ELON CHURCH OF CHRIST

New Hope, Alabama

Seeking to challenge your interest in things

spiritual & eternal (Eph. 6:10-18)

Volume 14 Number 10

June, 2017

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Table of Contents

A Model of Repentance —————————————— Dylan Stewart

A Blessed Rest—————————————————— Mike Johnson

“He That Is Without Sin Among You …”———————-Bob Waldron

Facing the Facts of the Bible —————————————–Unknown

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A MODEL OF REPENTANCE

Dylan Stewart

In Psalm 51, we find David’s plea for forgiveness surrounding his affair with Bathsheba. When analyzing the nature of David’s prayer for repentance, we can gain insight as to how we should repent when we fall.

Recognition of God’s Willingness to Forgive

Before we can even think about repentance, we must recognize God’s desire to forgive us of our sins. In verses 1-2, David says, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” By recognizing God’s lovingkindness and tender mercies, we understand that God will forgive us of our sins if we simply repent. For example, Peter concludes, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). If we do repent, God, in his longsuffering and tender mercy, will remove our transgressions “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).

 Acknowledgment of Wrongdoing

After recognizing God’s desire to forgive, David took another important step during his repentance – he acknowledged he made mistakes. He explains, “For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me” (v.3). Without acknowledging our mistakes, it is impossible for God to forgive us. We cannot try to hide our sins from God, for he knows all things. Consider Job 28:11, where Job asserts “What is hidden he brings forth to light.” Thus, it is imperative to confess our sins rather than attempt to hide them from God. Throughout the Bible, the word ‘confess’ is often used as a way to describe the acknowledgement of reality. Confessing sin, then, simply means we acknowledge the reality of our sins we commit against God. It is important to note that since God looks at our heart, merely stating with our mouths won’t do. We confess with our mouth what we are convinced or convicted of in our heart.

Feelings of Guilt & Remorse

Simply acknowledging our sins with our mouths will not help us receive God’s forgiveness. Although God desires to forgive us when we fall, we must meet His conditions. One of those conditions is feeling guilt and remorse over our sins. Consider David’s pleas for God to “renew a steadfast spirit within [him]” and deliver him “from the guilt of bloodshed” (v.10, 14). David’s spirit was damaged by his wrongdoings and he felt guilty because of his fall into temptation. In fact, David described his heart, or his spirit, as being “broken” and “contrite” (v.17). It is for these reasons why David says his sins are “ever before him” in his prayer (v.3). Also consider Paul’s admonishment to the church at Corinth in 2 Corinthians 7:10. He states, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted.” Godly regret is the uncomfortable feeling of guilt we get when the Word of God shows us we have sinned and brought reproach upon God’s name. Godly regret is the regret of a God-saturated heart, not a world-saturated heart, and is the type of remorse we should feel when repenting of sins.

 Recognizing the Impact of Our Sins

In his prayer, David took another important step in attaining God’s forgiveness – he recognized his sins impacted more people than just himself. First, David recognized his sin reflected poorly upon God and, as result, non believers could lay blame to God and claim He is not “just” (v.4). It is for this very reason why we confess our sins publicly whenever we commit public sins. We should not allow our sins to impact other’s perception of God. The consequences of our sins have a way of spilling out over everyone and anyone that comes into contact with us because of our association with them. The Bible tells us we can “be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23), which means our families, friends, congregations, and the Christian community at large can be affected by our sins. Worse still, the cause of Christ will be damaged as unbelievers scoff and sneer at us and blaspheme His name. Second, David recognized the consequences of his sins by requesting for God to not cast him away from His presence (v.11). When we sin, we must realize that God will cast us away into eternal punishment. For instance, Paul proclaims, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). That is a principle that follows the pattern laid down at the Creation. Everything created has a seed from which it propagates itself after its kind (Genesis 1:11, 21, 25). In other words, you do not plant corn and expect to harvest beets. We cannot “plant” sin—even in private—and not expect to reap a harvest of consequences.

 Attempting to Be Stronger

Lastly, David displayed a willingness to turn away from his sins and be a better servant of God in the future. His attitude of keeping his sins “ever before” him exemplifies this notion because although David recognized God’s willingness to forgive him (v.3), he would keep his sins in his mind at all times to prevent himself from falling to temptation again. He also told God he would “teach transgressors [God’s] ways” (v.13). After praying for forgiveness and receiving God’s mercy through that forgiveness, we should be like David and tell others, especially non-believers, about God’s love and mercy by explaining God’s love and the need for repentance.  David vowed to do just that. He told God, “My tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness . . . and my mouth shall show forth Your praise” (v.14, 15). We too should strive to be stronger, more faithful servants of God, praising God for forgiving us of our sins and being willing to spread God’s gospel of mercy of and forgiveness.

