Life In A Fish Bowl

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

Like it or not, you and I are being watched nearly all the time when in public, and perhaps even when we think we’re in private.  Welcome to life in the 21st century, life in a fish bowl.

The surveillance may come from the business world.  We go into banks, there are video cameras.  At the mall and in the stores which we shop, more than likely we are on camera.  At the work place, your employer may be monitoring how you’re using your time on the computer, and what sites you’re visiting on the web.  They’re possibly even monitoring what phone calls you’re making on company time.  They may also have your cash register, work space in the factory, or job site under surveillance by camera.  Truck drivers are monitored in some companies by GPS.  Smart cars can now monitor speed before a collision and other things.

The surveillance may additionally be coming from “Big Brother.”  Many municipalities are turning more and more to video surveillance.  Downtown areas, public areas, freeways and major roads are monitored.  In order to increase revenue many have turned to traffic enforcement cameras at major intersections.  If they catch your car committing a red-light infraction on camera, a traffic ticket is mailed to you. Judge Andrew Napolitano expressed his concern over the practice saying, “Numerous studies have shown that the most effective way to  reduce red light violations – and traffic accidents – is to increase the yellow light interval.  When one San Diego intersection’s yellow light interval was increased from 3.0 seconds to 4.7 seconds, the number of monthly red light violations dropped from 2,265 to 205… When the yellow light interval becomes so small that it is inevitable that you will run a red light, a was the case in some San Diego intersections, the government is entrapping you: it is facilitating and inducing you to break the law if the government caused the duration of the yellow light to become one second or less it would be forcing you to commit a crime” (Constitutional Chaos, p. 42-43).  Why would they do such?  For each traffic ticket San Diego receives $271, of which Lockheed Martin gets $70 – this was the agreement – Lockheed Martin manufactured, placed, and operated the system of  cameras; one camera alone generated $6.8 million  in eighteen months (ibid).  Like it or not we are being watched.  Also, we may be subject to audio surveillance.  Place a long distance phone call to a certain  foreign country and the government may want to know with whom you are talking and what you’re saying.  Travel out of the country using your passport and the government can keep record of your travel.

Add to this personal surveillance.  Caller ID has made prank calls no longer always anonymous, and other such calls as well that many think are anonymous may not truly be.  Cell phones now have cameras and audio recording capabilities.  Spy equipment, such as cameras hidden in smoke detectors, teddy bears, pencil sharpeners, phone jacks and other items now permit parents to spy on their children, or spouses on one another.  We would be wise to assume that our words and actions are being digitally recorded, or in some way stored.

Then, there is personal revealing.  Many young people are shocked to discover that what they had posted on MySpace or other such sites has found its way into the viewing eyes of one’s parents, or potential employer, or countless others.  Also, it is alarming to some to find out that the activities on one’s computer can be followed or retrieved by parents, law enforcement, etc…

Many may say “all of this is fine with me, I have nothing to hide,” while others may be shaken and troubled, or alarmed.

But, here is the point to remember: If no one else knows what we do or say, God always does.

1.  Proverbs 15:3, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good.”

2.  Psalm 139:2, “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understand my thoughts afar off.”

3.  Ecclesiastes 12:14, “God shall bring every good work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.”

4.  Matthew 12:36, “…Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”

5.  Romans 2:16, “…God shall judge the secrets of men…”

6.  Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

7.  Revelation 2:2, 9, 13, 19, 3:1, 8, 15, “I know thy works…”

Let us live our lives as if we are always being listened to and watched… For we are!

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Unique Families

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

Unique family arrangements are nothing new.  (1) Following the death of Haran, Abram seems to have taken Lot into his home (Gen. 11:27-28, 31; 12:1, 4).  Josephus wrote, “Abraham married Sarah, and since he had no children, he adopted his nephew Lot as his son.” (Josephus: The Essential Writings, p. 25).  (2)   The rearing and home life of Moses was unique (Ex. 2:1-10).  (3) Samuel’s home environment was unique (1 Sam. 1:27-2:11, 26).  (4) Naomi, mother-in-law, and Ruth, daughter-in-law, lived together following the death of their husbands (Ruth 1:16-17; 2:2; 17-18).  (5)  David took care of Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth.  Mephibosheth was lame in the feet and David cared for him (2 Sam. 9).  (6)  Jehosheba and Jehoiada took their nephew Joash, and cared for him following his father’s death (2 Kings 11:1-3; 2 Chronicles 22:10-12).  Jehoiada, and no doubt, Jehosheba, had a tremendous influence on Joash for good (2 Kings 12:1-2; 2 Chronicles 24:1-2).  (7) Peter’s house included Andrew, James, and John and perhaps mother-in-law as well (Matt. 8:14-15; Mark 1:29-30; Luke 4:38-39).

 In this day and age many unique family arrangements exist.  (1)  Some due to death or other circumstances find themselves caring for grandchildren or other relatives.  Advice, keep in mind the tremendous influence for good you have (2 Kings 12:1-2; 2 Chronicles 24:1-2).  Also think on 1 Timothy 5:8.  (2) Some find themselves taking care of elderly parents.  Read 1 Timothy 5:8;  Proverbs 23:22b.  They cared for you when you couldn’t take care of yourself.  Now, it is your turn.  Read 1 Corinthians 13.  (3) Some are left in a less than ideal situation having but only one parent in the home to rear the children.  Advice – It’s important that your children have a role model from the opposite gender in their lives.  Develop close relationships with your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Such relationships may well provide mentors and role models for your children (Mark 10:29-30; 1 Tim. 5:1-2).

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The Weather: Everyone’s Talking About It!

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

People in every age, I suppose, have been interested in weather.  Mark Twain once observed, “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.”  Donald DeYoung has written, “People talk about the weather more than any other topic, including sports and politics.  It is one of the first things we wonder about when a new day begins” (Weather and the Bible, page 13).

