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There is another philosophy of life that is being “sold” in our world today. Sadly, few are “buying into” it. It is a lifestyle that commends humility and giving of self (Philippians 2:5-8). It is a lifestyle of difficulty and exertion (Matthew 7:14). It is a lifestyle that submits to the headship of another, not self (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). It is a lifestyle of not being served but, rather, serving others (Matthew 20:25-28). The One who is “selling” this lifestyle is the Christ (Matthew 11:28-30).

The phrase “buy into” implies there is a cost to be paid. The lifestyle of the world is being followed by most people in it (Matthew 7:13). It is popular, flashy and easy to follow. We have many friends and possibly family members who have “bought into” this lifestyle. There is a payday in this life, with wrecked homes, loss of health, depression and other types of payments made. The payday is not over in this life however. This lifestyle costs on into eternity (Revelation 21:8).

There is a cost to following Christ and His lifestyle and He encourages us to count it (Luke 9:57-62). There is also great blessing rewarded to us and an abundant life we can lead. Instead of paying at the end for this lifestyle, we get rewarded (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).

There are two lifestyles being “sold” on this earth. Which one have you “bought into?”

I have heard words of disillusionment. At times we can get so caught up in the problems and goings on of life that we get disillusioned with our brethren and sometimes even with God. Many times these words are said not thinking and not really being meant, but they are said nonetheless. At those times we need to remember that God is faithful to us (1 Co. 10:13). If our brethren are not living or doing right, we need to remember they are human and that there have been times we have lived like them so we need to show patience and not give up on them.

I have heard words of division. Sadly, the times I have heard such type words, they were not being said because of false doctrine being taught. There is to be no division among us (1 Co. 1:10). We must be very careful when making accusations against brethren. We should never air out our grievances with an eldership, preacher or fellow Christian in the foyer. If we have a problem with someone or some group, we need to go to them in love and deal with the problem (Matthew 18:15ff). We never want to be guilty of dividing the Lord’s church when it can be avoided.

I have heard words of direction. There have been times when a brother or sister has had an arm put around them and words spoken to direct them on the right path. I have had that arm put around me and those type words spoken. Solomon would call these words “fitly spoken” (Pr. 25:11). They truly are beautiful because they are spoken to help someone go to heaven.

I have heard words of determination. Numerous times I have heard words along the lines of “I am going to do better.” We need to be people who are determined to do right. We need to seek to grow in Christ (2 Pe. 3:18). Every child of God needs to be determined to go to heaven.

What type of words do you speak in the foyer?

He asked a great question in that statement: “To whom shall we go?” Many in this life follow people that are of no benefit spiritually. They follow after false teachers or false ideas that they have come up with in their minds. The fact of the matter is, Peter was right. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. There is no other who can do for us spiritually what Jesus can do.

Long ago, the Psalmist wrote, “For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation” (149:4). It is God and His Son Jesus to whom we must go if salvation is our desire. It is God that gives salvation to mankind as a gift. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Just like any other gift offered, this gift must be accepted. We do that by being obedient to the gospel of Jesus. God offers His grace to all men (Titus 2:11). We accept that grace by faithful obedience to the commands of God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

No one else can save us. There is no other place of salvation than in Christ. It is in Christ that all spiritual blessings are found (Ephesians 1:3). Men believe that there are other people and places where spiritual blessings are available. However, they believe this in spite of what the Bible says.

To whom have you gone for salvation? David penned that “…the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord” (Psalm 37:39). It is only to the Lord that we can turn for salvation. It is only in the Lord that one can find righteousness and be righteous. As the great hymn asks: “Where could I go but to the Lord?”

Ben Wright

Racism, classism, sexism and any other discriminatory actions are sinful according to this parable. If we hold an idea that keeps us from being a neighbor, it is an idea that needs to be discarded immediately. Every individual with whom we come into contact has a soul, regardless of their race, social position or economic status. This is something our young people need to learn while in school with a diverse group of students. This is something Christians in the business world need to learn while hiring someone for a job. This is something Christians need to learn in all walks of life. Man is made in the image of God, having an eternal soul (Genesis 1:27). We must never be guilty of being unneighborly to anyone because we sin when we so do.

