--------------------
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" (Matt. 28:19,20).
--------------------
September 19, 2010
--------------------
Contents:
1) Attitude Toward Worry (Julian R. Snell)
2) "Calling on the Lord" (What It Really Means) (Tom Edwards)
3) News & Notes
--------------------
-1-
Attitude Toward Worry
by Julian R. Snell
As our final installment in this series on "attitude" gleaned from
Philippians we direct the reader to chapter 4. Here our theme is
complemented by the admonition, "don't worry" or "be secure in
mind." In view of the fact that joy and rejoicing are key terms
to this epistle it would seem logical that any factor in opposition to
this be considered. We have defined attitude as the "mind in you,"
drawing from chapter 2:5. Emphasis is on the "single mind," set and
unwavering with Christ as the seat and center, the single object.
Within the first three chapters we have sought to develop a picture of
the right attitude toward circumstances, critics, crisis, people and
things. Paul's attitude has been allowed to pass through inspired words
in the presentation of the picture.
Beginning with a commendation of the Philippians as reward for his
labors, Paul refers to them as his "joy and crown." He
immediately enters a plea to two women who are at variance and have
disturbed the church, Euodias and Syntyche. The basis of their quarrel
we are not told while the effect is implied: they and the church were
hurt by the situation. Invariably, indulging unkind feelings impairs
spirituality. Dissension has ever been a grievous hindrance to the
gospel. Mutual love and harmony are marks of those in Christ and is a
continuing plea of Paul along with "maintaining the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace."
From a practical standpoint, the Christian shows his selfishness and
disregard for the Lord when he is willing to disturb the body of Christ
to gratify self and gain personal ends. The "mind of Christ" manifests
a willingness to bear and suffer wrong rather than this.
Obviously, the two women here addressed had lost sight of these ideals
if they had ever attained them. Just as surely we cannot tolerate this
kind of attitude within ourselves.
With verse 4, "rejoice" again appears to further argue for this keynote
within the book. The word "alway" makes for emphasis and lends to the
idea of learning to rejoice. When we surrender to and lose ourselves in
Christ this fountain of joy and rejoicing opens up and pays big
dividends. There will be the "moderation" (cf. v. 5), which will make
for gentleness and forbearance toward others. An attitude which does
not always eagerly insist on our own rights but in a gentle and kind
way is ready to give way to others. This verse (cf. 5-6), complements
the disposition which does not put undue store in earthly things
because of the realization of loftier ideals and rewards to come.
Joy dispels anxiety and aids to keep the mind clear and calm as an
attitude if concentration on the various aspects of the Lord's presence
is maintained. This tends to elude the distractions of anxiety. This
kind of inner joy is expressed in prayer and supplication. "In every
thing by prayer and thanksgiving" punctuates habitual prayer and a
continuing awareness of blessedness. This is framed within a context
extolling peace, a "peace which passeth all understanding" (v. 7). The
epitome of joy is in the Lord. Just as earthly joy comes from union
with those whom we love, so spiritual joy and peace is produced.
Now to the thrust of this article, the attitude of "don't worry,"
"Be anxious (or careful) for nothing" is to be understood, presupposing
the relationship which is the basis of joy and rejoicing. Why?
There is no reason for anxiety, "the Lord is at hand," we are in him
and he is in us. He is our advocate, keeper, consoler, provider, and
our ever present help in time of trouble. So what have we got to worry
about? Considering the security of proper relationship to the Lord and
all the Lord promises to be to His own, what justification does any
Christian have for the lingering anxiety characteristic of others? In
all honesty, we must respond, "none."
Then, we are treated to a prescribed line of thought which will
contribute to freedom from worry (v. 8). Think good thoughts, we are
told. Things that are "true" or truth, which is the basis of real hope
and security; truth in completeness, in all it demands as the
achievement of mind and rule of life. Mentally dwell on things honest
or honorable in the sight of God and man. Things which are in
complement to the integrity of heaven. Things "just" envisions justice
as maintaining right relationship between men. Justice holds the
balance fairly between conflicting interests, knows no degrees. In this
justice is peculiar, anything less than just is unjust, therefore there
are no degrees to being just or to justice. Then we are urged to think
on the "pure," "lovely" or lovable as recognized in relation to
character, a quality of character. Think on things of "good report,"
things about which we can speak and think well. "Virtue" rounds out the
list to suggest manliness, courage, valor and every form of moral
excellence. If, as we think, so are we and so do we, this prescription
will certainly make us better.