Weather extremes also fascinate us: (1) The hottest temperature ever recorded in the shade on earth was 136.4°F  at Azizia, Libya (Sept. 13, 1922).  Greenland Ranch, Death Valley, California comes in second, it reached 134°F (1913).  Dallol, Ethiopia has the highest annual mean temperature at 93.3°F.  Marble Bar, Western Australia had 160 consecutive days with 100°F or higher (Oct. 31, 1923 – April 7, 1924).  (2) The coldest temperature on earth ever recorded is -129°F at Vostok, Antarctica (July 21, 1983).  The coldest permanently inhabited place is Oymyakon, Siberia, Russia -90°F (1933).  Langdon, North Dakota had 41 days below 0° (Nov. 11, 1935 – Feb. 20, 1936).  International Falls, Minnesota has an annual mean temperature of 36.5°F.  (3) The fastest known change in temperature was on January 22, 1943 in Spearfish, South Dakota.  The temperature rose 49°F in  just two minutes (-4°F to 45°F). Browning, Montana had a 100° change in one day (44°F to -56°F), in the year 1916.  The greatest range is in Verknoyansk, Siberia, Russia, with 188°F (-90°F to 98°F).  (4) The highest recorded wind speed was in a tornado in Wichita Falls, Texas (April 2, 1958) the speed was 280 mph.  Mount Washington in New Hampshire had a wind gust of 231 mph.  (5) The driest place on earth is found in northern Chile.  Coloma, Chile didn’t have a drop of rain from 1570 to 1971.  (6) The wettest place on earth is in Cherrapunji, India, it rained 366.14 inches in a month (July) and an incredible 905.12 inches total that same year (1861)!  Mt. Waialeale, Kukui, Maui, Hawaii averages 460 inches of rain each year (739 inches fell from Dec. 1981 to Dec. 1982).   Mawsynram, India averages 467.5 inches per year, world’s greatest mean.  Central Uganda averages 242 thunderstorm days per year.  The largest rainfall in one day (24 hours) was 73.62 inches at Cilaas, La Reunion (Indian Ocean); In the United States is was 43 inches in Alvin, Texas (July 25-26, 1979).  The largest rainfall in one hour is 12 inches in Holt, Missouri and at Kilauea Sugar Plantation, Hawaii.  The most intense rainfall was 1.5 inches in one minute in Basse – terre, Guadelope, French West Indies (Nov. 20, 1976).   Most rain days per year is 350 days at Mt. Waialeale, Hawaii.  (7) The most sunshine is in Yuma, Arizona averaging 91% sunshine.  St. Petersburg, Florida recorded 768 consecutive sunny days (Feb. 9, 1967 – Mar. 17, 1969).  (8) The deepest snow: in 1971 – 1972 season in Mt. Ranier, Washington received 1,122 inches (93.5 feet). In 1921 6.3 feet fell at Silver Lake, Colorado in just 24 hours.  (9) The strangest, on June 16, 1939 in Trowbridge, England it actually rained frogs.  Strong winds had lifted the creatures aloft.  In 1984 live six-inch flounders fell on a London neighborhood.  A waterspout had lifted them from the Thames river.  With all this said:

1.  In Matthew 16:1-ff, Jesus scolds those who discern such physical matters, but are not spiritually discerning.  He said, “When it is evening ye say it will be fair weather: for the sky is red.  And in the morning, it will be foul weather today for the sky is red and lowering…”  Others have said, “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.”  “A red sunset results when the western sky is especially clear.  The color occurs because the sun is low in the sky and its light passes through additional atmosphere.  The condition is enhanced if a stable high pressure region is present.  This high pressure suppresses cloud formations and also hold air contaminants near the earth.  These in turn ’scatter’ the colors of sunlight and cause the reddening effect in the west.  In the mid-latitudes of the northern hemisphere weather patterns usually approach from the west.  Since ‘highs’ bring good weather, red skies in the evening indicate that fair weather is probably approaching from the west.  On the other hand, if the red appears in the eastern morning sky, then the high pressure region has already passed through.  Sometimes, evening redness (in the east, B.H.) is due to sunlight reflecting off a retreating cloud layer in the east.  Likewise, morning redness in the west may be due to an advancing cloud layer” (Weather and the Bible, p. 24).

Why is it that some pay attention to physical things so closely, but neglect what is spiritually important?

2.  On another occasion in Luke (12:54-55) Jesus also expressed His displeasure over the same.  They could discern that if a cloud arose in the west (off the Mediterranean Sea) they likely would receive rain.  They also understood that if the south wind (off the desert) blew they likely would receive scorching heat.  But they did not understand the signs which Jesus did.

3.  About what do we talk to our friends?  The book Coping: A Biblical Approach by Stephen Lloyd contain these statistics by Flavil Yeakley: (1) 30% have friends in the church but do not visit them. (2) 50% have friends in the church and visit them but there is no spiritual dimension to the visit (p. 147).  Let us move beyond talking about the weather, sports and politics.  Let us be as “iron sharpeneth iron” (Prov. 27:17).

 Fascinating books on weather for Bible students:

1.  Weather and the Bible by Donald B. Young.

2.  The Weather Book by Michael Oard

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The Work of the Church

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

If a church loses its focus, then nearly anything can be imagined as the work of the church. Some churches are extremely busy.  They have this activity and that activity.  They have numerous programs and works that they do.  Their calendars are overflowing with meetings, events, socials and the like.  Any perceived good that can be done is made the work of the church, without Bible authority – while the real legitimate work gets lost in all the busy activity.  Some operate under the philosophy that if they can keep the members excited about some project or activity – whatever it is, then something wonderful has been accomplished and the church therein is carrying out its function.

What is  not the work of the church:

1.  It is not the work of the church to direct the affairs of civil government or to become a political entity.

As citizens, we might be interested in roads being built, economic policies, trade regulations, immigration policies, health care issues, foreign policies, and the like.  But, this is not the work of the church.

