Truth Magazine

By Walton Weaver

Words are often used in the Bible in both a good and a bad sense. This is true of the word “provoke.” The word is often used in the Old Testament to show how Israel provoked God to anger by her idolatrous practices. In anticipation of the time when the Israelites would begin their trip to the promised land which God would give them, Moses said to Israel, “When thou shalt beget children and grandchildren and have grown old in the land, and act corruptly and make a carved image in the form of anything, and do evil in the sight of the Lord your God to provoke Him to anger, I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you will soon utterly perish from the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days in it, but will be utterly destroyed” (Deut. 4:25-26, NKJV; see also Deut. 31:20).

It happened just as Moses had promised. First during the wilderness wanderings (Num. 14:11, 23; 16:30; Deut. 9:22), and then numerous times after the people had settled in the land (Judg. 2:12; 1 Kings 14:15, 22; 15:30). The prophets often describe how God was provoked by the sins of his people (Isa. 1:4; Jer. 8:19; 11:17; 44:8; Ezek. 8:17; Hos. 12:14).

The New Testament also uses this word in a bad sense. But here we find it used especially with reference to our dealings with one another. Love, we are told, “is not easily provoked” (1 Cor. 13:5), or stirred to anger. Again, Paul says, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another” (Gal. 5:25). Fathers are instructed, “provoke not your   children to wrath” (Eph. 6:4). In Colossians it is simply, “provoke not your children” (Col. 3:21), although the KJV adds the words (in italics) “to anger,” evidently bringing the point over from the parallel passage in Ephesians. 

There are only two places in the New Testament where the word “provoke” is used in a good sense when Paul is describing the behavior of Christians: 2 Corinthians 9:2 and Hebrews 10:24. In the first of these passages Paul is commending the brethren in Achaia whose “zeal hath provoked very many” by being “ready a year ago” to participate in the work of helping the needy among the saints in Jerusalem. In the latter passage the writer urges his Jewish readers to “consider one another to provoke unto love and good works.”

“To provoke” is to excite, arouse, or call into action. Christians sometimes need to be incited, stimulated, or aroused to a good thing. Too often we are more inclined to irritate one another rather than to incite or stimulate each other to that which is good.

Consider One Another

Perhaps one of our greatest weaknesses, and, no doubt, one reason that we fail to provoke one another as we should, is that we do not give the consideration to each other that we ought. Paul prefaces this statement with the words, “consider one another.” If we were first in the habit of giving the attention to one another that this verse enjoins, it would come natural for us “to provoke one another” to the end that Paul charges in this verse. It is the mutual care on the part of the members of the body that is central in Paul’s statement. It is that care and concern for the welfare of the body that will lead the members “to provoke one another unto love and good works.” One serves as the purpose of the other, so that we are not surprised that Wuest translates as follows: “And let us constantly be giving careful attention to one another for the purpose of stimulating one another to love and good works” (Hebrews in the Greek Testament 182). 

Christians often forget that they are “members one of another” (Rom. 12:5). In the passages where Paul discusses the church under the analogy of a human body (Rom. 12 and 1 Cor. 12) Paul is teaching that no individual Christian can function effectively by himself. Man was not meant to be alone. People need people, and we need each other as Christians. Did you hear about the man riding in a cab in Times Square in New York being handed this note: “I’d rather you talk to me than tip me, I’m lonely. Your driver.”  How many lonely people do you suppose we have attending our services, and yet no one speaks to them?

Unto Love And Good Works

Paul gives us a specific message that caring Christians need to be sharing with each other. We need to stir each other up, arouse each other — but he wants us to excite and stimulate each other “unto love and good works.” I can’t think of two things that brethren need to be stirred up about more that these, can you? Christians in every local church I know need to be loving more, working more, and provoking more. There is probably more said on the subjects of love and good works than on any other subjects when it comes to instruction given in our New Testaments to Christians.

1. Unto Love. First, Christians need to be stirred up to love God more. But how much is “more”? Jesus answers, “with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37). We should also ask, “more” than what? Again, Jesus answers, “more than these” (probably the fishing boat, gear, etc. used to make their living) in his question to Peter (John 21:15), and more than one’s father or mother (Matt. 10:37). Also more than food and raiment, or whatever has to do with this life (Matt. 6:33).