Contentment, which is the state of mind and life free of anxiety is
learned (cf. vv . 11-12). Paul seems to be saying
here that we need to learn to be independent of the adverse effect of
external circumstances. As is seen in the apostle, the Christian can
bear misfortune and hardship with dignity. These circumstances need not
make one ill-humored, complaining and bitter. Whether rich or poor,
honored or abased, the contentment of faith enables composure in
everything. What a lesson!
Finally, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me"
(4:13). This is the basis of the secure mind who is inadequate in
nothing. Only in Christ is such possible. "All things" are modified by
the will and purpose of God through Christ by the gospel. In Him
are all things. His strength is made perfect in our weakness and our
weakness made strong in Him. So, no grounds for anxiety and worry
exist. We have an ally, advocate and friend, upon which no limits can
be imposed. So, my friend, quit your worrying.
-- Via Searching the Scriptures, December 1983, Volume 24, Number 12
--------------------
-2-
"Calling on the Lord"
(What It Really Means)
by Tom Edwards
The Bible declares that "...whosoever will call on the name of the Lord
will be saved" (Rom. 10:13), but exactly how is that to be done?
Not a "Sinner's Prayer"
Many folks today view "calling on the Lord" as "praying a sinner's
prayer" in order to become a Christian. But is that what the New
Testament teaches? Ironically, there is no passage in the Bible
that instructs, shows, or implies that the non-Christian becomes a
child of God through prayer.
Rather, we not only see of other requirements that need to be met
before one can become a Christian (which I'll list later), but also
that praying for forgiveness is one of the conditions for the
Christian who transgresses God's word.
Praying For Forgiveness Is For The Christian Who Falls Into Sin
For instance, in Acts 8:13-23, Simon had become a child of God, but
soon sinned when he coveted the special and unique gift that the
apostles had (to lay hands on people and impart the Holy Spirit to
them). Simon actually offered them money for that gift; but, as a
result, was then told to "...repent of this wickedness of yours,
and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be
forgiven you" (v. 22).
Corresponding to that is John's declaration in 1 John 1:9 that "If we
confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Though this verse is
sometimes used in denominational tracts, alleging that the
non-Christian can be saved through prayer, people need to realize that
John was not stating this to the world in general, but only to the
saints, according to 1 John 3:2, where he declares, "Beloved, now we
are children of God...." He, therefore, urges them not to
sin, but if they do fall into that, they need to seek for God's
forgiveness through their Advocate, Jesus Christ, which involves prayer
on their part (1 Jn. 2:1, 1 Jn. 1:9), so that they won't be lost (2
Pet. 2:20-22, Heb. 10:36-39, Jam. 5:19,20).
Some folks also wrongly infer from Revelation 3:20 that lost souls can
be saved by praying a "sinner's prayer"; but, again, we need to remind
ourselves of whom is being addressed. And verse 14 answers
that. Jesus is stating this to the church at Laodicea that had
become lukewarm (spiritually indifferent) and, therefore, had need of
repenting (v. 19) and getting Christ back into their lives.
From these examples and instructions, we also understand that the
Christian who falls into sin does not need to be baptized again.
But there are these other conditions that he must meet in order to be
forgiven.
How Is The Non-Christian To "Call" On The Lord?
To see how the non-Christian is to "call" on the Lord, consider Acts
2. In quoting Joel's prophecy, Peter ended it by saying, "And it
shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved"
(v. 21). He then spoke of the need for them to believe in Jesus
as being Lord and Christ (v. 36), which is essential (John
8:24). According to Acts 2:37, those who had come to
believe, through the gospel message, were "pierced to the heart" and
said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brethren [simply fellow Jews,
and not spiritual brethren yet], what shall we do?" Peter did not tell
these believers to just pray a "sinner's prayer." Nor did he tell
them that their belief that Jesus was the Son of God was all they
needed -- apart from any obedience on their part. Rather, he told
them, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to "Repent, and each of you be
baptized...." And the purpose being "for the forgiveness of your
sins" (v. 38). Or as stated in the New International Version,
"Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name
of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven....'" So not
only did they need to believe, and need to repent, but they also needed
to be baptized in water in order to obtain forgiveness and be saved
from their sins.