At times moral issues and political issues intersect (example: abortion, alcoholic beverage sales, creation – evolution controversy, gambling, homosexuality, etc.).  The church should set forth the truth about these matters.  But, the church should never go into the politics business.

A word of caution; Even as individuals we should be cautious in the area of politics.  Some so push their political party allegiance and talk so so openly and forcefully about politics that they risk alienating half the population from themselves – and thus close doors to Bible studies.

 2.  It is not the work of the church to run schools of secular education.

Individual Christians might get together to open and operate a school.  Consider the following scenario.  A group of educators, all Christians, fed up with some things being taught in the public school system decide to open and operate a private school where a secular-progressive agenda is not being promoted, but Biblical morality.  Such is wonderful.  There is no problem with this.

However, it is not the work of the church to finance, open or operate a school of secular education.  To those who object we ask for Biblical authority.

3.  It is not the work of the church to provide for the entertainment, recreational and social life of its members.

Clearly, individual Christians can have, and should have such contact,  one with another (Mark 6:31-32; Luke 14:12-14; 15:22-25; Acts 2:46; 16:15; 1 Peter 4:9).  There is no problem with this, providing the activity is morally acceptable.

However, it is not the work of the church to provide such.  It is not the function of the eldership to plan an outing of golf, or a hunting trip.  It is not the proper use of the Lord’s money to take from the contributions, money for the youth to go watch a movie or go bowling.  Individuals can do these things – individuals may financially contribute to such; But this is not the work of the church.

4.  It is not the work of the church to manage a home.

In times past, some brethren have suggested that orphan’s homes should be under the oversight of an eldership.  Thomas B. Warren wrote upon this subject saying, “In both the home and the church there is an oversight – subjection relationship.  In the church elders are in oversight (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Peter 5:1-2), and this is the only institution  over which elders are to function as elders.  There is also an oversight – subjection relationship in the home: parents (natural or legal) are in oversight of the children.  Ephesians 6:1 orders children to obey parents, and it doesn’t matter whether the parents are natural or legal (cf. ‘guardian,’ Galatians 4:1, 2).  Jesus was subject to his ‘parents’ (Luke 2:41, 51); one of those parents was natural and one was legal.  In Ephesians 5:22, 23, a clear distinction between the home and the church is set forth.  A man may be both an elder and a father (natural or legal)… he is an elder in the church and a father in the home.  He is neither ‘an elder in the home’ nor a ‘father in the church’” (Orphan Homes are Scriptural, Gospel Advocate, August 17, 1961).  Guy Woods compared churches that would assume the role of the home with church that would assume the role of the government.  He said, “It is just as sinful for the church to attempt to assume… the function of the home, as it is for the church to seek … the function of the state.” (Question and Answers, Volume 1, p. 308).

5.  It is not the work of the church to go into the money-making or money-saving business.

The church is not authorized, for example, to generate purchase property and rent it out in order to generate a profit.  It is wrong for a church to get a loan for a family on a house (so that they will have a place to stay); let them make the payments; but in the end the property belongs to the church – increasing their assets.  It is wrong for churches to loan money out in order to generate profit.

Also, it is worth noting that the church isn’t in the money saving business.  James W. Boyd has written, “Some church hold huge savings accounts, drawing interests and hoarding funds, while people all over the world are dying lost without the gospel.  Good stewardship of funds is one thing.  Greedy and grasping brethren who just hold on to money with the work languishes is something else.  I would fear to be an elder of a church presiding over large savings while the Gospel is not being preached.” (S.T.O.P., November 1997).

6.  It is not the work of the church to simply build buildings, cathedrals, and the like.

It is absolutely correct to say that we need a place to meet.  This I don’t deny.

Once more I ask you to consider James Boyd’s words, “For too long many have depended upon glamorous buildings to be the attraction of the church.  Disproportionate amounts of money have been spent building and maintaining elaborate buildings.  But the church grew more rapidly, physically and spiritually, when our buildings were more on the other side of the tracks.’” (S.T.O.P., November 1997).

7.  The church is not simply to make people feel good and draw big crowds.

It is possible to fill a building up, make everyone feel good and still help save no one.  Sad it is, but true.

Jesus, nor His disciples tickled the ear (John 6:66-67; Matt. 15:12-14; 2 Tim. 4:1-4).  Nothing that is profitable should be kept back (Acts 20:20, 26).

What is the purpose of the church?

The church has but one ultimate purpose.  This purpose is to glorify God.  Ephesians 3:21 reads, “unto Him be glory in the church…”  1 Peter 4:11 adds, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified…”  This is our purpose.

How does the church glorify, upon this earth, the great Jehovah? The answer is that we do this by fulfilling certain areas of responsibility given to us.

What is the work of the church:

1.  Evangelism: The term simply refers to the proclamation of the good news.  The early church financially supported, and was encouraged to do so, the preaching of the gospel (Phil. 4:15-16; 1 Cor. 9:14; 2 Cor. 11:8; Romans 15:24; [cf. 3 John 7-8; Titus 3:13; Acts 21:5]).  The church is “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).  Just as Jesus came ” to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10), Even so, we have a responsibility to be about the same business.

2.  Edification: The term has reference to building up, strengthening, fortifying.  As a church, we are to be helping one another on toward heaven.  Concerning our assemblies the Scriptures teach “Let all things be done unto edifying” (1 Corinthians 14:26).  We are to “provoke (one another) unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24-25).  1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Comfort yourselves together and edify one another.”

It is worth pointing out that edification is connected with preaching (Acts 14:22; 16:4-5; 16:32; 20:32; 1 Cor. 14:3-5) and example (1 cor. 10:23); It is not justification for bowling allies financed by the church and the like.

