Whose Praise Do You Desire?

“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (Jn 12:42,43).  These many rulers were almost certainly among the better educated and more highly respected citizens in the land. They were men of influence, and they loved their chief seats too much to risk offending the Pharisees, which was the strictest sect among the Jews (Acts 26:5).

The Pharisees coveted the praise of the chief rulers, also (Matt. 23:1-7). Each group was happy to have the praise of the other. It was a matter of you praise us and we will praise you. You scratch my back and I will scratch yours. Was not that prize a vain thing? They paid a great price to obtain it. The chief rulers would not confess their belief in God’s Son. They pleased men rather than God.

There was no way to confess faith in Christ without facing the ugly sarcasm and hate of the Pharisees. The ninth chapter of John tells the story of Christ’s healing a blind man. That grateful man took his stand in defense of the One who had healed him, and his wisdom was evident in the answers to those who reviled him. His parents were like the many chief rulers who believed. They showed no gratitude to the One who had given sight to their son who had never seen.

“His parents answered them, and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: but by what means he now sees, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. These works spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him” (Jn 9:20-23). They were not as ignorant as they professed they were. They refused to express confidence in and gratitude for the One who had done so much for their son. This seems to be an incredible thing. What will some people do to win the praise of men?

The threats of the Pharisees and other prominent Jews had its desired effect. Many bowed before them and did not stand for their convictions. How many other such men were there in Israel in those days who were very quiet about their beliefs? No one knows, but there must have been many like the parents of the blind man and the chief rulers to which reference was made. If they had boldly proclaimed their faith in Christ the eyes of many others might have been opened through their influence.

There was some basis in the mind of Christ for selecting Peter, James, John and others to be apostles. They were not highly educated or socially prominent men (Acts 4:13). They did have some preconceived ideas about the kingdom that hindered their understanding of the mission of Christ (Matt. 20:20-28). Our Lord selected men who could be rebuked without turning back (Jn 6:66). They could hear truths that shocked them without losing faith (Matt. 19:23-25).

Jesus could say to the apostles: “Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear” (Matt. 13:16). The god of this world had blinded the eyes of some (2 Cor. 4:4). They could not see because they would not look, and they could not hear because they would not listen. Preaching to people like this is somewhat like casting pearls before swine (Matt. 7:6; 13:15). Being willing to do the will of God has something to do with our ability to understand it. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (Jn 7:17).

Nearly two thousand years ago there were men who would not pay the price to boldly teach the truth. Are there such people anywhere today? When men go out to sow the word, do they find the wayside soil, the shallow soil, and the thorny ground, as well as the good soil? Can there be any doubt? There must be many that know better than their behavior would indicate. “Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin” (Jam 4:17).

“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mk 8:38). Paul was not ashamed of the gospel because he knew the power and love it involved (Rom. 1:16). Timothy was one of the truly great men of that first century, but he was warned not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord or of the persecuted saints (2 Tim. 1:8). If Paul needed the prayers of saints that he should speak boldly as he ought to speak, and if Timothy needed to be warned, surely we must need the same (Eph. 6:19,20).

“And, behold, there was a man Joseph, a counselor, and he was a good man, and a just . . . who also himself waited for the kingdom of God” (Lk 23:50,51). Joseph and Nicodemus gave our Lord’s body honorable burial. That must have taken courage on that day when the Christ had been mocked, scourged, and crucified by the mob, but what of Joseph’s record before. He had been a secret disciple for fear of the Jews (Jn 19:38). Joseph is mentioned as being rich and honorable and, on this special day, as being bold. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John mention Joseph’s good deed in the matter of the burial of the body of Christ. Think how much more beautiful it would have been if he had been a bold friend of the Christ while He lived rather than a secret disciple in those days.

Could we find men who are honorable counselors among the more liberal churches who realize that the praise of men is a dominant force among them? Would they like to stand with us if it did not entail being called an “anti” or some other such unpleasant name. Please, come on out of the darkness and stand in the light for the sake of your soul, your family’s welfare, and for the influence you could have on your neighbors. Love would cause you to obey (Jn 14:15,21,23).

It is still true that those who would live godly lives in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). Men are needed who will do the work of an evangelist and endure the affliction that follows the good work. If you teach the truth as it is in Christ you will be called a legalist, a bigot, a troublemaker, and the such like, and you will be regarded as being narrow-minded, but you will please God. Choose you this day in whom you will serve. (Josh 24:15)

By The Word Of His Power

Do we underestimate the power of God’s word? It is far more powerful than any of us could imagine. However powerful you imagine it to be, it is greater. The power of the human word usually depends on the one doing the talking. We are to submit to “the powers that be” in civil government, but a higher power has told us to do that (Rom.13:1 f; 1 Pet. 2:13-15). It is contained within the gospel, God’s power to save (Rom.1:16).

