The Gospel Light

By: Keith McNeely

             We live in a world where the darkness of sin permeates and influences nearly everything. Jesus called Paul as a minister to “open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light” (Acts 26:18). Jesus said if we set our eye on evil that our whole body would “be full of darkness” (Matthew 6:23) and that darkness would be great! Our world is full of examples of individuals and groups alike that sadly are negatively affected by the darkness of sin in their lives. Jesus describes individuals as being “heavy laden” with sin and that He offered “rest” there from (Matthew 11:28-29).

            All of humanity need not despair because of the darkness that permeates all of life because Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12).  Thus, the joy of a cure from the darkness of our sin is clearly available from Jesus, the Lord of lords and King of kings.  Jesus says we must follow Him, and in so doing we will not “walk in darkness” (John 8:12).

            Paul, who was sent “To open their eyes” turning those that heard “from darkness to light” (Acts 26:18), also spoke of the power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16). Consider the Gospel of Christ as a powerful agent for change. It is powerful enough to teach those wandering in darkness, lighting their life. Thus, it is easy to understand why it is called “the glorious gospel of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

            Friend, take courage; there is indeed a curative from the dark influence of sin. It is the “glorious gospel of Christ”.  Paul was sent to turn individuals from darkness to light. Are you willing to take advantage of the blessings of the Gospel by becoming a Christian or by returning to your first love?

Setting the Stage for Success in the New Year

By: Kevin Key

             It is “out with the old and in with the new.” Can you believe that we closed out yet another year? The older I get the quicker time seems to pass by. To me, it seems as if it were yesterday that 2009 began and now it is over – life really is “like a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14).

            How successful were you in 2009? Each year most of us make “New Year’s Resolutions” and set “goals” which we hope to achieve in the coming New Year. Did you resolve to do anything special and/or important this past year? If so, how did your plans work out? Were you able to accomplish all or at least part of your goals? Or did 2009 come and go along with the plans you “intended” to accomplish?

            As we enter 2010, what goals have you set for your walk with God in this New Year? As New Testament Christians, our number one objective in life must be to serve God and keep His commandments (Eccl. 12:13, 14). We have been created by God (Genesis 1:26, 27) for the purpose of serving God in this life (Eph. 2:10). What does this mean? Good people, it means that God is to be number one in our lives – we are commanded to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). In our obedience to Christ in baptism for the forgiveness of sins – we must repent of our old ways and commit to walking in “newness of life” (Romans 6:3-7). Baptism puts the soul into Christ (Galatians 3:27), but true “Christianity” does not end there! Those who come to God must “remain faithful” unto death (Rev. 2:10). In doing so, God will reward us with an eternal “crown of life” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

            How can we “Set the stage for success” in 2010? Brethren, we must set individual and congregational goals. These goals must be in line with the Scripture and they must challenge us to attain spiritual growth which will also result in God blessing us with numerical growth as a congregation (2 Peter 3:18; 1 Cor. 3:6). In setting goals (individual and/or congregational), we must remember to be realistic in the things we want to accomplish. Often goals are not met because people become discouraged over the fact that the goals set were unattainable. Therefore, it is imperative for us to remember that in setting our goals we need to set challenging yet doable goals in our work and service to God (Romans 12:1, 2). Once objectives are met, new “bench marks” can be added to help us reach higher levels of success throughout the year in our service to God. Above all, we must always remember to factor God into the equation (James 4:13-17). Without God our plans are doomed to fail (1 Corinthians 10:1-12); but with God, all things are possible (Mt. 19:26). Brethren, I pray and trust that each of you have made plans to serve God in “bigger and better ways” in 2010. I also trust that God will bless us as we labor together for the purpose of glorifying His name and increasing the borders of His eternal kingdom.

The Honored Humble

By: Bill McFarland

             Humility has been called “the uniquely Christian virtue.” It’s because one of the basic claims of Jesus’ teaching about how life works, and therefore one of central convictions of his people, is that those who humble themselves will be exalted. This, of course, directly contradicts the common assumption that the way to get somewhere in life is to promote yourself.

            The Gospel of Luke is in some ways the Gospel of humility. It not only shows us the Jesus who humbly receives sinners and eats with them, but also the Christ who speaks clearly of how humility behaves. Three scenes in particular illustrate how the honored humble think.

            “I will leave the exalting to someone else.” When Jesus went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, he couldn’t help but notice how the guests who had been invited strategically sought for themselves the places of honor (Luke 14:1, 7). They obviously thought if they were going to make anything of themselves they needed to make themselves the center of attention and admiration by setting themselves above others. The Lord pointed out that such an approach was a recipe for humiliation but that taking the lowest place and letting someone else exalt you is the way to honor that is real and lasting (Luke 14:8-11).

            “I will wait for repayment at the resurrection of the just.” At that same dinner Jesus also had some advice for the man who had invited him (Luke 14:12). It was apparent to the Lord, as he observed the invited guests, that his host was providing the occasion because he thought it might get him somewhere. He had chosen to include people who would be able to do something to exalt him. Jesus advised him instead to extend kindness to those who would never be able to repay it (Luke 14:12-14). The honored humble can do things with no thought for what they will get out of it because they know the Lord will take care of that.

            “I recognize my own dependence upon the mercy of God.” It is not the way of the humble to trust in themselves or to treat others with contempt (Luke 18:9). Jesus made this point by describing a man who compared himself favorably with other people, and was impressed with his own accomplishments, then contrasting his attitude with that of a man who could do nothing but ask God to be merciful to him, a sinner. This last man, the Lord said, had the kind of spirit which allows one to finally be justified (Luke 18:10-14).

            Let us be people who think like the honored humble. “A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit” (Proverbs 29:23). That is how life has always worked. It still is.