What must I do to be saved?

Within the letters of the NT that the apostle Paul penned, are several beautiful insights into his prayer life. The next segment of our study will involve looking into a few aspects of his prayer life as we seek to learn from him. In this lesson, our focus will be on Paul giving thanks for his brethren, with particular focus on his thanksgiving at the beginning of many of his letters.

The practice of Paul, in most of his epistles, was to begin by assuring his brethren that he gave thanks to God for them (see Rom. 1:8; 1 Cor. 1:4; Phil. 1:3-4; Col. 1:3; 1 Thes. 1:2; 2 Thes. 1:3). How encouraging that must have been to know that the apostle was praying for them!

Looking a little more attentively, we note that the apostle frequently thanked God for their faith, hope and/or their love (see the passages listed above). In 1 Thessalonians 1:3, he refers to the Thessalonians’ “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope.” This verse is insightful regarding the mission of the Christian (and the church) and to what we should give thanks to God for concerning our brethren. Obviously, if Paul repetitively mentioned these things, they must be significant reasons to give thanks!

Concerning the faith of the brethren at Rome, he says, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all of the world.” Paul says near the end of this letter, in Romans 16:19, that their “obedience” had become known to all. Thus, we know that Paul is giving thanks for their obedient faith (compare Rom. 1:5). This makes sense since it is obedient faith that will lead to salvation (see Heb. 5:9).

In the 2nd letter to the Thessalonians, Paul expressed thanks to God for the growing faith and love of his brethren (see 1:3).

Additionally, it should be noted that Paul thanked God for the grace that God had afforded his brethren in Christ (1 Cor. 1:4). This is what God had supplied his brethren, the wonderful blessings in Christ Jesus that cannot be earned (see and compare Eph. 1:3-12). The former… the faith, hope and love, are faithful responses of the Christian to this amazing grace. Paul was thankful for what God had made possible on behalf of his brethren and he was thankful for his brethren when they responded appropriately to the grace of the Lord!

We should note that Paul giving thanks for his brethren was not relegated to something he said when he wrote them a letter! It was something that he did “always” (see 1 Cor. 1:4; Phil. 1:4).

Paul had a particular fondness for the brethren at Philippi that He took to the Father’s throne. He gave joyful thanks unto God for them because of the fellowship they enjoyed together in the work of the Lord (see Phil. 1:5). Paul thought of them as a vital part of all that he did, and gave thanks accordingly. Paul was thankful for their material blessings (4:15), their care (4:10), and sharing in his suffering (4:14), as well as participating in his proclamation and defense of the Gospel (1:7).

We should note in this prayer that Paul wasn’t merely thankful for the Philippians, but in particular he expressed his thanks for them to God. God had blessed Paul with and through the Philippians. God is always the ultimate object of our thanksgiving (see 1 Thes. 5:18). He makes all good things possible (Jm. 1:17; Rom. 8:28).

Let us express our thanks to God continually for the faith, hope and love of our brethren, and the grace that we share in, as we seek to work together with Him (see 1 Cor. 3:1-9) for the greatest cause on earth!

Daren Schroeder

    There was an ardent music lover who accidentally met the great composer Johannes Brahms. He recognized Brahms and asked, “Master, would you please write here a small portion of a masterpiece and sign it so I can have a precious memory of this fortunate encounter?”

    Brahms took the pencil and paper, scribbled the initial bars of The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss and signed: “Unfortunately not by me, Johannes Brahms.”

    Humility – the key to getting into heaven…

    Today, we choose our text from Luke 22:24-30. It is Thursday and Jesus is in the upper room with the apostles. He has just instituted the Lord’s Supper. The apostles then began to discuss among themselves who among them would do such a thing. But that discussion led into another discussion which these men had had before…

THE FIRST “ARGUMENT” – Luke 9:46-48:

    On that occasion, an argument started among the apostles as to which of them was going to be the greatest. When Jesus established His kingdom – and they had in mind that it would be a literal kingdom with its headquarters in Jerusalem – they hoped that one or more of them would get to sit at positions of honor with Jesus. The greatest position of honor would be on His right side, but on the left would also be a position of honor.

