Seeking the Lost

In Luke 19:10, it is recorded that Christ came to seek and save that which was lost. And we recognize, of course, that Christ is our ultimate example to follow. We also read in the 15 chapter of Luke parables dealing with things that are lost: a shepherd looking for a lost sheep, a woman looking for a lost coin, and a father who is looking out for his lost son. Now, there's one point that should be obvious in all of these, yet isn't. Who is doing th seeking? Is it the one who is lost? No it is the one who is found. We are to follow Christ's example, and the lessons in the parables, and seek the lost. Are we doing so? Or are we waiting for the lost to seek those who are found? Are we taking the gospel to the lost? Or do we expect them to wander in through our doors on their own accord?

Testing the Spirits

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

I John 4:1

John write that Christians should be trying the spirits. That is, he is telling us that we need to double check that the things we're bring told by people are actually in accordance with what God says. In the following verses, he gives us some instruction in how to see if a person is teaching the truth or not.

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world

I John 4:2-3

The way to see if truth is being taught is to see if it “confesseth.” That is, that if the teaching is in accordance with the things God says. Just as we are to confess Christ by living in such a way that Christ is seen in us, Christ should be seen in all the words being taught. If such a thing is not apparent, then the spirit is not from God. The teaching is not the teaching of Christ, and it is coming from a false teacher.

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Acts 17:10-11

Here, it is recorded that the Bereans double checked what Paul was telling them. And for this, they are commended. Think about this: it was the apostle Paul who was teaching them. And they're commended for double checking him to make sure he was right!

How often do you “test the spirits.” Are you spending your days listening to someone teach or preach, and assuming that they're right? Or are you comparing everything being taught with your Bible, the word of God? It's the only way to know if the truth is being taught.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

II Peter 2:1

Peter writes that false teachers will introduce heresies secretly. They won't proclaim from the roof tops that their teaching is contrary to Christ's teaching, but will bring it in secretly, claiming it is from Christ. The only way to see through their words is to compare it to the word of God.

Are you testing the spirits? When a preacher stands before you, do you compare what he says with the Bible? Do you compare Bible classes to scripture? Do you compare written books with the word of God? Do you test the spirits? Are you as noble as those in Berea?

Overcoming the World

Abraham Lincoln once made a statement about General Burnside to the effect that he could snatch defeat from the jaws of certain victory. No matter the advantages Burnside had, he always seemed to lose. In John 16:33, we learn that Christ has overcome the world. In I John 5:3-5, we learn that as Christians, we are partakers in this victory, and have also overcome the world. We have victory! But will we be like General Burnside and lose our assured victory? Will we give up the sure win in favor of defeat? James 1:27 says “to keep oneself unstained by the world.” Will we do so? Will we maintain our victory?

Faith

Faith is essential to someone who wishes to follow the Lord. As Hebrews 11:6 tells us,

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

And so, of course, we know it is necessary. Let us take a few moments and examine Biblical faith.

If you look in Hebrews 11:1, we are given an explanation of what faith is. It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In other words, it is a conviction in something beyond what can be seen with our mortal eyes, and serves as a basis for hope (not just wishing for something, but reasonable expectation of getting what you long for). We see that faith is a basis for which we build out hope in Christ and our hope for eternal life.

We also learn in Romans 10:17 how a person develops faith.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God

Faith, then, comes from using the Bible to learn more about God and His will. Faith does not suddenly appear out of nowhere. Faith is built on the word of God: the Bible. John 20:20-31 also explains this. This passage teaches us that the reason that John was written was so that we (the reader) might believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that in believing we may have life.

We also learn from the Bible that faith is not something that is static. Faith is something that must grow and develop. In John 4:39-42, we see the growth of faith in the Samaritans. At first, they believed based on the testimony of others. But when they went to the source of their faith, that is, Christ, their faith deepen and grew and became strong. So it is with us. When we first believe, it is often based at least partially on the teachings of someone else. But to have a deep rooted faith, we must seek out the source: Christ. And Christ is revealed to us through the word of God: the Bible.

The Bible also tells us a little more about faith. Faith is active. Faith isn't just something a person has, it is something a person does. Consider John 6:29 and I John 3:23. Faith is a response we must have toward God. And we see in these verses that faith is a work, that is, it is obedience to one of God's commands. It is something we must DO. In James 2, we learn that faith, by itself, is dead. Simply believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God is not enough. In doing that, we are only fulfilling one of the things that God asks of us.

We are told to have faith. If we obey and believe, then that is wonderful! But faith is only the beginning of a person's walk with God. Everything else a person does must be based on that faith. But can we honestly think that God only wants obedience in one thing, and one thing only? Or can we assume that God wants obedience in all things, not only in faith? Faith is absolutely necessary. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. But we cannot allow ourselves to stop with simply believing, we must follow the Lord completely, and not simply partially (Matthew 22:37-38, James 2:8-11).

Inherently Sinful?