From this parable we also see that my neighbor is one in need of compassion. The Samaritan found this man lying on the side of the road. He was wounded and in need of medical attention. He was unable to care for himself and needed compassion shown to him by someone. Care and aid was given this man by the Samaritan because he did not see someone unlike him, he simply saw someone in need of compassion, which is the idea of showing pity or sympathy (Strong’s Concordance).

Several times in the gospel accounts, we read of Jesus having compassion on someone or some group. He had compassion on the multitudes that followed him, which caused Him to feed them (Mark 8:2ff). He had compassion on the man who had been possessed by the demons known as “Legion” (Mark 5:1-19). What is extremely interesting is that each time compassion was shown by our Lord, it was more than being emotional. It was shown in His actions. He fed the multitude and healed the man possessed. In the parable under consideration, the Samaritan had compassion and showed it by taking care of the one who had been beaten. Compassion is an action, biblically speaking, not an emotion.

From this parable we also see that my neighbor is one I can go out of my way to help. No doubt it took time away from other business the Samaritan had to help this man. It took money out of his pocket to pay for the man’s care. Most certainly, he had to go out of his way to help this man.

Being a neighbor is not always easy. When someone is in need of compassion, it takes effort to meet that need. When someone is not like me, but in need of help, it takes effort to give that help. Being a neighbor takes effort and is difficult, but God expects us to do it, therefore it is possible, else God would not ask us to do such.

We also see from this parable that my neighbor is one who is in need of mercy. As the parable closes, Jesus asked the man who was attempting to justify himself, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?” (Luke 10:36). The man answered correctly when he replied, “He that showed mercy on him” (Luke 10:37). According to Strong’s, mercy is helping one who is afflicted or seeking aid.

There are those around us who are afflicted and seeking aid every day. According to Zodhiates, mercy specifically carries the idea of “special and immediate regard to the misery which is the consequence of sins” (The Complete Word Study Of The New Testament, pg. 911). Those who are lost are definitely afflicted. They have a sin problem and need to seek aid, whether they no it or not. We show mercy when we teach someone the gospel. We show mercy when we help alleviate the burdens of life with which people may be dealing.

Who is our neighbor? He is one who does not have to be like me socially, racially, religiously or economically. He is one who is in need of compassion. He is one for whom I can go out of my way to help. He is one who is in need of mercy. It does not take a Solomon to see that everyone, at some point, fits one of these descriptions. Thus, all men are our neighbors. May we as God’s people realize this and act accordingly.

Fathers are to Adore their children. Love should pour forth from the father to his children. He needs to hug and kiss his children as much as he can. His children need to know how important they are to him.

Fathers are to Teach their children. Fathers are to bring their children up in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). One does this by teaching them God’s will from His word. A father also does this by modeling for his children how a Christian should live and act and talk.

Fathers are to Hear their children. There is no excuse for ignoring your children. They like to talk to us and we need to listen to them and let them know we hear them. Things go on in their lives and they want to tell their dad and he needs to hear what is being said. Things are also said that are not meant for the father that he needs to hear in order to correct them.

Fathers are to Encourage their children. Children need to hear from their father words that encourage them in their efforts. Fathers show to their children that they are interested in them and want what is best for them by being encouraging to them. Fathers need to encourage their children in their Bible class efforts, in their doing good for others and in all good things.

Fathers need to Rule their children. The inmates are not to run the asylum. Fathers have been put over the home by God (Ephesians 5:23). Fathers are to discipline and teach their children in order for the children to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Christ.

If each father will be a Fixture, Adore, Teach, Hear, Encourage and Rule their children, our children will be blessed with good fathers and we will be pleasing to God in this.