    Leading someone to Jesus is the mark of someone great (9:46-48). The sign of greatness is the willingness to hide behind the cross and let Jesus be man’s Savior. If someone receives the teachings of a disciple of Christ, then he receives Christ. Leading that someone to Christ is greatness.

THE SECOND “ARGUMENT”: Luke 22:24:

    As Jesus is meditating on His crucifixion and death and mourning the loss of one of His own apostles who would betray Him, the other apostles return to that perennial question that Jesus just has not answered yet: “Which one of them is regarded to be greatest”?

    It is easy for us to think we are the greatest. We often do not compare ourselves to our coworkers when we come up short. We usually compare ourselves to our coworkers in ways that set us in front. And since our minds – and life itself – works on the basis of merit, we tend to think that if we are the best, we ought to receive the most.

AN ILLUSTRATION FROM THE SECULAR WORLD: 22:25:

    Jesus begins His answer, first, by pointing out that the apostles were acting like pagans, like unbelievers.

THE LIFESTYLE TO WHICH JESUS CALLS US: 22:26:

    “The leader must become like the servant,” Jesus says. If you want to be a good leader. You must serve. 

ANOTHER ILLUSTRATION FROM THE SECULAR WORLD: 22:27:

    The master is greater than the slave.

THE LIFESTYLE TO WHICH JESUS CALLS US: 22:27b:

    Jesus taught in words and actions that His disciples are to be servants. In Mark 10:45, He said, “even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

    Jesus also showed His heart of service by washing His disciples’ feet in John 13: “I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you” (John 13:15). 

    There are rewards…

THE REWARD FOR THE APOSTLES FOR THEIR SERVICE: 22:28-30:

    In verse 28, Jesus acknowledges what the apostles had done for Him: “You are those who have stood by Me in My trials.”

    So here’s the reward – at least for the apostles – (Luke 22:29) “Just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you…”

    Back in verse 20, when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, He stated that the fruit of the vine, the “cup” poured out for them, is the “new covenant in His blood.” That word “covenant” has a verb associated with the noun. And that verb is found here in verse 29.

    Jesus says, “My Father has ‘covenanted with Me’ a kingdom, I ‘covenant’ with you that same kingdom.”

    At the heart of the new covenant is the kingdom of the Messiah, the body of people that belong to Jesus Christ, taken from among the Jews and the Gentiles. That kingdom is the church of Christ.

    Notice in verse 30, Jesus ‘covenanted’ a kingdom with His apostles so that they may “eat and drink at His table in His kingdom, and they will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

    When we obey the Gospel of Christ and are baptized into Christ, we are washed (Eph. 5:26).

    When we are washed at baptism in the blood of Christ, we are regenerated and renewed (Titus 3:5).

    Having been regenerated, we are under the teachings and instruction of the twelve apostles (Matt. 19:28). The apostles “judge” the twelve tribes of Israel when you and I submit to the teachings of the apostles as we are the “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16). 

    The apostles judge the “Israel of God” by guiding us and directing us through their words, their teachings, their doctrine. And the words of the apostles are equally important whether it is Matthew or Paul or Peter.

    No apostle has a higher rank than any other apostle. Nor does one Christian have a higher rank than any other Christian. We are all important to the fulfillment of God’s plan to save man.

Paul Holland

Jeroboam was the first king of the northern tribes known as Israel. God told Jeroboam that He would be with him if he followed His commandments and walked in His ways (I Kings 11:38). However, Jeroboam decided to worship God in ways he “devised in his own heart” (I Kings 12:33).

