Author: Tom Edwards (Page 2 of 54)

The Gospel Observer

August 31, 2025 / Tom Edwards

“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, NASB).

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Contents:

1) “Making Mention Of You In Our Prayers” (Jarrod M. Jacobs)
2) New (Doy Moyer)

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“Making Mention Of You In Our Prayers”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

The apostle Paul says on several occasions that he is praying for the brethren. One of these times is when he writes to the Thessalonians (1:2). As this letter begins, Paul says he (and Silvanus and Timothy) are praying for them. What might a prayer from Paul sound like? What might he pray for the brethren?

In answering this question, we do not have to guess or conjecture. The focus of their prayer was stated in verse 3: “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.” This says a great deal about the brethren at Thessalonica, considering Paul spent a relatively short time with them (Acts 17:1-10).

Their“work of faith,” “labor of love,” and “patience of hope” left such an impression on him and the others that Paul would tell the brethren that when they prayed, they remembered those characteristics in them. These virtues, demonstrated by the Thessalonians, are not just commendable but also essential for every Christian. They are the foundation of our relationship with God and our interactions with others.

I find it interesting how Paul describes each attribute. Notice it is a “work of faith.” While this is consistent with Jesus’ teaching (Jn. 6:28-29), this is not the way the world describes faith. Men want to divorce faith from any action or work, even though James tells us that “faith without works is dead” (Jas. 2:26), meaning that our actions evidence true faith. Paul knew how deep their faith was because he saw it in their actions. How do we show our faith today (Jas. 2:18; Rom. 10:16)?

The Thessalonians’ “labor of love” made an impression on Paul as well. Again, men today might not associate“labor” with “love,” but Paul did! The English word “love” is translated from the word “agape.” “Agape” love is the love that looks out for the best interests of others (Vine’s, pp. 702-704). It is a sacrificial love that ought to be in the lives of all Christians. In this case, “agape” love is a decision that is made. We will love others whether or not they love us first. In the case of Paul and the Thessalonians, we can see how their faithfulness to the Lord despite the persecution they faced would be a true “labor of love” (Acts 17:5, 8, 13)! How much do you love others? What kind of labor is it to love some people? Are you still trying, or have you given up (Matt. 22:37-39)? Don’t ever give up on showing that true, sacrificial love toward others (Matt. 5:46-47; I Cor. 13:1-8)!

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy also remembered their “patience of hope” (I Thess. 1:3). What did this mean? Understand, the word “hope” in this passage means earnest expectation. This was not a wish or a pipedream, as we often associate with “hope.” Instead, these people had been promised something and expected to receive it! In that expectation, they were patient. This means long-suffering, or enduring to receive the thing for which they hoped! Mr. Thayer includes these thoughts when defining patience: “In the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon). Truly, these people stand out in their faithfulness to the Lord. They were going to have to stand and suffer as they looked forward to something better that was to come (II Cor. 4:17)!

As we read the passage, notice where all of these things originated, “in our Lord Jesus Christ”! It is in this relationship that we can have faith, love, and hope. Dear one, are you “in Christ” or not (Gal. 3:27; Eph. 1:3)? Being “in Christ” makes all the difference in the world! In Christ, we have opportunities to enjoy faith, hope, and love, and to grow in these areas, just like the Thessalonians. These three characteristics, faith, love, and hope, are not fleeting, but they abide in Christ, as Paul said to the Corinthians (I Cor. 13:13).

In simple terms. Paul was praying that the Thessalonians would remain strong and not give up in their service to God. Let this be our prayer for fellow Christians today. If someone is not a Christian, then become one today (II Cor. 6:2; Mk. 16:16) and then be determined to mature in the Lord like the Thessalonians!

— Via The Ancient Landmark, June 1, 2025

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New

Doy Moyer

We all like new things, or at least things that are new to us. The new car, the new house, the new computer, the new …fill in the blank. We speak about the New Year and perhaps new beginnings. There is something special about newness. Sadly, we often tire of something after the newness has worn off and we are ready, again, for something else new. Yet what if we can have something new that stays new, is constantly being renewed, and forever keeps its newness? This is what we have in the gospel of Jesus!

New Creatures: When we become disciples of Jesus, we become new creatures: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). As we are born again of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5), we are buried with Christ in baptism and raised to walk in “newness of life” (Rom 6:4). The “old self” was crucified with Jesus so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin (as is characterized by the old self). Being the “new creation” is not just a one-time event but is a continual effect of being in Christ.

Paul had more to say about putting off the old and putting on the new. If we are raised up with Christ, we are to seek the things above where Christ is (Col 3:1-2). We are to put to death the “what is earthly” in us: “sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (v. 5). Putting off the old self with its practices, we are to “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (v. 10). This includes putting on “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (vv. 12-14). With new attitudes and new hearts, we are continually renewed in Him. Likewise, Paul wrote about putting off the old self, that “former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:22-24).

Renewed in Mind: In contrast to being conformed to the world, we are to be living sacrifices for the Lord and “transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:1-2). We must not allow ourselves to slip back into the old self, conforming to the world and its evil desires. God will renew our minds daily when we trust Him.

Renewed in Courage: When faced with significant discouragement in his work, he could still say, “we do not lose heart” (2 Cor 4:1). He may have been afflicted, persecuted, perplexed, and struck down, but he knew he was not crushed, driven to despair, forsaken, or destroyed. “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day” (v. 16). Because of his eternal perspective, knowing that what is seen is temporary and what is not seen is eternal, he could focus on what was most important, trust God, and be renewed day by day.

A New Covenant: We live according to a “new covenant,” which was promised by the Lord through the prophets. For example, the Lord promised through Jeremiah that He would “make a new covenant” with His people (Jer 31:31-34). The Hebrews writer quotes this, calling the new covenant “better” than the old as it is enacted upon “better promises” (Heb 8). He concludes this thought by saying, “In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” It is this “new covenant” of which the Lord spoke when He gave instructions concerning the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:25).

New Heavens and New Earth. The theme of newness runs from beginning to end of Scripture, pointing us to the end times in which we look forward to a “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet 3:8-13). This points us to heaven itself, God’s dwelling, and the “new Jerusalem” where the former things have passed away; and He who sits on the throne says, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Rev 21:1-15). The glory of God illuminates the eternal city where the newness never wears off, and God’s people will never tire or battle with the “old” again.

If we do like what is new, then we need to understand that there is nothing greater than the newness we have in Jesus Christ. We share in a new covenant, look forward to the newness of God’s presence, and, while remaining on earth, live a new life that is continually being renewed through His Spirit and His word. The old is gone. The new has come!

— Via Bulletin Articles from the Vestavia church of Christ, January 5, 2025

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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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).

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Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501

Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service
Wednesday (all but the first): 7 p.m. Bible Classes
First Wednesday of the month: 7 p.m. Congregational Song Service (about 45 minutes of singing, followed by a short talk)

evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com

https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)

The Gospel Observer

August 24, 2025 / Tom Edwards

“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, NASB).

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Contents:

1) “Please Judge Me” (Bryan Gibson)
2) Attitudes That Hinder Repentance (Michael D. Hickox)

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“Please Judge Me”

Bryan Gibson

That’s right, it’s time we flipped the script on the overused and misused slogan of so many—“don’t judge me.” Me personally, I want to know when I’m wrong—in any area of my spiritual life. I do “examine (my) own work” (Galatians 6:4); I do “judge” myself (1 Corinthians 11:31), but I may be blind to what others can clearly see.

Just to be clear, I’m not talking about the “command fire to come down from heaven” spirit of judgment displayed by James and John (Luke 9:51-56). Final judgment belongs to the Lord, but you can help me get ready for that judgment by judging me now—by pointing out my sins.

I would urge you to not judge me too hastily, to “not judge according to appearance, but…with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). But if you know the facts, and the facts point to my guilt, please love me enough to rebuke me (Revelation 3:19), because “open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed” (Proverbs 27:5). “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6), so don’t be afraid to wound me.

I would also prefer that you not judge me hypocritically, that you not be guilty of the same things of which you accuse me (Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 2:1-3). Not for my sake, because your hypocrisy doesn’t change my innocence or guilt, but for your sake. Make sure you humbly apply the same standard (the gospel) to yourself that you apply to me, and let’s both be willing to repent.

