The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
September 30, 2001
In
This Issue:
"Our
Duty to Ourselves"
By
Richie Thetford
"The
Church's Purpose"
By
Bill Hall
In Galatians 6:4-5, the apostle Paul writes: "But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another; for each one shall bear his own load." The greatest thing we can do for ourselves is to make sure that we are doing everything that we need to do to be pleasing to God. In order to do that, we must examine our own work, making sure that it is being done in accordance with God's directions.
Through the pages of the New Testament, individuals are instructed on how to live their lives according to righteousness. One thing that gets many people in hot water is thinking "too highly of themselves." Yet in Romans 12:3, we can read where it says: "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." God's Word says it, now we have to listen and obey. That is our Christian duty in this life.
The Christian who reads the Bible and then practices those things that are contained therein will gain respect from the brethren because they can see in that Christian that they are truly living their life in accordance with the Bible. But isn't that every Christian's responsibility? Sure it is. We are told in Jude 21 to keep ourselves in "God's love," and to remain "unspotted" (James 1:27). In I John 5:18, we are told to "keep ourselves from the evil one." Other duties include "denying ourselves" (Matt. 16:24), "controlling ourselves" (II Pet. 1:6), "humbling ourselves" (Matt. 18:4; 23:12), and to "guard ourselves" (I John 5:21). If we would read and understand what the Bible tells us to do in Galatians 6:4-5, then we will be able to "glorify God." Are we doing our duty for God?
By Richie Thetford
via The Exhorter
Oakland church of Christ
October 3, 1999
What is the purpose of the Lord's church? Is it to eradicate poverty, disease, social injustice, illiteracy from among men? Is it to bring about a cessation of war and conflict? Is it to campaign for a temptation-free society for Christians to live in?
If the church had as one of its great goals the eradication of disease, the Lord could have easily equipped it to accomplish that goal. Could not the same power that enabled one blind man to see have enabled all blind man to see; that enabled one lame man to walk have enabled all lame people to walk; that cured many people of varied diseases have cured all people of all diseases? And could not this same power have been given to the church in all generations?
If the church has as one of its great goals the eradication of poverty, the Lord could have easily equipped it to accomplish this purpose. After all, He fed the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes. He similarly fed four thousand on another occasion. Could not He who did these marvelous works have enabled His church in all generations to feed, clothe, and shelter the impoverished masses of the world through miraculous powers?
If the Lord had wanted His church to become a lobbyist group to apply political pressure toward a temptation and persecution free society in which to live, He would have given instructions in that direction. He did not even lead His church into a direct effort to destroy slavery, but taught the Christian slave to be a better slave and the Christian master to treat his slaves as he would have his heavenly Master treat him (Col. 3:22-4:1).
The church's purpose is to save souls and prepare people for eternity. It holds out to the impoverished the hope of some day walking a street of gold; to the suffering a time when there will be no pain; to the sorrowing a moment when "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." It tells the tempted and persecuted that there is value in these afflictions, that the testing of their faith is "more precious than of gold," and to rejoice. It tells all to live godly lives in whatever environment they find themselves. It seeks to change people through the power of the gospel, not society through the coercion of legislators. Its weapons "are not carnal, but are mighty through God." Its motivating theme: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
When churches become involved in hospital and health clinic work, or when they build schools for the education of their children, or when they see as one of their great missions to provide for the world's poverty, or when they feel obligated to create social upheaval and campaign for human rights, or when they feel called upon to express their views on the government's use of nuclear armaments or whatever, they have a distorted view of the purpose of the church.
By Bill Hall
via The Admonisher
February 24, 1985