Here are the ways Jeroboam altered Israel’s worship of God:

• Set up worship in Bethel and Dan, telling the people it was too far for them (read inconvenient) to go to Jerusalem as God had commanded (I Kings 12:29). His real reason was his fear of the people turning back to Rehoboam, Solomon’s son.
• Made two golden calves as objects of worship in these cities (I Kings 12:28). He told the people that these idols brought them up from the land of Egypt (I Kings 12:29).
• Appointed priests from tribes other than Levi (I Kings 12:31).
• Changed the date and proper place for the Feast of Tabernacles (I Kings 12:32).

These changes collectively became known as the sin (or sins) of Jeroboam. This sin must be especially repugnant to God since the sin of Jeroboam is mentioned at least 21 times in His Word. Because of this sin every king of Israel (Northern Kingdom) did evil in the sight of God. Furthermore, Israel was taken captive because of this sin. II Kings 17:22&23 says, “For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they did not depart from them, until the LORD remove Israel out of His sight, as He had said by all His servants the prophets. So, Israel was carried away from their own land to Assyria, as it is to this day.” Because of their improper worship, Israel was taken away and was lost to history.

So, what application can we make of this today? We could discount this as having occurred during Old Testament times and we know that the Old Law was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14). But remember, “God is Spirit: and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).  God has revealed in His word what He expects in our worship today. We know we must assemble on the first day of the week and participate in singing, praying, observing communion, giving as we have been prospered and hearing from God’s Word. This pattern is clearly shown in the New Testament and in early church history. We can find no scripture to tell us that God cares less about our worship to Him.

Brethren, when we digress from this pattern of worship, I believe we are walking in the sin of Jeroboam. When we alter our worship for convenience’s sake or for entertainment value, we digress from this pattern. Elders must consider their choices lest they be guilty of “devising in our own hearts” how the congregation worships God. I can assure you that this eldership takes this issue very seriously.

Dave Benner

    This past Sunday, a sweet elderly woman met with the elders at the Swartz Creek church of Christ and expressed her desire to “place membership” with the Swartz Creek church of Christ. She was here when Rachel and I first moved here, then she moved to NC, and recently returned. 

    In the passage we have before us, Acts 9:26-28, we see the concept if not the actual words “placing membership.” Saul of Tarsus was already a Christian. He had become a Christian in 9:17-18. Now, he is in Jerusalem and he wants to “join” the church of Christ in Jerusalem. He is meeting with the leaders of the church, if not the apostles, and they are afraid to accept Saul into their fellowship. Why? Because he has a history. Barnabas, on the other hand, trusts Saul and “goes to bat” for him with the church leadership.

THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH:

    When one obeys the Gospel of Christ, that individual is added to the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). Luke tells us in Acts 2:47 that God adds the saved to His church. Every Christian, then, is a member of the church of Christ in its universal sense. But the “universal church” has no assembly; it has no organization; it has no worship service. The church is embodied only in a local assembly of Christians who honor God in their worship and serve Christ and their fellow man together, in a local body of Christians. 

    The word “church” is used 114 times in the NT and the most often use of the word refers to the local congregation. The NT does not know of a Christian who is a “Christian-at-large,” who is not associated with a local congregation.

    Christians are to be involved together in the “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope” (1 Thess. 1:3). The Hebrew writer talks about the “work and love which Christians show toward Christ in ministering to the saints” (6:10). 

    In 2 Corinthians 3:1, we have what appears to be a “letter of commendation” from one congregation to another congregation, in order to encourage fellowship with certain Christians. That is, in principle, the very thing we talk about when we say “placing membership.” 

THE SHEPHERDS OF THE CHURCH:

    From Acts 14:23, we see every congregation is to have its own eldership. That’s autonomy. Every congregation chooses its own leaders and is obligated on its own to stay faithful to Christ. In Acts 20:28, we learn that the eldership is to oversee its own flock and the elders are responsible to Christ for that flock. 