Conclusion

David exemplified an attitude in repentance all Christians should model. He recognized God’s desire to forgive, acknowledged his sins before God, felt Godly sorrow for his mistakes, recognized the far-reaching impact of his sins, and vowed to make improvements in the future. Considering “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), when we repent, do we share a similar attitude as David in Psalm 51?

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A BLESSED REST

Mike Johnson

Revelation 14:13 says, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”

The word “blessed” means “happy.”  There is an obvious sense in which death brings sorrow, but for those who “die in the Lord” it can be regarded as a happy occasion.  Heaven is a place of joy, rest, and peace and we will experience this for eternity.

How do our “works” follow us? Consider two senses.  First, if we live a faithful Christian life, the effects of that will be felt here upon this earth even after we are gone.  “Good” will continue to be done by those whom we have influenced in righteousness upon this earth.  In Hebrews 11, Able is mentioned as one though dead continued to speak.  Also, Peter spoke of his approaching death in the first chapter of 2 Peter. After pointing out he would soon die he said, “Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.” Our life on earth has an impact upon others after we die and our works do follow us.  Another way to look at this passage is that the consequences of our works follow us into the next life as we will be judged on the bases of what we have done upon this earth.  II Corinthians 5:10 says,  “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”  Also, in Romans 2:6, we are told God will render to every man “according to his deeds.”

In conclusion, it is important to consider that this blessed rest spoken of in Revelation 14:13 is only for those “who die in the Lord” and those who have “labored” for Him as the text indicates.  Those who “die in the Lord” will be saved eternally.  What is your situation?  Are you “in the Lord?”  Are you laboring for the Lord?  If so, your death can be a happy occasion.

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 “HE THAT IS WITHOUT SIN

AMONG YOU …”

Bob Waldron

One time the Pharisees brought a woman who had been taken in adultery to Jesus and asked Him what to do about her. Should she be stoned as the law said? They were not really interested in the law, nor right and wrong, nor the woman. They were trying Jesus “that they may have whereof to accuse him” (Jn. 8:6). After a pause and further questioning Jesus said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (Jn. 8:7). The statement Jesus uttered on this occasion has often been violently and blatantly misapplied. His reply was strictly in keeping with the law which said, “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is to die be put to death; at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. The hand of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So thou shall put away the evil from the midst of thee” (Deut. 17:2-7).

The case Jesus dealt with was not simply one in which a woman had committed adultery. Jesus always dealt with the primary issue and then with the subordinate issues. Here the primary issue was the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and their incredibly intense hatred of Jesus. There were actually three issues involved in the episode: the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, the demands of the Law of Moses, and the fate of the woman. When Jesus said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her,” He convicted the Pharisees of their sin of hypocrisy, because not even they had the audacity and gall to step forward and say, “Well, I’m perfect. I’ll cast the first stone.” They particularly knew that in this matter they were not innocent. One by one, beginning from the eldest, the people began to walk away. When Jesus said, “Woman, where are they? Did no man condemn thee?” He satisfied the requirement of the law because, with no witnesses, the woman could not be stoned. Then Jesus dealt with the woman and her sin by saying, “Neither do I condemn thee: go thy way; from henceforth sin no more.”

Men and women who are stubborn of heart and who desire to walk in their wicked ways very often use this statement of Jesus to reply to any who would attempt to rebuke them or to condemn their ways. Thus the drunkard, the adulterer, the liar, the homosexual, the child abuser, and a host of others will defend themselves by saying, “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.” Jesus’ words in Mt. 7:1 are similarly used. “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Let us bring the question into clear focus. Since all of us are imperfect and do sin, does any one of us have the right in God’s sight to condemn the actions of another or to rebuke another for wrongdoing?

It was the same Jesus that said, “And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established. And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican” (Mt. 18:15-17). It was Jesus who so severely condemned the Pharisees (Mt. 23). It was Jesus’ forerunner, John the Baptist, who condemned the adultery of Herod Antipas and Herodias (Mt.14:1-4). When Jesus uttered the above condemnations He had the same awareness of man’s weak nature that He did when He said, “Let him that is without sin cast the first stone.” Therefore, when Jesus said this He did not mean that it is wrong ever to rebuke anyone for sin.