3.  Benevolence:  The term refers to what is commonly called charity today.  The church is to (according to its ability) help those in need.  It especially has this duty toward those of the household of faith (Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 5:3-4, 16) but also unto others (2 Cor. 9:13 cf. Gal. 6:10).  (Note: for a study of the “saints only” position see article “Saints Only Benevolence” by B.H. which appeared in the bulletin Jan. 23, 2005).

4.  Worship: This point is somewhat distinct from the other three.  The previous three were works which glorify God, but are primarily done toward others.  This is a work primarily done toward God,  though there is a benefit to others (cf. Col. 3:16)

Our worship is to be “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).  To worship in spirit means that we worship Him sincerely, pouring out our being unto Him (Josh. 24:14 cf. John 4:24).  To worship Him in truth means that we do so based upon His word (John 4:24 cf. John 17:17).  God has specified five distinct acts of worship for the church: (1) Lord’s Supper – Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; (2) Giving – 1 Cor. 16:1-2; (3) Singing – Ephesians 5:19; Col. 3:16; (4) Prayer – Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 14:14-16; (5) Preaching – Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 14:27-31.

Let us never lose sight of why the church exists and what it is to be doing.

Note: I am deeply indebted to James Boyd’s article, “Things the church is not to Do” which appeared in the November 1997 Seek The Old Paths for many of my thoughts.

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The Work Week

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

God outlined the work week for Israel.  He said, “Six days shalt thou labour, But the seventh day thou shalt not do any work” (Exodus 20:9-10; Deuteronomy 5:13-14).  At least, three important points are taught here: (1) God expected them to work and be productive.  He has always expected such from man (Genesis 2:15).  He still expects such from us today (Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8).  (2)  Man needs rest.  A lack of it is harmful both physically and psychologically.  Even Jesus, and His disciples needed such (cf. Mark 6:31).  No wonder the Bible says, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” ( Mark 2:27).  We should never get so busy that we fail to rest, relax, “recharge our battery,” and spend time with family and friends.  On the other hand, too much rest is not good either (Proverbs 6:9-11; 19:15; 20:13; 23:33-34; 26:14).  (3) Man should never get so busy that he fails to take time to worship.  On the Sabbath there was to be a holy convocation (sacred assembly, Leviticus 23:3 NIV).  The Sabbath was to be observed even in their busiest farming seasons cf. Exodus 34:21.  We too should take the time to worship (Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2;  Acts 2:42).

It is the first two points that I wish to contemplate at this time.  That is, wisdom of God’s work week.

The French Revolution was very atheistic in nature.  This is due mainly to the fact that: The First Estate (the Catholic clergy) and The Second Estate (the nobility) only made up 3% of the population but they had financially and politically dominated The Third Estate (everyone else).  “Churches were closed or turned into “temples of reason.”  (The Human Experience: a World History by Farah, Berens, and Kortepater).  Orders were given to post at graveyards a sign reading, “Death is an eternal sleep” (Brittanica, vol. 7, p. 654 c. 1979).  In time, this de-Christianization policy would end due to fears of alienating other nations.

During this anti-Christian fever a new calendar was developed known as The French Republic Calendar.  It was adopted on October 24, 1793.  Napoleon abolished the calendar effective January 1, 1806.  The calendar eliminated the mention of Catholic holidays.  It did away with the seven-day week and even the name “Sunday” (though such is not of Biblical origin).

The year was divided into twelve months.  The months were divided into three decades, or ‘weeks’ of ten days each.  The five or six extra days needed to complete the year were added at the end of each year, after twelve months.

The days were divided into ten hours, each having 100 decimal minutes and each minute having 100 decimal seconds.  Thus an hour was over twice as long as a conventional hour, a minute slightly longer than a conventional minute, a second slightly shorter than a conventional second.

The months were named: Vintage (starting late September), Mist (starting late October),  Frost (starting late November), Snowy (starting late December), Rainy (starting late January), Windy (starting late February), Buds (starting late March),  Flower (starting late April), Meadow (starting late May), Harvest (starting late June), Hot (Starting late July), and Fruits (starting late August).

The days were named by their number (first day, second day, third day,… tenth day).

The years were written in Roman numerals.  The count beginning from September 22, 1792 (the day the French First Republic was proclaimed).

The work week provided one day off out of each ten.  Wikipedia cites one of the reasons that the calendar was abolished as being “because having a ten-day work week gave workers less rest (one day off every ten days instead of one day off every seven).”  David Barton writes, “Following the French Revolution (1789), France made a calendar change so that workers were allowed one day rest in ten rather than the traditional religiously based one in seven… Apparently, the result on the workers’ health and morale was so detrimental that one day rest in seven was reinstituted” (Original Intent, p. 67 footnote).

It seems to me that the wisdom of God is seen in even His instructions He gave to Israel concerning the work week.  He knows what is best.  let us trust Him in all things.  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

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A Shaking of Faith

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

Jesse Babcock Ferguson is an example of how the sins of one can spiritually injure multitudes.  This example should caution us to beware: (1) Men may disappoint; (2) Our actions may affect others.

Ferguson was born in Philadelphia, Pa. but moved over time to various  places in Virginia, Ohio, and eventually Kentucky.  In Kentucky, Ferguson began to preach and his talents and abilities were soon obvious.

In the early 1840’s, while living in Kentucky, he held a couple of meetings in Nashville, Tennessee.  They were so impressed that they tried to persuade him to move to the city and work with them.  At first, he declined, but in the spring of 1846, at the age of 27, he accepted and moved to Nashville (approximate population 40,000).

Never had a preacher in Nashville so captivated the city; And he did it so quickly!  Rapidly the church grew from maybe 300 to 600.  A new building was constructed which would seat 1200.  Ferguson was popular with Nashville’s leading citizens (examples: U.S. Senator John Bell, Governor of the State W.B. Campbell; the city’s mayor; and the city’s leading doctor, W.K. Bowling).  Also, a young David Lipscomb admired him (he was 15 years of age when Ferguson moved to Nashville).  Tolbert Fanning made Ferguson the editor of his paper, The Christian Review (later changed the name to Christian Magazine.)