    The very designation “bishop” means someone who “oversees.” The word is used 5 times in the NT: Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:7. Jesus is the “Shepherd and Guardian of our souls” (1 Peter 2:25). But He has entrusted that act – being a shepherd and guardian (which is the word “bishop”; KJV). If elders have the responsibility to “oversee,” then the church has the responsibility to “be overseen.” That suggests that the elders need to know who will be a part of the local congregation. 

    Elders (shepherds) have a responsibility to Jesus Christ to know who you are and where you are spiritually. They have the oversight of the local congregation. How can elders ask you to participate in the work of the church if they don’t know anything about you? Are you a good representative of the church? Of Swartz Creek? Of Christianity? 

    In Hebrews 13:17, we learn that elders will give an account for the souls whom Jesus has entrusted to their care. See also 1 Peter 5:1-4.

“ASSOCIATING WITH” / “PLACING MEMBERSHIP”:

    “Placing membership” is an act of respect for the elders. It acknowledges the role they have and the responsibility they exercise under the eyes of Jesus Christ.

    The elders cannot extend (in Paul’s words in Galatians 2:9) “the right hand of fellowship” to someone who is not, in fact, in fellowship with Jesus Christ.

    There are some questions elders might need to ask. Why? Because Paul warns Christians in 1 Corinthians 5:11 that they cannot have fellowship with those who are immoral, covetous, drunkards, swindlers, etc.

    If one is baptized at Swartz Creek, the elders assume that individual implicitly acknowledges their submission to the leadership and consider themself a member of the Swartz Creek church of Christ. Unless he or she will be, in fact, a member somewhere else and they submit to the leadership of the other congregation. If, however, one has come from somewhere outside, then it is important to meet with the elders and get acquainted and let them know what one’s intentions are. 

    If you are not a member at Swartz Creek, set a time with the elders in order to let them know you want to be considered a member here. If the elders ask you to meet with them, don’t be intimidated. Consider it an honor.

Paul Holland

We ought to be amazed at how much Jesus says in so few words! This is certainly the case regarding what we might call: “The Model Prayer” in Matthew 6. Incidentally, many refer to it as the Lord’s Prayer, but this is not the best designation since He used it for the purpose of teaching the apostles (and others) how to pray.

There are contextual matters that we will only mention superficially at this time, since we will address these more in a later lesson. In general, though, the backdrop of this text and this prayer is in regard to the “showy” Pharisees, who were really more concerned about others viewing them as being “super spiritual” (demonstrating, at least to the Lord, that they were not). Though many were impressed by their articulate performances, Jesus says in a sense, “I will show you how you ought to pray.” Let’s seek to learn from the Master one verse at a time.

1. 9 – “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

Prayer is addressed to the Father. This is not to say that prayers in the New Testament are always and only addressed to the Father (see Acts 7:59; 9:6; 1 Cor. 1:1-2; 2 Cor. 12:8; also see Jn. 9:38), but that is certainly the norm.

After the initial address, it should be noted that the holiness (the “set apartness”) of that name is set forth with the word “hallowed.” When Christians pray to God, they are praying to a being like none other! Thus, He ought to be addressed with humility and reverence, in very stark contrast to what the Pharisees were doing. Christians should check their hearts before they pray. We must consider who we are praying to.

1. 10 – “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

At this time Jesus had yet to establish His kingdom. The kingdom would come with power (Mk. 9:1) and with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) after His death, burial and resurrection. Clearly, this occurred on the first Pentecost after the resurrection (see Acts 2:4).

It should be mentioned, however, that this prayer likely has more to do with the rule of Christ in human hearts (compare to Mt. 6:33). The kingdom of Christ, the church, was going to come. Christ did not need human prayers to bring it forth. But, humanity does need help accepting the rule of Christ in their hearts. It will always be challenging for humanity to truly desire the Lord’s will to be done, especially to humble themselves under His rule. This concept is worthy of a place in our prayers! May His will rule our hearts as it did the heart of Jesus! (see Lk. 22:42).

