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 1

September, 2017

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Table of Contents

Weighed Down by the Past ————————————————————– Dylan Stewart

Belief and Baptism ————————————————————————- Mike Johnson

For Better or for Worse——————————————————————-Kyle Campbell

Nullifying That by Which We Are Saved ————————————————A.C. Grider

The Carpenter ————————————————————————————- Unknown

Devoted to God ————————————————————————– Richie Thetford

The Truth Is Hard—————————————————————————- Shawn Smith

Ephesians 4:4-6 (Spotlight on a Verse) ———————————————–Jarrod Jacobs

Gifts You Can Give the Year Long———————————————————-Unknown

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WEIGHED DOWN BY THE PAST

Dylan Stewart

Becoming a faithful Christian provides people with an invaluable gift – forgiveness of sins. The blood of Jesus Christ is enough to wipe away even our “worst” sins. If we trust in Christ, there is now no condemnation from God – he has forgiven us (Romans 8:1). The Bible is full of people who have done all sorts of horrible things (adulterers, prostitutes, murderers, extortionists), but all are accepted by Jesus (consider John 4:1-26; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Luke 23:32-43). For example, the apostle Paul, although he became a faithful follower of God whom we should pattern our lives after, was also responsible for violent persecution of Christians before he encountered Jesus (Acts 8:1-3) – yet Jesus forgave him. It does not matter what we have done, how long ago we committed sin, or the impact of our sins on ourselves and others, we can be forgiven.

Even though God is willing to forgive us when we fall, forgiveness can still be a very difficult concept to grasp sometimes, especially when we feel weighed down by guilt over our past sins. But we must keep in mind if God has forgiven us of our past sins, then we have every reason to forgive ourselves too. If anyone had a right to let his past mistakes weigh him down, it was Paul. However, consider his attitude in Philippians 3:13, where he says, “Brethren I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” Instead of letting his past sins weigh him down and prevent himself from serving God, Paul chose to “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). The question must be raised then – does God want us to feel guilty/sorrowful about our past sins forever?

Consider Paul’s discourse on sorrow in 2 Corinthians 7:10. He states, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Thus, feeling sorry about sin is beneficial if it leads to repentance. This attitude is reflected by David in Psalm 51. After asking God for mercy and forgiveness of his sins, David says, “I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” We too should keep our sins before us lest we fall to temptations again. However, feeling sorry about our sins is not beneficial if our guilt does not prevent us from sinning again. This type of sorrow allows our past mistakes to weigh us down, often occurring because we do not really believe God has forgiven us. John wrote, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).” God’s love for us is so deep that he did not spare his own son, but sent Him to die so we could be forgiven. Do you think, if we want to turn back to God, he would reject us? The answer is a resound NO! Instead, all of heaven rejoices when even one person turns back to God (Luke 15:1-10). If God forgives us, we should not refuse to forgive ourselves.

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BELIEF AND BAPTISM

Mike Johnson

Mark 16:16 says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Jesus spoke these words just prior to his ascension. Here, salvation is promised but it is conditional. Actually, there are two conditions stated as being necessary for salvation. They are belief and baptism.

The word “and” is a coordinating conjunction which joins elements of equal rank. It would be incorrect to strike out belief and say we are saved by baptism only. It would also be wrong to strike out baptism and say we are saved by faith only. So belief AND baptism are stated as being necessary for salvation. Just as one must believe in order to be saved, one must also be baptized in order to be saved.

There are various illustrations which can be considered. Suppose someone should say, “He that believeth AND is baptized shall receive a new car.” I’m sure most people would have little trouble understanding that to get a new car one would have to comply with both of the conditions. They could not just believe or just be baptized and expect to receive the new car. Why? The statement was, “He that believeth AND is baptized shall receive a new car. In arithmetic, we know that 2 and 2 equals 4. Again, you must have both of the 2’s to get the 4. In like manner, verse 16 says that both belief and baptism equals salvation. It seems help would be needed to misunderstand verse 16. Baptism is clearly stated as being essential for salvation.

Someone may say, “Well, I agree with that passage, but I still feel that one can be saved without baptism. This attitude is alarming. Everyone must put aside their opinions and simply accept God’s Word. (Please note also Acts 2:38, 10:48, 22:16; Matthew 28:18-20; Galatians 3:27; I Peter 3:21; Romans 6:3-4.)

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“FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE”

Kyle Campbell

These familiar words form a part of just about every wedding ceremony I have ever attended. Living with someone all of your life takes true devotion and commitment. In 1816, the president of Yale was complaining because the divorce rate was 1% in the state of Connecticut. How we long for those days! However, in the days of easy divorce, the words of the Lord are still true (Matthew 19:9).

If you cannot imagine yourself living with your current boyfriend or girlfriend for the rest of your life, you have no business getting married! Financial problems, family problems, and health problems can really take a toll on a couple. Husbands must love their wives (Ephesians 5:25) and wives must submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22). Only then will God’s plan truly work in the way He intended when He created man and woman, giving them to each other in marriage (Genesis 2:21-24). Divorce is one of the hardest emotional processes you will ever go through, so please choose wisely!

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NULLIFYING THAT BY WHICH

WE ARE SAVED

A.C. Grider

We are saved by faith, but some may depart from the faith: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils …” (1 Timothy 4:1).