Ferguson’s ego became enormous while in Nashville.  He boasted that he had calls to preach in Memphis, New York City and in the state of Ohio but Nashville “needed constant teaching and oversight.”  Tolbert Fanning, looking back on things said later that Ferguson, “Flattered all, and was flattered by all in return.”  These things (flattery, ego) seem not to have been seen so clearly at the time.

Unsoundness began to be a concern of some by 1852, and increased through 1856.  Ferguson taught/practiced: (1) A view of 1 Peter 3:18-20 that had many believing he was teaching that a second chance existed on the other side; (2) Many, in time, thought he had adopted universalism; (3) In time, he rejected very clearly the concept of a future punishment of  the dead;(4) Open membership was practiced – anyone who wished to be considered a member there was accepted as such without question; (5) The last straw for many was when he proclaimed that one could communicate with the dead – and that he had so done himself.

Initially, most defended him saying, “He surely wasn’t saying such” …“He’s being misunderstood”…  But in time, the truth was undeniable.

The church split into many parts.  Only 15-25 were left in a building which seated 1,200.  In 1857 the building burned.

Ferguson left the city and is reported to have gone into denominationalism.  He seems to have disappeared from history.  H. Leo Boles wrote, “Like a meteor which flashes across the horizon, making a trail of glorious light behind it, and then suddenly disappearing and leaving nothing but darkness in its wake, so Jesse B. Ferguson… perhaps no preacher of the gospel ever stood so high in the estimation of the people and received the plaudits of the populace and then dropped so low as did this man.”

The effect was disheartening on many.  Lipscomb later wrote, “When the Ferguson defection hung heavily upon the churches, when many older brethren of promise and prominence throughout the country were discouraged, disheartened and many turned away from the truth – some to other churches, others to sin and infidelity, we too felt discouraged and disheartened.”

THINGS TO REMEMBER

1.  Men may disappoint.  Our faith should not stand in excellency of speech or the wisdom of man but in the God above (1 Cor. 2:1-5).  We should follow a man only so far as they are following Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).  Keep your eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:1-ff).

2.  Our actions may affect others.  The man or woman who commits adultery or enters into some shocking behavior, might harm not just themselves, but also others.  The man or woman who stops attending church services affects potentially numerous others, especially their close friends and family members.  The hypocrite, when discovered to be such, causes potentially many not to want to be a Christian (Rom. 2:23-24; 2 Sam. 12:14).  Take very seriously your influence on others! (Read Matthew 18:6-7).

 Resources for Bio.

1.  Crying in the Wilderness: A Biography of David Lipscomb by Robert E. Hooper, page 47-50.

2.  The Search for Ancient Order, (Vol. 1) by Earl Irvin West, page 261-265.

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Keeping Unity

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

The church is composed of those of different geographical origins, cultures, ethnicities, educational achievements, occupations, and even hobbies.  How can true lasting unity be maintained?

I would suggest that it is possible for true Biblical unity to be maintained, if we hold to two things:  (1) The right attitude; (2) The right standard and focus.  These two things are essential for “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

 Attitude (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Verse one begins with “Therefore.”  This points back to a previous point (Ephesians 2:15b-22; 3:6, 17-19, 21).  God wants us to live harmoniously together in one body, bringing honor and glory to Him.  The wording “walk worthy” means to live a life pleasing unto Him (cf. Colossians 1:10), a life which becometh the Gospel (cf. Philippians 1:27).  He wants us to “walk in love” (Ephesians 5:2) and “walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).

Verse two mentions the attitude we need if we are going to so dwell together:

1.  Lowliness – (humility NASB; completely humble NIV).  Self exaltation was common then, and it is common now.  When men are self exalters and self promoters, difficulties are bound to happen.

The Bible warns one, “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think” (Romans 12:3).  We would do well to have Paul’s attitude.  He said, “But by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10) and “God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14).  Man has much to be humble about  (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Remember, “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

 2.  Meekness – (gentleness NKJV).  Cruden’s says this word means “gentle, kind, not easily provoked, ready to yield rather than cause trouble.”  We should ‘bend over backwards’ if necessary in order to keep peace.  “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated…” (James 3:17).  Paul instructed “as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).

3.  Longsuffering – (patience NASB).  Someone has said that “patience is the ability to idle the motor when you feel like stripping the gears.”  We should be “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).  But, being longsuffering involves more than this.  It includes the idea of patiently enduring to help save a soul (cf. 2 Timothy 4:2).

4.  Forbearing… in love.  Vine’s says the word carries the thought of “to hold up, to bear with, endure.”   We should not walk around with a ‘chip on our shoulder.’  We should overlook each others quirks, and even when we have been sinned against ‘forbearing’ would include the idea of standing ready to forgive (Colossians 3:13).

Verse three does not tell us to create unity but to be “endeavoring to keep…”   When we were converted we became a part of one family.  God unified us into one body.  However, we must make effort to keep such oneness, unity, and peace.

 Standard/Focus (Ephesians 4:4-6)

True Biblical unity can only exist when we have the same correct standard and focus religiously speaking.

 1.  One body.  The body is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23).  We are added to this body upon proper baptism (1 Corinthians 12:13 cf. Galatians 3:26-28).  There is not one body for Jews and one body for gentiles; such is not how God designed things.  Neither should we be divided after men (1 Corinthians 1:12-13; 3:4-7).  The body belongs to Christ (Ephesians 4:12).  He is the head (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18).

2.  One spirit.  This one spirit has delivered one message (Ephesians 2:18, 20 cf. 3:5-6).  The consequent is stated in 1 Corinthians 1:10, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

Moreover, this one spirit had given them different gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-ff).  Instead of being divided over these gifts they should be laboring together as one body.  It is not as if different gods had given them different competing gifts.