A question that receives much debate is whether or not mankind is inherently evil or not. Many people will tell you yes, that by nature man is sinful and evil. Yet, consider Ecclesiastes 7:29. “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” When God formed Adam and Eve, He did not make them inherently sinful. When a child is born, the young one is not sinful. No, we learn to commit sin by following “many inventions,” that is, following after other things. In this way we choose to separate ourselves from God (Isaiah 59:2). And so, when we come to Christ and are saved, that is why we are “redeemed.” (Gal 3:13, I Pet. 1:18) We are returning back to how we were designed and built, and following our original course. God did not make us sinful. We made us sinful.

Walking in Good Works

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Here, Paul writes that we should walk in good works. Of course, the implication here is that good works are something we must be doing. They are something we have to do. The first couple chapters of James, as well as other passages, make that abundantly clear. But what may not be so clear is exactly what a good work is. Is it something that we deem to be good? Is it something that we think will have a good outcome? Is it something we decide on?A good work can be defined in this way: it is an action that is done with godly motivation, in godly ways, for a godly outcome.

Consider this: if we do something obedient to God, yet lack faith, then what good is it? It is a dead work, the same as faith without works is a dead faith. If we do something for earthly glory or fame, we have the same outcome. Jesus taught against this motivation for doing things. Even if the outcome may be good, if we do it for the wrong reasons, it is not a good work.

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matthew 6:2

Moreover, it must be done in accordance with what God wants. If we do something that seems to have a good outcome, but we have failed to accomplish it as God wants, then we have failed in performing a good work.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:21-23

The end does not justify the means. The idea that these people were trying to lie to God on the last day is somewhat unlikely. Instead, these people discussed in this verse seem to have thought they were doing good deeds, yet failed to do them as God wanted. The result for them was the same as though they had done nothing at all.

Likewise, we must be sure that the end of our action is in accordance with what God wants. That it is, in fact, good. Fortunately, we are given instructions in the scripture that tell us what we need to be doing, what good works we should be accomplishing.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

II Timothy 3:16

And do not think that it is a matter of earning salvation. The Bible teaches us that we cannot do enough good to earn eternal life, but that it is only given to us as a gift, by God. Consider Luke 1:7-10.

But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Obedience to God will, doing the works which God has commanded, are not earning salvation, but merely fulfilling one of our basic functions of existence. Just as a person would not keep a servant who did no work, so it is if we do no works. We must obey the Lord, and carry out His commands. We must do the works that God has told us to do, and do the actions that have been ordained. We must walk in good works!

Who Likes Being Sick?

When you are sick, what do you do? Most people typically take what steps they need in order to regain their health. They'll go to the doctor, take medication, make sure they get enough rest and fluids, and whatever else helps. When we're spiritually sick, do we take the same sorts of steps? Do we go to the One who can help us for help? Do we put into effect the steps He recommends to us? In short, when we're spiritually sick, are we willing to take the same pains to get better as we do when we are physically ill? Or is our spiritual, eternal health less important to us than our physical, temporal health?

How Necessary Am I?

For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

I Corinthians 12:14-21

Each and every member of the body of Christ (the church) is absolutely necessary. Each person brings with them different abilities, different contacts to people to teach, and each has a different section of scripture that they understand particularly well.

Sometimes it is hard to realize how big of a role we each play in the church. And sometimes, we only think of what we do during the assembly and think, “Wow, I just can't do much.” When we limit our thinking to the assembly, we lose much.

First, because our thoughts in the worship assembly should not be focused on, “what can I do?” We should be focused on the Lord. Sometimes the people sitting in the pews are called the audience. The fact of the matter is that each and every person is an active participant, and the audience is God. As such, even if you're not standing in the front of the building, you're an active and necessary part of the service!

Second, we need not limit our thinking about participation to the assembly. Each person has skills and talents that can be used to further the Lord's work outside of the assembly. Each person knows different people than other Christians, who can be brought the gospel.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Ephesians 4:11-12

Everyone would think it odd if the preacher did not ever preach on the Lord's Day. And rightly so. After all, he is not doing what he is supposed to be doing. And everyone would think the same thing if the Bible class teacher never showed up for Bible class.

Well, each of us has something we need to be doing. Each has a vital role to be playing. And when we don't, we are accomplishing the same amount as the preacher who doesn't preach and the teacher who doesn't teach. We are failing in our role, and we are letting down those who are depending on us. There's something that you do better than the rest of us. You are needed in the body of Christ. Whether your skills and role are public or more private, they are necessary and important to the work of Christ.

Working for Christ

Are you working? It's amazing how many times Christians are described as workers in the Bible. (Mat 9:37, Mat 9:38, Rom 16:3, Rom 16:12, I Cor 3:9, II Cor 1:24, Phil 4:3, Col 4:11, Phm 24, II John 1:8) So, are we working? Are we working diligently? Are we doing our best for our boss, the Lord? Are we willing to work overtime when necessary? Are we willing to do whatever it takes to stay on with the company? Are we good employees? Are we working as hard, or harder, for Christ than we do in temporal jobs? Or do we reserve that sort of effort only for a job that gives us a tangible paycheck? Are we a good worker for Christ, or not?