In Mark 16:16 we read, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved….” Notice that in order for one to be saved he must not only be baptized but he must also believe. Does this not exclude children being saved? Let me make it clear that children don’t need to believe and be baptized because they are safe. We learn this from Matthew 18:3. There Jesus is recorded as saying, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” You and I must become as little children, innocent, in order to enter into heaven. Little children are not born with sin despite the teaching of Calvinism. Jesus would be telling us to become sinners again in Matthew 18:3 if Calvinism were true.

Romans 10:9-10 reads, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” It doesn’t take a Solomon to see that babies and even young children don’t have the verbal ability to confess Christ or the comprehension to believe in His resurrection.

One can be saved when there is the ability to believe and the comprehension of the death of Christ and His being the Son of God. There also has to be a knowledge of sin in one’s life; an ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Lord willing, in our next issue we will notice where one can be saved.

It is interesting that our Lord placed a great import on hearing. It was Jesus that said, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15). Jesus wanted people to really listen to what was being said and to process it through the mind to comprehend the meaning of His words. Without proper hearing, there cannot be proper comprehension. Think of the words said to each of the congregations addressed in Revelation chapters two and three: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” A definite premium is placed on good hearing in the New Testament.

Sadly, not all will hear the words of the gospel. Our Lord knew this would be the case when He sent the apostles out to preach. He commanded them that “..whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet” (Matthew 10:14). Hearing here carries the idea of acceptance of the words of the apostles. The importance of hearing in this passage is shown by the consequences attached to not hearing. Those that would not hear would find themselves in a situation less tolerable than those who were destroyed in Sodom and Gomorrah (Matthew 10:15). Again, a definite premium is placed on hearing the word of God.

It was the case at Stephen’s stoning that the ones to whom he was speaking are said to have “stopped their ears” (Acts 7:57). These people had heard the word being preached and closed their ears to hear no more of it. They would not accept the words spoken by Stephen and rejected themselves.

All of this was prophesied by Isaiah when he was inspired to write: “And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.” (6:9-10). If proper hearing would take place, the Jews could have understood God’s word in their minds, which would have resulted in conversion and spiritual healing. While we know that some did hear, the vast majority rejected the message and closed their ears to the truth.

There needs to be more like the Thessalonians when it comes to hearing and receiving God’s word. Paul commended them for the way they received the gospel. “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). These brethren heard God’s word and believed it to be what it claimed, the inspired word of God. This is a wonderful example of a proper hearing taking place.

Proper hearing must take place in order for one to be saved. It is the first step in the process of salvation. If there is no hearing, there can be no believing (Romans 10:17). If there is no belief, there is only damnation awaiting the individual (Mark 16:16). When one’s soul is in the balances, that should solidify in our minds the premium that is placed on hearing God’s word.

There are those today that refuse to hear the word of God. The masses of people walk through life oblivious to their spiritual state. They are content to live life selfishly and for the moment’s pleasure that sin has to offer. That this is true is seen in the growing number of what statisticians call “unchurched” people. This is a demographic that has increased steadily in this decade.

There are those that will hear the word but through filters. They filter God’s word through their denominational prejudices or the filter of their own conscience. Some have been taught denominational sinfulness and refuse to comprehend God’s word because of this filter. Every verse is filtered through their “grace only”, “faith only”, “once saved, always saved” or other doctrines that they have swallowed. Some allow their conscience to guide them in ways that are not found in scripture. For instance, some believe that if you are a good person then you will be saved. This is most definitely contradictory to scripture, but some have this filter in their minds and every passage that goes against it is not heard.

The filters need to be removed so proper hearing can take place. One needs to come to God’s word with open ears and an open mind. The Thessalonians were commended because they came to believe that what they heard was God’s word and they accepted it as such. Everything that is taken in through the ears needs to be filtered through the word of God, not man-made doctrines or consciences. If what is heard is contrary to God’s word it needs to be rejected. Sadly, too many are rejecting the truth in favor of what man says.

