“ACQUAINT NOW THYSELF WITH HIM, AND BE AT PEACE” Job 22:21

Men have sought for centuries to define peace, and it can be a difficult task. Some define peace as the absence of war, but it is more properly described as the presence of the Lord with one, whether war is present or not. Peace is a much discussed subject in the Bible, and it would be good for us to pause for a few moments from our daily pursuits and notice some of the biblical references concerning it.

The Psalmist wrote, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8). For those who faithfully follow Him, peace is a constant companion, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (Psalm 119:165). This does not mean that those who faithfully follow Him will never see adversity, but that despite the adversity peace is within them, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee” (Isaiah 26:3). We determine, in large part, whether we walk in peace or not, as Paul wished for the Colossians, “let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15).

The Christian age, in which we now live, was spoken of in prophecy as a time of peace, “they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4). Again Isaiah wrote, “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid” (Isaiah 11:6). Paul said, “to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6). Those who are Christians, who have been justified by Christ, were said to “have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

Christ knew the importance of peace, and He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). The peace which comes from above is a preserving peace. It will take us through the difficult periods of life and preserve us safely into the arms of the Lord, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). As the gallant warrior of the Lord surveys the carnage and destruction round about him, as he sees all of the lost souls thrust into eternity without hope, as he sees his words fall on deaf ears, and as he sees his deeds of godliness go unappreciated, and as he sees his efforts “fail,” he nevertheless takes with him the knowledge mat God is with him, and helping him, and is most pleased with him. This leads to the realization that in the last day, when the judge of all the earth shall give out the eternal sentences for all men, his efforts will not be forgotten (I Corinthians 15:58). As the grand announcement to the world declares, where Christ is, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). You can make this peace yours by obeying the Lord and walking faith-fully in Him.

Are you a Christian? Have you heard and believed the Gospel (Hebrews 11:6, Romans 10:17); repented of sins (Acts 17:30-31, Luke 13:3); confessed Him before men (Matthew 10:32-33, Acts 8:37); and been immersed in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16)? Are you being faithful in all things (Revelation 2:10)?

Tim Smith

Jesus Will Come Again

Jesus will come again

Live your life free from sin

So that heav’n you will win

     When trumpets sound;

He will make all things right

In that sweet Land of Light

Where there will be no night

     Heavenward bound!

Jesus will meet us there

Evermore in the air

Where we’ll live free from care

     When trumpets sound;

Are you prepared my friend,

So much on this depends,

Set yourself for life’s end

     Heavenward bound!

Jesus will come someday

Come to take us away

To the unending day

     When trumpet sound;

We’ll meet Him in the sky

In the sweet by and  by

Where we will never die

     Heavenward bound!

CHORUS:

Troublesome times have been

With us as long as sin

Jesus will come back when

God sends Him back;

We must walk in the Light,

Keeping the Goal in sight,

Trusting in His great might

What do you lack?

Tim Smith

[Note: The song “Jesus is Coming Soon” in not Scriptural. Tim Smith was asked to write Scriptural lyrics to the tune of this song. The result is above.]

With My Whole Heart…

“I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart…” (Psalm 9:1).

Is there any part of man that should be withheld from Him with Whom we have to do? How can we serve Him partially? What should we do to ensure that we are serving Him with our whole heart? These three questions, while they may appear blasé to some, may well determine the destiny of the person sitting nearest you as you read these lines…and they may well determine the destiny of the person sitting nearest them as well. Let us spend a few minutes considering each question in the light of the passage we have selected as our text.

I. Is There Any Part Of Man That Should Be Withheld From Him With Whom We Have To Do?

On the very face of it the answer to this question is pretty simple: no. We might even begin before this question and ask why anyone would wish to withhold anything from Him with Whom we have to do. Without Him we would not be. And not being we certainly would not know the beauty of a mountain sunrise or summer breeze or a quiet sunset. Not being we would never see the look of love on our children’s faces or hear them call our name anytime some little thing frightened them or perhaps when they have fallen and scraped a knee. Now, since He has given us life and all things in it what on earth would move us to want to withhold anything from Him for which He might ask? It flies in the face of logic! Having given us so much, even if He did ask of us that we give Him our very lives it would be no large price to pay. If we have drawn a breath it is His. So what if He wants it back? Is it not Him to want back? Should He turn from us this very minute and withhold from us all blessings henceforth we would cease to exist. We would simply not be. Anything, therefore, that He desires of us we ought to give Him. He is worthy! He alone is worthy! 