1. 11 – “Give us this day our daily bread.”

The word “bread” here, as in other places, is representative of food in general (see Acts 2:46). This aspect of prayer demonstrates a recognition of the real source of our necessities being provided and a daily trust that He will deliver (compare James 1:17; contrast this with worry about daily needs in Mt. 6:25-34). While we are talking about physical nourishment here, it takes a spiritual heart to digest the truth of this short statement! We truly depend on Him every day and continually give thanks for that provision (see Mt. 15:36; 1 Thes. 5:18).

1. 12 – “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

The forgiveness of our sins is truly the greatest need we have. We should be prayerful about our resistance to sin (1 Jn. 2:16; 1 Cor. 10:13) and the forgiveness that we continually need and can experience through the blood of Jesus (see 1 Jn. 1:7).

Due emphasis, however, must be placed on our forgiveness of others if we wish to be forgiven by our Lord. This is very much a prerequisite for us if we wish our own sins to be forgiven. The grudge that separates us from someone else can be the grudge that causes us to be separated from God (see also Mt. 6:14-15). It’s not worth it!

1. 13 – “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

The Lord is very capable of providentially working on our behalf for our spiritual well-being. He can do more than we ask or think (Eph. 3:20-21) and has the power to provide the way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13).

Sin is the one thing that can cause us to be separated from God (see Is. 59:1-2; 1 Jn. 3:4). Why would we not pray about it? Pray that God may shield you from the tempter and His devices. As we pray that God may provide a passage away from temptation we must make sure we don’t walk right into it! Paul says, “make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Rom. 13:14).

Truly, Jesus teaches us so much about prayer and our spiritual walk in so few words. Read this prayer one more time. What aspect of this prayer do you need to give more consideration to in life and in your prayers?

Daren Schroeder

please follow the posts on our sister site – https://www.lordletmegrow.com/freebiblestudy – for new posts until  Nov. 16th.

Put Up or Shut Up! VOTE!”

Blunt? Yes! …but many people have given their lives for your right to vote.
Men and women have lived and prayed and died for your freedom. I believe in
the Bible and in our Constitution. I believe in God, Duty, Honor and Country! I
believe the country needs you to be informed and vote for the benefit of our
continued freedom and liberty. And if you choose not to vote then you have no
right to criticize the government. At this point I am reminded of Will Roger’s
sentiment, “Be glad you don’t get all of the government you pay for!”
I would not attempt to tell anyone WHO to vote for…not my job. But my
job does involve calling people back to biblical morality and Christian values. The
Bible teaches that a nation is “blessed whose God is the Lord,” Psalm 33:12. The
Bible also teaches us that “righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a reproach to
any people,” Prov 14:34.

I shall remind you of Christian values as you consider your vote. Voting against
abortion (the taking of life prematurely) because the Bible plainly teaches the
abomination of SHEDDING INNOCENT BLOOD, Prov. 6:16-19. There is nothing
more innocent than the blood of the unborn. The “unborn” is a person in the
womb according to Jeremiah 1:5 and 20:17-18. God tells Jeremiah I knew YOU in
the womb…I had plans for you

There are biblical issues with those who are homosexual. My problem is NOT
personal or individual, it is with the gay lifestyle. Homosexuality is a sin identified
in the Bible as one of the most condemning, see Romans 1. We are told that those
who practice such sin will not inherit the kingdom of God, I Cor 6:9-11. But we are
AT THE SAME TIME told that these can be forgiven by coming to Christ!
I am a Christian and I believe in God and in the national motto of the United
States of America, “In God We Trust”—the Judeo-Christian Jehovah God of the
Bible (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Jesus Christ is God, John 1:1-3; 10:30. We do
not accept Allah, Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, Islam (but God loves them
too, so we must seek to teach them). We believe in the one God – Jehovah God
as Father, Son and Spirit! The Bible says that Jesus is the ONLY name in which
we can be saved, Acts 4:12-13. John 14:6 teaches Jesus is the (one) way to the
Father and the ONLY way to God is through Him! Do you love God and America?
Then Vote! Vote! Vote for biblical values and Christian morality! May God
continue to bless America!

