. ____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ September 6, 2009 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) The Scriptures Metaphorically (Bill Moseley) 2) Lost Religious People (Keith Sharp) ____________________________________________________ -1- The Scriptures Metaphorically by Bill Moseley The inspired writers often couched their words in language relating to their own culture, background and experience. This does not detract in any way from the inspiration of that language. Jesus himself adopted this method of teaching as he often spoke words by way of parables and similes. In such a way, it appeals to our imagination, makes us think, and causes us to "delight in the law of the Lord" (Psa. 1:2). What are some of these metaphorical representations, or similitudes of the word of God? First, there are similitudes from kings, legislators, or judges. This is seen in that God's word is often represented as a law (2 Kgs. 10:31; 1 Chron. 16:40; 22:12). James calls it a "royal law" (2:8). These are but a few scriptures that so describe the word of God. Often, we read of God's statutes (Gen. 26:5; Psa. 19:8; et al). Or, it may be his testimonies (Deut. 4:45; Neh. 9:34). That word is sometimes referred to as God's judgments (Lev. 18:4-5; Psa. 10:5). Such passages show us a code of enactments for the regulation of the heart and life of man. It may be God's counsels (Pro. 22:20; Isa. 25:1), or God's wisdom (1 Kgs. 3:28; Pro. 2:6). These latter two are given by a teacher to the unlearned, that they may know God's will. And so we can see these terms as they stress the legal aspect of God's word. Next, there are similitudes from earthly treasures. Hence, God's word is called precious (1 Sam. 3:1), or as the NKJ has it, "rare." The word here is one meaning "brightness, clear, costly, excellent...." This shows its value; it is above silver or gold (Psa. 19:10; 119:72). In this we see the unalloyed character of God's word. God's word is seen as great spoil (Psa. 119:162, or "treasure" (NKJ). In the scriptures are treasures of light, comfort, peace, joy and glory. These are treasures that cannot be stolen or corrupted, and they enrich man in time and eternity. Then there are similitudes from the works of nature. God's word is thus referred to as a light; a lamp (Psa. 119:105, 130). Here is its purity; it is radiant as light. It is thus adapted to the mental and moral vision of man. In this realm, we also find God's word represented as a fire (Jer. 23:29), thus showing the penetrating nature of it. It warms the cold and chilly bones of man! Moses wrote that God's words were as beautiful and plenteous as dew (Deut. 32:2). Here is its refreshing aspect; its essentiality, even as the rain, fertilizing the streams and land (Isa. 55:10). That word is also described as thunder, and this would show its great power; its potency (1 Sam. 2:10; 7:10; Job 26:14; 37:5). Next, God's word is represented by similes from the necessaries of human life. Divine truth is depicted as precious seed (Lk. 8:11; Isa. 55:10-11). Here is the sustaining power; the life giving power, of the word of God. Sometimes it is referred to as bread (Isa. 55:10-11; Jer. 15:16), and so we have food for the spiritual man. Or, it may be water or milk (Isa. 55:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:2; John 4:10,13-14). Its sweetness is demonstrated as it is referred to as honey (Psa. 19:9-10; 119:103, and it is also looked upon as strength (Psa. 103:20; 119:28). Finally, there are similitudes from weapons of war, or other useful instruments. One of the best known of these metaphors pictures God's word as a sword (Eph. 6:17). Here is the means by which the Christian both defends himself and defeats the enemy. The term arrows is used to describe how God's enemies are destroyed (Psa. 45:5). Jeremiah said that God's word was a hammer, and with it the stony hearts of men are broken. As God's word guides the lives of men, it may be a rod (Psa. 23:4; 110:2). James refers to it as a mirror (1:23), by which man can see himself as he really is as he stands before that mirror, as it were, and views himself as he truly is before God. How versatile then is the word of God! That word will be useful in any arena of life that man may find himself in. And so in these metaphorical terms, we can see the many ways that God's revelation is shown to us, covering a wise spectrum of situations in the lives of men. -- Via Putting the Brethren in Remembrance, June 2003 ____________________________________________________ -2- Lost Religious People by Keith Sharp As the Master concluded the great "Sermon on the Mount," He encouraged His audience to obey His words by painting a terrifying word picture of the judgment: "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (Matthew 7:22-23). How horrible to contemplate standing before the Lord in judgment, having faith in Him and being able to plead I did many works I thought would cause the Lord to accept me, yet hearing the awful pronouncement, "I never knew you; depart from Me"! Pollsters report that 99% of Americans believe they will go to heaven. But the Lord emphatically declared that many religious people who think they are