FCA Cleveland

Archive for April, 2010

We are commanded to preach and teach the truth. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke…” (2 Timothy 4:2); “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth…” (Ephesians 4:14-15).We are also commanded to defend the truth, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15). Many Christians look at these passages and go out very zealously to preach, teach and defend the truth and sin in so doing!Yes, I do mean that a Christian can teach, preach or defend the truth and sin in the process. I am not saying that it is a sin to do these things, for it is a sin not to. However, I am saying that you can preach, teach and defend the truth in a sinful manner. Look again at the verses mentioned earlier. You probably already noticed that there are some phrases missing out of those verses. The entire passage of 2 Timothy 4:2 should read “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” The command to exhort (encourage) with all longsuffering (loving patience) is often forgotten by many. Also Ephesians 4:15 should begin, “But speaking the truth in love…” Now I am not trying to sound like a “liberal,” but brethren, “Where’s the love…?” If we zealously go out to preach the truth with some other motivation than the love of God and the love of our fellow man, we commit sin!In “defending” the truth, do you seek to defend the gospel or do you seek to “defend” yourself? All too often, I have seen brethren seek to defend the Truth, not for the Truth’s sake, but for their own. When their belief / position is brought into question, they take it as personal insult and begin to argue their case. Though they may hold a scriptural position, their motive for arguing is a selfish one – they want to win! They want to show off their skill as a debater and extensive knowledge of the Bible. They seemingly have forgotten the rest of 1 Peter 3:15 “…with meekness and fear…” In arguing for the sake of argument, meekness is thrown by the wayside and fear, or respect for others is forgotten.What is central to the issue is one of the worst five-letter words in the dictionary… Pride! Personal pride is the opposite of meekness and respect for others. Selfish pride has no room for love of the lost, or for “suffering long” with them. Why are there divisions in the church today? Quite often, they result from selfish pride. It goes something like this: One brother puts forth a position, either scriptural or unscriptural. Another brother disagrees with that position. The first brother is insulted that someone has disagreed with him and an argument ensues. Both brothers “well up” with selfish pride and seek to win the argument. Both brothers resort to personal attacks and in the end, no one wins, but the cause of Christ comes out the loser! Let me repeat… the cause of Christ comes out the loser! It is wrong not to defend the truth. It is a sin to “straddle the fence.” We must take a stand for Christ! But we must not do so in a striving manner. We must defend the truth, but we must do it meekly; we must do it respectfully; we must do it lovingly.Many times Jesus debated the Truth with the Pharisees and scribes. He never railed against them personally, but rather He went after their false doctrines and after their hypocrisies. He did not do so to “win” an argument, but rather to show them the Truth, to point out how they were going wrong. We ought to follow His example in this, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously…” (1 Peter 2:21-23).He defended the truth. It did it with love and compassion. He did not defend it to glorify Himself. He did not defend the Truth in order to humiliate His adversaries. He wanted to bring about a positive change in their lives. He wanted to save their souls. The saving of souls should be our motivation in teaching, preaching and defending the truth, not selfish pride! When we seek to “win” an argument, all too often we push others even further away from Christ.When I was in the U.S. Coast Guard, I attended a law-enforcement training program. During “hand-cuffing” practice, we were taught a technique of twisting the handcuff on a suspect’s wrist in such a way as to cause a sharp pain. This was only to be used if they resisted being “cuffed.” However, we were warned to let up after a moment’s pressure so as not to cause the suspect’s adrenaline to come up. Our body naturally defends itself against negative stimuli. Adrenaline causes a “fight or flight” reaction in the body. If an officer inflicts pain on a suspect in order to motivate him to comply, but if he goes too far, or fails to let up after compliance, the suspect often resists even further and the situation escalates until it gets out of hand. Remember Rodney King…? The police officers tried to subdue him, he fought back, things escalated…. they beat him unmercifully and the entire city of Los Angeles nearly went up in flames because of it! When we try to teach or defend the truth, and we let things get out of hand, and get “personal,” we do more harm than good to the cause of Christ. Rather than cause strife on our part, why not take Christ’s approach and simply end our defense of the gospel with “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear.”