 3.  One hope.  The ultimate hope for each Christian is eternal life in glory (Titus 1:2; 3:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:8).  This hope helps us to have endurance in this life (Romans 8:24-25; 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:2).

Now here’s the thing: we’re all striving for the same place, as Christians.  If we can’t get along here, what’ll we do there?

 4.  One Lord.  In the words of Peter, “God hath made… Jesus… both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).  The book of Romans says, “there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him” (Romans 10:12).  He is Lord over both Jew and Greek.

The language “Lord” is language of authority (Luke 6:46).  He has authority over “all flesh” (John 17:2).  He has been given “all authority… in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18).  It is by His words we’ll be judged (John 12:48; cf. 2 Corinthins 5:10).

 5.  One faith.  If this is speaking of personal faith, then it simply makes the point that both Jew and gentile christians believe the same message.  Remember, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17 cf. Luke 8:11-12; John 5:45-47; 17:20; 20:30-31; Acts. 17:11-12; 18:8; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:10).

It is possible that this is speaking of the source of personal faith, that is the objective standard of faith (cf. Acts 6:7; 14:22; 15:9; Romans 5:2; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 1:23; 3:23; 3:25; Philippians 1:27; 1 Timothy 3:9; 4:1; 4:6; 5:8; Jude 3).  It is true the definite article is not present, but neither is it in passages like Romans 1:5; 1:17; 16:26, etc.

Either way, the message is similar.  Whether it is personal faith (which they held alike, and which came by the same objective standard) or whether it is the system of faith which is being spoken of in this passage, the message is they did have the same standard and the same trust.

6.  One baptism.   Various baptisms are mentioned in the pages of the Bible: (1) The baptism in the sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-2 cf. Exodus 14); (2) The baptism of John (John 1:26; 3:23; Matthew 21:25); (3) baptism of suffering (Luke 12:50; Matthew 20:22-23 cf. 26:39 and Hebrews 2:9; 1 Corinthians 15:29); (4) baptism with Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16; Acts 1:4-5 cf. Acts 2); (5) baptism with fire (Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17); (6) Great commission baptism (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 8:12-16; 10:47-48; 19:5, etc.).

Which is the one baptism?  (1) The baptism in the sea was a one time thing.  Moreover, it was not something which Jewish and gentile christians had in common.  (2) The baptism of John anticipated a coming Messiah (Acts 19:4).  It is spoken of in the past tense even in Jesus’ lifetime on earth (Matthew 21:25).  It clearly is not the one baptism (Acts 18:24-19:7).  (3) The baptism of suffering?  It is true that we are all called upon to suffer when necessary for the cause of Christ (2 Timothy 3:12).  It is also true that both Jew and gentile experienced this (1 Thessalonians 2:14).  However, this is figurative language, and water is mentioned later in this same book (Ephesians 5:25-27).  (4) The baptism of the Holy Ghost?  It is interesting that Holy Ghost baptism (a promise, not a command – Luke 23:49; Acts 1:4-5 cf. Acts 10:6, 47-48; 11:14) occurred in Acts 2 (cf. Acts 1:4-5); Many believe that it also occurred in Acts 10-11; However it is never spoken of again as occurring after Acts 10-11.  (5) The baptism of fire?  I don’t think we want this one (Matthew 3:10-12; Luke 3:16-17).

This leaves (6) The baptism of the Great Commission.  It is necessary for salvation (Mark 16:15-16 cf. Acts 2:38).  Water is connected with the baptism that saves (1 Peter 3:20-21).  Water baptism is a command to be obeyed (Acts 10:48).  One must obey the Gospel to be saved (2 Thes. 1:6-ff).  The Gospel at its core is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4).  We obey this in our dying to the love and practice of sin, being buried in water, and raised to walk in the newness of life (Rom. 6:1-ff).   The baptism of the Great commission clearly is not Holy Ghost baptism [watch the consistency of the original language: Matthew 28:18-f; Acts 8:6; 19:5, lit. “Into the name…”].  The “washing of water” is mentioned in this very book (Ephesians 5:25-27 cf. Acts 22:16).  It thus stands to reason that water immersion of the Great commission is the one baptism.

It is after this one baptism that one is added to the church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47).  Thus both Jew and gentile christians would have gone through this same entrance (Read Galatians 3:26-28).

7.  One God and Father.  There is not multiple competing gods as the heathens thought.  there is not one God (Jehovah) for the Jews, and another (Diana) for the gentiles.  “He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth” (Acts 17:25-26).

 Spiritually, He can be the Father of us all (Galatians 3:26-28). In Ephesians 2:16, 18 we read, “That he (Jesus – B.H.) might reconcile both (Jew and gentile – B.H.) unto God in one body (church – B.H.) …For through Him (Jesus – B.H.) we both (Jew and gentile – B.H.) have access by one Spirit (because he revealed the truth Ephesians 2:18, 20 cf. Ephesians 3:4-5 – B.H.) unto the Father.”

 Meditating on these things should help in our maintaining the unity we should have.

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Franklin’s Faith

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706.  He was the 15th of 17 children.  His father was not wealthy, but a poor candle maker.  His education was scant, just two years of formal education.  Yet, his accomplishments and contributions to society are legendary.

His interests and thirst for learning seem almost insatiable.  He was a writer, publisher, inventor, scientist, statesman, politician, and great contributor to society, even a man interested in languages and spelling.

He was a writer and publisher.  Some of his “proverbial sentences,” as he called them, still survive to this day, such as: “haste makes waste” and “God helps them that help themselves.”

He was an inventor.  Among his inventions were the Franklin stove, a musical instrument called the Armonica, an odometer for wagons, a mechanical hand for getting books off of high shelves, a battery, and the lightening rod, even swimming fins.  He patented nothing; He simply wanted to benefit society.