Consider the spoken word of God. It is so powerful that God spoke the world into existence. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God (Heb. 11:3). By the word of the Lord were the heavens made .. . For he spake, and it was done; he commanded and it stood firm (Ps. 33:6, 9). In Genesis 1 the phrase “God said” appears ten times. Whatever God said, it happened! Keep in mind that it was his son “through whom also he made the worlds” (Heb. 1:2). “For in him were all things created … ” (Col.1:16). “All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that has been made” (John 1:3). Stand in awe at this power!

Consider also the written word of God. How powerful was it? The written Old Testament was available in Jesus’ day. It was so powerful that by quoting the written word Jesus resisted the devil. The devil never attempted anything like that again. Then the devil left him (Matt. 4:11). Furthermore, it was powerful enough to prevent the rich man’s five brothers from going to the place of torment (Luke 16:19-31).

Let’s now look at the spoken word of Jesus. How powerful is it? It is powerful enough to sustain the universe and keep it operating. He is upholding all things by the word of his power (Heb. 1:3). Imagine the tremendous amount of power it takes to sustain this universe! And “in him all things consist” (Col. 1:17). Marvel at such power.

The spoken word of Jesus was so powerful that the centurion’s servant was healed the same hour without Jesus seeing or touching him (Matt. 8:8-13). Some of the fake healers of today will nearly squeeze one’s head off and the person is still no better than when he first began.

It was the spoken word of Christ that calmed the sea (Mk 4:35-39). None of today’s so-called miracle workers would even attempt to control the weather.

It was by the spoken word of Christ that the dead were raised: (1) son of the widow of Nain, “Young man, I say unto you, arise” (Luke 7:14). (2) Jairus’ daughter, “Maid, arise” (Luke 8:54). (3) Lazarus, “Lazarus, come forth!” (Jn 11:43). Truly, the word of the Lord is exceedingly powerful. This is because of who he is (Matt.28:18).

Finally, consider the written word of Jesus. How powerful is it? The gospel was put in written form that it might be more easily preserved. It also is more conducive to each person having his own copy of this valuable treasure. The written word of Jesus is just as powerful as his spoken word. The Scriptures make no distinction in the power of either. The written record of Jesus’ works was so powerful that John said one could have life by believing the written record of it. “Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in his name (by his authority or power)” (Jn 20:30, 31). The gospel is the written word (Eph.3:3, 4 f; Rom.1:16).

Just as the written word of Moses and the prophets could have prevented the rich man’s brothers from torment in flames, so can the written message of Christ prevent us from such a fate. Abraham said, “They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them” (Luke 16:29). Remember, it was the writings of Moses and the prophets to which Abraham referred. Jesus said if they would not believe the written word neither would they believe if one rose from the dead (v.31). There is no difference in the power of God’s spoken word and his written word!

They had Moses and the prophets. It had already been written and confirmed (Gal. 3:15). Men today have Christ and the apostles. What they said has already been written and confirmed (Heb.2:3, 4). We stand in the same relationship to Christ and the apostles as the five brothers did to Moses and the prophets. If men won’t believe the written word of Christ and the apostles, neither would they believe if one rose from the dead. Incidentally, one did, and his name is Jesus Christ.

How the Church Relates to Salvation

Where is the passage that says one must be a member of the church of Christ to be saved? The apostle Paul wrote: “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23). This statement by the inspired apostle is in every properly translated New Testament. Yet, it is generally overlooked and disregarded. Christ is head of the church and savior of the body. There is one body (Eph. 4:4), and that one body is the church (Eph. 1:22, 23). These passages make no mistake about the importance of the church to our salvation. Christ is the savior of the church. Therefore, we must be a part of the church to be saved.

The Church is God’s Family

Paul wrote, “These things write I unto you, hoping to come unto you shortly; but if I tarry long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:14, 15). The word “house,” as used here, means “family.” Paul is not expressing concern about conduct in a church building; but rather he is speaking of one’s conduct as a member of the family of God. The church is that family.

Christ is a Son over God’s House

He is called by the writer of Hebrews an Apostle, High Priest, and Son over God’s house (Heb. 3:1-6). The Father gave Him to be head over all things to the church (Eph. 1:23). He has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18).