Do you have something in your past that hinders you from doing the right thing in the present?Have you ever, in the past, done something for which you are now ashamed? I have! I am also pretty sure that anyone who is reading this article has, in all probability, done things in their past that they now regret having done. It is human nature to look back upon the past. Some things we recall with fondness; other things with shame or embarrassment. The past often has a way of catching up with us. Our past sins, if unrepented of, must still one day be reckoned with – “be sure your sin will find you out…” (Deuteronomy 32:23). Nevertheless, even past sins for which we have been forgiven, have a way of haunting us in the present. Sometimes the consequences of our past sins are still felt many years after repentance and forgiveness. In my case, my conscience still bothers me about some of the things I have done in the past. Even though I realize that God has forgiven me of those things, I sometimes have a hard time forgiving myself.The apostle Paul had things in his past that could have hindered him from doing the right thing. He had plenty of cause to be remorseful. He had persecuted the church in Jerusalem and other places, “…Beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it…” (Galatians 1:13); “As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison…” (Acts 8:3); “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:1-2). He was even an accessory to murder at one point in his life! Remember when Stephen was stoned to death by an angry mob, that it was a young man named Saul who held the cloaks of Stephen’s assailants. “And cast him [Stephen] out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul… And Saul was consenting unto his death…”(Acts 7:58; 8:1).Even before Paul’s conversion, Ananias was apprehensive towards him when the Lord commanded him to go to Paul and teach him what he needed to do in order to be saved. He said, “I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name…” (Acts 9:13-14). After Paul’s conversion, the consequences of his past sins were still felt. Some years after his conversion, the Christians at Jerusalem were still wary and mistrustful of him, “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.” (Acts 9:26).Paul had reason to regret his past. First, because of the way his conscience must have bothered him for the things he had done, and second, because of what some others thought about his sincerity. How did Paul deal with this adversity? How did he put his past behind him? Did he run away and hide? Did he forsake God? NO! In his own words, he said, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14). Paul’s answer to his regretted past was to forget it, to get over it and to reach for the things that were before him. He did not waste time on “what might have been,” but instead he strove for “what may be.” He pressed towards the mark! Baseball coaches say that one of the most important attributes of a good pitcher is a short memory. If he throws out a pitch and it is knocked out of the ballpark, he must forget about it and move on. If he is still feeling timid after the last pitch was hit for a homerun, he has a problem. His next pitch is liable to leave the ballpark as well. The same goes with us in our religious life. If our past keeps haunting us, or if we let the feelings or attitudes that others have toward us affect our Christian walk, then we have a problem. We need to let go of the past and ignore what others may think of us, and press on in our Christian life. If we would continue to walk after the way of Christ, in the face of adversity, we will be richly blessed. It is said, “Time heals all wounds.” If we faithfully follow our Savior, in time, the guilt we feel or the negative feelings of others will fade. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33). Strive towards the mark of salvation! Do not let your past, or other people’s attitudes towards it, hinder you from doing what is right! If you do these things, you shall never be ashamed and everything else will just fall into place.