And yes, it would be easier on me (and you) if you come to me, at least initially, “in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). Circumstances may call for a sharper rebuke (Titus 1:13), and if that’s the case, it’s on me to respond with a “broken and a contrite heart” (Psalms 51:17). Bottom line—be careful in your approach, but from my standpoint, how you speak to me doesn’t change the facts. If I’m guilty of sin, that’s my biggest concern, not the manner in which you spoke.

It could be that my actions call for a public rebuke, much like Peter received at the hands of Paul (Galatians 2:13-14). And though I have no intention to do so, if I publicly teach false doctrine, I shouldn’t be surprised when you feel the need to warn others about me. Public teaching invites public scrutiny, and if necessary, public rebuke—I understand that, and I also understand that if I listen to correction along the way, it may not ever have to come to that.

“Don’t judge me”—here’s what God says about that approach: “He who refuses correction goes astray” (Proverbs 10:17). “He who hates correction is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1). “He who hates correction will die” (Proverbs 15:10). “He who disdains instruction despises his own soul…” (Proverbs 15:32).

“Please judge me”—here’s what God says about that approach: “He who regards a rebuke will be honored” (Proverbs 13:18). “He who receives correction is prudent” (Proverbs 15:5). “The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise…he who heeds rebuke gets understanding” (Proverbs 15:31-32).

So, which is the better approach? You be the judge.

— Via Plain Words from God’s Word, July 31, 2025

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Attitudes That Hinder Repentance

Michael D. Hickox

In Acts 2, the apostle Peter preached to Jews who became filled with guilt over what they had done to Jesus. These Jews asked the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (verse 37). In response, “Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (verse 38). In this verse, the Holy Spirit through Peter set forth commands that must be followed to become a Christian. Besides baptism in Jesus’ name for the remission of sins, the apostle also commanded, “Repent.”

Later, in Acts 8, a man named Simon heard this same message, and was baptized into Christ (verse 13). After becoming a Christian though, Simon sinned (verses 18-19). The Lord’s apostle then commanded him, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (verse 22).

It is thus evident that both for the alien sinner and the erring Christian, repentance is part of God’s requirements for receiving forgiveness.

Consider some attitudes that hinder this needed repentance.

Ignoring the Seriousness of Sin. Some fail to repent because they don’t recognize how serious sin is. Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin is death.” Sin, if continued in, leads one to eternity in “everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

Some take sin lightly because they compare themselves to other people instead of God’s will. The thought is, “Everybody sins, and my sin is no worse than anyone else’s.”

While it’s true that many people are living in sin, it’s also true that “many” are on the broad path that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). If we desire to be the “few” who receive eternal life, we must measure things by God’s will. Those who do so realize that sin is despicable, and thus, turn in the opposite direction of it.

“Sweeping Sin Under the Rug.” Another pitfall is the idea that if no one finds out about a sin, it’s not a big deal.

After David committed adultery with Bathsheba, instead of acknowledging his sin and repenting, David tried to “sweep it under the rug.” He told lies and abused his position as king to cause an innocent man to be killed, all in an attempt to “cover up” sin that could never really be covered up. The end of 2 Samuel 11 states “the thing that David had done displeased the LORD” (verse 27). As this verse exemplifies, there’s no sin hidden from God (Hebrews 4:13).

Attacking the Messenger. Some fail to repent because their focus is on the faults of the messenger pointing out sin, rather than the message he proclaims. Many attack the messenger for speaking words that could lead them to eternal life.

This is a surefire way to ensure that we will not allow ourselves to be helped when repentance is needed in our lives. As the apostle Paul asked the Galatian brethren, “am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16).

Fearing Rejection. Some fail to repent for fear of being rejected by others (cf. John 12:43).

Jesus stated, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37), implying that being His disciple often involves making choices that anger even those closest to us (cf. verses 34-36). The key question is: do we love Jesus more?

Procrastinating. Still others fail to repent because they don’t have the sense of urgency needed to do so. The belief is that turning to the Lord is something to do “down the road.” This attitude pretends to know more about the future than God has revealed. None of us know how many more days we have on earth (James 4:14), or even how much longer the earth will exist (Matthew 24:36).

When sin is in our lives, may each of us determine not to allow these or any attitude to stand between us and repentance.

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, August 2025

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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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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The Gospel Observer

August 17, 2025 / Tom Edwards

“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, NASB).

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Contents:

1) Rejected by His Own (John1:11) (Mike Johnson)
2) Facets of Love (Jerry Fite)

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Rejected by His Own (John 1:11)

Mike Johnson

John 1:1-18 is considered the prologue of the book of John. A prologue introduces a literary work, providing background information about the characters, setting, or events. The rest of the book then explains and backs up what is in the prologue. Unlike the other gospel accounts, John proclaims Jesus to be the son of God in the beginning.

Verses 1-2 point out that Christ was present at creation and separate from God; we learn He is divine and created the world. In the course of time, He came to the earth as the “light” (8-9) so people could become children of God and receive salvation (1:12, 29). However, the world generally rejected him (10). More specifically, verse 11 says, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”

Speaking prophetically, Isaiah spoke about Jesus, saying, “He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him” (Is. 53:3). Specifically, the Jews (“His own”) turned their backs on Him, not believing He was the promised Messiah. They got the Romans involved, who put the Lord to death as a common criminal. Due to their previous teaching, the Jews should have been better prepared to receive the message of Jesus than anyone else (Mt. 10:5-6). Even later, when entering a new city, Paul would first go to the synagogue to the Jews.

Consider the opposition more specifically. The Jews looked down on Jesus because He was from Galilee (Jn. 7:41, 52). Concerning the specific town He was from (Nazareth), some asked if anything good could come from there (Jn. 1:46). Jesus performed many miracles witnessed by the two major sects of His day (the Pharisees and Sadducees) who still refused to believe Him (Jn. 12:37-43). They tried to kill or have Him arrested many times (Mt. 12:14; Mt. 26:3-4; Jn. 10:30-31).

The Jews also rejected Jesus because of misconceptions about the nature of the kingdom that He would establish. They thought the Messiah would lead them in overthrowing the Romans. After the miracle of feeding the 5000, certain ones were going to take him by force and make Him king (Jn. 6:15). However, at His trial, Jesus responded to Pilate saying, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (Jn. 18:36).

Jealousy was also an issue among the many Jewish leaders. Pilate even knew that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him because of “envy” (Mk. 15:10). The feeling of the Jewish leaders that Jesus might cause them to lose their status and power played a role in their rejection of Him.

Jesus was even rejected in His hometown of Nazareth (Lk. 4:16-30). People in the synagogue drove Him out from there and were about to throw Him off a cliff, “when He passed through the midst of them, He went His way” (Lk. 4:30). At first, even Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him (Jn. 7:5).

If Jesus’ “own” did not receive Him, imagine the reaction of those who did not fall into this category. Sadly, the majority of the world does not accept Him today. There are various reasons for this rejection. Consider, however, Jesus’ statement in John 3:19-21.

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.

Yet, despite Jesus mostly being rejected during His time on the earth, many did receive Him (1:12-13) as He continued His efforts. Further, after His resurrection on Pentecost, Jesus’ apostles preached the gospel for the first time. There were 3000 baptized in one day (Acts 2:41), and the church continued to grow (Acts 2:47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1, 7). This growth resulted from people spreading the message of Jesus locally and throughout the world (Acts 5:42; 8:1-4; Col. 1:23).

How do we handle rejection? What do we do when even “our own” refuse to listen? People we view as the best prospects may turn away from us as we try to teach them, as they did with Jesus. But, we must continue our efforts and even expand our range. Prospects are among those who are morally bankrupt (Acts 24:1-26; Jn. 4; 1 Cor. 6:9-11), rich sinners (Lk. 12:13-21; 19:2-10; 1 Tim. 6:10, 17-19), ignorant and poor (Acts 3:14-19; James 2:1-4), highly prejudice (Gal. 1;13-14; 1 Tim. 1:13), and involved in religious error (Acts 17:22-23). As with Jesus and the early disciples, rejection should not stop us from teaching others!