Second, Christians need to be stirred up to love each other more. The law had required that one love his neighbor as himself (Lev. 19:18), and Jesus gives this as the second greatest commandment of the law (Matt. 22:39). But how much “more” should Christians love each other? Peter answers, keep growing in love until you “love one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Pet. 1:23). Do people grow in love? They most certainly do. Paul prayed for his Philippian brethren “that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Phil. 1:9-11). Christians can stir each other up to just his kind of love for God and each other.

2. Unto Good Works. It is sad but true that most Christians do not realize the real purpose of their salvation. Our salvation is not an end in itself. God has not saved us just so we can be saved.  No, he has a marvelous purpose in mind in saving us from our sins. Here is the way Paul describes it: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). God wants his people to be working, and he wants others to see their good works (not just their good moral life) and glorify him in heaven (Matt. 5:16).

But then he also wants us to be stirring each other up “unto good works,” or to the end that we might be doing the good works he has planned for us. Do brethren need to be aroused to do work in the kingdom? Surely, when one notices that about all that is done in a given community is done by ten percent of those who make up the local church at that place, all must concede that there is a great need for Christians to be stirring each other up unto good works. Who is to do the work of teaching the lost, visiting the sick, cheering up the depressed, comforting troubled hearts, taking care of the needy, encouraging others to faithfulness, and of stirring up each other unto love and good works? The preacher? Yes. The elders? Yes. All the members of the Lord’s church? Yes. If these works are not the works of all the members of the Lord’s church, then why the admonition that we each be arousing one another “unto love and good works”?

In The Assemblies

It is amazing to me that brethren have not seen that this work of provoking one another unto love and good works is one of the purposes of our assembling ourselves together. This is made clear by the admonition that follows the one to provoke one another unto love and good works: “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:25).

Our assemblies are well suited (because they are designed by God himself for that purpose) as a means  of encouragement for those who attend and participate in the activities provided (Bible study and worship as God has planned). In addition to admonishing each other in the songs we sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), we are also often admonished and encouraged in the Bible class studies and in the sermons preached (1 Cor. 14:17; 2 Tim. 2:15; 4:2; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). But as Hebrews 10:24-25 shows, these assemblies provide an excellent place and opportunity for every Christian to “provoke one another unto love and good works,” and no Christian should ever stop attending the assemblies because every Christian needs the kind of “provoking” commanded in Hebrews 10:24, as well as the “exhorting” mentioned in Hebrews 10:25. But, in addition to this, every Christian is commanded to be in these assemblies and to be provoking and exhorting other Christians.

When Christians begin to take seriously what each and every Christian is to be accomplishing in our assemblies the debate over “which assembly” we must attend will end. It is sad when the whole of one’s religion has come to center upon that issue — a question I am sure was not even in the mind of the writer. The word “assembling” does not refer to any particular assembly. Rather, it describes what ought to be the habit of every Christian, i.e., attending the assemblies of the church to provoke one another unto love and good works, and, more generally, to exhort one another in whatever way is needed at a given time. 

1820 Hairston Ave., Conway, Arkansas 72032 wpweaver@arkansas.net

By Steve Wallace

The problem with immodesty in our culture is shocking. Many men and women have long since become comfortable appearing in public in various states of undress. Many preachers will not preach on modesty or, if they do, they say little in terms of what should or should not be worn by God’s people. Some will even take issue with those who try to speak plainly on such things. The following news story entitled, “Motion Against Miniskirts In Swazi Schools,” came via the Panafrican News Agency. If there are preachers in Swaziland, their work of getting young people to dress properly was made easier recently by a new law.

“MBABANE, Swaziland (PANA) — Swazi legislators have instructed the education minister to issue a directive that school girls wear uniforms that are knee-long or below, starting 2001.

“Senator Majahenkhaba Dlamini moved a motion Wednesday that the minister issues the directive to school heads so that school girls above 10 years be compelled to wear knee-long uniforms.

“The motion reads: ‘To move that the minister for education issue directive by next year on a plan of appropriate action to the principals of every primary, junior or high school in Swaziland. The aim is to ensure that every school girl aged 10 and above wears a knee-long uniform at school (before and after) unless she is wearing a long tracksuit trouser as approved by the school.’