He was a scientist.  His experiments discovered that light colors reflect more heat than do dark colors.  His experiments with electricity laid much of the foundation for future studies of the subject.

He was a statesman and politician.  In 1754 he proposed the Albany Plan, which if followed might have prevented the Revolutionary War.  He was a member of the Second Continental Congress.  He had diplomatic missions to Britain, France, and Canada.  He served as President (Governor) of Pennsylvania.  He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and proposed The Great Compromise between the small and large states.  He is the only person who signed all four documents that led to the creation of this country: The Declaration of Independence; the treaty with France (that brought French money, troops, warships); the peace treaty with Great Britain (ending the war); and the U. S. Constitution.

He was a great contributor to society.  He helped organize Philadelphia’s first fire department, and street cleaning department.    He helped organize America’s first fire insurance company.  He served as Postmaster of Philadelphia and later all of the colonies, entirely reorganizing the Postal Service.  He helped establish what is today the University of Pennsylvania.  He was an abolitionist.

He also taught himself the French, Spanish, Italian, German and Latin languages.  His interest in languages also led him to try to create a new alphabet and simplify spelling, but his efforts never were accepted.

At age 84, Franklin received a letter from Ezra Stiles (President of Yale University).  Stiles wrote, “As much as I know of Dr. Franklin, I have not an idea of his religious sentiments.  I wish to know the opinion of my venerable friend concerning Jesus of Nazareth… If I have said too much, let the request be blotted out and be no more; and yet I shall never cease to wish you that happy immortality, which I believe Jesus alone has purchased.”  That is, to paraphrase,  “Friend, I am concerned for you.  You have not much longer on earth.  What do you believe?”

Franklin’s response “Here is my creed.  I believe in one God, the creator of the universe.  That He governs it by His providence.  That He ought to be worshipped.  That the most acceptable service we render to Him is doing good to His other children.  That the soul of man is immortal and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this… As to Jesus of Nazareth – my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think his system of morals and his religion as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is like to see… some doubts as to his divinity; though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble…”  Paraphrase, “I’ve studied many things but never found time to study this.  I am not going to start now, for soon I’ll be gone and will know the truth.”

Franklin never saw another year.  Don’t you think it is tragic that the man who had interest in nearly everything, never found time to investigate spiritual matters more thoroughly?

Don’t waste your life finding the answers to nearly everything except what really matters.

Is there a God?

Is the Bible from God?

Is Jesus the divine Son of God?

What must I do to be saved?

How should we worship?

How does one find the right church in this day and age.

How does God want me to live each day?

“Come, let us reason together…” Isaiah 1:18

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Preparing To Worship

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

When you come to the worship assembly, what preparations have you made?  What thought and meditation have you given to what you are about to do?  What is your attitude?  Where is your mind?  What is your spiritual condition?

Moses and the children of Israel were instructed to prepare themselves for the Lord’s presence (Exodus 19:10-11, 14-15).  True, they were in His presence each and every day; But, He was about to bless them with His presence in a special way.

Even so, He is uniquely in our assemblies (Matthew 18:20 cf. Matthew 26:29).  What preparations do we make?

1.  We should prepare by seeking to be clean from sin. 

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded” (James 4:8).  It is not possible to worship God properly, and have sin issues unresolved in our lives.  He desires that we “keep the feast not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:8).  We are to approach Him in prayer with “holy hands” (1 Timothy 2:8; Note the words ‘holy hands’ is a figure of speech, a metonymy.  What is being said is that we are to be holy when we approach Him in prayer and worship cf. Isaiah 1:15; Lamentations 3:11; Psalm 143:6).  It is “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man (which) availed much” (James 5:16).  On His regard of those who approach Him without such preparation see: 1 Samuel 15:22; Proverbs 16:8; 21:27; Isaiah 1:14-ff.

2.  We should prepare by seeking to get things  right with our fellow-man.

Jesus said, “If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remembers that thy brother hath aught against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24).  One cannot mistreat his/her spouse and be received favorably by Him in prayer (1 Peter 3:7; cf. Malachi 2:13-14).  Consider also these words, “out of the same mouth proceeded blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not so to be” (James 3:10).

3.  We should prepare by determining to be thankful. 

Worship should flow from a grateful heart.  We are to sing “with grace (thanksgiving) in (our) hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).  We should “enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise (Psalm 100:4).  Let us determine to “serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing” (Psalm 100:2).  Let us set our minds to “praise the name of God with a song, and magnify Him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30).  Our giving should be done cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7).  We should be glad to be in the worship services.  The Psalmist said, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1).

How do I prepare my heart to have such an out-look?  Meditate on His goodness (Psalm 23:6; 100:4-5; 106:1; 107:8, 15, 21, 31; Psalm 126:3; Lamentations 3:22-25).  Remember what He does daily for you (Psalm 68:19).  Especially, we should think of His redemptive love (1 Timothy 1:15).

4.  We should prepare by determining to put our all into worship.

We should not be passive in worship.  We should not come to worship wishing to be served, or entertained, or catered to by others.

We should come desiring to pour out our whole hearts unto our Great God.  The Psalmist said, “I will praise Thee, O Lord with my whole heart… I will be glad and rejoice in Thee: I will sing praises to Thy name, O Thou Most High” (Psalm 9:1-2); Again, “I will praise the Lord, with my whole heart” (Psalm 111:1).  Let us “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” (Psalm 29:2).

Instead of thinking of ourselves as the audience and the one in the pulpit as the performer, let us each think of ourselves as performers before God.  He is the audience.

5.  We should prepare by deciding to participate mentally.

When taking the Lord’s Supper, our minds are not to be on how brother or sister Smith is dressed, or the pot roast at home, or the movie I want to see this afternoon, or the ball game that will be on T.V..  My mind should be “discerning the Lord’s body” (1 Corinthians 11:29).