— Via Seeking Things Above

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Facets of Love

Jerry Fite

A polished cut gem can easily captivate and hold your attention. Minutes can pass quickly when you look at a diamond from one angle and admire it from another. The various angled surface cuts offer the sparkle of reflected light. A diamond’s carat weight value increases in proportion to the more expert cuts improving the gem’s symmetry.

“Love” is a spiritual gem that is multi-faceted. The Greeks had specific words to express love’s particular facets. For example, the Greek word “EROS” conveyed limited to “family love.” “PHILEO” conveyed “the sense of belonging,” denoting an intimate tender relationship. Then, “AGAPE” emphasized the “active good-will” toward others where one is ”seeking the well-being” of another.

While the Greek word “eros” does not occur in the New Testament, God warns and instructs us to discipline our eyes which is often the beginning for stimulating erotic sexual love (Matthew 5:28).

The intimate sense of belonging in “phileo-love” is commanded in the New Testament. Older women are to pass along instruction to younger wives to “love” their husbands and children (Titus 2:4). Women are to do their part in their dual relationships as wives and mothers to create a close bond in their families, nurturing the sense that here, we all belong to one another. While “storge,” the Greek word limited to family love does not occur in the New Testament, the tender feelings of love (phileo) should invigorate our homes and our spiritual family relationships.

As we dwell in God’s word, we cannot help but linger with admiration for the sparkling reflection of “agape-love.” If you do not have this love, you do not know God. Why? “God is love,” that’s why! (I John 4:9-10). Through “love” He initiated our well-being by sending His Son to die for us so we can live spiritually and eternally with Him in heaven. This godly character is manifested when we initiate love for our enemies by praying for their well-being (Matthew 5:44-45). This facet of expressing the character of God in our own lives will be a challenge, but it is one glorious pursuit in the Christian life that separates us from the world and perfects our walk with God (Matthew 5:48).

Glimmering love is the exaltation of “Truth.” Lacking the love for truth will be a primary cause for many perishing in eternity(2 Thessalonians 2:10). If people want to know the truth of God, God’s Word is easily accessible in brick-and-mortar and online bookstores. Church websites, such as ours at Parkview, are constantly providing the truth of God’s word with every upload. Bibles in your own language may be limited in some places, but the major problem today with the Truth of God’s word is not finding it but loving it. This facet of love shines brightly, maybe glaringly so!

Another facet of love is the “atmosphere” it creates for “faith to work.” Christians in the first century were not distinguished by the circumcision of the flesh, but by “faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6). As we grow in the faith it must be filtered by “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Weeds can grow, but we should “grow up in all things into Him, who is the head, even Christ.”So, love will come sometimes in the form of rebuke when we are heading the wrong direction. Paul addressed the spiritual needs of the Corinthians with distinct and direct rebuke without being condemned for being “unloving.” After his various rebukes and instruction in his first letter to the Corinthians, he closes by saying, “My love be with you all in Christ Jesus, Amen” (I Corinthians 16:24). How cruel if distinctive rebuke is a sign of the lack of love! Viewed correctly, it is how faith works through love!

— Via Glad Tidings, Vol. XXXII, No. 14, April 3, 2022

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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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).

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The Gospel Observer

August 10, 2025 / Tom Edwards

“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, NASB).
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Contents:

1) “A Date Which Will Live in Infamy” (Jarrod M. Jacobs)
2) How We Worship God Is Significant (Joe R. Price)
3) God is the Strength of My Heart (Jesse A. Flowers)

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“A Date Which Will Live in Infamy”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

On December 7, 1941, the U.S. was bombed by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. In response to this act of war, something President Roosevelt called “a date which will live in infamy,” our nation assembled and united against a common enemy: an “axis of evil” in the Orient and in Europe. If the Lord wills, Saturday of this week will mark the 83rd anniversary of that horrible day. We ought to remember and respect the sacrifices of so many who lived during those turbulent times and made it possible that we, now 83 years removed from those events, still live in freedom.

Yes, it was an “infamous date” when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, but is there not an “infamous date” that each person lives when we choose to serve Satan instead of God? You see, there is a day in everyone’s life (if we live long enough to make independent decisions) when we choose to follow Satan (Rom. 3:23). James wrote, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (Jas. 1:14-15). This has happened to each of us at some point in our lives.

Whether or not we remember the date we first committed sin, we know God remembers it. That time is a “date which will live in infamy” in our lives. This is because, on that date, we yielded to temptation and succumbed to the onslaught of Satan. We joined ranks with the “kingdom of darkness” and died to God that day (Eph. 2:1-3, 4:17-19; I Pet. 2:9b; Col. 1:13).

This date will “live in infamy” because those of us who have learned better realize that it is for this cause, our sin, that Christ came into the world (I Tim. 1:15). He who committed no sin (I Pet. 2:22) came to this world and offered Himself as the supreme sacrifice so that men might be saved (Matt. 20:25; Jn. 1:29; Lk. 19:10; II Cor. 5:14-15).

What have we done in response? We turned from God, yielded to temptation, and sinned. From the first time we sinned, we were separated from God (Isa. 59:1-2). As we continued living in sin, we moved farther and farther away from God. Yes, the date we first sinned is a “date which will live in infamy” because, from that time forward, we were lost, undone, and lost the hope of Heaven (Eph. 2:12). We were taken captive by Satan and had no promise of eternal life with Christ. How tragic!

Unlike WWII, which lasted only a relatively short amount of time (The U.S. was involved from 1941 to 1945), our war with Satan continues so long as this world stands! Satan has been fighting with God for the souls of men since Genesis 3 and will continue until the end of time. Therefore, we have to be ever-vigilant (I Pet. 5:8) and ready to “fight the good fight of faith” (I Tim. 6:12).

How can one fight against Satan? We begin by returning to Christ and receiving remission of our sins through faith in Him, repentance of sin, confession of our faith, and baptism (Jn. 8:24; Lk. 13:3; Rom. 10:10; Mk. 16:16). In becoming a Christian, we are no longer separated, but “reconciled” to God (II Cor. 5:17-18; Eph. 2:13), and in this relationship, we may “fight the good fight of faith,” wearing the “whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:13-18).

Yes, there is a “date which will live in infamy” in all of our lives, but in Christ, the sin can be forgiven, and this date can become a distant memory when we are baptized and wear Christ’s name (Acts 22:16, 11:26). Have you done this?

— Via The Ancient Landmark, December 5, 2024

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How We Worship God Is Significant

Joe R. Price

The Heritage Church of Christ in Fort Worth, TX will begin using instruments of music in its Sunday evening services this fall (see http://tinyurl.com/kyopzrd). This is occurring more frequently as churches depart ever farther from the ancient order revealed in the Scriptures.

An explanation of their decision given by their pulpit minister is posted on their website. The statement reads in part, “So, wondering what is worship at Heritage like? First, understand a few basic truths. The goal of our worship is to bring us into the presence of God. We come together as God’s people and worship Him. The “how” of our worship is insignificant, the “who” we worship and praise is the most significant!” (Ibid).

True worship does indeed involve coming into the presence of God, being defined as an act of offering reverent adoration and homage to God (Gen. 22:5; Psa. 5:7; 95:6; 99:5, 9). Yet, all worship is not approved by God, as Jesus pointedly applied Isaiah to the religious hypocrites of His day (Matt. 15:7-9). It is not enough to say we are worshiping God in order for God to be pleased (cf. the Samaritans, who “worshiped on this mountain,” but not with God’s approval, Jn. 4:20-22). Worship that pleases God “must” be in “spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:23-24). Therefore, we rightly conclude that true worshipers offer homage to God that is both sanctioned by His word of truth and expressed from a heart of reverent awe and adoration. It is significant how we worship God as well as why we approach Him (the Heritage Church of Christ’s statement, notwithstanding).

We gain some insight into their decision to add instrumental music to their worship services when the statement says, “Churches of Christ have a longstanding tradition of a cappella singing” (Ibid). “Church of Christ tradition” is not a Bible concept and belies a sectarian attitude toward the church. Coming before God to worship Him with singing is not based on “Church of Christ tradition,” but on the solid ground of apostolic tradition of Scripture (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 2 Thess. 2:15). The use of instrumental music to worship God was added many centuries after the apostolic age, and is a clear departure from worship in the New Testament (Gal.1:6-9; 1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Jn. 9).

