| October 18, 1998 |
Vol. I, No. 25
|
Christians should look at every situation, their own and those of others, to see what lessons can be learned. Paul so admonished the Corinthians about events of the Old Testament: “These things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction” (1 Cor. 10:11). Without being partisan or intending any political statement, let us simply ask, “What lessons should we learn from President Clinton’s current situation?”
1. “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23). King Saul, King David, King Solomon, and many political leaders of our day have learned the truth of Moses’ words. We can hide sinful deeds for a time, but such actions ultimately will be revealed. We must learn from these cases to avoid sin because sinful behavior is eventually revealed to one’s own hurt.
2. “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control” (Prov. 25:28). Ancient cities were defenseless without a protecting wall. They were open to any attack. So, says Solomon, is the person who lacks self-control. One who will not exercise restraint falls prey to many sins, brings shame upon himself and hurts those who trust in him. We must learn and teach that a life with limits is far better, even here, than a life of indulgence. And, of course, there is the hereafter to consider.
3. “You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Jesus taught that truth is absolute. There are absolute spiritual truths about sin and salvation. There are absolute moral truths about honesty, fidelity, responsibility and honor. We live in a world where many have succumbed to the fallacy of relativism. They say freedom is found in license. Real freedom, however, comes to those who follow the truths of God’s word. These are free from sin, free from embarrassment, free from dishonor. These are free to pursue the good things of life and make accomplishments without being diverted. If there is any lesson in the current situation it is that “moral relativism” is a failure.
4. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). There is a moral law at work in the world which is as certain as the law of gravity: actions bring consequences. Good deeds bring desirable consequences; bad deeds bring undesirable consequences. Those who “sow to the spirit” by obeying God’s word, will find that obedience bringing many good things into their lives. Those, on the other hand, who “sow to the flesh,” shall of the flesh reap corruption. Innocent people, of course, are sometimes harmed by the sins of others; that is the nature of sin. We cannot live in this world and avoid all the harmful consequences of the sins of others. We can, however, avoid many consequences of sin by living a life modeled after Jesus and His teachings. The Bible says to examine an action for its fruit before we do it.
5. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). Sin by anyone in a nation is a reproach to us all. As John Donne said, “No man is an island.” We are all affected by what happens around us. The more of us who live righteous lives, the more prosperous and respected our nation will be. Conversely, the more among us who live sinful lives, the less prosperous and respected our nation will be. We should use the case currently on people’s minds to teach the harmful results of sin -- teach it to our congregations, to our children and to our neighbors. As we are in conversations about these matters, let us take advantage of the moment to plant the spiritual truths it demonstrates so clearly. Let us use these conversations to lead others to live as the Bible teaches, thus bringing them to Christ.
We must not despair. There is much good in our nation. Many Americans are honest -- including many in public life. The fact that the current case has attracted so much attention is evidence that it is not the norm. Let us use this time of national introspection as a time to declare the truths of God’s word as the best way to live for now and for eternity.
--Stafford North
The chains of habit are usually too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.
Jesus stated in John 3:1-5 that a new birth is a prerequisite to entering the kingdom of God. The natural, fleshly birth is sufficient to put one into a material, worldly kingdom, but a new birth, a spiritual birth, is necessary to put one into the spiritual kingdom of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
This spiritual birth is a birth of WATER and of the SPIRIT. Just as it takes both father and mother to effect the natural birth, it takes BOTH water and the Spirit to effect the spiritual birth. “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Note how this corresponds with what the apostles of Christ taught under the great commission.
Peter, when believing Jews asked, “What shall we do?” answered, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:36-38).
Paul wrote of our salvation in Titus 3:5, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” Note the two essentials mentioned by Paul, a WASHING of regeneration and a renewing of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s revelation calls OUR spirit to repent. But, what is the washing of regeneration? Let the Bible answer. “Therefore we were buried with Him through BAPTISM into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in NEWNESS OF LIFE” (Rom. 6:4). When does one begin to walk in newness of life? After he has been born again or regenerated. Have you been born of WATER and the Spirit? Have you received a WASHING of regeneration? If not, you must be born again.
--CRJ
In Matt. 6:25-34, Jesus admonishes His followers to overcome the habit of worrying. "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?"
In seeking to help His disciples learn this lesson, the Master goes on to illustrate His point by referring to the birds. God has not given them the ability to plant crops, harvest vast qualities of grain, or store it in barns, but He has provided for their needs. Men are of more value than birds, and God has made better provision for them. Don't worry about food. Trust God and obey Him.
The next point the Savior makes is that worry has never helped. "Which of you by worry can add one cubit to his height?" Or who lived longer because he worried more? Experience tells us that not only does worry not help, in the vast majority of cases, it hinders. "So," Jesus asks, "why do you worry?"
Now, once again the Master illustrates. "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." God has made ample provision for all His creation. His spiritual children are certainly not exceptions. Since God takes care of the grass which is here today and gone tomorrow, certainly He will provide for the sons and daughters He is preparing for eternity.
In the light of all these truths and illustrations, Jesus commands: "Do not worry." "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" and the things we need in this life will come to us as a matter of course. Put first things first, and leave the worrying to the unbelievers. Live today and trust God for daily blessings. Each day has its own problems, but with God's help, we can always face the problems one day at a time. God did not design us in such a way as to be able to face a whole life-time of problems in one day. So seek God's kingdom and His righteousness today. Serve God today. Trust God today and live one day at a time. Tomorrow is no problem, no cause for worry. There is only today -- and eternity.
--CRJ