The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
January 4, 2009
In
This Issue:
No
Time Like the Present
by
Steve Klein
Thinking
About Heaven
by
Glen Young
No Time Like the Present
The old saying is that the past is a canceled check, and the future is a promissory note; only the present is cash on hand. The year of our Lord 2008 is in the record books. Nothing about it can be changed. The year 2009 lies before us like a clean canvas before a blind painter. Who knows how it will look when finished? The only moment of time we can do anything about is the moment we're in right now. There is no time like the present because it is the only time that we really own.
We must leave the past in the past. We can learn from our past, but we mustn't live in it. Perhaps our better days are behind us, but even so, we cannot go back. Solomon instructs, "Do not say, 'Why were the former days better than these?' For you do not inquire wisely concerning this." (Ecclesiastes 7:10). Or perhaps our former days are filled with regrets. Paul's were (1 Timothy 1:13-15). We cannot change them. We can get forgiveness if needed, and we can choose to do better today, but we cannot go back.
We must prepare for the future, but live in the present. The future is uncertain. We do not have full control of it. "You do not know what will happen tomorrow" (James 4:14). Tomorrow is only ours if the Lord wills (James 4:13; Luke 12:16-20).
The apostle Paul's approach toward both past and future is ideal. He said, "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, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14). Paul forgot the past, reached toward the future, but lived in the present. Notice the use of the present tense in the preceding verse: "I do not count . . . one thing I do . . . forgetting . . . reaching . . . I press."
What are you doing with the present? Are you making the most of this day and doing your best to serve the Lord in this moment of time? Live in the moment. The Bible says, "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord" (Colossians 3:23a). And, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10). And a poet wrote . . .
Today is mine to do with what I will
Today is mine my own special cup to fill
To die a little that I might learn to live
To take from life that I might learn to give
Today is mine
Like most men I cursed the present to avoid the
peace of mind
And raise my thoughts beyond tomorrow
and vision there more peace of mind
But as I view this day around me I can see the fool
I've been
For today's the only garden we can tend
Today is mine
--Steve Klein
I must confess that I have been depressed over the events of immorality and disregard for rule of law which has characterized our present governmental officials. This has caused me to become somewhat militant about affecting a change in the direction of society's proprieties. I reasoned that if Christians do not become aware of the direction of society and act accordingly, then we are doomed to lose our religious liberties. And should we lose our freedom of religious expression, undoubtedly the ensuing persecution would take away our present life style.
I deceived myself into thinking that my righteous indignation existed because of the lack of character in elected officials. I soothed my conscience by noting that I was not a thief, liar or an abuser of power and that I was only standing against wickedness in high places. The truth of the matter is that, like many other Christians, I have become too attached to this world. The fear of losing one's wealth and personal liberties seems to be more of a motivation than going to heaven.
The Hebrew writer describes the life of the patriarch Abraham in this fashion. "By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a (land) not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:9-10).
As was Abraham, the faithful today are sojourners in this wicked world. This place is not our home, we are just passing through. There is real danger for the Christian when he forgets this truth. Christians are to, "seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). The Lord's promise is for the necessities of life if we seek His kingdom and righteousness. He has not promised to lavish upon us all the frivolous gadgets of today.
Looking again into the book of Hebrews, we find that the practicing of faith brings about persecution. "And others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth" (Hebrews 11:35-38).
Could the above graphic description of religious persecution be a prophesy of coming events here in these United States? Sadly, I think it could. If this kind of persecution should come, what can Christians do? Center your thoughts on Heaven and do it now. It will be too late when the time of persecution comes.
It is imperative for the Christian to tell Satan and his materialism, "to get thee behind me!" The failure to do so will cause one to seek to save his earthly life style rather than to seek Heaven. "For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self?" (Luke 9:24-25).
So, what concerns you? Losing your religious liberties and suffering persecution, or losing Heaven?
Glen Young
~In Gospel Power, Anderson, Alabama, 1/3/99.