After giving a nod to tradition, the website statement announces, “Starting this fall we will be adding an instrumental service on Sunday evenings. This will give people a choice of worshiping in an a cappella worship service or an instrumental worship service” (Ibid). Now we understand that worship as defined by the Heritage Church of Christ is a matter of personal choice and not a conviction of faith. That is why they say the “how” of our worship is “insignificant.” We would earnestly remind them of Nadab and Abihu, whose “how” displeased God and prompted their death. Not being commanded by God, their “how” failed to approach God in holiness (Lev. 10:1-3).

I emailed John Gann (minister at Heritage) and asked him to explain why they conclude the “how” of worship to be insignificant. His complete reply was, “Thanks for the email. Our web explanation is to give someone a basic understanding of what they will experience at Heritage, not to spark a theological debate.” Either he has no Bible answer or he is unwilling to share it. Either way, his failure to answer speaks volumes (1 Pet. 3:15). God is sinned against when men change His pattern for worship. Claiming “how” God is worshiped is insignificant is of man, not God (Jn. 4:23-24; Mal. 1:6-8).

— Via Viewpoint from the Valley Grove church of Christ, July 31, 2022

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God is the Strength of My Heart

Jesse A. Flowers

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps. 73:25-26, NIV).

Asaph, the psalmist, proclaims an exclusive desire for God in heaven and on earth. “Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.” This signifies a deep and profound relationship where God is the ultimate source of satisfaction and fulfillment, surpassing all worldly attachments or desires.

“My flesh and my heart may fail” acknowledges the inherent limitations and fragility of human beings, both physically and emotionally. This statement highlights the reality that people are subject to aging, illness, doubt, fear, and despair. It underscores the need for reliance on a power beyond oneself, leading to the affirmation of God’s strength.

“God is the strength of my heart” indicates that God provides stability, security, and unshakable support, especially in times of weakness and hardship. The word “strength” can also be translated as “rock” or “fortress,” emphasizing God’s enduring and unchanging nature. God being “my portion forever” reflects the concept of inheritance and signifies that God is the ultimate inheritance and source of satisfaction, both in this life and the next (Psalm 73:23-24).

The psalm begins with Asaph struggling with the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the seeming unfairness of their flourishing while the righteous suffer. However, a turning point occurs when Asaph enters the sanctuary of God, where he gains an eternal perspective and realizes that the prosperity of the wicked is fleeting, while the righteous have an everlasting inheritance in God.

How extremely blessed we are to have such a God! No matter what we may be facing or enduring in this life, He is and will continually be the rock of our heart and our portion forever. Praise be to God!

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, August 2025

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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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).

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The Gospel Observer

August 3, 2025 / Tom Edwards

“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, NASB).

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Contents:

1) “400 Years of Silence” (Jarrod M. Jacobs)

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“400 Years of Silence”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

The period between the end of the book of Malachi and the time of Christ’s coming to earth is often referred to as the “400 years of silence.” It is commonly referred to in this way because, in those years, no inspired books were written. Since this is true, some might assume that God left man alone and waited for Christ to be born. We might think nothing of spiritual importance happened in these years. Yet, this is not an accurate assumption of this time in man’s history.

Just because God did not inspire men to write books at this time, are we safe in assuming that this means God was not speaking to man? Were men only “counting time” for 400 years? I view these 400 years as a fascinating period in Biblical history and the broader history of men in general. Why do I say this? Living during these 400 years meant …

Men Saw Bible Prophecies Fulfilled.

A prime example of this is seen in the book of Daniel. Daniel was called to be God’s prophet when he was taken into Babylonian captivity at an early age (Dan. 1-2). While still a young man, he stood before Nebuchadnezzar, and by God’s inspiration, told Nebuchadnezzar his dream and interpreted it (Dan. 2:29-45). This dream prophesied of four coming kingdoms, three physical and one spiritual, that would arise after Babylon. It was during these four hundred years of “silence” that much of his dream was fulfilled.

Some years after the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel had a vision of a ram and goat who fought with one another by the river Ulai (Dan. 8). This vision was a foretelling of the kingdoms of the Medes and Persians and their struggle and loss to the Greeks (Dan. 8:19-27). The fulfillment of these events is not recorded for us in Scripture, because it happened during those 400 “silent” years! The rise and fall of the Greek Empire (torso/thighs of brass, Dan. 2:32, 39, 7:21-22) happened during this time as well.

Yes, God’s prophecies were fulfilled during those days! Men and women with eyes to see and ears to hear would have taken note of this and realized that God is powerful and very much in control (Dan. 4:17, 32, 5:21).

Men Had The Complete Old Testament By Which To Live.

During these 400 years, the Jews would have had access to all thirty-nine Old Testament books. They had access to the knowledge of God’s word that folks in Moses’ day or David’s or Isaiah’s, etc., did not have. They had all the truth God had revealed up to that point!

In these years, the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures) was completed. Now, not only those who spoke Hebrew, but also those who spoke Greek, could see the “big picture” as they looked forward to Messiah’s coming (Jn. 4:25-26). No doubt, such knowledge of the Scripture is what kept people like Simeon and Anna faithful to God throughout their lives (Lk. 2:25-38). Remember, they would have been living at the end of these 400 years. All they had to follow was the written word of the Old Testament, and they kept it faithfully. God’s word then had the power to produce faith in people as it does today (Rom. 10:17). This is what those folks lived by until they saw the Lord’s Christ with their own eyes! Just think of the people unknown to us, but known to God, who faithfully continued in the Lord’s will all of those years. Think of those who lived near the end of those 400 years and got to see and hear Christ upon this earth! Their faith and perseverance should inspire us today.

Men Could Receive God’s Blessings.

Remember that those living in this time had passages of Scripture to comfort and strengthen them, as well as God’s promised blessings to them for their obedience. They had access to such passages as:

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Ps. 37:25).
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).
“And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” (Deut. 10:12-13).

In addition to these passages, we know they could become wise through their study and obedience to God’s word (Ps. 119:98-100; II Tim. 3:15). Those people could read the Scriptures, learn from them, live them, and be blessed during those 400 years. They also had numerous examples of folks living by faith, living examples of those who pleased God (Heb. 11).

Those living during the 400 years were in a unique place in history. They saw many Old Testament prophecies fulfilled, and this would build their confidence that other prophecies, such as Messianic prophecies, would be fulfilled as well!

Modern-Day Applications

As I think about those folks living during the 400 years, I think we Christians have much in common with them. Can you see any similarities?

One way we are similar is that, just like those folks, we can observe fulfilled prophecies. Though they looked forward to Christ coming to earth, in our case, we point to the fulfillment of all the Messianic prophecies and look forward to the Savior’s final return (I Thess. 4:13-17; etc.). The Lord’s Christ came to this earth, and while here fulfilled 332 prophecies concerning Himself. These prophecies, such as His birth in Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2) and His crucifixion (Ps. 22), were fulfilled in remarkable detail. The existence of so many fulfilled prophecies makes it plain that God inspired the Bible we read and study (II Tim. 3:16-17)!

Not only is this the case, but we also have the completed word to guide our lives (Jude 3). Like those folks, we have access to God’s knowledge, knowledge to which the people from the first century and before did not have access. The glaring difference between us and those in those 400 years is that they lived according to the Old Testament’s mandate, but a New Testament was to come (Jer. 31:31-34)! We, on the other hand, have the completed New Testament to hear, believe, and obey (Matt. 28:18-20; Heb. 8:6-13, 12:24; II Cor. 3:6-14).

Of course, we are also aware of the fact that by following the New Testament, we will be blessed by God (Jas. 1:25; Rev. 1:3, 22:14). This principle of hearing, believing, obeying, and receiving a blessing has been seen since the beginning of time, and it is still true today! Just as folks during those 400 years were blessed when they followed the Lord’s will, so also, we today are blessed by God when we are obedient (Rev. 22:14)!