“The majority of senators supported the motion suggesting that it would restore decency in society.

“Dlamini later suggested that schools be headed by female teachers who, he said, have a good track record when it comes to effecting proper dress code on students, and girls in particular.

“He lamented that mini-skirt uniforms are mainly found in schools headed by male teachers.

“Dlamini said if female teachers were allowed to be in charge of schools, girls would adhere to the knee-long uniform concept.

“‘We are living in tough times clustered by the HIV/AIDS disease and we must not sit back and relax. We need to address the problem of dress code among students because all starts from there. Students are no longer wearing acceptable uniforms and this motion comes as a result of that,’ he stressed.

“But Senator Thab’sile Mavimbela took a swipe at her male colleagues labeling them sex maniacs.

“She said the motion betrayed the deep-seated lewdness among males and further demonstrated their weakness to control their feelings.

“‘This clearly shows that the men are very weak when it comes to sex, thus they want to use their privilege of passing laws to protect themselves or rather hide their weaknesses,’ she observed.

“Mavimbela, therefore, said she does not see the reason  for the passing of a law compelling students to put on knee-long uniforms.

“She added that instead of the ministry issuing a directive to schools, parents must take a leading role in solving the problem” (Copyright (c) 2000 Panafrican News Agency).

One knows not if or when such legislation may come down from Washington, so we take the opportunity of making a few observations on this one from Swaziland. 

1. A clear connection between dress and decency. The legislators believe this motion “would restore decency in society.” They obviously believe that dress is somehow connected with decency. The writer of Proverbs agreed with them (7:10). While driving recently I was listening to Dr. Laura. She noted that many women who go to malls today dress like “sluts” (her word). Dress is connected with decency!

2. They legislated a hemline! The motion is to “ensure that every school girl aged 10 and above wears a knee-long uniform at school.” What terms shall we use to describe these men? After all, they are not religious. So we dare not call them “legalists,” “Pharisees,” or “creed-writers.” (This is what some brethren will call preachers today if they suggest that the definition of nakedness, as defined in the Bible, includes showing one’s thighs [Gen. 3:1-10, 21; Exod. 28:42; Isa. 47:1-3.]) Therefore, in light of what we have already noted under our first point, I choose to describe their actions as being in harmony with terms like “modesty,” “sobriety,” and “shamefastness” (1 Tim. 2:9).

3. These legislators believe older women can teach younger women to dress decently. “If female teachers were allowed to be in charge of schools, girls would adhere to the knee-long uniform concept.” Paul wrote that older women are responsible to teach younger women (Tit. 2:3-5). One of the things they are to teach them is to be “chaste.” This word means, “pure, holy” (A&G, 11). By contrast, these young women in Swasiland have been dressing in such a way as to be “chased”!  A clear problem exists in the church today with regards to this point: Too many older women are dressing in a manner consistent with the word “chased” rather than the word “chaste.” Oh, that all of them might recognize where such conduct is leading!

4. They see the deeper problems connected with dress. “We are living in tough times clustered by the HIV/AIDS disease and we must not sit back and relax. We need to address the problem of dress code among students because all starts from there.” We all know HIV/AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease. These men see that dress is connected with lust which leads to fornication which leads to AIDS. Interestingly enough, Paul Harvey noted years ago that, when the miniskirt was first popularized, crimes against women greatly increased. One’s dress can lead to lust; lust can lead to fornication and fornication can lead to AIDS. But there is an even deeper, more enduring problem than AIDS. The Bible teaches that immodest dress, lust, and fornication are all sinful and can damn one’s soul (Prov. 7:10; 1 Tim. 2:9; Matt. 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 6:9-10). Is it not a travesty that these non-Christian legislators are moved by a temporal problem to do something about immodest dress when many preachers, who know the deeper, spiritual problems connected with it do little or nothing?

