The Elon Challenger
ELON CHURCH OF CHRIST
New Hope, Alabama
Seeking to challenge your interest in things
spiritual & eternal (Eph. 6:10-18)
Volume 15 Number 9
May 2018
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Table of Contents
“Be Still and Know That I Am God”————————– Mike Johnson
What Would Jesus Really Do? ———————————–David Dann
You Be Jesus! ——————————————————- Glen Young
Shrinking the Income ————————————- Author Unknown
Profane and Vulgar Speech ——————————– Mike Johnson
“Blot Out My Transgression” ——————————- Mike Johnson
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“BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I GOD”
(Psalm 46:10)
Mike Johnson
In Psalm 46:10 God said, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
It is thought this was written during the period when Hezekiah was the king of Judah. During this time, the Assyrian army, led by Sennacherib their king, surrounded the city of Jerusalem and demanded surrender (2 Kgs.18, 19). In Psalm 41, God is giving Israel assurances. As is said in verse 11, God, the Lord of hosts (their refuge) was “with them,” and would be their “refuge.” God truly would be their helper, especially against such foes as the Assyrians.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the Hebrew word (translated “be still”) means, “…properly to cast down; to let fall; to let hang down; then, to be relaxed, slackened, especially the hands: It is also employed in the sense of not making an effort; not putting forth exertion; and then would express the idea of leaving matters with God, or of being without anxiety about the issue.”
Another passage, which presents a similar idea, is Exodus 14:13-14, which says, “And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.” Consider the situation. The children of Israel had fled Egypt. Pharaoh and his army were approaching them and they were up against the Red Sea. They were very afraid and Moses told them, “don’t worry, be calm, God is with you.”
Consider also Romans 8:38-39 which assures us, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Today, we have the same assurances. Often, times can be very difficult, and life can have many challengers. There is the temptation to give in to fear, anxiety, and despair. When this happens, we need to “be still” and know that God is God! We must be patient and understand that God is our helper, and He is the Lord of hosts, and He will take care of us. Consider also the assurance given in Psalm 46:1 which says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Thus, in facing the anxieties of life, we must “be still” (relax) and trust God!
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WHAT WOULD JESUS REALLY DO?
David Dann
Concerning the example set by Christ, Peter writes, “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” (1 Pet. 1:21, 22).
We understand from Peter’s exhortation that every Christian’s aim ought to be to conduct himself according to the example set by Jesus. In other words, our behavior in every situation should be modeled after the behavior of Christ, as it is revealed to us in the Bible.
It is common today to hear people speak of doing what Jesus would do in a given situation. In fact, many even wear bracelets inscribed with the letters “W.W.J.D.” in order to remind themselves that they should often ask the question, “What would Jesus do?” before plotting a course of action. Those who declare a determination to follow the example of Jesus are, no doubt, expressing a noble desire. However, we must realize that before we can base a course of action upon what Jesus would do, we’d better make sure we know what Jesus would do. It does no good to act according to what we think Jesus might do, if we do not really know Jesus. A man may lie, cheat, and steal based upon what he thinks Jesus would do. Before we do what we think Jesus would do, we’d better stop and make sure we’re prepared to do what Jesus would really do.
- JESUS WOULD DO WHAT IS RIGHT: — With regard to the regularity with which He did the Father’s Will, Jesus said, “I do always those things that please Him” (Jno. 8:29). To our Savior, doing what was right was not just one available option. If we find ourselves wavering between doing what the Bible says or taking some other course, then we are not doing what Jesus would do. Jesus would do what God’s Word says to do.
- JESUS WOULD RESIST TEMPTATION AND SIN: — Peter refers to Jesus as the one “who did no sin” (1 Pet. 1:22). Don’t think you’ve done what Jesus would do by giving in to sin once in awhile. Jesus would never sin. When faced with Satan’s temptation, Jesus responded by quoting the appropriate Scriptures to fit the occasion (Matt. 4:1-10). How many of us do what Jesus would do when it comes to dealing with temptation?
- JESUS WOULD TELL THE TRUTH — Jesus is so inseparably connected with the truth that He could even say, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jno. 14:6). Even when faced with those who desired His death, Jesus could innocently say, “But now ye seek to kill Me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God” (Jno. 8:40).Many people feel that it is okay to tell a lie, or at least bend the truth when in a tight spot, or when it is thought that a greater good can be accomplished through a “little” lie. After all, wouldn’t Jesus do the same thing? No, Jesus would not do the same thing, Jesus would tell the truth.
- JESUS WOULD EXPOSE THE DOCTRINES OF MEN: — The toleration of contradictory doctrines and practices is a popular religious idea of our day. Many seem to think that Jesus would be a proponent of such toleration. He would not. Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9). If we’re going to do what Jesus would do, then we’re going to have to expose false doctrine in the light of truth.