Reconciliation to God is in the Church

The mystery of the salvation of the Gentiles and their reconciliation unto God was revealed by Paul. How God planned to save the Gentiles was a mystery until it was fully revealed by inspired men. In Eph. 2:11-22, Paul tells how both Gentile and Jew are presently reconciled unto God. “But now in Christ Jesus you that once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself on the two one new man, so making peace; and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby” (vs. 13-16). Notice that reconciliation to God of both Gentile and Jew is “in one body.” We have already shown that this body is the church.

The church is a Habitation of God

Paul speaks of the “household of God” and calls it a  “holy temple” and “a habitation of God” (Eph. 1:19-22). Again, we note that he is not talking about a material building, but those whom he calls “fellow-citizens, the saints.” These are the household of God. They are the church. This is where God dwells.

The Lord Adds Those who are being Saved to the Church

“And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved” (Acts 2:47, ASV). In the KJV we read, “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” When one repents, is baptized, and receives remission of his sins, he is immediately added by the Lord to the church. The Lord adds people who are being saved to His church, not to the churches of men. Hence, there are no present day, accountable, saved people outside the body (church) of Christ. No not one!

Ignorance Destroys

Long ago a prophet in Israel voiced the word of the Lord by saying, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you” (Hos 4:6).

The penalty for ignorance is often disastrous to man. Politically speaking, to be ignorant of the aims and methods of Communist countries (e.g. Russia or China) to take over our country leaves one helpless to act in defense of his country. Actually, without being aware of it, he may become a puppet of the revolutionary conspiracy.

Physically speaking, if we are not acquainted with the rules of good health, or if we are not aware of the symptoms of dreaded diseases, our ignorance can result in a short life span for us. However, spiritually speaking, the consequence of ignorance is even more tragic because it involves the destiny of the soul. So, as Paul instructed the Ephesians, “Do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). And he instructed fathers to bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

The training of youth is primarily the responsibility of fathers, because they are at the head of the family relationship. The children are to be put under such discipline and instruction that they shall become acquainted with the Lord. But there is a conflict between the command of the apostle Paul and modern education as taught in many of our public schools-and in some private schools. Modern education has put a premium on materialism. The use of the Bible is forbidden in many schools and the existence of God is often ridiculed. Morality is being thrown to the wind.

This is not a new situation. Other periods in the history of man have seen the same development and the consequences. The apostle Paul speaks of a generation who professed themselves to be wise, but became fools. The women of that day practiced lesbianism and the men practiced homosexuality (sound familiar?); they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the created rather than the Creator. As a result, God gave them up to the way of life they had chosen and thus they passed into eternity without God. Regardless of what scoffers may say, God is our only hope. Let us then seek to know what his will is and then make application of it. Ignorance can destroy a nation, it can destroy our health, it can destroy our children, but most of all it can destroy our most prized possession_our soul. Wake up before it is everlasting too late!

Achan’s Sin

Jericho was the first city to fall when the Israelites began the conquest of Canaan. Scouts were sent ahead to Ai, the next city to be captured. It was not a large city, so the reconnaissance resulted in the recommendation to Joshua that only two or three thousand men be used in the attack. A force of three thousand moved against the city, but the men of Ai drove them back and the casualties numbered about thirty-six.

The Israelites were startled at their lack of success in the initial move against Ai. Joshua and the elders put dust on their heads and complained to the Lord. Joshua reasoned, “O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turns their backs before their enemies!” God answered, “Get up . . . Israel has sinned . . . .”

Joshua rose early in the morning to begin the unpleasant task of housecleaning. There was sin the camp. The guilty party had to be located. The guilt of one man was a stumbling-block to the advance against Ai. Joshua 7 tells the story. It was finally determined that a man named Achan was the transgressor. Only after appropriate disciplinary measures had been taken against Achan were the Israelites able to conquer Ai. Achan was stoned to death.

Achan’s Desire

God put a ban on the city of Jericho before it was captured. No spoils were to be taken. Everything in the city was accursed or devoted to destruction except the silver, gold, and vessels of iron and brass. These valuables were to be put into the treasury of the Lord. All else was to be burned.

Achan’s first mistake was in seeing and desiring the forbidden. He later confessed, “I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonian garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them . . .” (v. 21).

Sin often begins with unlawful desire brought on by what we see. Eve “saw that the tree was good for good” (Gen. 3:6). King Ahaz of Judah “saw an altar that was at Damascus” (2 Kin. 16:10) and arranged for one like it to be built at Jerusalem. This was only one act of many that “provoked to anger the Lord God of his fathers” (2 Chron. 28:25). David “saw a woman washing herself, and the woman was very beautiful to look upon” (2 Sam. 11:2). That was the first step toward his committing adultery with Bathsheba. Simon “saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given,” and he attempted to buy the power of the apostles (Acts 8:18).