Conclusion

When we think about it, we see that describing the time between the Old and New Testaments as a time of “silence” is a misnomer. True, God did not inspire men to write a book or letter that was included in the canon of Scripture. Yet, does this mean God was “silent”? Could men today say that God has been silent since there have not been any more verbally inspired books since the first century (Jude 3)? Of course, not! We now have access to His completed word. God speaks today just as clearly as ever through the words of Christ recorded for us on the printed page (Heb. 1:1-2; Eph. 3:4; Rev. 1:3; II Tim. 2:15; etc.). Let us hear Him, believe, and obey!

— Via The Ancient Landmark, June 20, 2025

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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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).

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The Gospel Observer

July 27, 2025 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) “The Burden of Malachi” (Jarrod M. Jacobs)

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“The Burden of Malachi”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

The book of Malachi was written at a time when God gave His people one last chance to repent before they experienced 400 years when there was “no open vision” from God (to borrow a phrase). Malachi begins with the words, “The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi” (Mal. 1:1). The word “burden” means, “a burden or load, figuratively a judgment which lies heavy on a people” (Wilson’s, p. 59). Why was this word a burden? What was this judgment, and why would it lie heavily on the people? Let us read Malachi and discover what God said to His people. Let us also learn the intended lessons and work to ensure these things do not happen to us!

God’s People Did Not Honor Him.

In Malachi 1:6-7, we read, ‘A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? And if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.” God charges the people with disrespect and dishonoring Him. The Jews ask in verse 7 how this happened, and the Lord answers them by describing the way they were worshipping. They offered polluted, or unclean bread on the altar, and their attitude was one of pride. They also despised the altar. In other words, they gave God the leftovers in their worship! They gave God the least of their time and devotion. This dishonoring of God led to a breakdown in their relationship with Him and the loss of His favor. They focused on this world and its pleasures, rather than looking to God and pleasing Him, and God condemned them for it, warning them of the dire consequences of such actions.

God’s People Were Bored With Worshipping Him.

In verse thirteen of chapter one, God says, “Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! And ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.” These people were not just bored with serving God; they lost the joy and enthusiasm in their worship! They had no intention of pleasing God through sacrifices, and did not want to serve God. Instead of it being a pleasure and privilege to serve the only true and living God, they considered it a burden upon them.

God also condemns how they sacrificed whatever they wanted instead of the best they had. Let us notice what David said in Psalm 122:1. “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” This attitude, and not the attitude of those in Malachi’s day, ought to be our attitude today. Let us come to worship with zeal and enthusiasm, just as David did, ready to serve God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength (Mk. 12:30)! Our worship should be a joyous occasion, a time to connect with God and express our love and devotion to Him (Jn. 4:24).

God’s People Had A Perverted View Of His Character.

In Malachi 2:17, God tells them, “Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?” These folks had pushed God to the point that He was disgusted with them (Wilson’s, p. 477). These people had completely perverted the character of God. They taught that God delights in those who do evil. You can see the utter disrespect as they sneered, “Where is the God of judgment?”

Their attitude was not unique, but a resurrection of the attitude of their forefathers. Before the people had gone into exile, God through Isaiah said, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isa. 5:20-21) Woe to those today as well who try to pervert God’s character and scoff at His power and might!

God’s People Robbed Him.

In Malachi 3:8, God accuses, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.” Just as they had defiled the altar, they had also robbed God through their tithes and offerings. They refused to do as God commanded. They did not give as they should, and God was ready to punish them for it. As we read further in this chapter, we notice that these Jews had become very arrogant. “Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered” (Mal. 3:13-15). There is no room in God’s kingdom for those who think they can work wickedly and God will not care, or for those who think He will not punish them for acting that way.

God’s People Were Allowed To Return.

Even at this time, God had not given up on them completely. In Malachi 3:7 God said, “…Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.” After all God’s people had done, God was still ready to forgive them. He told them to return to Him, and He would return to them when they did. This passage is like James 4:8 which says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…” God was still willing to forgive after all the terrible things these people did to God!

In like manner, if we want to be forgiven by God, we must realize that we have sinned (Rom. 3:23), and make our lives right with God through obedience to His word. Despite their arrogance and thievery, God was willing to take them back because He loved them as a man loves his son (Mal. 3:17). God is willing to take us back when we repent (II Pet. 3:9).

God’s People Had A Reward Waiting For Them.

Notice the promise God made to these wicked Jews, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts” (Mal. 3:10-12). After their selfishness and unwillingness to serve God, He still was there with out-stretched arms waiting for them. He told them, “…prove me now…” How foolish these people were for not taking God up on His offer.

How foolish people are today, as well. Jesus Christ extends the invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30). Do not let the cares of this world lead you away from the Truth. Stay grounded and settled in God’s word as long as you live (I Cor. 15:58). Do not become like these people in Malachi’s day (Rom. 15:4; I Cor. 10:11).

— via Articles from the church of Christ in Spenser, Indiana, March 1, 2025

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

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The Gospel Observer

July 20, 2025 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Together (Irvin Himmel)
2) The Tragic Sin of King Uzziah (Keith Sharp)

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Together

Irvin Himmel

Christians are not expected to be loners. First, we need the help of, and constant communion with, the Lord. “For none of us liveth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s” (Rom. 14:7-8). Second, we need each other.

Please consider the emphasis which the New Testament places on togetherness.

Gathering Together

Jesus taught, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). The presence of Jesus is not contingent on the size of the gathering, but rather that the gathering is “in His name.” The Hebrew writer admonished, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another. . .” (Heb. 10:25).

Mutual edification strengthens and fortifies. God wants us to come together. Deliberately staying away from the meetings of the church is a symptom of selfishness and self-centeredness. Our presence is needed, not to boost a preacher’s ego or to swell the attendance merely to have larger numbers, but for our own good.

Worshiping Together

“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them” (Acts 20:7). The first-century disciples did not partake of the Lord’s supper in solitariness; they came together to break bread. When Peter was released from prison, “he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying” (Acts 12:12). Although one may pray in privacy, as other examples clearly show, it is appropriate that we pray together. The fact that we are to teach and admonish one another in singing indicates our coming together to sing (Col. 3:16).

Our attitude toward worshiping together should be that expressed by the psalmist, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” (Ps. 34:3). There is beauty and inspiration in our blending our voices in praise and being of one heart in expressing homage and adoration to God.

Striving Together

Paul taught the saints at Philippi to “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27). Too often Christians are found striving one against another. A spirit of divisiveness hinders our efforts. Some who are quick to label others as having a “party spirit” are themselves quite partisan in certain views which they champion. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Ps. 133:1).

Striving together means working and fighting shoulder to shoulder against the common foe. It means contending together for the faith “once delivered” to the saints (Jude 3). For this to be a reality we must “be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). It is to be regretted that petty squabbles and personal clashes prevent our closing ranks in the battle against wickedness. Some had rather sit on the sidelines and take potshots here and there than to work together with courageous brethren in striving for the faith of the gospel.

Following Together

Certain people follow one religious standard and others follow another. There is always confusion in a congregation when some adhere to one rule and others give attention to a conflicting concept. Paul said to the Philippians, “. . . Let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample” (Phil. 3:16-17). To be “followers together” of Paul means imitating the same model. To follow Paul is to follow Christ, for the apostle insisted, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).

Followers together of Paul are not ashamed of the gospel (Rom. 1:16). Followers together of Paul come not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring the testimony of God (1 Cor. 2:1). Followers together of Paul learn, in whatever state, to be content (Phil. 4:11). Followers together of Paul endure persecutions and afflictions (2 Tim. 3:10-12). Followers together of Paul fight a good fight, finish the course, and keep the faith (2 Tim. 4:7). Followers together of Paul do not covet anyone’s silver, gold, or apparel (Acts 20:33).

Being Caught Up Together

The faithful in Christ who are living on earth when he returns will have no advantage over the dead in Christ, because “the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16-17). Think of it! The dead in Christ are raised up; and they, along with the living in Christ, are caught up together to meet the Lord and be with him forevermore.

Together, God’s people worship, work, struggle, weep, rejoice, suffer, and go home to eternal glory. Together, we shall praise him for ever and ever!

