The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
February 27, 2005
In
This Issue:
Taking
Heed Lest We Fall
by
Bobby Graham
Learning
to Like Being Slapped in the Face
by
Steve Klein
Taking Heed Lest We Fall
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10: 12). In these few words the apostle says that the child of God can fall from God's grace; and that there is the need to be careful to avoid falling; and that the person who especially needs to take heed is the one thinking that he is secure. In all areas of endeavor - physical labor, mental effort, athletic competition, prevention and control of disease, there is the need for those who think themselves to be strong and immune from opposition to exercise vigilance. So it is in the realm of the spirit.
The question from the practical side poses itself: How can I take heed? Here the Word of the Lord supplies the answer that is designed by the Lord to serve not just as an answer to the question, but also as the solution to the problem of falling.
1. Buffeting of the Body: While the word here rendered buffet in 1 Corinthi-ans 9:27 means to bruise, the Lord is not urging us to actually abuse our bodies. His emph8sis is upon what the latter part of the verse refers to as "bringing it into subjection, lest we become castaways. " It is extremely necessary for God's people to learn self-denial, even as our Lord said in Matthew 16:24: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." One must learn to consider the body from the standpoint of its being useful for God's purpose rather than from the standpoint of physical gratification and satisfaction that is opposed the standard of righteousness.
2. Using the Whole Armor of God: Ephesians 6:14-18 discusses the armor needed for successful combat in the spiritual realm: "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication. . ." A use of only a part of the complete armor constitutes a weakened effort in the battle against sin and a lack of appreciation for the Divine provi-sion. Using the complete armor and a standing in the strength provided are to be done in conjunction with prayer and supplication. Is it any wonder that God's people so often fail? They fail to take heed in this matter, which is so urgent in our effort to remain faithful.
3. Resisting the Devil: Active opposition is the idea of resisting, not passive drowsiness. God's children can best prepare themselves for the attacks of Satan and ultimately dis-courage their continuation by open resistance to the Devil. The promise of inspiration is that the Devil flees from such resistance. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). The case of Jesus proves what the promise of James means. After Jesus steadfastly resisted the Devil, "then the Devil lea-veth him, and angels came and minis-tered to him" (Matthew 4:11).
In taking these measures, we take heed to ourselves, to God and His pro-visions, and to the attacks of the Devil. In doing so, we take heed lest we fall.
-- Bobby Graham
Via Gospel Guide, Volume 33, No. 3
Few of us would regard a slap in the face as a kindness. But there are occasions when it is. I can recall scenes from movies and TV programs in which a character became so emotionally distraught and hysterical that someone would slap them in the face and tell them to "snap out of it." The classic response was often, "Thanks, I needed that!"
Rebuke is a verbal slap in the face that is often needed and ought to be appreciated. Psalm 141:5 says, "Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it." This attitude toward being rebuked is rare indeed. Most of us, when we're told that we're wrong, commonly react by becoming defensive, making excuses or pointing out the faults of the one rebuking us. The vast majority of us (self included) need to work hard on changing our attitude toward rebuke.
The next time someone corrects or rebukes you,
take a moment and remember the following:
1) Rebuke is often motivated by love. If
someone is taking the time to correct you, they probably care
sincerely about you. In Revelation 3:19 Jesus said,
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten." Rebuke manifests love.
Truly, "Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed"
(Proverbs 27:5).
2) People respect and admire those who can take correction, but those who can never admit that they are wrong are despised. The Scriptures state it this way: "Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored" (Proverbs 13:18).
3) Wisdom comes from recognizing and learning from our mistakes. Proverbs 15:31-32 states, "The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding."
4) Learning that you are wrong is better being told that you are right when you aren't. We can find a lot of people in this world who will assure us that we are "ok." But, "It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools" (Ecclesiastes 7:5).
Taking correction is a beautiful thing. Let's each resolve to work harder to see it that way. "Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear." (Proverbs 25:12).
-- Steve Klein