, like the apostle John said 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.” In other words, any time some one claims to  preach the gospel, do not listen to his words unless they can be supported by God’s All Authoritative Word with a “thus saith the Lord!”

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A Convenient Time

“And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’” (Acts 24:24 – 25) [NKJV]

In Acts 24:24 – 25, we read of Paul’s bold message to Felix, governor of the Roman province of Judea, and his wife Drusilla. Paul, having been accused by the Jews in Jerusalem of causing problems and encouraging strife among the people, was arrested by the Roman authorities and eventually imprisoned by them in the provincial capital of Caesarea. While awaiting trial for these false charges, Paul used every opportunity to teach and preach the gospel to whoever would hear. On this particular occasion, Felix decided to hear Paul speak. As was his character, Paul used this opportunity to preach a strong, scriptural sermon to the governor and his wife.

His message was evidently effective, for it caused Felix to be fearful and apprehensive. It says in v. 25 that Felix became “afraid.” (KJV: It says he “trembled.”)

Paul’s strong, pointed gospel message struck a chord in the heart of the governor. This ruler apparently stood convicted of his past sinful actions and was now contemplating what he must do about them. Would he accept the challenge and change his life by following the teachings of the gospel or would he just ignore the obvious truth and choose to do nothing?

In v. 25 of the text, we can see that, sadly, he chose to take the latter course – the “path of least resistance.” He responds to Paul’s message by telling him to: “‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’” Felix decided that it was too hard to change, too difficult to commit his life to Christ. He made the decision that many of us do – he wanted what was “convenient” for him. This same word as used in v. 25 is translated from the Greek word Kairos which means: “an occasion, i.e. set or proper time: …opportunity, (convenient, due) season.”(1) The dictionary defines “convenient” as: “easy to do, use, or get to; handy.”(2) When we want what is “convenient”, we want what is easy.

Convenience usually involves something that offers little chance of challenge, struggle, or sacrifice.

Yet, Christianity is not convenient! It is not easy! It was never meant to be something that is, as some people say: “Easy come, easy go.” It requires that we commit everything – our whole self – to serving God. Jesus explains this well in Luke 14:33; “…whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

Let us not do what is convenient, rather let us do what is right in the sight of God! When we do what we think is right, easy, and convenient in our own sight that only leads to other problems and ultimately to eternal condemnation, “…the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). True, being a Christian, at times, can be very difficult and challenging. It can be a daily struggle! However, we are promised strength for the journey (Isaiah 40:31) and at the end of our life, a great reward. If we stay faithful to the end, we will, as our Savior says in Matthew 19:29, “…inherit eternal life.”

Erik Smith

(1) James Strong, A Concise Dictionary Of The Words In The Greek Testament, in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1990), 39. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

(2) Michael Agnes, ed., Webster’s New Dictionary (Cleveland, Ohio: Wiley Publishing Inc., 2003), 146.

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Modesty? Summer Shorts?

Do Those Shorts Hurt?

I get it… summer is in full swing and it’s HOT outside! However, the temperature outside does not give anyone the sanction to undress and walk around in public in an immodest and nauseating display of “fashion.” But here is what I don’t get; a few weeks ago my family and I went to the mall on Sunday afternoon to buy some golf shirts for Father’s Day when we saw a mother and her children walk past us and her daughter (who couldn’t have been more than 14) was wearing a pair of jean shorts that were so short and tight that her thighs were bulging out from underneath. I looked at my wife and asked, “Do those shorts hurt?”

How unfortunate that men (young and old) are subjected to such indecency simply for the sake of “comfort.” How sad it is that we have gone from the shame of nakedness in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:25) to no shame at all. At camp this summer the elders at Rolling Hills said that the dress code was to be strictly enforced. And it was! If we don’t do this ourselves the same thing that will (and in many cases has) happen in our homes and in the church.

The Bible still says that women are to “adorn themselves in modest apparel” (1 Timothy 2:9). Exodus 28:42 gives us a good indication of what that means: “from the waist to the thighs.” To do otherwise is to be brought to shame in the eyes of those who see your immodesty (Exodus 32:25). The idea that one can dress in an immodest manner and is not responsible if another looks on you to lust is ridiculous! If you cause someone to sin, you sin! If you dress modestly and someone looks upon you to lust after you then your hands are clean.

Now that being said, I want to say a few things from a man’s perspective because 1) I don’t want you to dress in such a way as to cause me to sin, and 2) I don’t want you to sin, knowingly or unknowingly.

  1. If the top shows your cleavage, or is so tight that little to nothing is left to an evil imagination… it is immodest!
  2. If the material is so shear that the color or pattern of your underwear is clearly identifiable… it is immodest!
  3. If the apparel is so tight that you have trouble breathing or is squeezing you to death… it is immodest!
  4. Bikinis, midriff shirts, miniskirts, and yoga pants are immodest! If you don’t understand why ask your husband or father!

The fact is no one has to be both immodest and uncomfortable just because it is hot outside. If we truly love God and want to please Him we will put what He wants above what we want. No matter how hot it is outside hell will be much hotter and there will be no relief! Dress to impress God and be faithful.

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