We are saved by grace, but some may fail of the grace of God: “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled …” (Hebrews 12:15).

We are saved by hope, but some may leave that hope: “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister …” (Colossians 1:23).

We are saved by blood, but some may count the blood unholy: “… who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29).

We are saved by the Lord, but some may deny the Lord: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1).

We are saved by truth, but some may err from the truth: “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him …” (James 5:19).

We are saved by love, but some may not keep in the love: “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 21).

We are saved by the gospel, but some may believe it in vain: “By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:2).

We are saved by the promise, but some may come short of it: “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it” (Hebrews 4:1).

We are saved by God, but some may depart from God: “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).

We are saved by the Spirit, but some may do despite to Him (see Hebrews 10:29 above).

We are saved by enduring, but some may not endure: “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22).

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THE CARPENTER

Unknown

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side, sharing machinery and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart.

It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference and finally, it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John’s door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter’s toolbox.

“I’m looking for a few days’ work,” he said. “Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?”

“Yes,” said the older brother. “I do have a job for you.

Look across the creek at that farm. That’s my neighbor. In fact, it’s my younger brother! Last week there was a meadow between us. He recently took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I’ll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence an 8-foot fence – so I won’t need to see his place or his face anymore.”

The carpenter said, “I think I understand the situation.

Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I’ll be able to do a job that pleases you.”

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.

The carpenter worked hard all that day — measuring, sawing and nailing.

About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer’s eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge… a bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all!

And the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched… “You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I’ve said and done.”

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other’s hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder.

“No, wait! Stay a few days. I’ve a lot of other projects for you,” said the older brother.

“I’d love to stay on,” the carpenter said, but I have many more bridges to build.

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DEVOTED TO GOD

Richie Thetford

Enoch was a man who “walked with God” according to Genesis 5:21-24. The Hebrew writer, in Hebrews 11:5 tells us what that phrase means. He said, “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”

The apostle Paul’s ambition was to be well-pleasing to God. He said in 2 Corinthians 5:9, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” Every child of God ought to have that same ambition. We, too, can walk with God if we’ll devote ourselves to pleasing Him on a daily basis.

The term “devotion” is sometimes used to describe a spiritual activity, but the word is better defined as an attitude that produces proper activity. Our word “devote” is derived from the Latin word “devotus” whose root means “to vow.” Enoch and Paul had vowed (devoted or consecrated) their lives to God. God was at the center of their every thought and activity. Every duty, no matter how menial or trivial, was done to the glory of God. Pleasing their heavenly Father was the motivation behind every action.

Let us all be truly devoted and consecrated to God. Let us have a fervent desire to please our heavenly Father. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

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THE TRUTH IS HARD!

Shawn Smith

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). For a person worn and weary from sin and the world’s ways, these words are so reassuring! But they must be balanced with accepting the consequences of taking on Jesus’ yoke and learning His ways.

Not just anyone will be able to take on Jesus’ yoke. As a rich young man sorrowfully departed their company because he could not part with his worldly possessions in order to follow Jesus, the Lord tells His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you, that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:22-23). How many rich people will accept this truth to enter heaven? Earlier, the Pharisees questioned Jesus about the legality of divorcing one’s wife for just any reason. Jesus answered, “From the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorces commits adultery” (Matthew 19:1-9). How many people are willing to accept this truth to enter heaven?

Obeying the truth is hard! Entering heaven is hard! Jesus again declares, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are few who find it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

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Spotlight on a Verse

EPHESIANS 4:4-6

Jarrod Jacobs

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

When writing to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul reminded the Christians to “keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). In this letter, he did not merely tell them to be united, but by inspiration (1 Corinthians 14:37), he showed them (and us) the true “platform for unity” in the Lord’s church. If we are to be united, we need to respect the seven “one’s” (body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and God) that needs to be among God’s people. These simple words are packed with meaning and truth that deserve more attention than we can devote in this short article. Just understand that when we remember the basis, or foundation of religious unity, we will be able to withstand anything that Satan will throw at us! Satan tries to “divide and conquer” in order to get us away from Christ and devour us (1 Peter 5:8). Yet, in Christ, we have unity (Galatians 3:28) and victory (1 Corinthians 15:57)! Let us be active and fulfill Ephesians 4:3 by living Ephesians 4:4-6!

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GIFTS YOU CAN GIVE THE

YEAR LONG

Author Unknown

The Gift of Praise — Appropriate mention — right in front of the fellow — of superior qualities or of jobs or deeds well done.

The Gift of Consideration — Putting yourself in the other fellow’s shoes, and thus providing your genuine understanding of his side of the case.

The Gift of Concession — Humbly saying at just the right point, Sorry, you’re right and I’m wrong.”

The Gift of Gratitude — Never forgetting to say “Thank you”—and never failing to mean it.

The Gift of Attention — When the other fellow speaks, listen attentively. If his words are directed to you personally, meet his eye squarely.

The Gift of Inspiration — Plant seeds of courage and action in the other fellow’s heart. Help him to strive for greater accomplishment and lasting satisfaction.

The Gift of Your Personal Presence — In sickness, in trouble or in a day of great joy, there is nothing quite equal to your personal expression of sympathy or congratulation.

These are the gifts that all can bestow through the year and be richer for the giving.

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