The writings of the apostles make the issues in this dispute very clear. Someone will usually say, “I like Jesus, but I think His apostles missed it.” It would be humorous, if it were not so deplorable, that these people do not realize that the only impression we have of Jesus is that which His apostles have left us. Matthew and John were apostles. Mark was a personal disciple of Jesus, though not an apostle. Luke was, seemingly, a later convert. Only through these men’s testimony do we have any record of Jesus’ deeds and words. The apostles who testified about Jesus, such as John, were unaware of any discrepancy between Jesus’ teaching and theirs. When people talk about liking what Jesus said but not His apostles, they are speaking from ignorance and prejudice rather than facts. Please consider the facts.

Jesus told His apostles to go out and teach or preach. He said, ‘Teach all nations.” He then said, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Mt. 28:20). He said, “Preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk. 16:15). Earlier Jesus told His apostles, “But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you” (Jn. 14:26). The apostles went out and did as Jesus commanded. What they taught was what Jesus said to teach. If the Spirit did not guide the writers of Acts through Revelation, then He did not guide Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. One may reject Jesus and His apostles, but one cannot accept Christ and reject His apostles. The apostles were inspired by the Spirit and they spake the truth.

No apostle stressed the need for love, forbearance and forgiveness more than Paul, but it was also Paul who said to the Corinthian brethren, “Put away the wicked man from among yourselves” (1 Cor. 5:13). Consider the implication of Paul’s statement, “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (1 Cor. 5:6). In the context, the lump would be the church at Corinth. The church at Corinth was, however, composed of imperfect people. Yet there was one among the rest who was a danger. His example would be a leaven of bad influence. Therefore he had to be purged out. There is a difference between sinning occasionally through human weakness, repenting, calling upon God for forgiveness and, on the other hand, wallowing in sin. Also it seems that there are some sins which are more flagrant than others. In addition the nature of some sins is such that they have a more pernicious influence on others. Through all facts and all arguments one thing stands out clearly. Paul told a church of imperfect people to put away a wicked man from among themselves.

The brethren at Thessalonica were told to withdraw themselves from every brother that walked disorderly (2 Th. 3:6). To walk disorderly means to walk out of step with others who are marching. The passage clearly implies that there are those who, though not perfect, nevertheless do walk in order. Then there are those who walk “disorderly”. Those imperfect people who are walking orderly are commanded to withdraw from anyone who walks disorderly. Paul told the saints at Ephesus to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). He told Timothy, “Preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine. . .” (2 Tim. 4:2, 3). One wonders if Paul imagined that those who would not endure sound doctrine would wrest statements of Jesus to attempt to silence the rebukes and reproof that His word says must be given.

Condemned is hypocritical judging. It is not required that one have a perfect record before he has the right to reprove and rebuke. The commands we have studied were given to flesh and blood people who were imperfect. Yet they were clearly told to condemn, to reprove and rebuke. If one condemns another when he himself is not even trying to do right or when he is doing something much worse than the one whom he is condemning, he is guilty of the judging the Lord condemned. When we must rebuke or reprove, let us look to ourselves, lest we also be tempted (Gal. 6:1). Let us beware of Satan’s influence when we ourselves are rebuked, lest we give him an opportunity to close our eyes to the truth by causing us to resent the reproof.

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FACING THE FACTS OF

THE BIBLE

(Unknown)

Adam and Eve, for one bite of fruit when they were not even hungry, brought sin, suffering, shame and death upon themselves and the human race (Genesis 3).

Lot’s wife revealing her longing for the things that pertain to earth, took one look back and became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19).

Achan, for a garment of gold he could not wear and for silver and gold he could not spend, paid with all his possessions, his family and his life (Joshua 7).

Samson, for the caress of a hypocritical woman, lost his will, his strength, his liberty, his eyes, and finally his life (Judges 15).

David, to enjoy another man’s wife, handed to posterity a tale of adultery, shame, and tears, boldly written across its face (2 Samuel 11-12).

Ahab, coveting another’s vineyard, permitted his wife to have its owner killed (1 Kings 21).

Judas, for thirty pieces of silver which he had no occasion or conscience to use, took his own life in shame and despair (Matthew 27).

Demas, loving the transient world more than a permanent future, forsook Paul and provoked the wrath of heaven (2 Timothy 4:10).

The Christian who seeks first anything above the kingdom of heaven will lose his soul forever (Matthew 6:16f).

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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