Ivy Conner

“Christ-mas” was originally a special Roman Catholic Church mass that focused on the birth of Christ – the incarnation. Since the date of Jesus’ birth is unknown, the RCC chose the pagan festival for the rebirth of the sun, when in the northern hemisphere the daylight hours start getting longer. In a much-used tactic, they gave Christian meaning to a pagan festival. So, Christmas traces back to a pagan festival and a Roman Catholic Mass.

The church, though, is not authorized to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Consequently, many in churches of Christ oppose giving Christmas any religious significance, celebrating it just as a family holiday gathering. I remember a tag line on a church bulletin, maybe even announcing a sermon topic, that read, “Keep Christ out of Christmas.” That was decades ago, but I remember thinking then, “I do not want to keep Christ out of anything or anywhere.” Today, secular humanists want to keep Christ out of everything. I want to be their strongest opposition. I do not want to be their ally.

A little boy was told, “No one knows the actual birthday of Jesus; somebody just made up a date to celebrate.” The boy said, “Wow. If we didn’t know when mine was, I would want somebody to make up one for me.”

A passage in Romans directly addresses how Christians should deal with special holidays, but it is rarely quoted or mentioned in most of the sermons and articles that tell us we should not preach or sing about Jesus’ birth around Christmas or about the resurrection near Easter.

One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. (Romans 14:5-6 NKJV)

Eating meat sacrificed to idols is discussed in the same passage [context]. The apostolic decree was the idol is nothing, and nothing harmful was done to the meat when it was sacrificed to an idol (Romans 14:1-13). If there are weaker believers who would be caused to “stumble,” that is, led to sin by doing what they believe is sinful, we should love our brothers and sisters too much to force the issue with them (1 Corinthians 8:1-13; 10:23-33). On the other hand, the weak are commanded not to condemn those who eat meats or give some days greater significance than others (Romans 14:10-13).

Finally, how could there be a stronger authorization for celebrating Christ’s birth or Christ’s resurrection or any other special day than when Scripture says, “He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord…” (Romans 14:6)?

[Editor’s Note: First, there exists no biblical authority for the church to establish and to observe a special day with religious significance. Secondly, any day and every day is a good day for a child of God to personally commit to Christ or to God. Thirdly, Christians can opt to observe the secular or national importance of a holiday without attributing to it a religious significance. Fourthly, there are some matters (e.g., eating of meats, observance of days) of relatively religious irrelevance where no one must believe and do the same things or is called upon to compel other Christians to believe and do as he does. Not everything is a test of fellowship, despite that sundry tenets of Christianity, indeed, are tests of fellowship (2 John 9-11). ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]

Cecil May, Jr

A man had two sons. He told the first to work in the vineyard, and the son said he would, but never did. The father told the second son to go work in the vineyard and the son said no, but later he repented and went to work. Which did the will of his father? Jesus explained this parable (Matthew 21:28-32) by telling the chief priests and the elders of the Jews that tax-gatherers and harlots would enter into Heaven before they would. John came to the people in righteousness, and the sinners heard John and repented, but the religious leaders refused to take heed, even after seeing the sinners repent. The warning stands today, 2000 years later. Don’t count on your own piety and righteousness to save you. Be humble, be teachable, and trust in Jesus and His power to save (Mark 16:15-16; Romans 1:16).

Thomas Baxley

“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16 NKJV). This text describes some Jewish Christians who, because of their knowledge that Jesus was the Messiah, were no longer able to worship with other Jews. Praise and acts of service had become their sacrifices – ones they could offer anytime, anywhere. In other words, when they served others, God was pleased with the “sacrifice.” What was true for them, then, is still true for us today. God intends for us to offer sacrificial service to Him by serving others.