May we ever be a people that hear they way that Jesus wants us to hear. May we take off the denominational filters and accept the pure word of God. It is God’s only power to save mankind (Romans 1:16). How is your hearing?

Matthew Henry went to London, met a young lady of the nobility, who was also wealthy, and they fell in love. She went to ask her father if she could marry him and he said, “He’s got no background, you don’t know where he’s come from.” She replied, “Yes, I know, but I know where he’s going and I want to go with him.” This is the type of leader that God’s people need. One who knows he is headed to heaven and inspires others to follow him there.

Jesus is the head of the church, therefore He is its leader (Ephesians 1:22-23). Jesus delegated His authority to the apostles (John 13:20; 2 Corinthians 5:20). This is why it is said that the early church followed the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42). Paul told the Corinthians to be imitators of him as he imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).

It would be wonderful if we had modern day apostles that could reveal to us the exact answers to the questions we have and to lead us, but we do not have any alive today who could do that. Knowing that this would be the case, God devised the office of an elder to provide leadership. Knowing that it would be dangerous to leave the leadership of a congregation in the hands of one man, God devised the eldership: A group of men leading the congregation and making decisions in matters of judgment and upholding the standard of truth as taught in God’s word.

Paul commanded the Ephesian elders to watch after the flock of God and to feed the church of God (Acts 20:28). Paul reminded Titus that part of the work that he was to be doing in Crete was ordaining elders in every city there (Titus 1:5-11). The reason that elders were needed was that there were false teachers subverting whole houses and they needed to be stopped. That was the work of a leader then and it is now as well.

An eldership is to lead each congregation by setting the example of godly living, standing for the truth and against error, and providing spiritual food for the congregation. They also have the added responsibility of watching for the souls of the members of the congregation they shepherd (Hebrews 13:17). Happy is the congregation with a sound, solid, loving eldership.

Sadly, there are congregations that have poor leadership from their elders. These congregations always seem to be having troubles. Poor leadership is a hindrance to growth, initiative and outreach. Where poor leadership is, church squabbles and even splits are sure to follow.

The church is the bride of Christ and the Lord desires true leaders to take care of His bride. Being an elder is a tremendous responsibility but also a tremendous honor. In an age where the church is under constant attack from both without and within, the need for true leaders is greater than ever.

In the church today, there are still those that subvert whole houses. There are still those that would bind that which is not bound by God. There are still those that would loose that which God has not loosed. There are still those that would introduce unbiblical ideas into the church and have them accepted. Without true leaders these people would take over the church and have her commit spiritual adultery.

True, biblical leaders are those that love God and want only what is best for the Lord’s church. A true leader is one who can separate what he may want from what is best for the church. A true leader is in no way selfish. A true leader leads by example and asks nothing of others that he himself is not willing to do.

It is told that James Garfield, when elected President of the Unites States, said that he was stepping down from a higher office to become President. Garfield had been an elder in the Lord’s church before becoming President. May everyone have such a high and noble view of the eldership. May God continue to bless the church with true leaders.

It is also unbelievable false to say that Jesus died for only a few. Read what John had to say about this idea: “And He is the propitiation (appeasement – BW) for our sins: and not four ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). Nowhere in this passage does it even hint that Jesus died for only a few. Jesus died for all mankind. You can think of the worst sinner you have ever heard about and Jesus died for that person. Jesus died for the very ones who killed Him and chanted “crucify Him” at His death. We know this because we are told that Peter accused, by inspiration, the ones who heard the first gospel sermon recorded in Acts 2. He told them, “God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Then some of those very people obeyed the will of God and became obedient to the One they had murdered.

Don’t let anyone fool you into thinking that Christ only shed His blood for a few people or that some have been unconditionally elected to be saved and others elected to be lost. The Bible refutes that as we have shown by just looking at a few verses. You can be saved if you come into contact with the blood of Jesus. As we are told in the last chapter of the Bible, “Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).