Jesus said in Matthew 5:20, “For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.” About 65 years ago, I heard a preacher who was trying to impress upon us the importance of giving beyond a tithe use this Scripture to show that unless we gave more than the Jews did under the Law of Moses we could not be saved. Although I was but a boy, I wondered if the same principle of “exceeding righteousness” would apply to their prayers and Scripture reading. If we discovered that the average Jew prayed two hours a day, must ours be at least two and a half hours in order to be saved? If they read the Scriptures three times a day, must we read four times? Surely it does not take a brilliant scholar to discover that Jesus was not teaching that our salvation depended upon our doing more acts than the Jews did that we could classify as righteous acts. The truth is that their righteousness consisted primarily in the outward observance of laws of God and traditions of men. If God said to wash their hands, they thought washing all the way to the elbow would be even more righteous than God required, and apparently assumed that this extra righteousness would balance out their failure in some other area. That may be one reason they seemed to make the keeping of their …

It’s no secret that you and I influence others. We have a “power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways” (Webster) upon others and they on us! When Jesus said to His disciples “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod” (Mark 8:15), He was giving a warning of the evil influence they desired to have upon them. When Paul told the Christians in Corinth that just a “little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6-7), he was not teaching them to make bread, but he was warning them to be careful not to let “sin” influence or permeate the church; they had not been dealing with sin correctly. When God through Hosea corrected the children of Israel for following men rather than God, He said, “My children are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee” (Hosea 4:6). Then, a few verses later (v. 9), He said, “like people like priests.” The People were following the ways of the priests, showing or displaying the influence they (the priests) had on the people. Influence can be for good, but many tend to really notice or take note of it when the influence or effects thereof are not so good. God Expects His Children to Be a Good Influence on Others A good influence begins with a good name or reputation. Solomon stated in Proverbs 22:1 that “a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving …

In Matthew 18:21-22, we read, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Among some of the rabbis it had come to be understood that a man did not have to forgive his neighbor more than three times. They used Amos 1:3 and 2:6 to support this belief. By asking the question the way Peter did, he was going beyond rabbinical teaching. He increased it to seven times. Seven was seen as the number for completion or perfection. Three was the number for heaven and four was the number of the world. Adding them together gave the idea of union of heaven and earth to the rabbis. However, Peter’s question still gave the impression that there was a limit to forgiveness. In the Jewish rabbinical mind one was doing something exceptional to forgive. One was foregoing a right when one forgave someone. To put limitation on it meant there was not an eternal right for forgiveness in the kingdom of God. Jesus’ response demonstrated that God’s mercy and grace is eternal. As long as someone is sorry for what he did and asks for forgiveness, forgiveness should be given. Jesus supported this teaching in Luke 17 when He stated that if a brother trespassed against you seven times in one day, then you should forgive him seven times …

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). How often have you seen these words of Paul quoted or heard the preacher or the Bible class teacher use them? How often does it really sink in that you and I are truly sinful creatures? We have offended God, refused Him, wantonly displayed our hatred for Him or have simply been negligent with regard to His will. I think most people quote the passage, but very few really absorb the message. I am certainly no proponent of some irresistible genomic propensity to sin that is passed from one generation to the next as one might pass along a learning disability, mental disorder or heart problem. Yet, it seems clear enough to me that mankind has sought and created a sinful baseline of behavior, digressing from truth overtly and often, there to meet our fellow men. It may not be genetic, but it is the natural thing. Don’t believe me? Well, then you simply have not been around enough people or have not observed them with much thoughtfulness or done any real prolonged sort of self-examination. Even the best and most respectable among us are sinners. I do think, however, that at some point we reach a line in the sand, a landmark or a place where we are called to make a critical decision about sin. In this place we are met with an appraisal that can take a number of forms, but can be reduced to …

Absalom was the third son of David by Maacah. He fell into disfavor with his father when he plotted the successful assassination of his half-brother Amnon. After this event, he fled to his grandfather where he remained for three years. Through the work of Joab he was restored to favor with his father. The Bible describes Absalom as a handsome man. “But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him” (2 Samuel 14:25). To the populace, he was the beloved and beautiful son of the king. To God, he was a murderer and a seditionist. Such reminds us that God “looketh on the heart” and not on the outward countenance (1 Samuel 16:7). For all of his beauty, Absalom was a treacherous man. He was not satisfied with God’s arrangement. At the command of God, Samuel had anointed David to be king over Israel. However, Absalom wanted to supplant God’s way. He desired the glory that God had designated to his father David. He wanted a following even if it meant that he must rebel against both God and his father. It mattered not to him that the subjects of the kingdom would divide their allegiance between him and his father. He was ready and willing to use subtlety and deceit, if necessary, to accomplish his purposes. Thus, we read: And Absalom rose …