 II. How Can We Serve Him Partially? Is it possible to serve Him partially?

I suppose, after a sort, it is. Inasmuch as we can perform some of the tasks commanded by Him and leave others undone we can serve Him partially. That is not, of course, to say that He will acknowledge such, not by any means. But how can we do such a thing? We have noted already that He has given us all, is there any right or just way that we can give back to Him less than He has given to us? Of course, if we give Him our all we still have not given Him as much as He has given us. But in His grace He will accept our all if we give it. I often think of those who “do” many right things only to fall short in so many other areas. Think of the denominations with their charitable endeavors, or the Catholics with their active interest in health care or the many individuals who are so nice and profess so great a love for the Lord. They do many right things, but not enough. “If we keep the whole law and offend in one point…” How sad! But then, whose duty is it to know whether a man is serving fully? Is it not the duty of each man to determine as much from the Word? That being true, it is sad, not because of the consequences to the partially obedient, but sad that they would set an example of partial service — partial obedience -- which is, in essence, but full disobedience!

 III. What should we do to ensure that we are serving Him with our whole heart?

In essence, this question deals with ensuring that we are not guilty of full disobedience by rendering only partial service. Every man will stand and answer before the judgment seat of the Lord for himself. Therefore every man has the duty of preparing for that accounting. How can I make such preparations as to be ready to give account? I would suggest to you first of all that we must study the Bible for ourselves. Never be content to believe “what we have always believed” on any subject. Learn the meaning of words you do not understand. Know that you know that you know what that passage really means. Meditate on the things you study. Mull them over. Consider them from every perspective. Be sure. Having done that, implement into your life what God requires of you. Leave nothing undone. If it means losing sleep, lose sleep. If it means making major changes in every aspect of your life, make major changes in every aspect of your life. Do whatever you must do to comply in every particular with the Word. Then, having studied and obeyed, never quit. You will never reach the age of retirement from Christianity. Retirement from your secular employment may come, but there is no retirement age from being a Christian! When you die nothing more will be required of you. Remain steadfast in all matters at all times and continue to study and to obey and never grow complacent The Lord will reward you accordingly.

Do you see how the answer to these three questions may well determine the destiny awaiting you? Rather, can you see a way wherein the answer to these three questions will not determine your destiny? May God bless you as you study and obey His word.

Tim Smith

“Your Problem Is That You Are Just Unloving…”

Has anyone ever told you that? I have heard that a few times through the years, and things similar to it: “You are too negative,” “You need to be more concerned with the spirit of the law and less concerned with the letter of the law,” and more. Prior to finishing any article (this one included) I ask myself several questions about what I have written—Is it correct? Is it needed? Is it balanced? Are there two or more ways of seeing the issue considered? Have I proven my point clearly? Am I speaking the truth in love?

I love the Lord—first and foremost. I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. I love the lost—alien sinners and erring brethren. I love the liberals—they are lost, mistaken, misguided (sometimes), ignorant (sometimes), and even hypocritical, but I love them anyway. I hope to call to their attention the error of their way that they might repent before Jesus comes or they die; for, lacking such repentance, He will spew them out of His Mouth. Every line of this article, like them all, is written with love.

Is it unloving to point out the error of one’s way to him? Jesus did it. Paul did it. Peter did it. In fact, if you took out every book of the Bible that says something to us about the importance of living right and not living wrong, what would you have left? Not much. While it might be unpleasant to read of your sin, please stop accusing me (and others) of being unloving because we earnestly contend for the faith. If we did not love, we would not try to correct.

If what you read on these pages is wrong, prove it, and let me know; I do not wish to go to hell for teaching false doctrine. If what you read on these pages is right and proves that you are doing something that is wrong, repent—for judgment surely comes. If you are proven wrong and you still refuse to repent then you are the unloving one for Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

I remember an old saying about throwing a rock into a pack of dogs—which one barks first? Make sure that what you are doing is proper—it would be a shame to come so close to the truth only to miss heaven because of liberalism in whatever form. I do love Jesus. I do love you and long for your salvation. That is why I try to reach you with the truth.