5. What mini-clothes say about those who wear them. “He lamented that mini-skirt uniforms are mainly found in schools headed by male teachers.” (We must remember that this is necessarily connected with sex in its context.) There are several reasons some women would wear such clothing in such a setting: (1) They know what men like and they are desirous of seducing them. Therefore, they wear the “proper attire” for the job. (2) They are naive as to the connection we noted under points 1 and 4 above, but like the attention men give them when they wear such clothing; (3) They follow fashion or what is popular. Sisters in Christ, if someone does not know you and sees you dressed in such a way, how will they know in which of the above categories you belong? Brothers in Christ, if you do not dress modestly, do you recognize the influence of your dress on the many bawdy women of our age?

6. The voice of the dissenter. Miss/Mrs Mavimbela’s words are worth looking at. She said those responsible for the legislation were “sex maniacs,” had “deep-seated lewdness,” and “are very weak when it comes to sex.” One wonders what she would think of Jesus, Paul, and Solomon? (Matt. 5:27-29; Rom. 1:26-27; Prov. 7) However, she hit the nail on the head when she said, “. . . Parents must take a leading role in solving the problem.” Yes, preachers should preach on it and it would be just great for schools to make rules about it, but children need to be taught by their parents to dress in a decent, modest manner.

Conclusion

Will it take a massive increase in instances of AIDS infection to wake brethren up concerning the shamelessness manifested in the way many Christians dress? Will we wait to be led by the world to do that which the Bible so clearly teaches? Not if we walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7). 

styvas@mindspring.com

By Richard Thetford

Have you ever wondered why many Christians don’t seem to be fully committed to following Christ and his teachings? One will be baptized into Christ, putting on Christ (Gal. 3:27), but then will soon drift back into his old ways of sin, continuing to practice those things that are to be put away. I don’t know about you, but this has always bothered me. Why is it that Christians aren’t serving Christ fully in their lives? The answer to that question has always been right here in our Bible. Let’s look at this problem and then get to “the root of Christianity.”

The very nature and unity of the Lord’s church are based upon the people who make up his church, and those people are Christians. Christians are the church. The word church means the “the called out.” It was used even before Christ by the Greeks to mean any called out assembly. But when one becomes a Christian, they leave the world, but bring many different ideas, prejudices, and other issues of life into the church. These new Christians are referred to as “babes in Christ” and need to be taught about Christ and his church. Therefore, it is very important that we understand the importance of the church that Christ built and the Christians that are in it.

“. . . I Will Build My Church”

We need to first understand that Jesus did not build many churches. He stated in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church.” The church is not a building, nor is it a denomination of people. The church is Christ’s body made up of Christians who have put on Christ by baptism (Gal. 3:27). Christ is the head of his church. In Ephesians 1:22-23 we read, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Would Christ be head over something that is non-essential? If so, wouldn’t that make Christ non-essential? We should all realize that our Lord is most precious. We need him in order to gain eternal salvation. We must recognize Jesus as so essential to our life that we could not function without him. We further learn that those in the church are referred to as saints (1 Cor. 14:33; 1:2). A saint is one who is sanctified, meaning “set apart, made holy.” God’s people, saints, are called out of sin and are set apart for God and his use.

The Sanctified In Christ

When we are baptized into Christ, we put Christ on. We make a decision to do this voluntarily. In Ephesians 5:22-32 we read the parallel between the husband/wife relationship and the Christ/church relationship. Everyone who has become a Christian has decided to marry Christ, to be his bride. Just like in the physical marriage relationship, a man and woman decide, voluntarily, to marry each other. They have made a vow before God and each other to take care of one another and to be there for each other until death. We make the same vow before God when we confess Jesus Christ as the Son of God and then choose to be buried with him in baptism. We are now married to Christ, sanctified for his use. Therefore, it is very important that each individual “count the cost” before deciding to set himself apart for Christ’s service.

In Luke 14:26-33, we can read what we must be willing to do in order to be disciples of Christ. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.”And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it” — “lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” Sadly, many in the Lord’s church have not counted the cost before becoming a Christian. Many in the church of our Lord are not trying to be sanctified for his service. As a result, the body of Christ, his church, is not as it should be. How should it be? In Ephesians 5:27 it says “that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” Christians, who make up Christ’s body, are doing things within his body that Christ does not accept. When Christians do not repent of these things and fail to develop a mind set to be set apart for his use, then they will be lost.

