Benefits of Christianity

By: Keith McNeely

            We live in a world that is ever practical. By that I mean our society is constantly aware of the bottom line. Consider for a few minutes how practical or beneficial the Christian life is to those that are faithful to the Christ.

Peace during this life is one of the benefits Jesus brings to those that follow Him.  He would say in John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace”. Paul spoke of “the peace of God” in Philippians 4:7. There is a peace in this life that is available to those that follow God. Make application to your own life; it is not hard to understand the direction, clarity and calmness that comes to our lives when we are faithfully following the God given directives that are found in the Bible. Paul said that we should “let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15).

            Peace during death is another of the benefits Jesus brings to those that follow Him. You and I have not experienced death first hand, yet the Bible, a proven and valuable book, advises that there is comfort in the “shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4, 6).  David speaks of the time after death and confidently proclaims “I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (23:6). Even the lowly beggar, Lazarus, was “carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 16:22).

            Peace during eternity is another of the benefits Jesus brings to those that follow Him. Heaven and Hell are the two locations where we will choose to spend eternity. Paul says there is a “day of wrath” when the “righteous judgment of God” will occur, and that we will have either “Tribulation and anguish” or “glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good” (Romans 2:5-11).

God’s Called Out People

By: Carroll Sites 

In Matthew 16:13-19 we find Jesus coming to the district of Caesarea Philippi. He asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied that the people are saying he was John the Baptist, or Elijah, or Jeremiah, or even one of the prophets. Then He asked them the direct question, “But who do you say that I am?” It was Peter who boldly answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Christ’s next words were based on this grand and glorious fact, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” AND HE DID! In Acts chapter 2 we find Peter declaring the gospel in all of its fullness – how that Christ came to this earth – was crucified – was buried – was raised from the dead – and is exalted at God’s right hand. Peter accentuates his remarks by telling these people that the Christ they had crucified God has made both Lord and Christ. The people were moved in their hearts and asked what they could do. Peter’s reply: “Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Those who received His words were baptized and about three thousand were added on that day. We then find these people “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:47. These were God’s called out people – called by the gospel – obedient to Christ – redeemed and secured by His blood. This was the church that He promised He would build – and it is neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jewish – it is His!!

            Are YOU a part of this church? You can be if you will do what those folks did. Why not see to it today? Then you will be a part of God’s called out people.

God Spared Not!

By: Garry Stanton 

            Surely there can be no salvation without the forbearance and longsuffering. The prophets told of God’s mercy and patience in their preaching, using this truth to encourage the people to repent (Joel 2:12-14). God did spare his people from destruction when they heeded his word (Joel 2:17-21). God even spared the heathen nations that would listen and obey his will (Jonah 4:11). But many today are like Jonah, they say God is a “gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness” and therefore He will spare man no matter what man has done or will do! God is a patient God and He is longsuffering, but there will come a day that He will “spare not”!

            We must not become so smug in our thinking that we act as if God will endure and put up with anything we do and will spare us no matter what. The only way to view the longsuffering of God is to understand that God waits so that man will have time to repent and be saved (Romans 2:4-11; 2 Peter 3:14, 15). Let’s look at some of those that “God spared not,” to learn the truths concerning them so that we can live in such a way as to be spared by God.

            God spared not the old world (2 Peter 2:5). The reason God did not spare the pre-flood world is sin (Genesis 6:5, 11-13). Noah and his family were saved because they heeded God’s word and did exactly as God instructed.

            God spared not the “natural branches” (Romans 11:21). The natural branches were the Israelites, the Jews, the seed of Abraham which are broken off and cast aside because they rejected God’s way; they refused to believe (Romans 11:20).

            God spared not His own Son (Romans 8:31, 32). We should be extremely grateful that God spared not His own Son. He gave him for an offering for our sins! We are justified by His blood; that is, just as if we had not sinned. If God did not spare His own Son to provide the means of salvation, He will not spare those who refuse to accept His gift of salvation (2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8; Hebrews 5:8, 9) God spared not His Son so that He could spare us!

Causes of Backsliding

By: Robert Hamm 

THE LOVE OF MONEY Jesus taught in the parable of the sower that the cares, riches and pleasures of this life choke the word. Because of covetousness Achan took of the accursed thing. (Joshua 7). Because of covetousness Judas sold the Lord (Matthew 27:3-10). Also, remember Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). Because of the love of money, men lie, steal, engage in dishonest business transactions and fail to give to the Lord the time they should. “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10).

EVIL ASSOCIATIONS Paul wrote, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Corinthians 15:33). One is influenced by those with whom he associates. Because of the power of influence, everybody should be cautious concerning their associates. Because of evil association, some have been led to forsake the services and others to engage in practices forbidden.

REVERTING TO SINFUL PRACTICES In obeying the gospel, we are then to walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4). The longer and more diligently we try to live the Christian life the stronger we become; however, some through weakness and temptation revert to some former practice. It may be drinking, gambling, cursing or some other sin.

LOVE OF THE WORLD Demas forsook the apostle Paul “having loved this present world.” (2 Timothy 4:10). We are instructed to “be not conformed to this world,” and “Love not the world.” (Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15). We are in the world, but let us never let the world enter us. May we learn to sing and mean it, “Take the world, but give me Jesus.”

SELF-SATISFACTION The Laodiceans had become lukewarm, being satisfied with their present condition. And, of them, the Lord said, “I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:16). Life is an incline. If we do not progress, we retrogress. May we never become satisfied with our spiritual attainments, but like Paul, reach forth unto those things which are before, pressing toward the mark. (Phil. 3:13, 14).