Missed and Ignored Opportunity

One of the great failings of many Christians is their failure to react correctly whenever an opportunity to teach God’s message is presented to them. It is not an unusual event to ignore opportunities to teach another person; actually many of us do not realize when an opportunity comes our way to teach another person. Opportunities to teach others are often neglected because we do not understand what an opportunity is.

Many opportunities to teach others are nearer than we realize. Did you ever consider your husband, wife, children, in-laws, relatives, and neighbors as possible opportunities to instruct them about your religious beliefs versus their non-religious connection? Indeed, many times our opportunities escape us because they are so near to us. We must awake to opportunities that are ours because those unnoticed and neglected people in our lives need the gospel as much as those that we read about in foreign countries.

The New Testament is full of instruction and examples for us regarding possible missed or overlooked opportunities to convert a lost one. Some of those examples follow;

1 Tim. 4:6-11 – 6 if thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach. KJV

1 Tim. 6:1-3 – 1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; KJV

2 Tim. 2:24-26 – 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Titus 2:3-4 – 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, KJV

Heb. 5:12-14 – 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 but strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. KJV

2 Timothy 2:2 – 2 and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. KJV

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The Beginning of Wisdom

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”   (Proverbs 1:7)  Solomon here teaches that true knowledge and wisdom can only be attained by one who has a proper respect for the Lord God and His teachings – by one who “fears” God. To fear God is to recognize His Greatness, Power and Sovereignty. To be properly “awed” by His attributes.

The fear of God has dual meaning. In one sense, it means “terror” – fear God because He has the power to judge our eternal soul. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” (2 Corinthians 5:11a) In another sense, it means to have a reverent awe for God. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

One cannot come to “a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4) without due respect for God and His Word. The knowledge that leads to true wisdom begins with the fear of God. True wisdom can only be found by turning to God’s Word. According to Solomon in Proverbs 1:7, “fools despise wisdom” – the wisdom of God. The fool is further describes in Proverbs 1:29-30, “For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.” The “fool” in Proverbs is the man who is identified as being “simple” or the man identified as a” slanderer” or a perverse person. The “fool” despises God and takes no thought of Him in his dealings.

The fool will not be saved unless he embraces the wisdom of God by turning to the Word of God. We are saved by faith “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Faith comes by hearing the Word. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) The Word of God teaches obedience to all of God’s commandments. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” (1 John 5:3) Commandments such as, confession (Romans 10:9-10) and repentance, followed by baptism. (Acts 2:38) God wants all to be saved, even fools. [God] “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)

Do you want “To know wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:2)? Do you want to “increase learning” and become “a man [or woman] of understanding” (Proverbs 1:5)? Do you want to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18)? Then “study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) Do that and do it often and you will “love life, and see good days.” (1 Peter 3:10)

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Not Ashamed

In Romans 1:16, Paul stated, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. The word ashamed is full of meaning. Paul is saying that he was not “to be ashamed.” In the past, we have done things of which we are now ashamed. For as Paul wrote, “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.” (Rom. 6:21). Therefore, we live now so as to not be ashamed when we face God. As John said, “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (1 Jn. 2:28). Thus, the person who is ashamed of Jesus and of His word will find that Christ is ashamed of him on the Day of Judgment. For, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mk. 8:38). So, Paul was not ashamed of the good news of Christ. He told it openly!

Another meaning of this word is ashamed is “embarrassed.” Paul was not embarrassed to suffer for Christ. “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Tim. 1:12). Paul was not embarrassed and neither was the good man Onesiphorus who went to visit Paul in the Roman prison. “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he o[ refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:” (2 Tim. 1:16). Likewise, Timothy was also instructed not to be embarrassed when he preached about a man dying on a cross. For, “The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.” (2 Tim. 1:18). Therefore, no Christian is to be embarrassed when he suffers for Christ’s sake. “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (1 Pet. 4:16). Paul was not embarrassed by the gospel of Christ. He repeated it proudly and so should we!

This word ashamed also contains the idea of “disappointment.” Paul seems to use it this way when he says that his hope is based on Christ and because of that, he will not be ashamed. He said, “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” (Phil. 1:20). Peter describes Christ as a cornerstone, tested and tried. He promises that the one who puts his trust in Him will not be disappointed. “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” (1 Pet. 2:6‐8). Paul was not disappointed in the good news about Jesus. He affirmed it confidently!

So, are you ashamed of the story of Jesus? Do you ever tell it to your friends? And, will Christ be ashamed when you face Him in judgment and say you are His?

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Living Like Your Dying

Living Like Your Dying?

In 2004 country music star Tim McGraw released the single “Live Like You Were Dying.” The song was written by Craig Wiseman and Tim Nichols and details a discussion between two men after the one had found out that he had a terminal illness. The question was, “How’s it hit you when you get that kind of news? Man whatcha do?” The answer amongst all the details was, “Some day, I hope you get the chance, to live like you were dyin’.”

