ENTHUSIASM

It is not listed as part of the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23. It is not one of the Christian graces mentioned in ii Peter 1:5-7. However, enthusiasm is an essential component of Christian character. The late brother Bill Cline plainly stated it, “Actually, there is no such ‘animal’ as an unenthusiastic Christian. One could just as well be a God‐fearing atheist or an honest crook. The term is a misnomer. There are some unenthusiastic ‘church members’ but no unenthusiastic Christians.“

The root words behind enthusiasm literally mean, “God in us.” If God is indeed “in us” as He should be (I John 4:16), we should maintain an enthusiastic outlook. Consider just a few passages which stress the need for enthusiasm:

“Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee” (Deuteronomy 28:47). The Israelites’ failure to serve the Lord with enthusiasm would lead to their serving their enemies in misery.

“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work” (Nehemiah 4:6). This literally says, “The people had a heart to work.” Thus, it speaks not only of their intellectual decision to work, but of their enthusiastic commitment to their task. This is why they were able to accomplish so much. It seems that many churches do everything they do half-heartedly. Which is a major reason why everything they do is not much. Where churches are enthusiastic about evangelism, souls are saved. Where churches are enthusiastic about doctrinal purity, error does not easily infiltrate. Stephanas and his household were so enthusiastic about ministering to the saints that they are described as “addicted…to the ministry of the saints,” as the KJV renders I Corinthians 16:15. Do you suppose that such enthusiasm enabled or hindered their prospective accomplishments?

“For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many” (II Corinthians 9:1-2). The Corinthians’ enthusiasm was a necessary prerequisite to performing the task they were called to do. And their enthusiasm was also contagious—it tends to be. Some churches are dragged down by the constant whining, complaining, and generally negative attitude of a few. But other churches are blessed with souls committed to the Lord’s cause, who in turn motivate each other (cf. Acts 4:36; I Thessalonians 5:14). Where churches are enthusiastic about their work and worship, others will come to share that enthusiasm.

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4). Just a few decades previously, Paul had written of this same church, the church at Ephesus, “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:15-16). By the time of Revelation’s writing, Jesus could yet commend them for their works and en‐durance. But for all the good that Jesus could say about the church at Ephesus, He was compelled to convict them for leaving the zealous love for the Lord they once held. Time has a way of jading us. Our seeming failures can make us hesitant to try again. Others have disappointed us, making us reticent to trust others. The church at Ephesus had undoubtedly experienced much of this, but Jesus did not permit their waning enthusiasm.

It may be difficult for a Christian to maintain enthusiasm when he observes dangerous directions the country is headed, when he observes the church abandoning the Truth in many places, and after simply being bruised by the general hardships of life. But our focus is not on the occurrences of this world—our focus is on the hope of the life yet to come (cf. II Corinthians 4:18; Philippians 3:20). When our focus remains there, we will be enthusiastic about preparing ourselves and others for that hope. When we appreciate the unmerited favor that God has bestowed upon us, we will be enthusiastic about serving him any way we can. Let us begin this week with enthusiasm for the Lord!

“. . . be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-20).      

Lee Moses

Wait On The Lord

We live in a fast paced world.  It seems like people thrive on fast food, fast Internet and fast cars.  They want to get ahead of the other guy.  We tell people, “Eat my dust” and compete in what some call a “rat race”.  We want things “ASAP” or “Done yesterday” (Is that even possible?)  Some even say, “I can’t wait for tomorrow!” (What else are they going to do?)  Such frenzied living has caused many to be stressed out and others to suffer from mental and physical maladies.

This impatient attitude has afflicted some of God’s children.  In the time of Isaiah, Jerusalem was beset round about by enemies.  They were crying out for deliverance and thought that God wasn’t listening or was unable to help in their time of great need.  This led many to despair and others to give up their faith and turn to idolatry.  They demanded that God operate on their time table.  However, in Chapter Forty, Isaiah comforts the people, reminding them of God’s wisdom and power.  He then instructs them to “wait” on the Lord and reminds them that those who patiently wait on the Lord will be blessed. (v. 31). 

Like Jerusalem of old, we must learn to trust in God and allow Him to work things out in His own time.  Christians are encouraged, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).  We are to walk by faith not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7).  Those who are impatient with God are walking by sight.  Faith is unshakable acceptance that leaves no room for doubt.  When one walks by faith, he takes God at His word and trusts in His Wisdom.  Prayer must be offered in faith without wavering (James 1:5).  Persistence in prayer doesn’t imply doubt or impatience (Luke 11:6-8). 