What kind of preaching is needed by the church? Do the Lord’s people need to hear dissertations on Chinese proverbs written by Confucius? Not unless they are simply used to illustrate a scriptural point. Is preaching on the ‘pet peeves’ or ‘hobbies’ of the preacher what the children of God need to hear from the pulpit? Sometimes, maybe, if they are scripturally motivated. Should the sermon be presented in such a way as to send the entire audience home feeling good about themselves? Occasionally, yes. However, if the preacher always preaches ‘sunshine’ and never preaches ‘rain,’ he is not preaching the whole counsel of God, because the whole counsel of God contains both ‘sunshine’ and ‘rain.’ Does the church of Christ need to hear sermons that are presented by way of entertainment? In other words, sermons that are ‘preached’ using drama or stunning visual effects. NO. That is not preaching! A scriptural sermon can sometimes be illustrated with the use of humor, or visual aids that are not used for the express purpose of entertainment. The occasional ‘preacher story’ is useful as an illustration, but should never take the focus of the sermon away from the Holy Scriptures. Many of the ‘sermons’ that are ‘preached’ in the religious world are nothing more than fluff and are of less value than a “poke in the eye.” At least with a “poke in the eye” you might learn not to play with sharp objects, but with many ‘sermons’ you learn absolutely nothing that is of value.What kind of preaching is needed by the church? Bible preaching! What kind of preaching teaches the whole counsel of God? Bible preaching! What kind of preaching uplifts those who are spiritually downtrodden, or brings down those who are “puffed-up”? Bible preaching! The preaching of the Word of God is what the children of God need to hear most! Only the Gospel has the ability to meet the spirituals needs of all men, women and children. The Gospel is THE POWER OF GOD unto salvation for those who are lost in sin and for those who are found in the Lord’s church. No other preaching will suffice other than the preaching of God’s Word.Preaching God’s word is what causes those who hear it preached to have faith. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The gospel has the power to save mankind from sin, Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” But it must be preached and heard for that power to have any effect. How can anyone believe the gospel if they do not hear the gospel? Romans 10:14 “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” What happens when there is a preacher, but he does not preach the gospel? NOTHING. Yet that is exactly how it is with many ‘preachers.’ They preach all right, but they do not preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many preachers go to God’s Word looking for scriptures that seem to support their theological suppositions, and fail to treat the Bible in a holistic manner. They dissect it in order to get what they want out of it instead of looking at the Bible as a whole and get out of it what is there and to preach it as God’s message rather than their own.If the gospel, the whole gospel and nothing but the gospel is preached then those who hear it cannot help but benefit from it! It may not always make them feel good about themselves, just as pain doesn’t make a person feel too good. Pain oftentimes, though, serves as a warning against physical harm. For instance, you feel pain when you get your hand too close to the fire and you jerk it away. But what if you felt no pain and you were to stick your hand in the fire? You would be standing there feeling good about yourself while your body caught fire and you burned to death. Sometime the gospel warns us in a similar fashion. If there were never any pain caused by the preaching, then many people would be just standing pat, thinking that everything was fine, while all the while they were burning to death spiritually! The whole counsel of God includes such painful warnings. It must be preached!The best formula for what true preaching ought to be is found in the Bible. In Nehemiah 8:5-8.“And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”In this passage, we note that Ezra read from God’s Word to the entire nation of Israel. He was standing before such a large audience that he needed 13 other men to help him reach them all. (I guess they couldn’t find a portable PA system.) Ezra and his helpers read the scriptures to the audience distinctly, so that all could hear. They also gave the audience the sense – they helped them to make the proper application of God’s message to their lives. And they presented God’s message in such a way as to allow everyone who heard it to understand its meaning. That was preaching! That is what the people in that day needed to hear! Why would people today need to hear anything different!? Preaching the gospel means to preach the GOSPEL!