— Via Truth Magazine, Vol. XLV; 3, p18, February 1, 2001

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The Tragic Sin of King Uzziah

Keith Sharp

King Uzziah of Judah obeyed the law of the Lord; and, as the result, God blessed him and made his kingdom strong (2 Chronicles 26:1-15). “But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the LORD his God and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense” (verse 16, English Standard Version).

Azariah the high priest and 80 brave priests followed the king into the temple, confronted him, and informed him he had no right to offer the incense to the Lord. Uzziah became very angry, but as the priests courageously withstood him, leprosy broke out in his forehead. The priests rushed him out of the temple, and he himself hurried to leave. But he was an unclean leper the remainder of his life, had to live by himself (cf. Leviticus 13:1-3; Numbers 5:1-3), and his son Jotham reigned in his place (2 Chronicles 26:17-23).

King Uzziah, a descendant of David, was of the tribe of Judah (Matthew 1:2-9). The Lord did not specifically forbid one from Judah to function as a priest; He just said nothing about priests from the tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14). He commanded that priests in Israel were to be of the tribe of Levi and of the lineage of Aaron (Exodus 40:13-15; Numbers 26:58-59).

King Uzziah could not minister as a priest because the Lord God specified the tribe from which the priests were to come, and he was of the wrong tribe.

Why don’t churches of Christ have instrumental music in worship? It’s because in the New Testament the Lord tells us to sing in worship (Acts 16:25; Romans 15:8-9; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:11-12; James 5:13). He didn’t say play on an instrument, as He did under the Old Testament (cf. Psalm 150); and He didn’t just say “make music.” He specified that we sing in worship. Instrumental music is the wrong kind of music.

When the Lord specifies what He wants in worship, it is sin to introduce something else. Do you think you could convince King Uzziah now that it doesn’t make any difference how we worship?

— via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, June 2025

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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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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The Gospel Observer

July 13, 2025 / Tom Edwards

1) So, What’s a Good Sermon? (Jefferson David Tant)
2) What Think Ye? (Keith Hamilton)

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So, What’s a Good Sermon?

Jefferson David Tant

Out of all the thousands of sermons preachers have delivered and to which people have listened, how would we determine which sermons are good, which are bad, or which are so-so? I would suppose that even preachers evaluate themselves from time to time, and on occasion might conclude, “Well, I’ll never preach that sermon again!”

In answering the question, it would be good to go to the “Preacher’s Manual,” which we would agree would be God’s Word. I doubt that any preacher would suppose that he could measure up to the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ, in His Sermon on the Mount; but there are various Scriptures that do mention preaching that is connected to the apostles and others in the New Testament writings.

For some helpful advice, let’s consider the words of one chosen by God to be a teacher, as he instructs a young preacher. Of course, we’re writing about the apostle Paul and the young man Timothy:

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (II Timothy 4:1-2).

Preach the Word

What is “the Word”? Obviously, it is the teaching of Jesus Christ. A good sermon is based on God’s Word, not the opinions or doctrines of men. And if preachers are to “preach the Word,” they need to spend some time studying and meditating on the Word. There may be various things that occupy a preacher’s time and thoughts, but there must be a priority set on the matter of spending time with the Bible. Within it are the “words of life.”

Oh, there may be times when a preacher says, “Let me give you my thoughts on that.” But be sure that your thoughts are in agreement with what the passage says, rather than giving a different view.

Be Ready in Season and Out of Season

What does Paul mean by this? To preach in both summer and winter? Obviously, that’s not what Paul meant, but it certainly would apply to preaching in good times and hard times. Yes, there are good times for preaching. The hearers are at peace with one another and there is harmony, and the audience/church is working together to further the Lord’s work. But Satan is still at work in the world, and sometimes brethren are distracted by his devices, and there may be some difficulties the preacher faces. Some preachers don’t want to get involved, and just ignore problems when they arise, hoping they will go away. But that’s not how either Christ or Paul dealt with problems. They confronted them.

Reprove, Rebuke

These words are very similar in their meanings, and carry the idea of “to admonish, convict, convince.” I suppose this would not always be the most pleasant duty of a preacher, but if the body of Christ is to be whole and pure, it must be done. We certainly know that a medical doctor sometimes has to take measures to remove disease from our bodies. It may not always be pleasant for us, but we know that good health makes it necessary. Is the body of Christ, the church, any less important?

Some readers are familiar with the well-known denominational preacher in the United States named Joel O’Steen. In an interview on TV, he stated, “I don’t preach on sin. I want my people to feel good.” I guess that’s how he could build a church of some 40,000 members and become a millionaire.

The greatest preacher of all time, Jesus Christ, certainly did not hesitate to rebuke the Pharisees and others for their hypocrisy and sinful deeds in his preaching. And Paul did the same, even confronting a fellow apostle, Peter, for his bad behavior when he separated himself from the Gentiles in Galatians 3:11-12.

And what is our attitude and behavior when we have to confront those who are in error? What should be the tone of our voice in this matter? Paul tells us in Galatians 6:1: “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”

I’m afraid that I know of too many situations where people may have been driven away by the harsh attitude of the preacher either in private or in public. How would we want others to deal with us if we have been in the wrong? Thus Paul said we should “look to ourselves.”

Exhort

This is an encouraging word, and Strong’s Greek Dictionary says: “parakaleo, par-ak-al-eh’-o — to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):–beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), entreat, pray.”

I don’t think I need to add to that, as Strong gives a pretty good definition of what it means to “exhort.” And of course, this corresponds to what Paul said in Galatians 6:1 about a “spirit of gentleness.”

With Great Patience

Just what does it mean to be “patient?” Would this not carry the idea that we are not to be quick to anger, not use harsh words, but rather to have a spirit of love and kindness when we seek to correct others, whether from the pulpit or in person?

Brethren, if we seek to apply Paul’s instructions to a young preacher to our own work, then obviously God’s Word will work its purpose, and the hearers of our sermons/lessons will be edified and strengthened and the church will grow.

The Psalmist closes the 107th Psalm with the following words: “Whoso is wise will give heed to these things; And they will consider the lovingkindnesses of Jehovah” (Psalms 107:43).

And Paul’s words to the church in Rome also have an application to those who preach the gospel: “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor” (Romans 12:12).

— Via Seeking Things Above, Volume 3, Number 10, January 2023

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What Think Ye?

Keith Hamilton

“But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him” (Matthew 21:28-32).

On various occasions, our Lord asked questions of His audience appealing to their intellect. He did not ask them, “How do you feel about this?” Nor did he ask, “How does that make you feel?” Or even, “When that happened, how did it make you feel?” No, our Lord wanted people to think. He wanted them to engage their mind and intellect. The reason for such was to settle things in their minds. It is when the mind is convinced that matters become settled, and solid convictions can come to be formed. When the heart and feelings get involved, things can become messy and fickle.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

The mind must not follow the heart. Meaning our convictions must not be based on our feelings or emotions. Rather, the heart must follow the mind. Meaning that we must think deeply about the things God has said, become soundly convinced we recognize what His will is, then form convictions that rest solidly on God’s Word. When one does that, they can then rejoice and feel great about their relationship with God. Now, go back and read the story Jesus told above and consider His question. Which of the two sons truly respected their father? The one who gleefully said, “I go”? Or the one who reflected on his actions, repented, and went to do the will of his father? You know, don’t you? Complying with the will of our Father in heaven is something we must do! Have you done the will of Jesus by believing and being baptized (Mark 16:16)? The will of God for you begins with repenting and being baptized for the remission of your sin (Acts 2:38). What THINK ye? Are you doing the will of God?

— Via Articles from the Knollwood church of Christ, July 2025

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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 Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).

3) Repent of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).

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; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…

6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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The Gospel Observer

July 6, 2025 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Paradise and the Thief on the Cross (Kyle Pope)
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Paradise and the Thief on the Cross

Kyle Pope

When Jesus was crucified, Scripture records that His cross was positioned between two others (Matt. 27:38; Mark 15:27; Luke 23:33; John 19:18). Luke tells us the men on these crosses were “criminals” (Luke 23:33), using a word that literally means ones doing evil. Matthew and Mark call them “thieves” (KJV) or “robbers” (ASV, NASB, NKJV, ESV). Brother David McClister, in his recent article “And With Him Two Other Men” points out that the word Matthew and Mark use could also mean, “insurrectionists” or “rebels.”* Whether their crime was rebellion against Rome or simply theft, one of these men acknowledged, “we receive the due reward of our deeds” (Luke 23:41a, NKJV).