One thing that will help with impatience in life (secular and spiritual) is to learn contentment.  Paul stated, “...I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11).  Paul declared, “...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 (II Timothy 1:12).  So, when things seem hopeless, wait on the Lord and He will deliver you!

Bruce Stulting

Victory in Christ

God's Word clearly teaches that each one of us can triumph over Satan and his snares. However, even those who understand and believe this sometimes err greatly in their conception of the means by which the victory will be accomplished.

Let us notice some ways in which it will not be accomplished. We will not overcome Satan and evil by carnal, fleshly, or material means. We are indeed engaged in a war, but not one with physical/material weapons (II Corinthians 10:3–4). Our struggle is a spiritual one, originating with invisible, yet very real, forces (Ephesians 6:12). As Christian “soldiers” we are commanded to “be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might” (6:10). Be strong is in the passive voice (literally, “be made strong”), implying submission to the avenues of spiritual strength the Lord has provided. Our strength does not come through some direct profusion of Holy Spirit power enabling us to resist temptation, understand His written Word, and be victorious in our personal spiritual struggles. Rather, the Lord provides us with all of the “weapons” and resources we need through His inspired Word (Ephesians 6:13–17; II Tim. 3:16–17).

Selfishness causes casualties among rank and file Christian soldiers, resulting in simple neglect of spiritual duty on the one hand and/or rebellion toward His authority on the other. This self-will often manifests itself by opposing those who faithfully preach God's Word. Many saints are not as wise or as spiritually mature as were those sinners in Thessalonica who became saints. When they heard the Gospel, they “…accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God…” (I Thessalonians 2:13). Tragically, many who would like to be known as “soldiers of the cross” accept the Word of God as if it were the words of men, despising its authority if it in any way reproves them. Often such seek to silence the messengers who faithfully deliver that message of Truth.

Note that spiritual strength is “in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10), as opposed to “outside” the Lord. In the Lord or its equivalent appears several times in the New Testament. This phrase indicates fellowship with Christ, attained by coming into the spiritual sphere where the Lord and salvation are. It is equal to being in the church/kingdom/body of Christ and to being saved, redeemed by the blood of Christ. Outside of Christ and His church, men deprive themselves of spiritual strength sufficient for their struggles with Satan. Regardless of how sincere, pious, or morally good one outside of Christ may be, salvation and spiritual strength are found only in Christ. Our labor avails “in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58). Two passages tell us plainly that baptism in water is the point at which the sinner enters into Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27).

Further, our hope of victory is not in the devices and inventions of men, but “in the Lord.” “…The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh… (II Corinthians 10:4), either in the sense of physical military weapons or the philosophies, reasonings, and gimmicks of men, “…for our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, …but against the spiritual hosts of wickedness… (Ephesians 6:12). If we overcome Satan, it will be through reliance upon the Lord's way, not the ways of men.

Dub McClish

Denominationalism Is Sinful

In the discussion of denominationalism and its evils, I am discussing the question, "Is it possible for one to know for certain when he is in the church the Lord had in mind when He said in Matthew 16:18, '...I will build my church..."? If I can find that church, and how to enter it, then I will have paved the way for the destruction of all denominations, for they will be of no more use in this world. 

 It is common to hear people say, "How can you know which one is the church the Lord built?" They say, "Since you cannot know which one He built, then we just get in a branch of the church." The Lord said, "I will build my church..." He never said, "I will build branches of my church." Now for one to know that the "branch" of which he is a member is a "branch" of the church the Lord built, he would have to find the church the Lord built. If he could not find the one the Lord built, how could he know that the thing he is in was a "branch" of it? Well, if he found the one the Lord built, then why not just come down out of the limb and get in that which the Lord said He built? 

Now turn with me to Acts 2, and find out just how we become members of the church of the Lord. It is the day of Pentecost. The promise of the Lord to His disciples of the Spirit has been fulfilled (Acts 2:33). They are now speaking as moved by the Spirit, (Acts 2:1-4), Who came to guide them into all truth (John 16:13)? That truth is now being spoken. It is from heaven, and not from men. 

On that day, Peter told them they had crucified the Lord of Glory, and that they did it by wicked hands. He brought the Old Testament prophets to witness that the things taking place there that day were the things spoken of by them, that Christ was raised in fulfillment of them, and that He was raised up to sit on the throne of their father, David. He declared that Christ was at that time exalted at the right hand of God, and commanded them to know assuredly that this same Jesus whom they had crucified was then made both Lord and Christ. 