As one reads various religious publications or watches TV on Sunday morning, he will hear or read many “titles” given to various ones who preach. Some of these individuals seem to put on a title, as you or I would put on a shirt. If a person were to string together every religious title used by the denominational world, he would have to introduce himself as, the “Right Reverend, Reverend, Apostle, Bishop, Cardinal, Elder, Evangelist, Father, Friar, Minister, Missionary, Parson, Pastor, Pope, Preacher, Priest, Dr. John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt. Ph. D.”As one who preaches the gospel and is paid to do it, I am often asked by those outside of the church what my “title” is, or what they should call me. They usually act kind of confused when I tell them that my “title” is “mister.” After having said this, they still insist on calling me “Reverend” or “Pastor” and if my contact with them is to be brief or momentary, I try not to belabor the point. However, if there is time I simply try to explain to them why I do not and will not accept any “title” other than that of “mister.”First, let it be known that every member of the family of God, is worthy of only one title and that title is “Christian.” Moreover, since we are of one family, it befits us to refer to one another as “brother” or “sister.” The one who preaches is deserving of no “greater” title than that of “Christian brother,” or simply “mister.” Even though, the “pulpit preacher,” is often the public face of the congregation, he has no greater position than that of any other Christian. His responsibilities are no different from those of any other Christian. He is simply supported by the local congregation, as an expedient, so that he can have the time to prepare and present biblically sound lessons that will edify and teach his fellow Christians. Therefore, I can think of no “better” or “higher” title than to be called after our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.Second, we are commanded by Christ to call no man “father” (except our male parent). “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23:8-12). We are not to think of men more highly than we should. When the Roman Centurion Cornelius, in Acts chapter ten, met Peter, he bowed down to worship and exalt him, yet Peter would not accept such praise. Peter understood that all are one in Christ Jesus, that he was no better or higher than any other person was. Therefore, he considered himself unworthy of any greater honor or title. Later in that chapter, he would discover that there was also no difference between ethnic Jews and gentiles.Other so-called titles such as “bishop,” “pastor,” “shepherd,” or “elder” are simply descriptive terms, describing the duties of certain Christian men who meet the qualification listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. The preacher may not be one who meets those qualifications, and therefore couldn’t properly be described as a “bishop,” pastor,” “shepherd,” or “elder.” Even so, these are not “titles” by which we ought to call men, but rather ways to describe them. Some other titles given to denominational leaders, such as “pope,” “bishop” and “cardinal,” (as they are used by the Catholic church) refer to positions that are not even biblical. These titles are part of a sectarian hierarchy that is found nowhere in scripture.The titles, “apostle” or “prophet” are scriptural titles, by which men have been rightly called, but are no longer in use today. The sign and miracles that God worked through the prophets and the apostles were necessary to establish that they spoke with His authority and that their words were from Him. Now that their words have been authenticated as inspired, and they are now available in written form, the need for such signs and wonders has dissipated. Finally titles such as “reverend,” “right reverend,” “your holiness,” etc., are terms that should properly be reserved for only God Himself! Nowhere in scripture do we find authority for calling anyone other than God by these kinds of titles. In the King James Version of the Bible the word “reverend” is found only one time, in Psalm 111:9, “He sent redemption unto His people: He hath commanded His covenant for ever: Holy and Reverend is His name.” For me or any other man to assume such a title for himself is little short of blasphemy!

I am continually in a state of shock at the rudeness of some drivers. It seems that people think that the very laws of nature change when they get behind the wheel. They seem to think that the universe suddenly begins to revolve around them when they’re on the highway. With some people you just naturally expect them to be rude. With others, it comes as a complete surprise. This second group I call “bumper sticker” hypocrites.Have you ever noticed all the bumper stickers with inscriptions such as “My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter”, “Got Jesus?”, or my favorite “In Case of Rapture This Car Will Be Empty”? Have you also noticed some of the different window decals and tailgate ornaments that depict a fish, or a fish swallowing the “Darwin” fish with legs, or the picture of a little boy (the same little boy that you usually see on pickup windows relieving himself upon a Ford, Chevy or Dodge logo) kneeling before a cross? Have you ever been cut off by a rude driver, and when his minivan slows down in front of you, you can read his “What Would Jesus Do?” bumper sticker? Ever been “flipped off” by a woman with a fish on her bumper? Have you ever been driving the speed limit and watched a car pass you like you’re standing still and then driven a little further and read his “Got Jesus?” bumper sticker while the Highway Patrol has him pulled over?How about this one? One time I was in line at a convenience store and the man in front of me was buying several cases of beer. He left and then I bought my cup of coffee and as I was leaving the store, I saw the same man stocking the ice chest in the back of his pickup with beer. Can you guess what his bumper sticker read? “In Case of Rapture This Car Will Be Empty”! Of course, there will be no “rapture,” but even still if I was to see his truck moving erratically down the road I would not think that the rapture had come and that his truck was driverless, but rather I would think that he had been drinking the beer from his ice chest.So what does all this mean? What’s the big deal here? I find it interesting that people feel the need to advertise their “spirituality” by displaying these types of religious symbols and phrases on their cars. Isn’t ironic how some people profess by the bumper sticker that they are “spiritual,” yet drive like the devil? I am reminded of Jesus’ scathing remarks about the hypocrites for their similar displays of “spirituality.” In Matthew 6:5 and 6:16, Jesus condemns such displays of outward “spirituality” in the avenues of public prayers and fasting. “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men… Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” Jesus was not condemning the act of praying or fasting, but the hypocritical attitude possessed by those who want to appear spiritual. The motive behind spiritual things must always be to the glorification of God, not the glorification of self.So why do so many people have these types of stickers and ornaments on their cars? Is it because they are truly spiritual or because they want to appear to be so out of another motive? Of course, not everyone who puts these things on their car is insincere. Nevertheless, would they not do better to show their spirituality in other ways? If we are to truly be spiritual and glorify our Father in Heaven then we ought to show it by our actions and not simply by putting on a sticker. If we let our light shine through our chaste and pure lives, showing our devotion to God in obedience to His will, then truly He will be glorified and we will be justified.

