2)\u00a0 The Appeal of Religious Error (Bill Crews)
3) In Order To Be Happy\u2026 (Greg Gwin)
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\u201cLest We Drift Away\u201d<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
R.J. Evans<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTherefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away\u201d (Hebrews 2:1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
God\u2019s plan for His people is for them to grow closer to Him, not drift away from Him. The child of God should allow his light to increase and shine stronger. \u201cBut the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day\u201d (Prov. 4:18). Jesus tells us to \u201cLet your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven\u201d (Matt. 5:16). In our dedication and service, we are to \u201cabound more and more.\u201d Our love for each other as brethren is to \u201cincrease more and more\u201d (1 Thes. 4:1,10).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thus, we are to \u201cgrow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ\u201d (2 Pet. 3:18). Yet, many are losing ground rather than gaining ground. Unfortunately, these Christians are drifting away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Do People \u201cDrift Away\u201d?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
To put it plain and simple, they have allowed Satan to influence their lives. Satan uses the things of the world to pull us away from God. So many times a Christian may allow \u201cthe cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches to choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful\u201d (Matt. 13:22).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forsaking the worship assemblies also results in drifting away. As someone has said, \u201cChristians are like cars, they start missing before they quit.\u201d Thus, Christians become \u201cdrifters\u201d when they no longer attend services faithfully as they should (Heb. 10:25). Also, the failure to read and study the Bible, and to spend time in prayer, have had a part in many formerly strong Christians drifting away from God (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Thes. 5:18).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some Results of When We \u201cDrift Away\u201d<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
To put it in one sentence: It is a \u201chard\u201d way to live (Prov. 13:15). When a child of God allows himself to \u201cdrift away\u201d from the Lord (Heb. 2:1-2), he becomes an apostate in a miserable spiritual condition. The Bible describes it in this manner: \u201cBut it has happened to them according to the true proverb: \u2018A dog returns to his own vomit,\u2019 and, \u2018a sow, having washed, to wallowing in the mire’\u201d (2 Pet. 2:22).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
God Calls Upon the One Drifting Away to Return<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
God desires that the one who is drifting away from Him, or sliding back into sin, to return to Him. Notice His words to His people during the days of Jeremiah: \u201cReturn, you backsliding children, And I will heal your backslidings\u201d (Jer. 2:22). This illustrates that God still loves His people and is willing to heal or forgive them. But in order to be forgiven, they must be willing to \u201creturn\u201d i.e., repent, pray, and confess their sins (Acts 8:22; 1 Jn. 1:9). In other words, when one returns to God for healing, God will deal with him in loving mercy \u2014 \u201cHe who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy\u201d (Prov. 28:13).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we go back to the latter part of the verse cited above, Jeremiah 3:22, we find that there were some who did respond to God\u2019s call in Jeremiah\u2019s day\u2014 \u201cIndeed we do come to You, For You are the Lord our God\u201d (Jer. 3:22). This example should encourage Christians today to do the same. Talk with any child of God who strayed or drifted away from the Lord and later returned. You will not find anyone who believes returning to God was a mistake. Thus, may we all faithfully serve Him, giving heed to all He has commanded us, \u201clest we drift way\u201d (Heb. 2:1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 From the bulletin of the Southside church of Christ, Gonzales, Louisiana, February 10, 2019 -2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bill Crews<\/p>\n\n\n\n In most cases the man who is teaching the truth and can by it truly save and benefit people will find few who are interested, whereas the man who is teaching some other doctrine and will by it ultimately harm and doom people will find many who are interested. Religious error, because of its false promises and its deceptive nature, will always have a greater appeal to people in general than will the truth. The truth will only benefit those with good and honest hearts or those who are willing to change their hearts to be good and honest (Luke 8:15). Everyone did not reject Jesus, but most did (John 1:11-12; 12:42; Matthew 23:37).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Via the RoanRidge Reader<\/em>, Volume 34 Issue 08 Page 03, February 24, 2019 -3-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Greg Gwin<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve made up my mind! I am determined to be happy!! Enough of this sadness. Away with all this discouragement. I\u2019m finished with dejection, depression, and despondency. No more gloom and doom. I WILL be happy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, what do I need to achieve my goal? If I am to be truly happy, I\u2019ll need<\/p>\n\n\n\n a. Money \u2013 and plenty of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n b. And I must have friends \u2013 the kind that never fail, and always act just like I want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n c. Of course, success is important; I will need to have unlimited success in every endeavor that I undertake to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n d. My family will have to behave perfectly, and respond immediately to my every whim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Surely, with all of this, I can be happy. Right? WRONG!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The wise, powerful, famous, and wealthy king Solomon sought after happiness through every avenue known to man. Contrast Solomon with Paul, who lost his wealth, gave up his fame and power, and ultimately suffered extreme persecution and imprisonment. Yet he could write, \u201cI have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content\u201d (Phil. 4:11). How could this be? Verse 13 explains; \u201cI can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is on this basis that Paul instructs us: \u201cRejoice, in the Lord alway\u201d (vs. 4). True happiness is not found in external \u201cthings.\u201d It comes only from faithfully serving God (Eccl. 12:13, 14). Are you happy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2013 Via The Beacon<\/em>, February 24, 2019 \u201cThe LORD looks from heaven; \u2014 NASB 1) Hear<\/strong> the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). Tebeau Street \u201cGo therefore and make disciples of all the nations\u2026teaching them to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age\u201d (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013 Contents: 1) \u201cLest We Drift Away\u201d (R.J. Evans)2)\u00a0 The Appeal of Religious Error (Bill Crews)3) In Order To Be Happy\u2026 (Greg […]<\/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-396","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\/396","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=396"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/396\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":397,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/396\/revisions\/397"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Appeal of Religious Error<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn Order To Be Happy . . .<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The end result was \u201c\u2026vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun\u201d (Eccl. 2:11).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\nPsalm 33:13-15<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
He sees all the sons of men;
From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2) Believe<\/strong> in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent<\/strong> of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
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; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith<\/strong>, living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA\u00a0 31501
Sunday<\/strong> services:<\/strong>\u00a09:00 a.m. (Bible class); 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. (worship)
Wednesday:<\/strong>\u00a07 p.m. (Bible class)
evangelist\/editor:<\/strong>\u00a0Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com<\/a>
http:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go<\/a> (Older version of Gospel Observer website without pictures, but back to March 1990)
http:\/\/tebeaustreetchurchofchrist.org\/<\/a>
http:\/\/ThomasTEdwards.com\/audioser.html<\/a> (audio sermon)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"