- JESUS WOULD WARN AGAINST THOSE WHO PROMOTE FALSE DOCTRINE: — Jesus warned His disciples against corrupting influences, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod” (Mk. 8:15). We often hear the cries of those who denounce the practice of warning against the promoters of error. Such a practice is viewed as unloving and unchristian behavior. But, what would Jesus do? After all, it was Jesus who, “in the hearing of all the people” said, “Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes; and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts” (Lk. 24:45,46).
- JESUS WOULD NOT COMPROMISE WITH SIN AND ERROR: — When His disciples urged Him to strike a compromise with those who taught error, Jesus said, “Every plant, which My heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matt. 15:13, 14). Let us remember that “destructive heresies” lead people into sin and, ultimately, eternal destruction. Unfortunately, some have the idea that Jesus was primarily interested in compromise, and therefore, we will compromise if we are to do what Jesus would do. Before we endorse those who are involved in soul-condemning error, we’d better take another look at what Jesus would really do.
CONCLUSION: — The Hebrew writer exhorts us to “run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:1,2). Yes, it is admirable to want to do what Jesus would do. Much sin and sadness could be avoided if we made every decision on that very basis. But remember, such a disposition will serve as an unsafe guide if we don’t really know what Jesus would do.
Truth Magazine, Vol. 49, No. 24, Dec. 15, 2005.
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YOU BE JESUS!
Glen Young
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin (age 5) and Ryan (age 3). The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.’ Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus!”
It has been my experience that we all have a little bit of Kevin in us. We want others to act like Jesus. There is nothing wrong with such a noble desire. Even Paul desired salvation for his Jewish brethren (Romans 10:1-2). However, I fear that our motives are not so honorable. We want others to be like Jesus for our own selfish reasons. We want everyone else to be kind and giving toward us even though we do not reciprocate in kind. We want everyone else to make the sacrifice of being tolerant and forgiving of our short comings without making the same sacrifice. To maintain this attitude will cause us great pain in the present and eternal destruction in the future. I say this for two reasons which shall be discussed in the balance of this article.
Many Christians are presently suffering great pain because they have not learned the lesson that the only person they have control over is themselves. In Romans chapter fourteen, Paul writes, “So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). The prophet Ezekiel also writes, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” (Ezekiel 18:20). All of which goes to show that each individual is responsible to God for himself and not for any other. God has not given Christians the responsibility nor the ability to make others do anything. It is an exercise in futility to fret and fume over the actions of others for the simple reason we cannot make them do anything.
And where is it written, that I (or you) am the standard by which others are to be judged? Paul defended himself to the Corinthian brethren by saying of his detractors, “…but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding” (2 Corinthians 10:12). It is the epitome of ignorance for a Christian to judge others based upon his inflated opinion of himself. To do so, will cause one to misjudge others and become self-righteous to the destruction of his soul. The Christian must always be humble, “(doing) nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself; not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
Who should be like Jesus (I Peter 2:21)? Why, me of course! By so doing, I will then be happy and will have a proper influence to lead others to walk with the Lord.
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SHRINKING THE INCOME
Years ago a young man knelt with his preacher and prayed as he committed himself to give a tenth of what he made to the Lord. His first week’s pay was $10.00 and the tenth was $1.00. As he grew older, he became more prosperous and his tenth became $5.00, then $7.50, then $10.00. He moved to another city and soon his tenth was $100.00 a week. He sent his old friend a wire: “Come and see me, at once!”
The minister arrived at the man’s beautiful home. They had a good time talking over old times. Finally, the man came to the point. “You remember that promise I made years ago to give a tenth of all I made to the Lord? How can I get released from it?” he asked. “Why do you want to be released?” the preacher inquired of his old friend. “It’s like this,” the man replied, “When I made that promise, I only had to give $1.00, but NOW it is $100.00. I can’t afford to give money away like that.”
The old preacher looked at his friend. “I’m afraid we cannot get a release from that promise, but there IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO! We can kneel here and ask God to shrink up your income so you can AFFORD to give a dollar!”
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PROFANE AND VULGAR SPEECH
Mike Johnson
The use of vulgar and profane language is at an all-time high in our society today. Profanity is everywhere, and it is difficult to escape from it.
Without a doubt, the media (specifically television and the movies) has had a major impact on the way people talk. “Hollywood” has become the teacher for many children as they learn to communicate from the programs and movies they watch.
There has definitely been an increase in profanity on television. Several years ago, Fox News reported the results of a study by a watchdog organization called “The Parents Television Council.” The Council studied trends in the use of profanity on television for the past five years and found that there has been a large increase in its use. During the so called “family hour” (8-9 PM), profanity has increased on television by 94.8%. It rose by 109% during the 9:00 P.M. time slot. The problem has become so accepted by television viewers that advertisers have even started using profanity to sell their products. They have no fear of a public backlash against their using profanity in their ads, evidently feeling that it will help sell their products. Children, as well as everyone else, are being more and more influenced to speak in an offensive and improper way.