Tim Smith

REMEMBER

When things are not going the way you wish them to go, nor in the way you think best, remember: “It is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

When the things you have received are not the things you wanted, remember: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down fro the Father of lights” (James 1:17).

When you are depressed with the cares of this life, and you do not think yourself capable of going on, remember: “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) can be yours.

When you try to live right, but fall victim to sin, remember: the Psalmist declared, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11).

When you feel your temptations are greater than you can bear, and you fear that their weight will soon collapse your supports, remember: “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able” (I Corinthians 10:13).

When you feel that no man before you has ever carried the kind of load you must carry, remember: Jesus carried His cross to Calvary (John 19:17).

When you think your contributions of time and effort are useless, and that you can offer nothing to God worthwhile, remember: Paul declared that your labor in the Lord is not vain (I Corinthians 15:58).

When you feel that you are incapable of learning God’s Word, and that your are unable to find the truth you are seeking, remember: Jesus promised, “seek, and ye shall find” (Matthew 7:7; John 7:17).

When you feel that you have no influence on the lives of others, remember: “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself” (Romans 14:7).

When you feel that no one cares for you, remember: Jesus cared enough for you to die for you.

When you feel that no man loves you, remember: Jesus loved you enough to offer salvation to you.

When you feel that no one is your friend, remember: Jesus said, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14).

When you feel you need guidance, protection, comfort, hope, and consolation, remember: “For in him we live, and move, and have our very being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring” (Acts 17:28).

Whatever the need, whatever the problem, remember: Jesus of Nazareth, “who loved me, gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Tim Smith

End-time Backlash

We know that “of that day and hour” we are ignorant—and so forever shall remain right up until “that day and hour.” We are given no signs concerning its arrival, no warnings, no pre-indicators, nothing. He will come “as a thief in the night.” That being true, could it be that many, out of sheer exhaustion from fighting against the error of the prevaricating prognosticators, have grown careless in their watching? The fact that we have no signs or indications whatsoever in no wise means that He will not come today!

We do not know when He will come, but we do know that He is coming. It may be today. It could be tomorrow. It could be next week. It could be twenty thousand years in the future. We do not know. Our part is to live rightly. So living, it will not matter when He comes.

Equally important with the date of His return, and equally unknown to us, is the date of our death. We do not know when our natural life will end. It could be today. It could be tomorrow. It could be next week. It most certainly will not wait twenty thou and years! Still, we do not know when it will be. Now, if people ignorant of their own approaching death will not live rightly, is it any surprise that something that may yet linger twenty thousand years distant has failed to move them?

In the final analysis, it does not matter when He comes or when we die if we are living rightly. To be prepared for the one is to be prepared for the other. To live rightly is to die rightly, and that is to be with Him in Heaven forever. Are you living rightly? May God bless us all as we study and obey His Word.

Tim Smith

Judging Righteous Judgment

Jesus said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). Have you ever tried to convince someone that the religious position he/she held was incorrect? If so, you probably received an answer somewhat like this: “You are judging me, and that is wrong.” While we are never to presume to judge one’s motives, a certain amount of judging is absolutely necessary to pleasing God. We cannot judge what is beyond our ability to perceive, but that which is before us and regulated by His Word, we must judge.

We are not, according to our text, to judge “according to appearance,” or only based on externals when the matter pertains to the inner man. I cannot see whether your secret thoughts are right with God unless you manifest your motive incontrovertibly by your actions. I cannot perform a cursory review based on my own preferences or rules. These things are strictly forbidden.

But notice that in our text there is a judging that we are compelled to engage in, and it is called “righteous judgment.” We consider the works of an individual, compare them with the standard of righteousness (God’s Word—John 12:48), and arrive at a conclusion as to the propriety of those works. It is not wrong to engage in this kind of judgment; in fact, it is wrong not to engage in this kind of judging!

How can we oppose a man like Hitler without judging righteous judgment? How can we say that Saddam Hussein was or the devil himself is wrong without comparing their deeds with the Bible? And is not such a comparison judging? Indeed. It is judging righteous judgment.

Someone who says, “You are wrong for judging,” has engaged in the very activity he condemns. He has judged you for judging. He condemns you for condemning. Where is the consistency? To judge righteous judgment is to preach the Truth. To judge righteous judgment is to determine what is required of God on a given matter and then to pronounce His requirements to one in danger of Hell-fire.

Heed His Word: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).

Tim Smith