“Covetousness” is unlawful desire. Achan coveted the items of value that he saw even though he knew they belonged to the accursed city. Eve desired the unlawful fruit in the garden of Eden. Ahaz desired the idolatrous altar that he saw, knowing that God had forbidden idolatry. David lusted after the beautiful woman that he saw and made opportunity to gratify his lust, knowing all the while that the law said, “You shall not commit adultery.” Simon desired the power that he saw in the apostles, but for two reasons that desire was unlawful: (1) God’s gifts are not for sale; (2) Simon had neither part nor lot in the ministry of the apostles.

Achan’s Disobedience

Achan “took of the accursed thing” (Josh. 7:1); he acknowledged later, “I saw. . . l coveted . . . and I took” (v. 21). What he had taken he hid in the earth in the midst of his tent. This shows that he was conscious of his disobedience. Although a person may sin in ignorance, Achan sinned in a willful manner. He knew he was disobeying God.

All disobedience is serious. Saul was rejected as Israel’s king because he disobeyed God (1 Sam. 15). The man of God out (if Judah lost his life because he “was disobedient unto the word of the Lord” (1 Kgs. 13:26). The people of Israel were taken into captivity because they “were disobedient,” and rebelled against God, casting His law behind their backs, and they slew His prophets who testified against them (Neh. 9:26). The wrath of God comes upon “the children of disobedience” (Eph. 5:6).

Achan’s Detection

What Achan had hidden in the earth in the midst of his tent was not concealed from God. In time, Joshua learned the identity of the guilty party. To use the words that Moses had spoken on one occasion, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23).

All trespasses are not detected by one’s fellows in the course of life. Paul wrote, “Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before the judgment; and some men they follow after” (1 Tim. 5:24). No act of disobedience and no wicked thought will escape detection in the day of judgment. “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccl. 12:14). “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:13). Let us learn from Achan that no sin is kept secret from God.

One Way Leads to Life Eternal

Multitudes of sincere religious people believe that the many highways of religion shall eventually lead their travelers to heaven. Have you not heard it said many times that going to heaven is like entering into a large city? “There are many different routes,” they say, “but all lead to the same destination.”

That is what Satan would have us believe, but it is not what God has clearly declared in His word, the Bible. Please note the word SIN in SINcerity, and the word LIE in beLIEf. One can believe a lie and be wrong, even though sincere (2 Thess. 2:11-12).

It is true that one can reach most cities by more than one road. However, a careful study of any road map will show that all roads do not lead to the same destination. The same is true of heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me” (Jn. 14:6).

Listen to Jesus again as He speaks of the right way to heaven. “Enter in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:13-14). Notice that there are only two roads for men to travel. The road to hell is broad because the majority are traveling this expressway. The road to heaven is narrow, and only a few travel it. Both the broad and narrow ways are one way streets!

How glad all should be for this wonderful simplicity! Confusion can be avoided when one recognizes that there is one and only one way provided by the Lord for forgiveness of sins and heaven. It is not “just being religious,” or sincerity alone, but following the road that Christ himself has marked out in the Bible. The “Road” to salvation from past sins for the alien sinner is faith (Heb. 11:6); confession (Rom. 10:9-10); repentance (Acts 17:30) and baptism (Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:38). The “Road” to eternal salvation for the Christian is adding to his faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2 Pet. 1:5-11). The road to heaven does not have a sign saying, “Once in grace, always in grace!”

If you are not certain you are traveling the “right road” to heaven, make sure, by stopping where you are and consulting the Divine Road Map, the Bible. Remember that men draw the maps which lead into the various cities of our nation, but God gave us the Map to Heaven, and His map says there is only one road.

The Biblical Recipe For Christian Life

Suppose you wanted to bake some biscuits, but you didn’t know how. Don’t worry, just follow the basic recipe of cooking chefs. If you follow their recipe exactly, you will be baking and eventually eating biscuits. However, if you should deviate from their recipe, what you cook may be totally uneatable.

Biblical Balance

This “flaky” parable does have a practical application. The same principle applies to following God’s “recipe” of godly living. “Let him who means to love life and see good days . . . turn away from evil and do good” (1 Pet. 3: 10, 11). Faithful disciples follow the divine, balanced life of not sinning while being very busy doing good (Rom. 12:9). It is a flawed recipe of righteousness to busy ourselves just knowing what not to do. Christians are God’s transformed agents of positive change in an evil world as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. “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).