Addressing the “Symptoms”

There is a saying that I heard one time that I believe may apply to many Christians today. The saying is: “you might as well eat the devil, as to drink his broth.” Jesus taught that we cannot serve two masters (Matt. 6:24). There is no middle ground. If we are not serving God, then we are serving the devil. I really think that many are just trying to live up to the devil’s low expectations. If the devil can get a Christian to get to a certain point in their life where they feel “comfortable” in what they are doing, then the Christian will not strive to do any better. Many have “matured in their weaknesses” as far as service to Christ is concerned. Some Christians have done some things for so long (things not right), that they feel they are all right now. All of these things that Christians do that are not in harmony with Christ’s word, I like to refer as “symptoms.” These are symptoms of the real problem which is “the root of Christianity.” I will soon get to the root of the problem, but first, let’s look at some of the “symptoms” Christians involve themselves in.

Attendance

Many must think that 40 hours at work or five days a week in school is reasonable, but four hours per week at services is not. Some Christians seem to spend more time figuring ways to be gone from the assembly rather than attending the assembly. It is sad to see congregation after congregation in this country with as much as 50% less people on Sunday and Wednesday night than on Sunday morning. When local churches host their gospel meeting, it is a discouragement for the faithful brethren to see more visit from area churches than show up from their own congregation. How do we show the visitor who may come to both services on one Sunday that we are Christ centered when half the brethren don’t bother to come back? The Bible says: “not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together” (Heb. 10:25), “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33), “test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21), “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works” (Matt. 5:16), “to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (Jas. 4:17). A failure to attend is sin and sin is lawlessness. Those which practice lawlessness will not inherit the kingdom of God (Heb. 10:26; 1 John 3:4; Matt. 7:21).

Immodest Dress

Society’s standard of dress has infiltrated the Lord’s church. The devil gets you to reason that “everybody else is doing it” and “I can be a Christian and still dress like my friends.” Brethren, the devil will help open many doors to immodest dress for the Christian. Immodest dress is immodest no matter what the setting or event, including sports attire (or the lack of it). Our dress is a direct reflection of our heart. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks within himself, so he is.” Our dress gives identity to the wearer of “how do I wish to be known.” Let God determine what is modest or immodest, not man. The Bible says: “. . . women adorn themselves in modest apparel. . .” “professing godliness, with good works” (1 Tim. 2:9-10). “Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age” (Tit. 2:12). A Christian should resolve to reflect godliness and not worldliness in his dress. In that way, a Christian can let his “light so shine before men” (Matt. 5:16). A failure to dress modestly is sin and sin is lawlessness. Those who practice lawlessness will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 John 3:4; Matt. 7:21).

Dancing

If the devil can convince the Christian that dancing is all right with God, then he can open the door for many problems in our life. He will try to get us to think that there is nothing wrong with dancing since the Bible does not say, “thou shalt not dance,” and since all of our friends are doing it. I have answered many questions by Christians asking “Is it wrong to dance?” If a Christian has to ask this question, then there must be some doubt in his mind. If our mind questions it, then it is wrong (Rom. 14:23). Dancing is lasciviousness which is lewd, lustful and produces lewd emotions. Lewd means given to lust, unlawful sexual desire. Of 1,500 men a question was asked, “How many can dance and not have any evil thoughts?” Not one hand was raised. I wonder, what man or woman among us would want their husband or wife to be embraced by another on the street or any other place as occurs on the dance floor? Dancing is worldly (fleshly) and is condemned in Galatians 5:19-21. Dancing destroys purity of thought, morals, influence, respect, homes, spirituality, and souls. Even the worldly people know exactly what dancing is for. There was a country song by George Strait that was a big hit for him a few years ago and the chorus of that song went like this:

“I want to twirl you all around the floor,
That’s what they invented dancing for,
I just wanna dance with you,
I wanna dance with you,
Hold you in my arms once more,
That’s what they intended dancing for,
I just wanna dance with you.”

Brethren, the worldly people know exactly what dancing is for. Its past time that Christians come to their senses and also realize the same thing. The Bible says: “Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). Can we honestly say that dancing does not cause others to lust? “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22). “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Cor. 15:33). “Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1). “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Rom. 13:14). Dancing is sin and sin is lawlessness. Those who practice lawlessness will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 John 3:4; Matt. 7:21).