The Bible tells us that at first both of these men mocked Jesus (Matt. 27:44; Mark 15:32). Luke, however, records that at some point one of the men had a change of heart. As the other continued to mock Jesus (Luke 23:39), this man rebuked him, saying “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?” (Luke 23:40). After acknowledging that they deserved their condemnation (Luke 23:41a), this criminal declared of Jesus, “this Man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:41b).

We are not told why he said that. Did he know what Jesus had said and done during His ministry? Had he followed Jesus at some point, only to stumble into theft or insurrection? Or, was this the first time he had encountered Jesus, but saw from all that was happening around him that this was no ordinary Man? The Holy Spirit has not answered these questions.

Whatever the source of this man’s knowledge about Jesus, the Holy Spirit has preserved for us a very important request he made to Jesus. He begged Him, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). What a striking request! These men were both about to die. What kingdom could either expect to experience? Did this man realize what the modern religious world has missed, that Jesus’ kingdom would not be an earthly, political dominion, but a spiritual realm made up of those in submission to Him as King (cf. John 18:36; Luke 17:21)? That seems unlikely—Jesus’ own disciples did not yet understand that (see Acts 1:6). Did he believe that Jesus would rise from the dead, and at that time establish an earthly kingdom? That seems to have been the expectation of Jesus’ apostles. After His resurrection they asked, “Will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). If so, how would that have helped the thief? Did he hope that Jesus would resurrect him too? On the other hand, was he speaking of a kingdom in the afterlife to which he assumed they would both go upon their death? Once again, the Holy Spirit has not given us the answers to these questions, only the fact that this man saw in Jesus One who would be a King who would at some point “come into” His own kingdom.

What we are told is Jesus’ answer to the man’s request. He told him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). How are we to understand Jesus’ words? Where (or what) is this “Paradise” to which Jesus refers?

“Paradise” in the New Testament

The word “Paradise” is a transliteration of the Greek word paradeisos (παράδεισος) referring literally to an enclosed preserve, grove, park, or hunting ground. The New Testament uses this word only three times. The first is in our text in Luke 23:43. The last comes in a short letter in the book of Revelation directed to the church in Ephesus. After giving this church both praise and rebuke (Rev. 2:1-6), the letter ends with this charge:

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God (Rev. 2:7).

This connection with the “tree of life” is interesting. This was what was said to stand in Eden before the sin of Adam and Eve (Gen. 2:9). It was accessible to the man and woman before their sin, but they were cast out of the garden in order to prevent them from having access to it, lest they should–“take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” (Gen. 3:22). The Greek Old Testament translated before the time of Christ used the word paradeisos 13 times in Genesis in reference to Eden (Gen. 2:8, 9, 10, 15, 16; 3:1, 2, 3, 8 [twice], 10, 23, 24). At the close of the book of Revelation when description was given of the dwelling place of those saved by the blood of Jesus after final judgment (Rev. 20:11-15) and the destruction of the present heaven and earth (Rev. 21:1), twice we are told that the “tree of life” will be accessible to God’s people once again. In this place it does not stand as a lone tree, but grows on either side of the “river of life” yielding its fruit constantly (Rev. 22:2). Jesus declared, “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:14). This would suggest that the “Paradise of God” promised to the church in Ephesus refers to the place of final reward where the children of God enjoy eternal life. Was this what Jesus meant when He spoke to the thief or are there other ways the word is used?

A second instance is found in Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. As Paul called upon the brethren to recognize the futile nature of boasting in fleshly accomplishments (2 Cor. 11:16-33), he then moved to speak “of such a one” of whom he said “I will boast” (2 Cor. 12:5). He calls him “a man in Christ” whom he claimed to have known “fourteen years ago” (2 Cor. 12:2), but it’s evident from the text that this is a humble way of speaking about himself. He describes this man as receiving “visions and revelations” (2 Cor. 12:1), but then goes on to describe his own “thorn in the flesh” which was given to him “lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations” (2 Cor. 12:7). Paul is talking about what he was allowed to see. Paul acknowledges twice that God had not revealed to him whether this had been a bodily transportation or an out of body experience (2 Cor. 12:2-3), but says this “man in Christ” was “caught up to the third heaven” (2 Cor. 12:2). The Jews conceived of three distinct realms of heaven—The first where the birds and the clouds are, the second where the stars, sun, and moon are, and the third, where God is. Paul uses a parallel term to describe this same place declaring of the same man, “he was caught up into Paradise” (2 Cor. 12:4a). In this remarkable experience, Paul was allowed to see (as brother Melvin Curry puts it) the very “abode of God” (Truth Commentary on Second Corinthians Bowling Green, KY: Guardian of Truth Foundation, 2008. p. 409). Was this what Jesus meant when He spoke to the thief on the cross, or is there yet another way of understanding Jesus’ words?

Jesus’ Death and Jesus’ Wording

To answer this we must consider two things: 1) What does the New Testament teach about where Jesus went upon His death? and 2) Is there anything in the wording of Jesus’ promise that helps us narrow its meaning?

On the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and they declared Jesus as the resurrected Messiah, Peter appealed to Psalm 16 as a prophecy of the Messiah’s resurrection. He quotes verse 10 to say, “For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption” (Acts 2:27). Peter then explained that this prophetically pointed to Jesus (Acts 2:29-32). Declaring that David, “spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades” (Acts 2:31). So where did Jesus go when He died? To “Hades” the place of all departed souls prior to judgment. Is this the “Paradise” to which Jesus refers?

On one occasion Jesus told an account of a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus and events that happened after their deaths (Luke 16:19-31). People often call this a “parable,” but it is never identified that way in Scripture. Like Acts 2 it describes all who die (prior to judgment) going to “Hades” (Luke 16:23). Yet, while final sentencing and judgment has not happened to them yet, we are told that there is a separation of the righteous and the wicked. Lazarus went to the region of Hades called “Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 16:22) where he was “comforted” (Luke 16:25). The rich man went to a region “in Hades” called simply “torments” (Luke 16:23). As Jesus describes it between these two areas is a “great gulf” preventing souls from going from one region to the other (Luke 16:26). Since Jesus is said in Scripture to have gone into “Hades” upon His death (Acts 2:31) is it reasonable to conclude that the “Paradise” where Jesus promised the thief “you will be with Me” (Luke 23:43) is the same region of Hades described as “Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 16:22).

Someone might ask, how do we know that Jesus wasn’t talking about “Paradise” in either of the ways Paul or the book of Revelation used the term? Let’s notice Jesus’ wording. He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, TODAY you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43, emphasis mine). We noticed in the example in Revelation 2:7 the connection with “the tree of life” and saw that this describes a condition after final judgment (cf. Rev. 20:11-15; 22:14). We should note something that is said to happen before final judgment. In order for the dead to appear before the “great white throne” of judgment (Rev. 20:11), we are told:

…Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death (Rev. 20:13b-14).

It is only after this that the “new heaven and new earth” are said to appear (Rev. 21:1) and “the tabernacle of God” now is said to be “with men, and He will dwell with them” (Rev. 21:3).

The “Paradise” of Revelation 2:7 is a place of eternal life with God after judgment. The “Paradise” of 2 Corinthians 12:4 is the present “abode of God”—something Paul was allowed to see, but no one can enjoy until after judgment (cf. Rev. 21:3). Since Jesus is clearly declared in Scripture to have gone into“Hades” upon His death (Acts 2:27, 31)—yet, “Death and Hades” must be cast into the “lake of fire” before final judgment—if Jesus promised the thief “today you will be with Me in Paradise” He must have been using this term to refer to the region of Hades also called “Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 16:22). We may see from this that “Paradise” should not be understood as the formal proper name of a single place or condition, but as a way of describing a wondrous place of beauty, joy, comfort, and peace—whether that be in the realm of the saved prior to judgment, the present “abode of God,” or the final place where God’s people will dwell with Him eternally after judgment.