You might try reading from the Bible about His death at home before going to worship.

When you listen to a sermon, listen with the intent of learning something new, or at least being reminded of something that you need to know.  Have the attitude of Samuel who said, “Speak Lord; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:9).  Be like Cornelius, who said, “Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God” (Acts 10:33).

Don’t listen for mere entertainment (Ezekiel 33:30-33).  Don’t listen just to apply the message to others (Matthew 7:3; Romans 2:1).  Haddan Robinson, in his book, Biblical Preaching, reminds us, “A congregation convenes as a jury not to convict Judas, Peter, or Solomon but to judge themselves.”

We should listen eagerly.  Jesus said that we should, “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matthew 5:6).  Our “delight” should be in the law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2).  The Psalmist says, “More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10), speaking of God’s Word.  Job said, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.”

We should listen and verify (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonins 5:21; 1 John 4:1).  Once verified it should be received as from God (1 Thessalonians 2:13) and should be put into practice (James 1:22).

When prayers are offered I too should be actively and sincerely engaged in the prayer.  I should be able to render an “Amen” to the prayer (1 Corinthians 14:16).

6.  We should prepare by planning.

Thought should be given before arriving to things like how much am I going to give.  A man is to give “as he purposed in his heart” (2 Corinthians 9:7) according to how he has “prospered” (1 Corinthians 16:2).  The point is budgeting and planning should go into our worship preparations.

We should not have to be digging through our billfolds or purses trying to figure out what we are going to give.

Let us have the attitude of the Macedonians whom Paul described as “praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints” (2 Corinthians 8:4).

7.  We should prepare physically for worship. 

Rest the night before may prove helpful.  I’ve witnessed some who have had trouble staying alert or even awake on Sunday morning, only to find out that they stayed up late the night before.  Let us seek to give God our best.  If possible, we should all seek to get some rest the night before (this is not addressed to those who happened to have had to work the late night shift the night before).

8.  We should prepare by ever learning more about Him and His word.

The more one learns Biblically, the more one can get out of a sermon.  Don’t get me wrong, one with little knowledge can get something out of  a sermon or Bible study.  But, the more one learns and the deeper he/she studies in private outside of the assembly – the more things will fit together, and the more one will appreciate an accurate expository or a detailed topical study.  A good Bible student may pick up on many finer or more minor points in a lesson that others will miss altogether.

9.  We should prepare for worship by considering one another.

“Let us consider one another to provoke one another unto love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).  The context here is the assembly (Hebrews 10:25).  We ought to thoughtfully and lovingly consider one another.  We should think of ways that we can spur one another on to greater service.  One suggestion is before we assemble, let us pick out someone who we are going to personally make a special effort to encourage and exhort on to do great things in the coming week for the glory of Jehovah.  The next week we might pick yet another.  If we each would do this it could make a huge difference in how the coming week goes for each one of us here.

Conclusion

Let us each make the worship assembly be all it should be to His glory:

“To God be the glory, great things He hath done; So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin; And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice!  Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Let the People rejoice!  O Come to the Father thru’ Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.” (song: To God Be The Glory by Fanny Crosby).

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Eternal Life: Future or Present?

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Bryan Hodge

I read an article recently regarding eternal life.  It was written, “Everlasting life doesn’t begin when you die.  Everlasting life begins the moment you believe in Jesus for it.  Jesus says, ‘He who believes in Me has [right now – original emphasis] everlasting life’ (John 6:47).  Since it is ‘everlasting life,’ it cannot last 10, 20, or 30 years and then be lost.  It has to last forever.”

This is a very common argument.  Due to how many sincere people believe this way, I feel compelled to write upon this subject.

It is absolutely true that eternal life is at times spoken of in the present tense (John 5:24; 6:47, etc.).  But, does this mean that once one is saved, he is always saved and can‘t lose it?

Jesus said that if we faithfully follow Him we shall “receive an hundred fold now in this time… and in the world to come eternal life” (Mark 10:30).  Watch that eternal life is not something we have in actuality here and now.  We receive it in the world to come. Paul indicated that we live “in hope of eternal life” (Titus 1:2).  Folks, we don’t hope for what we actually have (Rom. 8:24).  Moreover, we must take care – not to be “moved away from the hope of the gospel,” if we want to be presented “holy and unblameable and unprovable in His sight (Colossians 1:21-23).

John settled the issue.  He wrote, “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning.  If that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the faith.  And this is the promise that He hath promised us, eternal life” (1 John 2:24-25).  The word “if” is a conditional word.  Eternal life is a promise conditioned on our abiding in Him (cf. 2 John 9; John 15:5-10).

In summation – believers do have eternal life, but they have it in prospect, hope, and in promise, and that promise is conditional.

This is much like the children of Israel’s situation with the promised land, before they entered in to possess it.  The promised land was a gift (Gen. 15:7; 17:8; Exodus 6:4, 8; Joshua 1:2).  At times it is even spoken of as if they currently had it (Joshua 6:2), when in actuality they hadn’t entered into it yet.  They didn’t earn it, or merit it or get it by their own strength or wisdom (Joshua 24:13).  Yet there clearly were conditions to be met in order to actually receive the gift (see Josh. 6).   In truth, not all the Israelites actually gained possession of this promised land.  Eternal life is a gift (Rom. 6:23).  Yet, there are conditions (Heb. 5:9).

Man indeed can fall from grace (Gal. 5:4).  He can depart from the living God (Heb. 3:12).  Thus, he is instructed to take heed lest he falls (1 Cor. 10:12).   Jesus said in Revelation 2:10, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”  Many think they already have that crown on their heads, but this isn’t what it says.  “Let us not grow weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9).  This is speaking of reaping “life everlasting” (Gal. 6:8).

Don’t be deceived by those who teach once saved, always saved.  A man told me once that he could die in the arms of his adulterous lover and go straight to the glories of heaven.  This is wrong.

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