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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).
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April 29, 1990
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Contents:
1) Riding the Old, Rugged Trail With the Word of God (Tom Edwards)
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Riding the Old, Rugged Trail With the Word of God
by Tom Edwards
During the days of the old, wild West in 1860 and 1861, the Pony
Express served for a period of eighteen months.
The long, dusty trail, which these courageous riders had traveled,
extended from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California -- a
distance of about 1965 miles.
Perhaps this method would have lasted much longer had it not been for
the introduction of the more convenient and speedier service of the
telegraph.
One of the most famous riders at this time was William Frederick Cody,
better known as simply "Buffalo Bill." It is said that he had ridden
320 miles across the perilous, rugged terrain in 24 hours, thus
averaging 13.33 m.p.h.
Needless to say, this occupation was a dangerous one. Often there was
the fear of angry Indians, the apprehension of cold-hearted bandits,
the trepidation of ferocious animals, or some other type of threat that
would arise. The unexpected that might be lurking around the next bend
must have often been another dread to these dedicated mail carriers.
Yet, onward they bravely galloped, not knowing for certain if perils
awaited them or not; and all of this -- just so the mail could get
through!
In order to conserve weight, the riders wore light clothing, used
extremely thin saddles, and either had their horses shod with small
shoes or had them wearing none at all. Yet, with all of these weight
precautions, it's been said that each rider carried a full-sized Bible
which had been presented to him when he joined the Pony Express.
Carrying the word of the Lord within our hearts and following its
precepts across every plain, over every river, and around every bend
must be true of each of us today -- even if the plains be rugged and
dusty, the rivers deep and muddy, or the bends sharp and rocky. We,
too, have a message to deliver.
Therefore, let us hold tight to the reins of God's word, zealously
spurred on by the power of the gospel, and briskly galloping towards
that heavenly city -- a city that appears more beautiful than all the
pastel hues that have ever colored the soft, painted skies of an
Arizona sunset.
With a vision as lovely as this, how could we go but any other
way? Let us, therefore, leave the bunkhouse at the rise of dawn,
saddle up with the necessary preparations, and work together for that
ultimate roundup wherein we will each meet to spend an endless day
around the supernal glories of God's love.
Before we set out across the wide expanse, however, let us also be sure
to wear around our necks the bandanna of compassion that can be used to
protect us, if necessary, from the piercing sandstorms of verbal abuse
-- no matter from what direction they might arise. "Love never
fails," writes Paul to the Corinthians; and the person who truly has
the love of God permeating his life is the person well able to meet
many a hate-filled obstacle; for love is not only the greatest
force to withstand animosity, but also the virtue that makes life more
meaningful and sums up all the law's requirements that one has towards
his fellow-man (Rom. 13:8-10).
In trotting or galloping down the dusty roads of life, may the tracks
we leave behind be the gospel tracts that tell the world how they can
also become our partners in Christ; and which also will show them of
that heavenly trail that they, too, must
follow.
For each person who has broken a law of God must give himself up to the
Savior. As the Bible shows, just one sin committed is all that it takes
to brand the drifter as a bandit who robs from the Lord; and no matter
how high in the saddle one might be in this life, every sinner must
humble himself before the Almighty God.
Someone once spoke of the prairie cactus as that "whose silhouette
resembles a captured villain surrendering himself to the law." While
our surrendering, however, is to be unto Christ, it cannot be
accomplished by merely an external show; but rather by that which has
been prompted from a sincere desire of the heart. This, along with the
necessary obedience, will make us each a part of God's family.
In view of knowing of God's desire to save, let us go seeking for those
who are in need of pardon. For we must shine the lanterns of salvation
for those who are hiding in the dark caves of wickedness and share the
sound doctrine with those who have fallen into the valleys of delusion.
We must also use the revealing power of the Gospel to expose those who
have concealed themselves under cloaks of deception. For this is
all part of our job. Let us, therefore,
go searching for these fugitives who are running from the Lord, not as
bounty hunters, but as those who are hunting for the ones whom we can
share the wonderful bounty of God's love and mercy with.
May are boot-clad feet rest firmly in the stirrups of resolution and
our saddle bags be emptied of "every weight, and the sin which doth so
easily beset us." For we have many miles to go, and the weight of sin
will hold us back.
Yes, God has His wanted-posters, tacked throughout the land, displaying
the pictures of every desperado who has violated His law; but,
ironically, the reward goes to the ex-sin-loving outlaw who will simply
turn himself over to the Lord, willingly and obediently. No eternal
noose of damnation will ever be placed around the one who accepts God's
pardon through faith and obedience and continues to abide by the rules
of that pardon. Rather, God has his endless bliss to offer him.
How wonderful it is to experience Christ taking the dry gulch of our
life and filling it to overflowing with the rejuvenating powers of His
living waters. Longingly, the psalmist declares, "As the deer pants for
the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O God. My soul thirsts for
God, for the living God...." (Psa. 42:1,2).
The Bible doesn't fool us with a distant mirage on the desert-sands of
life, but rather it offers an oasis of the Lord's true and living
waters to quench man's spiritual thirst.
God has not put any "no trespassing signs" around this cool, refreshing
body of water; but, rather, His word earnestly implores all who are
"...athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life
freely" (Rev. 22:17). Though the Christian be miles from civilization
in the heart of a barren wilderness, he will always be able to find the
oasis of God's living waters -- and by it be continually invigorated.
So as we travel through this vast range of life with all of its
mountains to climb, rivers to ford, and flatlands to cross, let us keep
our sure footing with God's word and not fall under the feet of the
godless stampede that is running headlong through the canyons of sin
and storming the valleys of iniquitous pleasure. For we must be
cautious, lest we fall from our uprightness and become trampled in the
dust of iniquity.
Turning to the Scriptures can help us in this area; and, therefore, it
must not be viewed as merely a traveling companion that can bring us
comfort along the way; but, even more, as also our traveling guide,
which points out the directions to go and the dangers to avoid.
As the high noon of God's judgment is fast approaching, may it be our
desire to each be found teamed up on the Lord's side, riding on that
happy trail of God's salvation, and wearing the white hats of
righteousness when that hour comes. For who could remain standing in
the ultimate showdown of God's judgment if he be not on the Lord's side?
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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).
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First published for the Tri-state church of Christ in Ashland,
Kentucky, at 713 13th Street.
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards
tedwards1109@gmail.com
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