saved will in fact spend eternity in hell. Why will many religious people be lost? The Pharisees The Pharisees were certainly actively religious. In looking back on his life before he became a disciple of Christ, the apostle Paul reported to King Agrippa, "according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee" (Acts 26:5). The Pharisees were very religious and quite respected by their neighbors for their religious zeal. But characteristically the Pharisees were hypocrites. The Lord warned them, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!," denounced them as "serpents, brood of vipers," and searchingly inquired, "How can you escape the condemnation of hell?" (Matthew 23:29-33) A hypocrite is an actor, one who pretends to be what he really is not. The Pharisees' religion was for show to receive the praise of men. Their hearts were corrupt, and they were thus lost. If you're just being outwardly religious so people will approve but are inwardly and secretly corrupt, then the Lord's words come to you, "How can you escape the condemnation of hell?" Saul of Tarsus But Saul of Tarsus, though a Pharisee, was not typical; he was very sincere in his religious service. He was "zealous toward God" (Acts 22:3), not just to receive the praise of men. In fact he truthfully claimed to have been "more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers" (Galatians 1:14). And he did this with a clear conscience. He testified to the Jewish council, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day" (Acts 23:1). But Saul was sincerely rejecting Jesus as the Christ the Son of God. He also reported to King Agrippa, "Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth" (Acts 26:9). By rejecting Jesus as the Christ the Son of God, He was rejecting salvation (John 8:24,58; 14:6). Friend, regardless of how sincere and zealous you are in your religion, if you do not believe that Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God, you are lost. The Disobedient But it is not enough just to believe in Him. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). The doctrine of salvation by faith alone is a lie. "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only" (James 2:24). If we want to go to heaven, we must do all things the Lord commands (Matthew 28:19-20; Hebrews 5:8-9). The Lawless But the people whom the Lord portrayed as lost on judgment day in the Sermon on the Mount were so sincere they argued with the Lord about their salvation, they believed in Him as Lord, and they had even worked miracles in His name, yet they were lost (Matthew 7:22-23). Why? Christ Jesus charged them with working "iniquity" (Matthew 7:23, King James Version), that is, "lawlessness" (New King James Version, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version). Because of this He revealed to them, "I never knew you," i.e., He never looked on them with approval or accepted them. There are many very religious people who claim to speak in tongues and to work other miracles, but who have women leading men in worship and Bible study in violation of the Lord's command (1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-12) and who use instruments of music in worship, for which there is no New Testament authority (Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9; Ephesians 5:18-19). They are practicing lawlessness, and the Lord rejects them. I have many brethren who zealously turn the work of the Lord's church, a spiritual relationship (John 18:36; Romans 14:17; Ephesians 1:3,22-23), into carnal labors by having church sponsored recreational activities, such as ball teams and camping trips, by having common meals as a church function, by extending church benevolence to alien sinners, by having secular education as a work of the church, "and many other such things." Repeatedly, preaching brethren have defended these practices to me by claiming, "We do lots of things without Bible authority." Beloved brethren, that is the essence of lawlessness. Do you really suppose you are ready to meet the Lord in judgment? Conclusion My friend, one day you and I will stand before the Lord in judgment (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). I hope you are religious, but that's not enough to be confident you are ready for the great day. The hypocrites, those who reject Christ, the disobedient, and the lawless, however religious they may be, will be lost. Are you ready for that day? -- Via Monthly Musings ____________________________________________________ CHURCH OF CHRIST 201 Rushing Road (at the Hampton Inn) Denham Springs, LA 70726 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 tedwards@onemain.com http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go DIRECTIONS: Take the Denham Springs exit (exit 10) off of I-12. At the end of the exit ramp, turn north. Go about a stone's throw to Rushing Road. (You'll see a Starbucks, Circle K, and two other gas stations; with each on each corner.) Turn left on Rushing Road, and go less then 0.3 of a mile. Hampton Inn will be on the right. We assemble in its meeting room, which is very close to the reception counter. ____________________________________________________