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* McClister, David. “And With Him Two Other Men” Focus Online April 12, 2016 [online] http://focusmagazine.org/and-with-him-two-other-men.php.

— Via Faithful Sayings, Volume 18, Issue 21 (May 22, 2016)

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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

The Gospel Observer

June 29, 2025 / Tom Edwards

Contents:

1) Leaving Room for Change (Kyle Pope)

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Leaving Room for Change

Kyle Pope

Visitors to modern-day Turkey can observe an unusual sight. Many concrete homes that are scattered throughout the country have metal rebar (the ridged steel rods used to reinforce concrete structures) protruding from the top of the houses. This is not due to damage or accident, but it is a deliberate choice made when constructing a house in order to allow for expansion should the homeowner wish to add on in the future.

In writing to the divided church of Corinth in his first epistle, the apostle Paul went to great lengths to stress that the apostles and prophets of the first century were not masters to be honored, but “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor. 4:1, NKJV). As “stewards” God expected certain behavior on the part of these men. Paul taught, “it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2). This faithfulness was not judged, defined, and determined by man. Paul explained, “with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court” adding, “In fact, I do not even judge myself” (1 Cor. 4:3). What a remarkable statement! As an apostle he would later declare in this very epistle, “the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:37); yet that did not mean he could not stumble. Even as an apostle he had to constantly examine his own behavior by the standard of God’s word to make certain that he was indeed “faithful.” He continued, “For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord” (1 Cor. 4:4).

There are few in Scripture who were as bold and confident as the apostle Paul. When Elymas the sorcerer withstood him, by the Holy Spirit he called him a “son of the devil” and “enemy of all righteousness” (Acts 13:10). When Ananias the high priest commanded men to strike him, he boldly told him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!”(Acts 23:3). Paul even rebuked Peter, when he erred by withdrawing himself from social contact with Gentile Christians (see Gal. 2:11-21). Yet, coupled with this boldness was a humility that recognized even he could be wrong! Even though he could say late in his life “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1), Paul could look back and remember a time in his life when he had “persecuted the church” (1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13). So, he would acknowledge to the Corinthians although he knew nothing “against” himself it was God who was the judge of his behavior (1 Cor. 4:4).

We are not all as well-balanced as the apostle Paul. We often find it hard to be bold and stand strong for what we believe to be right while maintaining a humility that recognizes the possibility we could be wrong. We either present ourselves with arrogance, and over-confidence or become so timid that we are unwilling to stand-up for anything. How can we avoid such extremes?—By always conducting ourselves in a way that leaves room for change on our part and on the part of those with whom we interact. We must do this…

1. When Reaching a Conviction. The Bereans are set forth in Scripture as such a wonderful example. They did not simply accept every doctrine that was set before them. Instead, they “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). This should be our attitude also! The apostle John commanded that we must not “believe every spirit but test the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). Only when we find that a doctrine or practice conforms to the teaching of Scripture should we accept it. So let’s say we have become convinced that we have rightly divided the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). What then? Does the searching stop? Paul taught that we should “test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thes. 5:21). We should never be so confident of our present condition that we are unwilling to continually test our convictions. Every Christian at one time was a soul lost in sin. Only by testing our lives by the pattern of Scripture can we make certain we are not deceiving ourselves about our present condition. We must also, however, leave room for change…

2. When Arguing Our Case. What must be our attitude when we reach a conviction about something? Do we become so sure of our convictions that we act with arrogance? In arguing our case with others, do we refuse to consider even the slightest possibility we could be wrong? The Bible teaches that Christians should not act with doubt. In discussing the eating of meats, while Paul taught the Divine revelation on the matter, he ended his discussion to the Romans with the bold declaration, “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23). If I leave room for change in arguing some conviction, or acknowledge that I could be wrong, does that reflect timidity or doubt? Not necessarily! It can reflect prudence.

Before the Lord spoke to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, he had obviously studied the validity of the claims made by Christians about Jesus. He was convinced in his conviction that Jesus was a fraud. He said to King Agrippa years later, that at that time, “I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9). What if Paul had been so convinced of his conviction, that even in the face of the miraculous blinding he received on the road, his pride prevented him from recognizing his error? The Holy Spirit teaches, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). If I become so proud of my understanding of Scripture that I am unwilling to continually test it, what happens if further study of God’s word shows I was wrong? If I don’t leave myself room to change when arguing passionately for some conviction, my pride might actually prevent me from ever being willing to acknowledge that I was wrong. Thankfully, Saul of Tarsus left himself room to change in spite of the personal humiliation and shame this surely brought to him. Finally, we must also leave room for change…

3. When Rebuking Error.We sometimes speak of someone being “backed into a corner.” What we mean by this is that circumstances have forced a person into a bad position with no good way out. When Paul addressed the disciplinary action the Corinthians had taken toward a brother in the church in Corinth he urged them after the man’s repentance, “to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow” (2 Cor. 2:7). Paul acknowledges here that even efforts to confront sin and error, if approached with the wrong attitude can result in consequences that are counter-productive. Because of this danger, it shouldn’t surprise us that when Paul commanded the Galatians to “restore” the brother or sister who “is overtaken in any trespass” he commanded that they do so “with a spirit of gentleness” (Gal. 6:1a). He isn’t talking about a timidity that ignores sin. He is warning about attitudes that might constitute sin or lead to further sin. They were commanded to approach this “with a spirit of gentleness considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1b). This temptation could involve temptation to engage in the sin being rebuked, temptation that might arise from a negative reaction on the part of the one being rebuked, or even temptation to handle the encounter in a way that constitutes sin on the part of those bringing the rebuke.

It is true that sin and error must be rejected for one to be right with God, but what if a brother or sister approaches me about my error or sin in such a way that my pride is aroused? That doesn’t excuse my sin, but it may leave me with no good way to correct my error. When we rebuke those who are in error we want them to realize that they are wrong, but if we do this in a way that mocks them, belittles them, or assumes things about their motives or character that we are not in a position to know, we may well “back them into a corner.” If I am left with no honorable room to change without feeling abused or treated with disrespect, the very efforts to correct my wrong may actually provide a temptation to defend myself no matter what! In such a case, although I may actually be in the wrong, the one who rebuked me left me no room to change and my pride led me to accept anything other than the truth brought to me in such a harsh way.

Conclusion. This isn’t a “magic formula.” Sometimes even those approached with great gentleness rebel against the word of God and continue in error. Sometimes, we fall so in love with ideas we imagine in our hearts, that even when the word of God shows such things to be false we continue to passionately embrace them. Yet, for the “good and honest heart” (Luke 8:15, LO) who leaves room for change in his own life and in the lives of those he encounters, like that rough rebar sticking out of the concrete walls of homes in Turkey, he allows himself room to grow and build his life continually on the sound teaching of God’s word.

— Via Faithful Sayings, Issue 17.35, September 6, 2015

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“Making Mention Of You In Our Prayers”

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“Please Judge Me”

Attitudes That Hinder Repentance

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Rejected by His Own (John 1:11)

Facets of Love

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“A Date Which Will Live in Infamy”

How We Worship God Is Significant

God is the Strength of My Heart

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“400 Years of Silence”

Men Saw Bible Prophecies Fulfilled.

Men Had The Complete Old Testament By Which To Live.

Men Could Receive God’s Blessings.

Modern-Day Applications

Conclusion

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“The Burden of Malachi”

God’s People Did Not Honor Him.

God’s People Were Bored With Worshipping Him.

God’s People Had A Perverted View Of His Character.

God’s People Robbed Him.

God’s People Were Allowed To Return.

God’s People Had A Reward Waiting For Them.

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Together

Gathering Together

Worshiping Together

Striving Together

Following Together

Being Caught Up Together

The Tragic Sin of King Uzziah

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So, What’s a Good Sermon?

Preach the Word

Be Ready in Season and Out of Season

Reprove, Rebuke

Exhort

With Great Patience

What Think Ye?

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Paradise and the Thief on the Cross

“Paradise” in the New Testament

Jesus’ Death and Jesus’ Wording

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Leaving Room for Change

The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation

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