Galatians 3:10-13 “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith. In addition, the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree…”What law is Paul speaking of and what is the “curse” of that law? Paul was referring specifically to the Law of Moses (i.e. the Ten Commandments), but the same principles apply to any system of law. The “curse” of the law is that one must keep the entire Law in order to be justified by it and that once one has sinned under the Law, there is no way to put away one’s guilt. The Law of Moses made no provision for the forgiveness of sin. In James 2:10, we are taught that under a system of law (any system that is totally based upon a rule of law), if one tries to keep the whole law but offends in even one point, he is guilty of all. The curse of the Law, according to Paul in Romans 7:7-13, is that it exposed sin in his life, yet it did nothing to take away his guilt. The Law of Moses only allowed for forgiveness in prospect, that is, it only covered the sins of men until Christ came to take away those sins. Now that Christ has come, the Law has been taken away. It was nailed to the cross along with Him (Colossians 2:13-14) So now, we are free from the curse of the Law of Moses. Does this mean that there is no longer a law that we must follow? Is there not a requirement for Christians to obey in the New Testament?Yes, obedience is a requirement even under the Law of Christ. Christ demands our obedience. Matthew 7:21 teaches that we must do the will of the Father in order to enter into the kingdom of heaven. The will of God is our law. The will of God has been revealed in its fulness in the New Testament. The Word of Christ will judge us in the last day. Those who reject Christ and His Word are rejecting the very law that will judge them. (John 12:48) We are now under the Law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 gives us the imperative command to bear one another’s burdens in order to fulfill the law of Christ.We are under the law of Christ, which is a law of Liberty. The fact that Christ’s law is a law of liberty does not mean that we are free to disobey it (Galatians 5:13). James teaches, that we must be a doer of the Word of God and not a hearer only (James 1:22-25). One who is a doer of the Law of Liberty will be blessed. James also teaches in that we will be judged by that Law of Liberty (James 2:12).Since one could not keep all of the commandments under the Law of Moses, as we read in James 2:10, one would be guilty of all the Law. There was no way under the Old Law for ones sins to be taken away. The punishment for sin is death. Therefore, violation of any point of the Law of Moses brought one under the “curse” of the law, which was the death sentence. Only by the grace of God was a way made for man to rid himself of the “curse” of law. The grace of God freed man from the curse of the law.Does this mean that grace and law are mutually exclusive? God forbid! Grace is what brought about a system of salvation by faith in Christ Jesus. We are justified only by our obedient faith in Christ, not by works of law. However, that does not void every form of law. Romans 3:31 teaches that law is established through faith. Faith establishes or confirms law. If we have faith in Jesus and are obedient to His Will, then we must recognize His Will as law, or else we would not be faithful to it. Our obedience to Christ’s Law confirms that His Law is in effect.In Galatians 2:16-21, the word “law” is referring any system whereby one is saved according to works of merit. Whether it is by the Law of Moses, which made no provision for forgiveness, or whether it was by the Law of the Jews, which was apart from the Law of Moses, and had developed into a system of works based salvation. The Jews believed that they could earn their way to heaven by keeping the traditions of their ancestors. Therefore, we are not justified by law keeping in and of its self, but we are justified by the law of faith in Christ Jesus.

“Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?” Ecclesiastes 7:16-17How can one be too righteous or too wise? One is “too righteous” when he or she becomes self-righteous. A self-righteous person supplants God’s standard with his own standard of righteousness. The Jews of Jesus’ day are a good example of this type of self-righteousness. One can become too wise if their wisdom is based solely upon secular wisdom. Secular wisdom can be good, but we must not neglect the wisdom that is able to make one wise unto salvation. (2 Timothy 3:15).What does it mean to be over much wicked or foolish? All are guilty of sin from time to time, but it is the rebellious lifestyle of foolishness and wickedness that brings an early death. All one needs to see, to understand this, is the average age at death for rock stars and for homosexuals.Average Age at Death:USA Average: 75.8 yearsGay Women: 44.5 yearsGay Men: 40.0 yearsRock Stars: 36.0 yearsIf we continue to walk in God’s ways we will not fall into the traps of self-righteousness, worldliness, foolishness and sin.

In 1 Kings 19, the prophet Elijah fled into the wilderness because he had received word that Jezebel, the wicked queen of Israel, had sworn to have him killed. This threat against his life came shortly after he had defeated the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and had slain 450 of them. After that mighty feat, which God had done through him, Elijah should have realized that God would continue to be with him and would allow no harm to come to him. Yet, Elijah feared for his life and failed to trust in God whole-heartedly and as a result, he tried to run away from his problems.In 1 Kings 19:13, we find Elijah hiding in a cave in the Sinai Desert. God speaks to him and says, “What doest thou here Elijah?” “Why are you in hiding?” seems to be the question God is asking. In verse 14 Elijah answers, “I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” What Elijah was really saying is, “Nobody else is doing anything, nobody else is as faithful as me and everybody has turned against me, so I’ll just take my things go away.”What was Elijah really doing, when he was hiding in a cave in the wilderness? He was pouting! He was feeling sorry for himself and was sulking because of it. When I was a child and would go off and pout, my mother would find me pouting and would tease me saying, “Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I’ll go and eat some worms.” She did this to demonstrate how ridiculous I sounded, sulking over some little bit of nonsense. That is what God does to Elijah – He shows Elijah how ridiculous he sounded, thinking that he alone was faithful. God said in verse 18, “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.”Elijah was pouting because he thought himself to be the only one who was faithful. This kind of thinking led him to do nothing. Elijah’s sulking caused him quit working for the Lord and to sit on his hands and do nothing. His fear and despair coupled with his mistaken belief that he alone was faithful, caused this great man of God to be paralyzed into inactivity.The same thing happens to many Christians today. The erroneous belief that no one else is being faithful has led many to become unfaithful themselves. This attitude is without excuse. Even if there were only one man or one family who was faithful, God would still expect those individuals to be working. Look to the example of Noah and his family. They really were the only faithful family left on the face of the earth, yet we have no record of them despairing and becoming despondent. Noah was a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5) for one hundred years while the ark was being built. He never converted anybody outside of his immediate family, yet we do not read of him pouting or sulking as we do read of Elijah. Noah never gave up, he never quit, and he never hid himself away in despair.Many times faithful Christians are made to feel like they are alone. They feel that no one else is willing to work, or that they will be alone if they take a stand against error and the result is that no work is done and the truth is not defended. It is at those times that we need to place our trust in God and know that He will be with us. We will not be alone! When we feel alone, like Elijah felt, we need to realize that we are not truly alone. Somewhere else, in another town or another country, there is a faithful Christian facing the same trials and fears that we face. Perhaps, he too, feels alone. Yet the knowledge that there are other faithful Christians elsewhere gives him hope and drives him to continue in the work of righteousness. If every faithful Christian, in every town and in every country (even if there were only one such Christian in a given location) were to be like Noah and simply do the best he can where he is and not worry over what another person is doing, or not doing, then the church as a whole would be in much better shape. If there is one thing that is bringing the church down more than any other, it is the inactivity and passivity of the faithful, who have been stricken with the Elijah in the Wilderness Syndrome. The only cure for this disorder is trust in God and perseverance. “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9).