Sometimes it’s easy for us to be satisfied with a surrogate standard of soundness to “punch our ticket” to heaven. A church is often called “sound” merely by what it opposes, not in what it actively does. It’s a temptation for us to sit back, rehash the things we’re not supposed to do and point out what’s wrong with everyone else. Yes, we must never neglect hating and opposing sin, false doctrine and worldliness (2 Cor. 7:1 ff; Jude 23; Eph. 5:11; 1 Jn. 4:1). But this alone is not the sum and substance of Christianity. Are we so completely disgusted with sinners and false religions that we’re not moved by Christ-like compassion to save the lost? Do we delight in reciting a the arguments showing why they’re all going to burn in hell? Do we rationalize our laziness and lack of faith in the gospel’s power by saying, “Oh, they’re lost and they know it. Why bother?” What are we really trying to accomplish as Christians?

Many preachers seem to think that the way to convert the world is just to expose religious error. Hence the preaching to the world is chiefly opposition to the sects. If all the sects were destroyed, it might be easier to convert the world, but the work of converting the world would still have to be done.

Truth Unbalanced Is Error

Jesus teaches us a valuable lesson in Matthew 12:43-45 When evil is cast out, good must fill man’s heart and actions or evil will again overtake him.  Have you ever heard, “An idle mind is the Devil’s workshop.” We cannot be holy just by sterilizing ourselves from evil and doing nothing to avoid contamination. We have confused a spiritual separation with a physical separation from the world. We are to be in the world, but not of the world. It’s difficult to motivate saints to fruitful living by the reverse of an idea. “What must I do to be saved?” becomes “What must I not do to avoid being lost?’

This is basically “thou shalt not” religion. Seed is wasted if stored in the barn (Jn. 12:24). Salt is worthless remaining in the salt shaker, and a covered light is no light at all. We have a heavenly mandate to go into all the world and turn it upside down for Jesus Christ!

The scribes and Pharisees were meticulously religious. However, Jesus condemns them as “blind guides,” “fools,” “hypocrites,” and “serpents” because of their practical failures, inconsistencies, and blindness to the truth of God and their true spiritual condition. “. . . Do not do according to their deeds to be noticed by men. . . . Even so you too outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matt. 23:3, 5, 28). It is incredible that a church could be “sound” mainly if it theoretically opposes instrumental music, institutionalism, Calvinism, denominationalism and church sponsored recreation; yet, this “sound” church can constantly fuss and fight, the eldership shows little leadership, personal evangelism is rare, hospitality and brotherly love are almost extinct, gossiping and cliques abound, worship is spiritless, and tens of thousands of dollars of Jesus’ money is hoarded in the bank in case of a recession. This hypothetical church is “so sound in the truth that it’s sound asleep.” Some of these symptoms infect too many churches. We can nod our heads in agreement to the truth in the sermon, but forget to walk in the truth when we leave. We don’t believe we’re saved by “faith only”, but we surely act like it sometimes.

Follow the Lord Fully

Let’s be honest with ourselves to follow God’s recipe of spiritual success as a total way of life (2 Pet. 1:3). It is good to specifically identify what we should not do. But let’s also be more specific in eagerly finding ways to obey. We often generalize obedience by just repeating, “Obey God; live right; keep the commands.” These are true but too vague by themselves without a practical plan to implement them.

God’s inspired instructions strike a beautiful balance in such practical passages as Matthew 5-7; Romans 12:1-21; 13:714; Galatians 5:13-6:10; Ephesians 4-6; Colossians 3-4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5; the book of James, etc. Let’s study and visualize the vast applications of these challenging passages. Also, meditation upon the life of Christ isn’t just the milk of the Word, it’s the meat too! He lived the greatest life ever known. He set the awe-inspiring example of what we can become. It is a life-long pursuit to have “the mind of Christ” in every daily situation, so we must continually behold His glory in the Gospels to have His life reproduced in ours. This will help us think holy thoughts and develop godly, action oriented attitudes. Honestly evaluating our progress is also essential.

Let’s learn how to set helpful spiritual goals (1 Cor. 9:24-27). For example, we could set daily goals of systematic Bible study, fervent believing prayer, meditation upon heaven and Jesus’ life, and developing right attitudes while eliminating sin from our lives. We could set weekly goals of attending all the worship services, visiting or calling the sick or spiritually weak, and reading and studying God’s Holy Word. We could set monthly goals of talking to someone about Christ, setting up a Bible study, inviting someone to services, and practicing good old fashion hospitality. We could seek to improve our life in order to be a good example for others to follow. We could do good unto all men, especially those who are fellow brethren. We must as Christians find ways to light our light so shine while we are still in their present world that the world may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven.

Let us bear fruit by looking for opportunities to express our faith and love by serving God and others. We all can do something. Let it be said of us, “They have followed the Lord fully” (Num. 32:12).