November 1, 2023

Sowing and Reaping

Sowing

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

God created this world, which operates according to the rules He has established. This was part of the foundation of His promise to Noah after the flood: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). Each of these represented a natural cycle that God established in His creation. Yet one of these cycles – “seedtime and harvest” – referred to more than just a period of time. Harvest indeed follows seedtime or sowing. Yet the outcome of the harvest would depend – at least in part – on what was planted, when it was done, and how it was conducted.

This idea is universally familiar to us. Even if we do not engage in the work of farming, we understand this principle. So this illustration of sowing and reaping is used throughout the Bible to discuss more than just agriculture. We will notice a few passages that teach us about sowing and reaping to see what we are to do, what we are to avoid, and what the consequences are of our choices.Continue Reading

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October 18, 2023

The Christian and the “Victim Mentality”

Man with his head in his hands

A phrase that has become regularly used in our modern culture is “victim mentality.” When we hear this phrase, what does it refer to? Consider the following definition:

“Victim mentality is an acquired personality trait in which a person tends to recognize or consider themselves a victim of the negative actions of others, and to behave as if this were the case in the face of contrary evidence of such circumstances. Victim mentality depends on clear thought processes and attribution. In some cases, those with a victim mentality have in fact been the victim of wrongdoing by others or have otherwise suffered misfortune through no fault of their own. However, such misfortune does not necessarily imply that one will respond by developing a pervasive and universal victim mentality where one frequently or constantly perceives oneself to be a victim.

“The term is also used in reference to the tendency for blaming one’s misfortunes on somebody else’s misdeeds, which is also referred to as victimism.” (Wikipedia)

In other words, simply being a victim of something does not automatically mean one has a “victim mentality.” According to this definition, a person is exhibiting a “victim mentality” if they behave as if they were a victim despite evidence that their victimhood is imagined or exaggerated. Being a victim refers to a specific event or set of circumstances, whereas the “victim mentality” means one is constantly blaming others for their troubles and taking no personal responsibility for their actions, choices, or conditions in life.

This article will consider the popular notion of the “victim mentality.” Many people today constantly blame others for their circumstances, believe they are trapped in a miserable condition, and think they are powerless to do anything about it. Is this type of mindset compatible with the life of a Christian? Let us consider a few points.Continue Reading

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October 4, 2023

Withdrawing from Those Who Have Departed

Man walking away

When it comes to our responsibilities within the local church, exercising church discipline is often one of the more difficult commands to obey. This could be because we do not want to break ties with our erring brethren. It might be because we do not want to be accused of being judgmental or unloving. Perhaps we are not sure when or how to exercise discipline. All of these factors contribute to the fact that discipline is often neglected when it is needed.

However, what often happens (at least in my limited experience) is that those brethren who are unfaithful and need to repent have already stopped assembling with the congregation. They have, in essence, withdrawn themselves from the local church. What is our responsibility in that situation? Is it true, as some have said, that you cannot withdraw from those who have already withdrawn themselves?

Before answering that question, let us be reminded of a few passages that discuss church discipline.Continue Reading

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September 20, 2023

Looking Over the Preacher’s Shoulder

Davis: Looking Over the Preacher's Shoulder

James L. Davis (1865-1947) spent several years laboring to preach the gospel in Kentucky around the turn of the twentieth century. He enjoyed great success in many places he preached despite fierce opposition to his teaching. In his short autobiography, Davis described an older man who had been warned about his preaching and wanted to make sure he caught him when he said something in error.

“From there we went to Bethel where we had been badly misrepresented, and begun to preach the Gospel with very few to hear, but we succeeded in establishin’ the truth there with fifty-one additions.

“From there we went to Friendship and begin preachin’ the Gospel where this same pastor as above had labored hard to keep us out. We went there and he fled—Proverbs, 28:1. We begin preachin’ with very few to hear us. One of the old elders was so poisoned agin us that he did not think we preached the truth, and he asked the liberty to stand by my side and would look at the Scriptures as I would read it. He only had to stand a few discourses until the old man, with tears in his eyes, confessed that he wa’ wrong, that his mind had been confused by the modern pastors, and thus he remained my friend till his death.” (The Mountain Preacher, p. 14)

Because Davis had been misrepresented, this older man did not believe he would be teaching the truth. However, what he did was commendable. Rather than refusing to listen to Davis’ preaching, he listened carefully to see where he was wrong. When he realized that Davis was preaching the truth and that others had wrongly accused him of false teaching, he accepted his message and became friends with him.Continue Reading

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September 6, 2023

“I Am a Nobody”

Man Standing by Bench

“I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles” (2 Corinthians 12:11-12).

In this context, Paul was defending his apostleship while trying not to sound arrogant. Some in Corinth were attempting to discredit Paul and turn the brethren away from him. He was trying to combat this by defending his message without elevating himself. There are some important lessons we can learn from Paul in this.

He warned the saints in Rome not to think too highly of themselves, and this warning is just as necessary for us. He wrote, “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3). We are not to overestimate our significance, just as Paul was to “keep…from exalting” himself (2 Corinthians 12:7). At the same time, we are not to underestimate our importance as the Lord and the angels in heaven earnestly desire to see our salvation (Luke 15:7).

It is often easy to think of ourselves the way Paul described – as a “nobody” – yet forget that we are “in no respect…inferior” to others in the sight of the Lord. How can we have a proper view of self and not have an attitude of arrogance or feelings of inferiority? Let us consider what Paul’s example can teach us about this.Continue Reading

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August 30, 2023

Following Paul’s Example

Paul preaching

“Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me” (2 Timothy 3:10-11).

In the passage above, Paul wrote to Timothy about how the young evangelist had followed the apostle’s example in various ways. It is important that we follow examples, in particular, the ones who are worthy of emulation. Paul told the brethren in Philippi, “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us” (Philippians 3:17). When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, he was mindful of the fact that he needed to set an example for them. He wrote, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

What about us? Are we setting the example that we need to set before others? This was not just something for an apostle like Paul to do. Timothy was told to follow Paul’s example, yet he was also to “show [himself] an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:12). He learned from Paul, and he was to conduct himself in such a way that others could learn from him as well. The same is true for us. We need to set a good example for others, which includes following the example that Paul set for Timothy.

When Paul wrote to Timothy about following his example, he mentioned nine ways in which he set an example. Let us notice each of these to see what we can learn from Paul and how we might be able to follow his lead and show the same type of example to those around us.Continue Reading

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August 16, 2023

The Gates of Hades Will Not Prevail

Rusty gate

“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it’” (Matthew 16:13-18).

In the passage above, Jesus asked His disciples what others said about Him and what they would say. Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. This was the basis for Jesus’ promise to build His church. His identity would be the foundation.

Immediately after making this promise, He said that not even “the gates of Hades” would “overpower it” or “prevail against it” (KJV). Hades is described in the Bible as the realm of departed spirits where they will experience either comfort or torment (Luke 16:19-31). Jesus’ point was this: Death would not stop His plan for His church. Let us notice four ways in which this is true.Continue Reading

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