Recently, I began to think about the old console television sets my family used to own. My grandmother Vickers had an old console set where you actually had to push buttons to change the channel along with a couple of silver knobs. Now, I have no idea what happened to that set, but many TV sets like it had an antenna that you had to adjust to bring in a clearer picture. It took a bit to get it just right, and then you hoped it stayed that way. One question with which we are sometimes faced is, “What is the meaning of life?” How would you answer that? Jonathan Garby of England published a book many years ago that contained answers of well-known individuals to that question. One of them, who was a church leader, gave a good answer. As a child, he says, he watched his family’s black and white TV, wishing they could get a clearer picture, but he was thankful they had that subpar set anyway. Then his family learned that an outside antenna was needed. “Suddenly,” he said, “We found that we could get clear and even distant pictures. Our enjoyment was increased.” Then he draws the comparison: “Life without a relationship with God through Jesus Christ is like a television without the antenna.” Without knowledge of God and the revelation of His purposes in Scripture and in Christ Jesus, we humans have at best a blurry picture of the invisible, holy Creator. However, when …

In 1 John 3:1, John contemplated the redemptive work of the Father through Jesus Christ by considering the present state of Christians. Christians are loved of God, children of God and strangers to the world. John continued in 1 John 3:2 and ensured Christians that adoption as God’s children is immediate upon obedience (1 John 3:2a; Galatians 3:26-27). As children, Christians enjoy bountiful spiritual blessings in this life (Ephesians 1:1-3) and the desire and expectation of everlasting life after they have passed away (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). John expounded on the redemptive work of God through Jesus Christ upon His Second, final Coming (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10) by revealing what Christians shall become. John continued in verse 2, “and it doth not yet appear what we shall be.” There is no question that “we shall be”; there is only a question of “what we shall be.” Some people live wishing, with their fingers crossed, that they will “not be” (cease to exist) after death, because they have failed to prepare themselves for the judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10). It is a shame that their unpreparedness causes them to wish for the impossible. God will not pardon the unprepared, and they should have no hope that He will (Matthew 24:45—25:13). John declared that it “has not appeared” what Christians shall be. That is to say, it is not obvious based on appearance alone that Christians are God’s children and, as result, heirs of the kingdom of heaven (Galatians 4:7). They are not clothed in …

The World Health Organization reports that Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. The WHO states that the virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. Although great precautionary measures are used, we’ve witnessed recently how some doctors and caregivers working in West Africa have contracted the virus. The most recent case of an American aid worker catching the virus is Dr. Rick Sacra. Sacra, 51, has been treating patients on and off in Liberia for 15 years. In August, he went back to Monrovia, the national capital of Liberia, to help deliver babies. While there, somehow he contracted the Ebola virus. On Friday, September 5, Sacra was flown to Omaha, Nebraska in a special medevac plane. He has been given two experimental treatments, one of which consisted of blood plasma from another American aid worker, Dr. Kent Brantly, who caught Ebola in Liberia but has recently recovered. Michaeleen Doucleff reports, “Brantly was treated for Ebola at a hospital in Atlanta back in August. Doctors gave him and his coworker, Nancy Writebol, the experimental drug ZMapp. Both of them recovered from Ebola. But it still isn’t known [for certain] whether ZMapp helped them… The idea is that Brantly’s blood contains Ebola antibodies, which could help Sacra’s immune system fight off the virus.” Isn’t it wonderful? A physician gave some of his blood to help save the life of another physician. Now consider that sin is deadly (Romans 6:23), …

Christians across the world work hard. I never cease to be amazed at how much people give of their time, effort, money and various talents—from carpentry to technology to medicine to evangelism—to advance the Lord’s cause. The Gospel needs preached, and in publishing it, there is a whole lot that needs done to get out the message. Whatever these selfless Christians do is all—they would certainly agree—for one goal: the forgiveness of sins. They do it because they are in Christ and have experienced the washing away of sins in baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16). They do it because they know God expects of us, as Christians, to be a people of good works (Ephesians 2:10). They do these things so that the cause of Christ can advance and more and more people can learn about the forgiveness of sins. This is why Christianity exists. This is why Christ died on the cross. This is the reason God planned this plan from before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Sin is a real problem. It is what separates people from a holy God. The Psalmist praised God with this acknowledgment of His holiness: “For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You” (Psalm 5:4). This holy God, through the prophet, identified sin as the reason people feel far from their Creator (Isaiah 59:1-2). Sin draws people away into a downward spiral (James 1:13-15). Sin is a submission to the “god of this …

We read in Genesis 1:4, “God saw the light that it was good.” Further, “God called the dry land Earth and the gathering of the waters, He called seas and God saw that it was good” (verse 10); “The earth brought forth grass and herb yielding seed after his kind and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good” (verse 12); “God made two great lights – the greater light to rule over the day and the lesser light to rule the night…and God saw that it was good” (verse 16-18); “God created great whales and every living creature that moves…after their kind and every winged fowl after his kind and God saw that it was good” (verse 21); “God made the beast of the earth…the cattle…and every thing that creeps upon the earth…and God saw that it was good” (verse 25). In conclusion of God viewing His good creation, we read in verse 31, “God saw every thing that He had made and, behold, it was very good.” Can we read about the creation and God’s satisfaction with His creation and think that it was anything less than good? The dictionary describes “good” as “best, having the right qualities,” “excellent,” “right” or “as it ought to be.” God used the highest standards for His creation; there were no flaws. Think about this; there is only one “o” that keeps “God” and “good” from being the same word. God created only good. So what has gone wrong? We …

