The Elon Challenger
ELON CHURCH OF CHRIST
New Hope, Alabama
Seeking to challenge your interest in things spiritual & eternal (Eph. 6:10-18).
Volume XIII Number 10
June, 2016
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Table of Contents
How Do You View Sin?———-Mike Johnson
Changing the Mission of the Church———-Steve Klein
The Lonely Frog———-John Gaines
Not for Sale———-Unknown
God’s Perfect Law of Liberty———-Mike Johnson
Get the Man Together for a Better World———-Clarence Deloach
Looking into God’s Mirror ———-Mike Johnson
Don’t Worry So Much!———-Steven Goad
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How Do You View Sin?
Mike Johnson
In our society today, sin is often viewed as acceptable. In the past, however, shame was often associated with sin. Today, it is common for people to admit openly to engaging in sinful practices, making no attempt to hide them. For example, a couple living together, although now common, was once referred to as “living in sin.” In the past, a couple dated, got engaged, and then got married. Today, however, a couple will date, live together for awhile, and then maybe become engaged and get married. By many, such sins as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, immodest dress, lying, and stealing are considered acceptable.
The true picture of sin, however, is clearly revealed in God’s Word. In James 1:21, the writer points out we are to, “…lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness.” From this verse, it is clear sin is to be regarded as “filthiness.” We should look at sin as one would look at a filthy rag–it should be looked upon as disgusting and sickening. Further, according to the passage, all sin is to be put away.
Note also II Peter 2 which speaks of those who, according to the context, had become Christians but turned back to sin. Verse 22 describes them in this way: “But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit,’ and, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.'” This is not a pretty picture.
Another passage to consider is Isaiah 5:20 which says, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” A person can call evil good but that does not mean it is. A person may call darkness light and call bitter sweet, but simply calling it such does not change its true nature. Abraham Lincoln once said, “If you call a tail a leg, how many legs does a horse have? Four, calling a tail a leg does not make it a leg.”
Actually, incorrect labels can produce devastating effects. Obviously, a container with poison needs to be properly labeled. Poison with no label on the container is very dangerous. Poison which is mislabeled is even more dangerous. A container with poison, for example, labeled as “sugar” could produce tragic results. The same principle applies to sin. We can call it whatever we want to, but calling it something different does not change what it is.
Isaiah 59:1-2 makes it clear sin separates us from God. Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23 reveals, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
How do you view sin?
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The Lonely Frog
John Gaines
A lonely frog telephoned the Psychic Hotline and asked what his future holds. His Personal Psychic Adviser tells him, “You are going to meet a beautiful young girl who will want to know everything about you.” The frog is thrilled, “This is great!” ‘Will I meet her at a party?’” he croaks. “No,” says the psychic, “in biology class.”
There’s a simple moral to this story –– things are not always what they seem. Things that seem to be great and wonderful often have a way of turning out to be considerably less than what we expected. Sometimes the result is disappointment. Sometimes it is danger. In the frog’s case, it turned out to be dissection.
The allure of the world is often like that for immature Christians. Satan’s basic temptation techniques involve our lack of self-control over our wants –– the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life to use the terminology of I John 2:16.
Eve fell for the devil’s deception when she ate the forbidden fruit in Eden. It looked good. It would taste good. It would make her wise. So she thought! Unfortunately, what had appeared so attractive and desirable turned out to be the greatest mistake any human being ever made.
Things are not always what they seem! May we grow in our faith and maturity to have the discernment to see our life choices for what they really are (Hebrews 5:14).
From Bible Matters
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Not For Sale
“I was traveling in rural Oklahoma when I ran out of gas. I went to a nearby farmhouse to call a service station, but the farmer insisted on taking me to town, bringing me back, and even staying with me until the car was running again. I offered him $10.00, but he shook his head. When I insisted he replied, ‘Look, Mister, I feel very good about helping you. If I took your money you’d be buying that feeling back from me . . . and it’s not for sale.’”
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God’s Perfect Law of Liberty
Mike Johnson
James 1:25 says, “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” This verse reveals some important points about God’s perfect law of liberty. Those who obey this verse are put in contrast with the mere “hearers” of verse 22. Consider what is said in this passage about the perfect law of liberty.
- It must be LOOKED INTO. This is not speaking of a casual look or a glance at the Word of God. The word in the Greek means “to gaze carefully by the side of, to peer into or to peep into” (Roberson’s Word Pictures). It is the same word used in John 20:5 where John is described as looking into the empty tomb of Christ. The NASB translates it “looks intently.” It is important that we engage in a very serious study of God’s Word.
- It is PERFECT. The word translated “perfect” means complete or full. This makes it clear that God’s law, the Bible, is God’s complete revelation for us today. It is all we need, and there is no need to use man-made creeds as guides. A number of passages speak of the finality and completeness of God’s revelation (Jude 3, II Tim. 3:16-17, Gal. 1:6-10, Rev. 22:18-19).
- It is a LAW. Some say we are not under “law” today. It is true we are not under the Law of Moses, but a number of passages make it clear we are under a law. The Scriptures point out we are under the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2, I Cor. 9:21), the law of the Spirit and life (Rom. 8:2), and the law of love 13:10).