We must serve others with a sacrifice that is costly (Acts 4:32-37). To give sacrificially requires more than a token effort or gift. God wants us to give voluntarily, but He wants it to mean something. Giving to God what costs you nothing does not demonstrate commitment.

We must serve others with a sacrifice that is dedicated (Matthew 19:21). Does dedication mean that we should sell everything we own? Not necessarily. We should, however, be willing to give up anything if God needs for us to do so. This kind of attitude allows nothing to come between us and God, and that attitude keeps us from using our God-given wealth selfishly. If you are comforted by the fact that Christ did not tell all His followers to sell all their possessions, then you may be too attached to what you have.

We must serve others with a sacrifice that is complete (Romans 12:1). When sacrificing an animal, a priest would kill the animal, cut it in pieces and place it on the altar. Sacrifice was important, but even in the Old Testament, God made it clear that obedience from the heart was much more important (1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 40:6; Amos 5:21-24). God wants us to offer ourselves, not animals, as living sacrifices – daily laying aside our own desires to follow Him, putting all our energy and resources at His disposal and trusting Him to guide us. We do this out of gratitude that our sins have been forgiven.

Our sacrifices are especially pleasing to God when we ‘do good and share’ out of a heart filled with genuine love. Such sacrifices tend to make our service to others a matter of grace rather than constraint.

Kenneth Forrest

    Jim Geraghty is a writer for National Review Online. The only person I agree with 100% (for obvious reasons) is Jesus Christ. The next person with whom I have the most agreement is Rachel (for obvious reasons!). Geraghty writes a lot, however, with which I can agree. I like someone who critiques others based on commitment to principle rather than to a politician with an “R” or “D” after their name. In one post, Geraghty wrote on, “You Aren’t Important Enough to be Conspired Against.”

    In that post, he lamented the destruction or potential destruction of other human lives that have happened within a politically-motivated environment. The Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. The mail-bomber from Florida. The man who drove a van into a crowded street in Toronto. The shooter at the ball game among congressmen. All killings are not politically motivated but those four seem to have been. Those individuals operated within a framework in their minds where the “evil” perpetrated in society is the result / fault of some group (whether Republicans, Democrats, or Jews) who is wicked or evil.

    But Geraghty came to a proper conclusion as he called for a “society-wide push to hammer hard truths” into peoples’ heads. “All of these men shared an inability to face the possibility that the problems in their life were a result of their own decisions and actions.” Donald Trump does not turn someone into a mass murderer nor does Bernie Sanders.

    Geraghty is calling on Americans to accept responsibility for themselves. “If you’re having problems with your career, it’s your own …fault. If you’re having problems in your relationships, it’s your own …fault. It’s not because of the Illuminati, or the Trilateral Commission,…” etc.

    Geraghty, of course, is absolutely right. But, these four tragedies illustrate a few other truths that need to be “hammered hard” into peoples’ skulls. 

    There is true wickedness in the world. Some people consciously choose to perform evil acts.

    That evil has it source in one being: Satan himself. 

    The opposite of this evil, Good, also has its source in one being: God in heaven. 

    One day, the evil will be destroyed and the good will be rewarded. 

    We want to choose the Good over the Bad. 

    The path that leads from the Bad to the Good flows through the blood of Jesus Christ. He is the only line of demarcation between the two. 

    In order to learn about Jesus Christ, every man, woman, and child needs the Bible in their hands.

    Here’s one more truth that ought to be hammered into every Christians’ head: You and I need to be teaching that Truth every chance we get! That’s how our society is going to get better. We can’t expect or wait for Republicans in Washington to make our society better nor can we expect or wait for Democrats in Washington to make our society better. It will be you and me, teaching the Gospel of Christ. Let’s get ‘er done!

Paul Holland