When an innocent child suffers and then dies, such as with the case of David and Bathsheba’s first child (2 Samuel 12:13-24), the parents are often given sympathetic answers from people who mean well. But most of the clichés that are offered up give little real comfort. The idea that he has gone on to a better place still does not answer as to why the child had to suffer and die in the first place. It does not explain why the one’s left behind now have to suffer grief and loss. The idea that many express that it was just his time or that it was God’s will is just plain false. The inadequacy of this answer was well illustrated on the day that John F. Kennedy Jr. died. That evening, Billy Graham was being interviewed by Larry King, and the subject of Mr. Kennedy’s premature death arose. When asked what he thought of it, Billy Graham answered with the tired old cliché, that it was just his time; that it was just God’s will. Larry King then answered and said, “Do you mean to tell me that God wanted him to die?” Billy Graham said not a word. Mr. King saw through the hypocrisy of Billy Graham’s statement immediately. When “Christians” like Billy Graham contradict themselves about the nature of God, it fuels the fires of the controversy over the presence of evil in the world. To say that God wills for any person to suffer and die is to ascribe evil intent on the part of God. This has been heard for centuries. Gideon in Judges 6 first made it. If God is so good, why does He let bad things happen to us? Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able to do so? If so, then He is impotent. Is it that He is able, but not willing? If so, then He is not all good. Or, is He willing but unable? Then why follow Him? James H. Dee, a retired classicist, wrote an article entitled Good God Is a Virtual Contradiction in Terms. This title sums up one of the main arguments made by those who try to deny God’s existence. They say that if God is all knowing, then He is aware of evil in the world. And if He were all-powerful, then He would put a stop to evil in the world. And if He really loved man, the apex of His creation, then He would eliminate all pain and suffering from the world. Since God is an omniscient, omnipotent, merciful God who loves man and seeks his best interest, then why does He allow the innocent to suffer? First, note that God created man with free-will moral agency out of His great love for us. With free moral agency came the freedom to choose whether to obey or to disobey God’s word. Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and a result God sent them from the garden into the world and allowed them to be exposed to pain and suffering. Ultimately, all pain and suffering resulted from man’s sin. All of humankind has to suffer because of their sin. Once man was sent from the garden into in the world, he became subject to three avenues of exposure to pain and suffering. First, we often suffer as Job did, not because of our own sin, but because of the sins of others. Also, we can suffer because of our own sins. Sometimes in committing fornication, a person contacts a venereal disease. Often people suffer debilitating injuries when the consume alcohol and run into a telephone pole. And finally we can suffer an accident or as a result from natural forces. For instance, a faithful Christian can loose all that he owns, even lose his loved ones simply because they were in the path of a hurricane.Having noted the causes of pain and suffering, the question remains. Why does God allow these three avenues to exist? The first two avenues are in the world because sin is in the world. Part of the reason sin still exists is because of God’s mercy. That may sound like a contradiction, but the fact remains that if God did not want all men to have the possibility of salvation He would destroy all who commit sin, thus eliminating sin from the world. If God did not delay punishment on sinners and give them the opportunity to repent then there would be no one left alive past the age of accountability. The third avenue exists because God created the forces of nature and set them into motion. As long as the world lasts these natural forces will affect all of mankind.