Smoking (Tobacco Products) and Social Drinking

A Christian who smokes, uses any tobacco products, or drinks alcohol, even socially, is living up to the devil’s low expectations and not the standard of God. If the devil can get us to lean on tobacco products and alcohol instead of on God, then he has devoured us. There are some that reason, “It’s not against the law so I can do it.” Just because the law of the land allows something does not necessarily make it right with God. Is adultery, abortion, homosexuality, fornication, remarriage for any reason, etc. right with God? We know it is not. What if marijuana, heroin, LSD, or other dangerous drugs were legalized? Would we use it since it “is now legal”? The biblical principles of God have never changed, but man has changed time and time again on reasoning, laws, and standards. Here are some interesting statistics regarding the use of tobacco products. I’m not sure where I got these statistics but I know I have had them for about five years or so. Tobacco products account for 30% of all cancer deaths. Eighty-three percent of lung cancer is a direct result of smoking. There are more than two million deaths annually world wide due to tobacco products. Smoking is on the rise again, after slightly falling off. It has been proven that pregnant women who inhale second hand smoke have greater risks for fetal distress and mortality. Babies who inhale second hand smoke have breathing problems, asthma, and side effects. Three to four packs can produce an addiction. Two-thirds of all smokers started before age 18. More girls between 13-17 smoke than boys of the same age.

Here are some statistics regarding alcohol use. It is the most widespread form of drug abuse in the country today. There are more than four million alcoholics and six million problem drinkers. It is estimated that there are more than 40,000 traffic deaths annually due to alcohol use. About one-half of the people arrested have been drinking. There are about 25,000 murders and suicides per year that are associated with alcohol. Those that use alcohol have a 10-14 year shorter life span. Drunkenness is condemned in the Bible. One cannot get drunk if one never takes the first drink! The Bible says that we are not to be brought under the addiction or enslavement of anything (1 Cor. 6:12; 9:27). Tobacco and alcohol products have proven to be harmful to our health. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). It is offensive to others, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 7:12). Think about it brethren, do we feel like a part of that royal priesthood while taking another puff or drink? Peter wrote: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). Smoking and the drinking of alcohol are sin and sin is lawlessness. Those which practice lawlessness will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 John 3:4; Matt. 7:21).

Movies and Television

The one thing that most Christians engage in is the watching of movies and television. This is not bad in and of itself, however, when we preoccupy our minds with hours of television and movie watching, it takes us away from God’s word. Christians who make it a practice to watch things with bad material are not filling their minds with purity (Matt. 5:8). Television has changed drastically since the 1960s. Before 1960 there was a “code of ethics” that had to be used by the producers of the television programs. Here are some of the things that the producers had to abide by: brutal killings could not be shown in detail, crime was not to be glamorized, obscenity (words, gestures, songs, jokes, suggestions) was forbidden, blasphemy forbidden, reference to deity was not to be irreverent, nudity was not permitted, and the sanctity of marriage and the home was to be upheld. What has happened? Has God changed? No! Man has changed. Man has changed the rules of what is now “acceptable.” Unfortunately many Christians are getting caught up in the devil’s low expectations and are guilty of sin.

The movies, television, and books we read reflect the kind of person we really are. The following statistics were provided by “TV-free America”: It is estimated that Americans watch an average of 52 days of television per year. By the age of 65, the average adult will have spent  nine years of his  life watching television. While eating dinner, 66% of Americans watch television. Every week the    average child between 2-11 years old watches 1,200 minutes of television and spends 39 minutes talking with his parents. Fifty-two percent of children between 5-17 have a television in their bedroom. Every year, the average teen spends 900 hours in school and 1,500 hours watching television. These statistics are alarming. Is it any wonder that the Lord’s church is suffering today in gaining good quality men to serve as elders, deacons, and preachers? Have we wondered why those in the church of Christ don’t seem to know their Bible like they used to? Could it be TV? Brethren, let’s be careful what we are watching. Remember that we carry a very big influence for our young people. Most all of the movies today are filled with bad language, sex scenes, and violence. Sadly, many Christians are watching the same movies that anyone off the street would watch, not even caring what kind of trash fills their mind. The Bible says: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he . . .” (Prov. 23:7). “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Eph. 4:29). “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work” (Tit. 1:15-16). “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:8). Christians who make it a practice to watch movies and television with things that fill their minds with impurity commit sin and sin is lawlessness. Those which practice lawlessness will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 John 3:4; Matt. 7:21).