- It is a law of LIBERTY. The expression “law of liberty” may seem like a contradiction to some. But, true liberty can only exist where there is a law. Those who follow their own passions and desires are the “servants” of Satan (Rom. 6:16-17) as they yield to him. True freedom is in Christ. Jesus said, (Jn. 8:32) “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Through Christ, we can be free from sin (Rom. 6:18).
- It must be Our verse says we must “continue in” the perfect law of liberty. The NASB says, “abide by it.” The verse also says one must be a “doer of the work” (“doing it” – NIV). This section is speaking of obedience to God’s Word. Verse 22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” I Corinthians 15:58 says we must be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
- It will PRODUCE BLESSINGS. We are also told that the person who obeys these instructions “would be blessed in what he does.” How is this the case? First, obeying the perfect law of liberty produces happiness here upon this earth. Please note the following ways this can be seen. Faithful Christians will generally make good choices in life which will result in greater happiness (Eph. 6:2-3). 2. Also, Christians can have a clear conscience. 3. Christians have a relationship with God which allows them to communicate with Him through prayer, 4. There are assurances regarding God providing the physical necessities of life (Mt. 6:33). Second, in a separate category, faithful Christians will receive the ultimate reward which is a home in heaven (Mt. 25:46). Psalm 19:11 points out that we are warned by God’s Law and then says, ” . . . And in keeping them there is great reward.”
HOW DO YOU REGARD GOD’S PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY?
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Get the Man Together for a Better World
Clarence DeLoach
A small boy anxiously waited all day for his dad to get home. Finally his father arrived dragging his body into the house from an especially hard day’s work.
The little boy had all kinds of playful ideas he wanted to share with his father. Over and over the boy tugged at his dad’s leg for attention. Finally, with frustration, the father ripped from a magazine a picture of the world and tore it into several pieces. “Here,” he said, “go put the world back together.”
Ah, “peace at last,” he thought. But in just a few minutes the boy was back with a crudely scotch-taped picture of the world. “Son, that’s incredible, how did you get it back together so fast?” the father asked.
“It was easy,” said the boy, “there was a picture of a man on the back, and as soon as I got the man back together, the world came together.”
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Looking Into God’s Mirror
(James 1:22-25)
Mike Johnson
Mirrors are everywhere. Most bathrooms have a mirror. They also may be strategically placed in various places in a house. We see them in stores, they are in our automobiles, and a woman will often carry a mirror in her purse. It is not usually very difficult to find a mirror.
What is a mirror for? We look at mirrors to see if something about us is amiss– to see if anything needs to be changed. Our tie might be crooked, our hair might not be properly combed or brushed, we might have food around our mouths or toothpaste on our lips. A woman, for example, may look in a mirror to see if her make-up is properly applied.
James 1:21 points out we are to put away sin and wickedness and are to receive with meekness God’s Word. Verse 22 says we are to be “doers” of God’s Word and not “hearers only.” It is not enough to simply be a hearer of God’s Word; we must also obey it. The writer then gives an illustration about looking into a mirror in verses 23-24. He says, “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.”
Generally speaking, a person does not look into a mirror; see something wrong and then not make a correction. It is not uncommon, however, for a person to look into God’s mirror (the Bible); see sin his life and make no changes whatsoever. As with the analogy, this does not make much sense.
Many people hear the Word of God but are not willing to make changes. It is great that one is willing to hear the Word of God, but it is also essential to do what it says. On one occasion Jesus asked (Lk. 6:46), “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” In Luke 11:28, he said to a woman, “…blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
In verse 22, he said those who hear the word and do not obey it are “deceiving” themselves. In what sense is this true? They think that hearing the Word of God is good enough, and there is enough merit in only hearing the Word to make themselves acceptable in the eyes of God. If someone thinks this, he is deceiving himself.
How you looked into God’s mirror lately? If so, what did you see? Seeing imperfections is not enough. We must make the corrections!
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Don’t Worry So Much!
Steven Goad
We are living in an age of apprehension. Society has anxieties that would have dumbfounded the ancients. Nevertheless, we somehow manage to live beyond three score and ten. Has medical technology merely lengthen the days in which we may worry?
Jesus long ago said, “Take therefore no thought (be not therefore anxious, R.V.) for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself” (Matt. 6:34). In spite of this clear instruction, we become so engrossed with vocations, avocations, recreations, politics, and infinitum, that we often forget that God who clothes the fields and cares for the sparrows will surely care for His offspring. Paul later restated the sentiments of Christ in these words: “Be careful (anxious NKJV) for nothing…” (Phil. 4:6).
Are you so troubled with the petty cares of this life, as monumental as they often seem, that you forget with whom your true allegiance should be? Earl Riney wrote what I believe the attitude of a zealous disciple should be: “Blessed is the man who is too busy to worry in the daytime, and too sleepy at night.” Perhaps we would have little time to worry if we were as Jesus, about our Father’s business.
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Evangelist & Editor: Mike Johnson
Phone -256-776-2223
www.seekingthingsabove.org
www.elonchurchofchrist.com