NOTE: The author of this Blog Entry is my beautiful Christian wife Kathy J. McNiel“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”– Romans 8:6 Many magazines have self tests that can help readers to learn something about themselves: “Are you in a healthy relationship?”, “Are you depressed?”, “How old is your brain?”, “What is your aura’s color?” etc. While these quizzes can be interesting and are occasionally useful, here is one that may hold the key to your eternity. Think about these questions honestly and you may find out something interesting about yourself… 1.On Saturday, are you usually: a)Staying up all night to finish the movie marathon or big game on TV? b)Having a blast down at the bingo parlor? c)Preparing yourself to worship God the next morning by getting enough sleep and taking care of other plans for Sunday (lunch, clothes, activities)? (Exodus 19:10-16, John 4:24)2.On Sunday morning, would you rather: a)Commune with God by enjoying His creation? b)Participate in a family activity or other recreation? c)Assemble with the saints and worship your God in Heaven? (Revelation 4:11)3.Do you show greater respect (in both attire and attitude) when you are: a)Attending a funeral for a close friend or relative? b)Called to meet with your boss or a client? c)Remembering Christ’s suffering and death at His table? (1 Corinthians 11:27-30)4.What holds your attention longer and more closely: a)A good movie, book or TV show? b)Your favorite video game? c)The preaching and study of God’s Word? (1 Corinthinans 1:21, Philippians 4:8)5.When the preacher offers the invitation at the end of his sermon, do you start:a)Packing up the snacks and toys your child has strewn about the pew? b)Thinking about what you’re going to have for dinner? c)Thinking about how you can apply that sermon to your own life? (James 1:22-25)6.Do you feel it is important to attend worship services or Bible study: a)When it doesn’t conflict with other plans? b)Occasionally, but at least once a month? c)Every time the doors are open (if you are physically able)? (Hebrews 10:25, 13:15)7.When the elders of your congregation ask you to do something, do you: a)Just ignore what they have said? b)Get together with your friends and complain about it? c)Do your best to comply, as long as it doesn’t conflict with God’s Laws? (Hebrews 13:17)8.Do you spend a greater percentage of your time: a)Working to have money for stuff? b)Participating in recreational activities? c)Studying God’s Word and carrying out His commandments? (2 Timothy 2:15)9.When something really good happens in your life, is your first thought: a)To give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back? b)To call Mom for a well-deserved “atta-boy?” c)To pray and offer God a well-deserved “Thank You” for your blessings? (2Corinthinans 9:11, Revelation 7:12)10.In raising your children, is it more important that they: a)Get straight A’s in school? b)Learn how to be good athletes/musicians/Boy Scouts? c)Study their Bibles daily and become faithful Christians? (Ephesians 6:4, 1 Timothy 4:8, Ecclesiastes 12:1) 11.What have you more frequently shared with a friend, coworker or neighbor: a)The name of a good mechanic? b)Your famous chocolate trifle recipe? c)An invitation to study the Bible? (Proverbs 11:30, Mark 16:15)12.When the world (or your fellow Christians or God) sees you, do they see: a)Someone who is not different from the world at all? b)Someone who claims to be a Christian, but doesn’t hold it as a high priority? c)A reason to ask about the “hope that is within you?” (Matthew 5:14, 1 Peter 3:15)Our text, Romans 6:8, only gives us two options: spiritually minded, which is life, or carnally minded, which is death. Where do you fall? If you answered nothing but “C,” you can likely say that you are spiritually-minded. Good start. Now go study your Bible even more! If your answers tend more to the “A” and “B” range, could it be that you need to take a long look at what you have placed as priorities in your life? God’s Word reminds us that we cannot be friends of both the world and God: Matthew 6:24, James 4:4. Remember also that our children will learn their priorities from us… what are we teaching the next generation when we allow other things in our lives to come before our service and worship to God? When we allow the world and earthly pursuits to take over our thinking and our priorities (and those of our children), be assured that we are pushing Christ out of our lives. As we stop fighting for Christ on a daily basis, Matthew 12:30 tells us that we start fighting against Him. On the judgment day, which of us wants to be found on the wrong side of a losing battle? Please listen to the words of Paul to the Christians in Corinth and Rome: “… Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”(2 Corinthians 6:2)“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” (Romans 13:11)If you are not comfortable with your answers to any of the above questions, or you think that God might not be comfortable with them, it is indeed “high time to awake.” Now is the time to change your thinking and put God first in your life, before it is everlastingly too late.