Some people appear to be unable to talk without using vulgarity. A simple definition for the word “vulgar” is “making explicit and inappropriate reference to sex or bodily functions” (Oxford Press). In addition to using God’s name in vain, many apparently cannot talk without making reference to the sex act or to those acts associated with bodily functions. Many people seem to have a very limited vocabulary which is often focused on things of a crude nature.
Not only is profanity contrary to Scriptural principles, it is simply bad for society. There is actually an organization (not religious in nature) called “Cuss Control Academy” which conducts seminars in work places on how to eliminate profanity. They point out correctly that “swearing” discloses a lack of character, reflects ignorance and immaturity; creates an overall bad impression.
The Old Testament clearly teaches that God’s name was not to be taken in vain. Exodus 20:7 says, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” There are two senses in which a person could have taken God’s name in vain. A person would have violated this command by “swearing falsely,” or he could have violated it by using God’s name in a profane, light, or idle manner. Leviticus 19:12 embraces both ideas as it says, “And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.”
There are several New Testament passages which focus on proper speech. One is Ephesians 5:4. This verse says that Christians are not to engage in “. . . filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” These three nouns (in the Greek) are only found here. The word “filthiness” (aischrotees) could refer to “conduct,” but in this context, it would seem to refer to speech. Next, “foolish talking” (moorologia) is “silly talking” or “buffoonery” such as would characterize a person who disregards God. The third word, “jesting” (eutrapelia), simply means “course” or “dirty ”joking. (It is not talking about innocent joking as we would sometimes use the word “jesting” today.) This word can involve the more subtle forms of profanity and can involve “. . . a connotation of suggestive talk which employs euphemisms and double meanings” (UBS Handbook Series). Many people today subtly use filthy language through words and phrases with duel meanings and through euphemisms. Colossians 3:8 says that we are to get rid of “filthy communication” (or language). Ephesians 4:29 says that no “corrupt communication” (unwholesome words or talk) is to proceed from our mouths. The word translated “corrupt” originally referred to spoiled fruit or fish, and literally the idea is “every rotten word.”
Bad language generally proceeds from the heart (Mt. 12:34). It is important that we watch over our hearts with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life (Pb. 4:23). Instead of “corrupt communication,” we need to make sure that words which are “good to the use of edifying” proceed from our mouth (Eph. 4:29). We are to “put off” filthy communication (Col. 3:8). We certainly have not “so learned Christ” (Eph. 4:20) to do otherwise.
Parents must control what their children watch, and they must set the right example by taking control of their own speech as well.
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Blot Out My Transgressions
Mike Johnson
In II Samuel 11 and 12, we can read the story where David committed adultery with Bathsheba. To cover up his sin, he had her husband, Uriah, murdered. He was eventually confronted by Nathan, a prophet of God. At this point, David admitted he had sinned against the Lord.
It is thought Psalm 51 was written by David after his sin with Bathsheba. In this Psalm, with great sorrow and humility, he asked God (in numerous ways) to forgive him. Note verse 1 which says, “Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.” NKJV
After asking God for mercy in the first part of the verse, in the second part he asked God to “blot out my transgressions.” Here we see that David recognized he bore a personal responsibility for his sins, i.e. “blot out MY transgressions.” There are many excuses David could have made in connection with his sin with Bathsheba. He could have said:
- “Bathsheba should not have been on the roof top bathing.”
- “Bathsheba could have said ‘no.”
- “Someone should have kept it from happening.”
- Regarding Uriah, “People die in war all of the time; he might have died anyway.”
Instead, rather than making excuses, David simply said, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Today, we bear a personal responsibility— only we can do something about our sins.
In Luke 18:10-14, Jesus presented the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Here he said there were two men who went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee stood up and prayed, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” Is this Pharisee asking for God’s mercy? Is he even acknowledging his sin? In contrast, consider the tax collector. Luke 18:13 says, “And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’” The tax collector knew he was guilty of sins; he humbly asked for God’s mercy.
Back to the text, note further that David speaks of his transgressions — plural. David did not commit just one sin. He committed adultery, deceit, and murder. Other sins may also have been involved. We can see how one sin led to another. This is common even today as a person can commit one sin, which leads to a second sin to cover up the first and on, and on it goes.
When we sin today, we need to have the same penitent attitude as David.
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The Elon Challenger is published monthly by the church of Christ meeting at 4021 Hobbs Island Road in Owens Cross Roads. The mailing address is PO Box 149, New Hope, AL, 35760 where any comments, questions, or requests for further information can be sent. The Challenger is also distributed monthly to the Elon congregation as an eight page, paper publication. The editor is Mike Johnson.
The website address is www.elonchurchofchrist.com.
Evangelist & Editor: Mike Johnson
www.seekingthingsabove.org