1) Living As Christians Should (R.J. Evans)
2) The New Man’s Speech (Heath Rogers)
3) Psalm 119:1-8 (NASB)
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2cor5-15-bsb-1024x1021.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n-1- <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Living As Christians Should Live<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
R.J. Evans -2-<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Heath Rogers<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers\u201d <\/em>(Eph. 4:29). Aleph. How blessed are those whose way is blameless, 1) Hear <\/strong>the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). Tebeau Street “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).——————– Contents: 1) Living As Christians Should (R.J. Evans)2) The New Man’s Speech (Heath Rogers)3) Psalm 119:1-8 (NASB) ——————– -1- Living As […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3445","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3445"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3445\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3455,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3445\/revisions\/3455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3445"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3445"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3445"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Throughout history, men generally have been selfish and lacked genuine concern for God and others. In recent years, we have had many describe those of this world as the “Me” generation. And, not to be cynical, but in reality, we live in a world where most people think only of themselves and their own interests. So many think nothing of using or taking advantage of others; they show hatred, envy, and jealousy toward those within their circle of friends and associates; they never show sympathy, or are willing to empathize with others; and they seek to gratify and fulfill whatever desires they have for themselves.
While Jesus was here on earth, He taught many wonderful lessons in what is referred to as “The Sermon on the Mount” (Matt. 5 – 7). One thing for certain, what He teaches “goes against the grain” of what men naturally tend to do in their day-to-day living. In the sermon, He taught the blessings of serving God; being examples to others (salt\/city\/light); the sin of committing murder and adultery in one’s heart; going the second mile; loving and praying for our enemies; not doing our good works for show; and a host of other great lessons. This sermon tells us how we ought to live, not as the world lives, but according to God’s will for our lives.
But when it comes to living the kind of life that pleases God, and not self, there are many other instructions throughout God’s Word. In this article, here’s just a sampling of living as Christians should live:
1. Be open to and heed correction.<\/strong> “The ear that hears the reproof of life will abide among the wise” (Prov. 15:31). The Apostle Peter had to correct and rebuke Simon the sorcerer for his attempting to purchase the power of laying his hands on others to impart miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:9-25). The Apostle Paul had to openly correct the Apostle Peter by withstanding him to the face for being a hypocrite at Antioch (Gal. 2:11-14).
2. Be interested and considerate of others.<\/strong> “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4). This characterized the life of the Apostle Paul. He consistently prayed for his brethren, as is evidenced in all his epistles. Beyond all his physical difficulties, he stated: “Besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: My deep concern for all the churches” (2 Cor. 11:28).
3. See ourselves realistically. <\/strong>“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more higher than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Rom. 12:3). Again, this involves not being conceited and lifted up with pride (Phil. 2:3).
4. Rejoice with others when they are happy and cry with them when they are sad.<\/strong> “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15). This eliminates envy and jealousy. Again, “if one member sufferers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Cor. 12:26).
5. Sympathize and empathize with others.<\/strong> We do this when we practice what is sometimes called “The Golden Rule.” “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 7:12).
6. Deny ourselves. <\/strong>“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matt. 7:24). And, of course, denying self and following Christ involves serving others. The Apostle Paul said it this way: “And I will gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved” (2 Cor. 12:15).
Oh, what a blessing it is when we are living as Christians should live. Many other things could be mentioned, but this should be sufficient to help us see the need to do what the Lord said in Revelation 2:10: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
— Via the Southside church of Christ in Gonzales, LA, September 29, 2019
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/prov15-28-gw-2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe New Man\u2019s Speech<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The apostle Paul continues to describe changes that take place in our daily lives as we put off the old man of sin and put on the new man according to God\u2019s righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:22-24). Having already corrected one sin we commit with our speech (lying \u2013 v. 25), he now addresses our conversation in a more general way.
James likens our tongue to a fire (James 3:6). Fire has power to do good, but it also has the power to destroy. \u201cDeath and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit\u201d<\/em> (Prov. 18:21). We must be careful how we wield this powerful tool each of us has received from God.
\u201cCorrupt\u201d<\/em> is translated from the Greek word sapros<\/em><\/strong> which literally means rotten or worthless, worn out and unfit for use. These are words that have a corrupting influence on those who hear them. Paul goes on to specify the putting away of \u201cevil speaking\u201d (v. 31), \u201cfoolish talking,\u201d \u201ccoarse jesting\u201d (5:4), and the shame of speaking about the unfruitful works of darkness that are done in secret (5:11-12). This is the kind of speech that would characterize the old man of sin but must stop when we put on the new man.
Emphasis is placed on the hearers – those who will be impacted by our speech. Instead of hurting people with our words (either purposely or carelessly), we should use our words to help, encourage, cheer, and comfort others. We have a responsibility to contribute to the building up of others. It is easy to destroy others with careless words. The new man gives thought to speaking what is good for the purpose of edifying those who hear his words. This also applies to the things we post on social media.
\u201cThat it may impart grace to the hearers.\u201d<\/em> We must take care that our words have a positive effect on others. \u201cLet your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one\u201d<\/em> (Col. 4:6). The ability to communicate our thoughts is a great blessing. God wants this blessing to be used as a blessing to others. Not only must we refrain from using corrupt speech, we must make the effort to say the right things, in the right way, at the right time.\u201cThe heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil\u201d<\/em> (Prov. 15:28).
James says no man can tame the tongue (James 3:8). One difference between the old man and the new man is that the new man tries to tame his tongue.
— Via Articles <\/em>from the Knollwood church of Christ, March 2026
——————–
<\/strong>
-3-<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 119:1-8<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who walk in the law of the LORD.
How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.
They also do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.
You have ordained Your precepts,
That we should keep them diligently.
Oh that my ways may be established
To keep Your statutes!
Then I shall not be ashamed
When I look upon all Your commandments.
I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
I shall keep Your statutes;
Do not forsake me utterly!
— NASB
<\/strong>——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2) Believe<\/strong> in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent <\/strong>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 <\/strong>in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized <\/strong>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 \u201cthrough faith in the working of God\u201d (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\u2026
6) Continue in the faith <\/strong>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).
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday:<\/strong> 9 a.m<\/strong>. Bible Classes (except for last of the month Song Service)
and 10 a.m. <\/strong>Worship Service
Wednesday:<\/strong> 7 p.m.<\/strong> Bible Classes
evangelist\/editor: <\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com<\/a>
https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm<\/a> (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"