Corresponding to that, Saul, who had come to believe in the Lord and
had repented of his sins, was then told by Ananias in Acts 22:16, "Now
why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins,
calling on His name." This was said 3 days after Saul had met the
Lord on the road to Damascus. Saul then obeyed the Lord by going
to this city so that he might learn what he must do (Acts 9:6;
22:10). After 3 days of Saul's fasting and praying, Ananias, who
was sent by the Lord, then arrived to tell Saul of his need to be
baptized in water so that his sins would be forgiven. So Saul
still had sin in his life, up until that time prior to his
baptism -- and that was the case regardless of how many times
Saul must have prayed for God's forgiveness and mercy during that 3-day
period of fasting and prayer. In other words, the
non-Christian is not forgiven by merely praying a "sinner's
prayer." As in the case of Saul, it was in that final step of
baptism in which he was then "calling" on the name of the Lord to be
saved.
This is also why Peter says that "...baptism now saves you -- not the
removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good
conscience -- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet.
3:21). In the act of baptism (and by meeting the other conditions
toward salvation), one is making his "appeal" to God for a clear
conscience. And since the word "appeal" literally means "to make
an earnest request" or "entreaty"; to ask for help, mercy, etc., then
this verse shows that we are doing that not by praying a "sinner's
prayer," but by submitting to the necessary steps that lead to
salvation -- and baptism being one of those steps. It is actually the
final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26,27).
So it is through our obedience to the entire gospel plan of salvation,
which includes hearing God's word (Rom. 10:17), believing in Jesus (Jn.
8:24), repenting of sins (Luke 13:5), confessing our faith in Christ
(Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38), and being baptized in water for the
remission of sins (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38) that we are then "calling" on
the Lord; and the result being salvation from our sins (1 Pet. 3:21),
becoming a new creature in Christ by being put into Him through baptism
(2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 3:26,27). For through water baptism, the
penitent believer is raised to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3,4).
Since there is only one plan of salvation for all people, then when we
parallel Acts 2:21 with Acts 2:36-38, we see that the one who will be
"saved" (v. 21), which is the same as obtaining "forgiveness" (v. 38),
is the one who "calls" on the name of the Lord (v. 21), which includes
the parallel equivalent of believing, repenting, and being baptized
(vv. 36-38).
The Christian is then to strive to "be faithful unto death" (Rev. 2:10;
Heb. 10:36-39) in order to make heaven his eternal home. So just
as the non-Christian begins meeting the Lord's conditions in those
initial steps in becoming a Christian, he is then to continue in
looking to Christ daily and following after Him until arriving in that
wonderful place of eternal glory.
--------------------
-3-
News & Notes
Let those of us who are Christians be praying for the family and
friends of Joe McGregor who
passed away from this earth-life September 11. Many of us will
remember Joe as not only a friend, but also a helpful friend and a
brother in Christ. Joe was the type of person who seemed to
always be looking for ways in which he could help others. We will
miss him, but we will also be encouraged by the many good memories we
have of him.
Let us also be praying for Linda
Blevins who is recovering from pneumonia, which she had to be
hospitalized for, though now back home; and be praying for Agnes Shuff and Eloise Craver who both have physical
ailments to cope with.
--------------------
The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel,
for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the
deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins
(Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ
(Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water
for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4;
Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith;
for,
if
not,
salvation
can
be
lost
(Heb.
10:36-39;
Rev.
2:10;
2
Pet.
2:20-22).
--------------------
CHURCH OF CHRIST
201 Rushing Road (at the Hampton Inn), Denham Springs, Louisiana
70726
Sunday services: 9:15 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 4 PM (worship)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520
tedwards@onemain.com
tedwards1109@gmail.com
http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go (Gospel Observer website)
http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/audioser.html (audio sermons)
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 a little less than 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. Just walk pass the check-in counter; turn
right at the hall. The first and second doors on the left lead to
where we meet.