This past week I was asked, “What would you do if you knew that you had only one day left to live?” Discussing that question with two other Christians we decided that we wouldn’t really do anything any different than what we do already. There wouldn’t be enough time to go skydiving, Rocky Mountain climbing, or to ride a bull. But as Christians we would just keep doing what we were doing. But the more I thought about that the more I thought it wasn’t really accurate.

What I would do would be to do MORE of what I already do and do it more fervently, passionately, and with more urgency.

I would…

  • Tell Those In My Life What They Mean To Me.
  • Tell Everyone I Came Into Contact With About Christ.
  • Tell The Church And My Family To Be Obedient And Faithful.
  • Tell God I Was Sorry For My Sins.
  • Thank God For The Blessings Of This Life
  • Thank God For His Son.

Unfortunately most people, including Christians, live as though they will never die. Yet, Psalm 89:48 says, “What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?” We are all going to die and then we will face God in Judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

Most folks don’t know the moment of their death. We far to often, as mere mortal creatures, step into eternity without preparation. But we do not have to! What we need to realize is this…

These realizations will change our lives and alter our eternal destiny. So live each day like you were dying. You may only have one left!

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Tolerance

The Heart of the Matter: Tolerance

Having looked into the tearful eyes of parents whose children have abandoned the Faith, I have learned that there are a million miles between our children “going through the motions” in reference to their spiritual lives versus our children possessing  hearts that dictate their actions. In this column, I hope to share with you what I hope to instill in the hearts of my own children and those whom I love.

At a recent seminar, a gentleman asked me what was so wrong with my children being educated in the public school system about the Muslim religion. His question mirrored the sentiments of many living today. Simply put, many people want us to be tolerant of everything. In fact, our children are being indoctrinated with the notion that the only real “sin” is the sin of intolerance. The mainstream media has done a phenomenal job of convincing our culture that we should accept all beliefs and all lifestyles, and to do otherwise is shameful. Anyone who dares not be totally accepting is considered narrow-minded or judgmental. Today, many people have embraced the notion that one belief system is as good as another and that one religion is as good as another. You have your God and I have mine. This idea of “total acceptance” and compromise has led many New Testament Christians to wonder if there really is one way, or will all “good people” go to Heaven?

Here’s what I intend on teaching my children about tolerance.

I pray that you grow up with a healthy dose of intolerance in your heart. Intolerance is not a sin. Consider that the very first commandment of the Ten Commandments was “Thou shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Our God is a jealous God (Deuteronomy 4:24), and He will not tolerate you accepting or embracing other gods. As we look through the Bible, we see multiple examples of individuals who were intolerant of unrighteousness. We know Elijah was intolerant of Jezebel (1 Kings 19). Paul was intolerant of witchcraft books (Acts 19:11-19). Peter was intolerant of the unrepentant Jews (Acts 2:37-39). Jesus, the Son of God, was intolerant of moneychangers making the temple into a den of thieves (Mark 11:15-18). Jehovah God was intolerant of the vile homosexual behavior in Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19—Don’t forget, He even overthrew the inhabitants of the all the Cities of the Plain: Zoar [Bela], Admah and Zeboim v. 22).

Many of the same people who are crying for mankind to tolerate everything have overlooked many examples of intolerance that have utterly reshaped the country in which we live. For instance, what would this country be like if George Washington had tolerated British troops? Where would we be today if Thomas Jefferson had tolerated King George III? What if Fredrick Douglas had tolerated slavery, or Martin Luther King Jr. had tolerated segregation? What would America be like if Winston Churchill had tolerated Adolf Hitler or if Susan B. Anthony tolerated only men voting? Part of what made these individuals great was that they were strong enough to stand up for their convictions. They recognized something as “wrong,” and they didn’t tolerate it.

This doesn’t mean we are to be unkind or harsh—as there may be some occasions in which you find yourself having to tolerate a particular situation (e.g., drunk people downing more alcohol at a ballgame who paid money for a seat just like you.) We are always to live our lives as Christians, but we can still recognize things that are good and right versus those that are not. Tolerance of all beliefs means you don’t perceive anything as a standard for “right” or “wrong.” This embracing of everything ultimately means we are giving our approval to whatever behavior, belief, or lifestyle people choose.

 

 

Never forget, Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). That’s not a question of tolerance…it’s a statement of Truth! Those who profess a belief in God or Christianity need to grasp inflexibility of that statement. There is only one Way—period! You will meet many “good people” in your lifetime who may earnestly desire to go to Heaven instead of Hell, but unless they “tolerate” the words of the Son of God and obey Him, they will be lost. For those who believe this is judgmental, we should ask them why they question the Creator’s plan—are they intolerant to Him and His scheme of redemption for eternal salvation?

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