They were cut to their hearts by this message. Nothing but faith, or belief, in that message would have cut them to the heart and made them inquire, "...What shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). Thus faith comes before repentance, Baptist preachers notwithstanding. Then, guided by the Holy Spirit, Peter answered that question in these words: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38). Not a denominational preacher that I know will give that answer and stay with it all the way through. Did you ever hear a Methodist, Baptist, or Presbyterian preacher give that answer? Why do they not give it? It is not the doctrine of denominationalism. The Lord is the author of Peter's answer. Man has made an answer to fit his denomination. God did not build a denomination, branch, or limb of the church, and neither has He given the various doctrines that govern those "limbs." He built the church and gave the terms of admission into it, and here those terms were given. 

How do I know that to believe the word of the Lord, repent of sins, and be baptized for the remission of sins are the conditions of membership in the church of the Lord? Hear the book as it speaks in verse 41: "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Verse 47: "...And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." 

Now we have a question or two to ask. The Lord said in Matthew 16:18, "I will build my church..." In Acts 2:47, the record says "...the Lord added to the church..." To which church did the Lord add them? He said He was going to build His church, and here we find Him adding to the church. To ask that question is to answer it. He added them to the church He built. What had they done? Those who believed what Peter preached were told to, "Repent, and be baptized...for the remission of sins..." So they were not members of a church that will not preach that same thing. But those who did that back there were members of the church the Lord built, and it looks like all preachers could see this.  

Did you know that the Lord did not take 500 of them and add them to the Baptist Church, then add 500 to the Methodist Church, 500 to the Nazarene Church, etc., until He got them all situated? There were no such denominations then. These denominations are the products of error taught in our land, and if all taught today just what Peter taught then, there would be no denominations and we would all be one. Someone is teaching error, and that is the church — or churches — that deny what Peter preached as being necessary today. If you are in one that will not teach what he did, then you are in the wrong one. It could not even be a "branch" or "limb" — if there were such a thing — for you would have the branch trying to destroy the trunk! 

What is the danger in being in that which the Lord did not build? In Matthew 15:13, Jesus said, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." Be it remembered, He never did say, "I will build branches of the church as warring denominations." He said, "I will build my church," and it was one body (I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 2:16). 

Now, since He never promised to build "branches" of the church — one teaching one thing and the other denying it — but since He promised, and built His church, and has definitely said He will root up all He has not planted, don't you think you'd best be thinking whether you are out on a limb that has no connection with the Lord's building program, or whether you are in that which the Father sent His Son to build? 

Friends, get out of denominations now and come to the sermon preached by Peter and obey it, and let the Lord add you to the church, as we of the church of the Lord beg you to do. We have done just what they did on Pentecost. Since God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11), He has added us to the church He built, just as He did those on the day of Pentecost, and will add you to that same church if you will obey Him.

E. R. Harper

Lord, To Remember Thee

The greatest privilege to me,

O, Lord, is to remember Thee

I don’t as often as I should,

And that’s why I’m not always good. 

O, Lord, I would remember thee,

Because of Thy great love for me.

I do not know Thee personally,

But I do love Thee intimately.

Lord, Thy memorials are Divine,

They make me glad that I am Thine.

The emblems of the Cup and the Bread,

Remind me You died in my stead. 

O, Lord, help me to do what’s right,

So when this faith shall end in sight,

That I’ll live on that Golden Shore,

Where Christian’s shall forget no more. 

O. D. Wilson – Deceased 

“Am I Therefore Become Your Enemy, Because I Tell You the Truth?”

Truth as defined by Webster is: “that which is true; that which accords with fact or reality; an established or verified fact, or principle.” Truth as defined by the Bible is the Word of God (John 17:17).

Paul, in his entreaty in Galatians 4, is making the brethren aware that “now after ye have known God,” some were turning from following God, and were turning back to the world. He went on to say, “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.” Paul was letting them know of his concern for those who were once close to him. Then he makes this statement in Galatians 4:16, “Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” Paul was simply asking them if he had made an enemy out of them by pointing out, based on the truth of God’s Word, what they were doing wrong. No longer were they following the Truth, but they were turning again to “the weak and beggarly elements.”