The Root of the Problem

All of these “symptoms” (attendance, immodest dress, dancing, smoking and drinking, movies and television) that I have discussed are derived from a bigger problem. The root of the problem is that Christians are not abiding with Mark 12:30 which says: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment.” When one truly loves the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, then there is no room for worldliness. Christians are only as strong as what we feed our roots. If I were to walk into my house and notice a plant on the table whose leaves were turning brown and yellow, I would know that something was not right with that plant. The leaves are simply the “symptoms” of the real problem. The leaves are a reflection of the health of that plant. I could cut off the brown and yellow leaves, but that would not correct the problem. It would look good for a moment, but within a few days, other leaves would be brown and yellow. Why? Because the trouble with that plant is that the roots need nourishment. The roots need water and other nutrients to get it healthy again. Once the root of the plant is taken care of, then I also have taken care of the leaves. The same is true in matters of religion. For the Christian to get well, the roots need to be nourished. We must be faithful in the feeding of our roots if we want to be the kind of Christians that God wants us to be.

To turn a Christian around to live a good, faithful life for our Lord, takes some root work. But two things have to happen. (1) The Christian must have a desire to get well, to want to live the Christian life. Once we gain a desire, then we are on our way to righteous living. Peter wrote: “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:1-2). Once the Christian has desire then the second thing must happen. (2) Study is needed to gain faith in God. Paul wrote: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). These are the nutrients necessary in order for any Christian to develop and mature into a solid worker in the Lord’s kingdom. When we feed our life a steady diet of “desire” and “study” then we will become firmly grounded in Christ.

Rooted In Christ

A plant’s root system will only develop when we feed the roots with the appropriate nutrients. A Christian’s root system will only develop when we feed the roots with the word of God. Once this happens then the Christian can be firmly rooted in Christ. Notice what the apostle Paul wrote:  “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love.” “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Eph. 3:17; Col. 2:6-7). Once a Christian sets his roots firmly in Christ, he should never look back (Luke 9:62). The fruit of the Christian life is a direct reflection of the root of the Christian. Can it be said of us that we are grounded and rooted in the love of Christ? Jesus said: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). If a Christian is having trouble keeping Jesus’ commandments, it’s because there is no true love. Although a Christian is sanctified in Christ through baptism, the actions tell whether or not the roots are being properly nourished. Brethren and friends, the root of Christianity is to “. . . love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).

8014 County Line Rd., Sellersburg, Indiana 47172 RThetford@juno.com

By John Isaac Edwards

In France, there is an alternative to an invasive surgical procedure to terminate a pregnancy: abortion by medication. Mifepristone, commonly known as RU-486, has been available in France for 11 years and has gained regulatory approval in thirteen other countries. More than 300,000 women in Europe, and possibly more than three million in China, are estimated to have used mifepristone or another prostaglandin to end pregnancies.

Final talks are underway between the Food and Drug Administration and the Danco Group, the company sponsoring mifepristone in the United States, to clear approval for the American market. Called Mifeprex, the drug could be available sometime this year. One Kaiser Family Foundation survey of over 750 physicians and nurses found that over half said they were likely to incorporate mifepristone into their practice.

Colorado first legalized abortion in 1967 and the Supreme Court ruled abortion legal in all 50 states in 1973. According to the U.S. Abortion Index, 27% of pregnancies end in abortion and 93% of abortions are performed for social reasons. Nearly 1.25 million abortions are performed each year in the United States alone. That’s about 3 abortions every minute!

Abortion is the unlawful taking of human life! Under the Mosaic Law, God said, “If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe” (Exod. 21:22-25). The Psalmist David declared, “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Ps. 139:13-16). Jeremiah 1:4-5 records, “Then the word of the Lord came unto me saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

Abortion is no less wrong when the means is medical rather than surgical!