What The Bible Says

“What The Bible Says - Vol. 1 / No. 8”

Sunday, September 09, 2018

What The Bible Says

Vol. I - No. 8 / September 9, 2018

HOW WELL DO WE KNOW EACH OTHER?

Many people in local churches know little or nothing about one another. They don't know each other's physical state, spiritual condition, or convictions about spiritual things. Too many have walled themselves in and their brethren out, a situation common to our times. Sixty years ago, people would go to neighbor's house and visit for several hours. They talked about the weather, politics, how each was getting along, and religious matters. They knew whether their neighbors went to church services, where they went if they were "church-goers", and what they believed about all sorts of Bible matters. They didn't always visit all of their brethren; however, they had much more than a passing acquaintance with a number of them. They were not afraid to talk to each other about spiritual things.

We need a return to openness of question-ing and dialogue. These things are necessary to our becoming truly acquainted with one another. Surely this is Biblical behavior. Paul informed his readers about faithful saints and their work, and about unfaithful ones who had given up their sanctification (Rom. 16; 2 Tim. 2:17,18; 4:14). He wanted the brethren to know how he was faring, and he wanted to know how the brethren in various places were faring (Eph. 6:21,22; Phil. 1:27). He sent Tychicus to Colosse to inform them of all the news about him, and that Tychicus might learn of their circumstances and comfort them (Col. 4:6-8). Paul exhorted the saints to know their elders (1 Thess. 5:12). This meant more than just knowing their names; for they were told to esteem the elders highly in love for their work's sake (vs. 13). It was for the safety of the saints that Paul wanted to know how they were faring, and also that his own mind might be set at ease by the assurance of their faithfulness (1 Thess. 2:17 - 3:10).

Do we know who needs comfort, who needs companionship, who is drifting away from steadfastness, who is sick, even who is absent from worship at times of assembling? How can we fulfill our duty to our one another without knowing these things? How can elders do their work without knowing these things? How can we "warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, and be patient with all" if we are oblivious to each other's condition (1 Thess. 5:14,15)? How can we profit from the good examples of saints in other places if we are not told about their work? Remember what Paul told the Corinthians about the Macedonians and why he had done so (2 Cor. 8:1-7,24; 9:1-5). Do we know those who teach us as Timothy knew Paul and could, therefore, be assured in faith concerning the things he had been taught (2 Tim. 3:14,15)? Do we know each other as John knew the elect lady and Gaius and rejoiced in their devotion to God and in the fruits of their labors (2 Jn. 1-8; 3 Jn. 1-8)? How well do we know each other?

—Gilbert Alexander

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE?

"For what is your life? It is even as a vapor, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14). How true that is! How often have you thought of things in the past which you thought were only a couple years ago but it turned out to have been five or six years? Also, it seems the older we get the faster time passes. When we think of our childhood it doesn't seem that long ago. We think of a class reunion which seems that we only graduated five years or so ago, and yet it turns out to be our twentieth or twenty-fifth year reunion. Sometimes it is a little frightening to be made to realize how swiftly our years are passing.

Regardless of peoples' religious or philosophical views, one thing we all can agree on is that our life is going to end one day. Let this cause us to think soberly on ‘what is your life'? We must acknowledge God's Word as the "instruction manual" by which to pattern and put together our lives. It contains "...all things that pertain unto life..." (2 Peter 1:3) and it can make us "...throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

From its pages we can learn that "...it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27) and that "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; ..." (2 Corinthians 5:10).We must realize that what we do while we are living is the basis on which we will be judged. The rest of 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, "...that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." Some have the idea that judgment is going to have God put all our good we do on one side and all the bad we do on the other side and whichever outweighs will determine the verdict. Not so! Ezekiel 18 :21-32 shows that when a wicked man repents and does the will of God, all his transgressions will not be mentioned unto him. However, if the righteous turns away and sins and does not repent, all the righteousness he has done will not be mentioned. God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (verse 32) but "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." (Psalms 116:15).

So, what is your life? Do you know God, have you obeyed the gospel, and living faithful to God's Word? If not, Jesus is coming "in flaming fire taking vengeance..." and you "shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power." (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Only if our life is a life "...faithful unto death", then Jesus says, "...I will give thee a crown of life." (Revelation 2:10).

---E.R. Hall, Jr.

HOW TO BE USELESS AND MISERABLE

Be Self-Centered: -- Bestow all your affection and care upon yourself, seek your own happiness and well-being to the point of unconcern for the needs of others.

Be Demanding Of Others: -- Tell yourself that others are obligated to you, that it is their duty to be concerned about you and look after your best interest, and make no allowance for the least failure on their part to discharge this duty.

Feel Neglected And Become Absorbed In Self-Sympathy: -- Convince yourself completely that others do not fulfill their obligat- ions to you, and never allow the least doubt that you are a subject of misfortune and pity.

See Only Good In Yourself And Faults In Others: -- For every attitude and act of unrighteousness on your part, find an excuse to salve your conscience while demanding absolute perfection of others.

Observe These Rules And You Will Attain To Complete Uselessness And Perfect Misery Forever!

If, however, your aim is usefulness and happiness, then you must do the exact opposite: "It is more blessed to give than to receive," and remember that selfishness is among man's most soul-condemning blunders.

—L.R. Hester

"It is not enough for a man to know what is right; he must have the disposition to do it.”

"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM

Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM

Website: www. eastalbertville.org