So many times today, we see brethren who are doing as did the Galatians, they are turning from the Truth of God, and to keep from upsetting them, or hurting their feelings, we do not tell them the truth of their condition. Brethren, we are commanded in Galatians 6:1 that if we see a brother “overtaken in a fault,” or in other words, straying from the Truth, we are to try our best to restore him. Let’s look together at some areas that we are commanded to tell the Truth.

“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the Truth” on what it takes to be saved? From the Word of God, we find by example, commandment, and by inference, that for a person to be saved, they must hear the Truth of God’s Word (Romans 10:17); they Believe that Word (Hebrews 11:6); they must repent of their sins (Luke 13:3); they must confess Christ as the Son of God (Matthew 10:32); they MUST be baptized in the name of Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; I Peter 3:21). Many want to try and be saved by other means and ways, but this is the Truth on what it takes to be saved and nothing else is acceptable.

“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the Truth” on how you should live? As a child of God, we cannot live as we please. God has given us instructions on Christian living. We are to live faithfully unto death (Revelation 2:10); we are to live soberly, righteously, and godly (Titus 2:12); we are to put the kingdom of God and His righteousness first in our lives (Matthew 6:33); we are to abstain from the very appearance of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22); we are to avoid the works of the flesh, and put on the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-26); we are to add to our faith the Christian graces (II Peter 1:5-10); we are to pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17); we are to be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58); and we are not to forsake the assembly (Hebrews 10:25). Brethren, this is the way we are to live to be pleasing to God, and nothing else is acceptable to Him.

“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the Truth” that there is only one church? Ephesians 4:4 states, “There is one body,” and Colossians 1:18 lets us know that the body is the Church. This Church is the one that was prophesied by Isaiah and Daniel, and it is the one that the Lord promised to build (Matthew 16:16-18), and it is that one that came into existence on Pentecost, in Jerusalem, A.D. 33. It is to the Church that the Lord added to those “as should be saved,” and only those who are in this Church will be saved. Many would have you to believe that there are good “Christians” in the denominational bodies, but unless you are a part of the Body of Christ, you will not be saved based on the Truth found in God’s Word.

“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the Truth” that a child of God can be lost? Contrary to popular belief, “once saved, always saved” is not in the Bible. In fact, we have numerous Scriptures which teach otherwise. One in particular is found in I Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore, let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” Peter, in his writings, encouraged us to “give diligence to make our calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (II Peter 1:11). The Bible over and over again encourages us to examine ourselves to be sure that we are remaining steadfast in the faith. Brethren, we can stumble and fall due to trials and temptations in our lives, and this is the Truth.

And finally, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the Truth” on where we will be for all eternity? There are only two places prepared as a dwelling place for the souls of man after judgment. All that have ever lived will be in one of these two places. There is no middle ground, and there is no probation period of 1000 years as some teach. When we die, and the judgment comes, we will either be allowed to enter Heaven, that place of beautiful rest, ready for the “good and faithful servant” of the Lord, or we will be condemned to Hell, that place of torment “where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.” One is a place of eternal reward, while the other is a place of eternal punishment. There are many that think they have a spot reserved in Heaven just waiting for them, but what did our Lord say? “Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Where we live for all eternity is conditional, based on whether or not we have done God’s Will in this life, and that is the Truth.

Brethren and friends, to the best of my ability, using God’s Word as my guide I have told you the Truth. Now let me ask you “Am I therefore become your enemy?”

Danny L. Box

Put the Lord First

I will be forever grateful to a lady by the name of Gertha Alston. Why? Because she said something to me before I obeyed the Gospel that still resonates in my ear when we are discussing certain passages of Scripture.  Without going into the word-for-word, she said to make sure that the person you are interested in puts the Lord first.

I thought about this again, not just in the context she addressed (which would only make perfect sense that a faithful Christian would look first at the spiritual personality as a primary consideration for a mate), and then put some other things we think/do that should demand the same conscientiousness:

1. Do I think of my responsibility to the Lord when considering a job? Will it interfere?
2. Do I think of the Lord first when considering my vacations? Do I make sure that I will be able to worship with sound congregations and not just whoever is available?
3. Is God first when I look for a place to live (or relocate), or does the place and salary determine what I do?
4. Am I often too sick for worship or Bible class, but up bright and early for work the next day?
5. Are my best friends strong Christians or are they in the weak and non-Christian category?

You could easily add more, but the point is hard to miss. Mrs. Alston spoke of the importance of putting the Lord and church first, and we have certainly seen how the Lord emphasized that many times.

Johnny Oxendine