When you examine the words of Christ as recorded in the Gospel accounts of the New Testament, it is revealing to see that Jesus spent more time warning about the dangers of hell than speaking of the joy of heaven. This is not because He didn’t want us to think about the beauty of eternal life, or to realize how wonderful it will be, but because He didn’t want us to face eternal punishment. Undoubtedly, Jesus knew hell to be real, but a question that many desire answered today is why hell is real. Why does God have a place of punishment reserved in eternity for sinners? Scripture reveals to us God as a righteous God. The term righteous, or just, refers to what is right, the standard established by God for us by which we are to live. That God has a specific way for us as His creation to live is evident in Scripture. The Psalmist reminds us, “I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will observe thy righteous ordinances” (Psalm 119:106). John reminds us sin is a violation of God’s will, His righteous standard. “Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). Humanity may feel each person has the right to choose how to live and it be acceptable, but being our Creator, God has authority over us (Ephesians 4:6), as does His Son (Matthew 28:18). As God has established His righteous will over humanity, a day of judgment is …

Bearing with one another goes hand in hand with forgiveness. Paul told the saints in Ephesus, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1-2). Similarly, he told the Colossian saints, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (3:12-13). Christians endure with fellow members of the family of God by refusing to speak evil of each other (James 4:11). Christian were warned against grumbling and blaming others for their problems, even though such might have been natural as they endured the great external pressure of persecution. James said such blaming of one another would lead to condemnation. Instead, he told them to always be prepared for the judge’s return by picturing Jesus at the door ready to enter. They would not want to be guilty of wrongful or harsh judgment knowing the Judge was ready to come at any time (James 5:9). Forbearance likewise might be encouraged by following James’ instruction to “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (5:16). Literally, he was instructing his readers to “keep on confessing” their …

How thankful I am for corrective lenses. Without them I can only see clearly, things that are near – I am nearsighted. This same condition is used in a figurative way to illustrate another kind of “sight” problem. Peter wrote of those who are lacking in Christian graces and thereby see “only what is near” (2 Peter 1:9). Many choose a lifestyle with no view of the future consequences. The majority of humanity choose to “enjoy the pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25). Yes, sin offers pleasure, and the Bible admits this truth. However, read that verse with its ending included. The “pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:25). We are warned that sin’s enjoyment is short-lived. Sin may bring some pleasure, but it is fleeting. Alcoholic wine does “sparkle in the cup” and “goeth down smoothly,” but “at the last it biteth like a serpent” (Proverbs 23:31-32). These verses contrast the immediate appeal with the eventual outcome. When Asaph beheld the lifestyle of the wicked, he began to question his personal striving for purity of life. He noted how the wicked seemed “always at ease,” and “they increased in riches” (Psalm 73:12). It seems he was giving some consideration to giving up his dedication to righteousness (see verses 13-16). With a nearsighted view, things didn’t seem to be fair. “Until I went into the sanctuary of God, and considered their latter end” (Psalm 73:17). He was snapped back to reality when he considered “their latter end.” The wicked may …

I stopped at a gas station to pick something up yesterday. I was on the way to an appointment. As I was checking out, a man came in asking to borrow a pair of pliers. The clerk thought the store didn’t have a pair of pliers, though a pair was found. He bought a coke to pour on his car battery to get rid of built-up corrosion (which worked). He looked at me and asked, with a pronounced lisp, “Can you jump me off?” My first thought was, “That will make me late!” I came close to saying “No” because I had to be somewhere, but then several things went through my mind. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I have been in that situation before. This fellow actually had his own jumper cables. I have had to actually borrow the cables as well as get a jump. How could I possibly ignore his request when I would hope that he would not ignore mine if I needed it? As you have opportunity do good to all men. This was not an inconvenience, but rather an opportunity! Certainly, in the big things we ought to help others, tornadoes, floods, sickness, etc. However, what measures our faith in action very well may be the little things. It seems that I recall something about a cup of water spoken by our Lord. A priest, a Levite and a Samaritan. I really was busy. I actually had places to be and …

We all worry from time to time. An everyday personal event may trouble us. We can worry about something over which we have no control. Worry is defined in part as, “A state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems.” A worrywart is defined as, “A person who worries too much or who worries about things that are not important.” Further definition includes, “One who worries excessively and needlessly.” The word worrywart first appeared in 1936, “Based on an old saying that if you worry too much you will grow warts” (Wikipedia). Christians, who are guided by the Word of God – the Bible, generally will not be worrywarts. We do not excessively and needlessly worry about things over which we have no power. However, there are concerns we cannot handle such as government mismanagement, civil violence, foreign hostiles and general chaos. This type of worry is understood rationally and according to our normal ethical understanding that evil and the like will cause sorrowful anguish because of sinful mankind. Peace in Christ is the solution to worry and anxiety. “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity” (Psalm 37:1 KJV). “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11). “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care …

When one is baptized into Christ, he is clothed in Him (Galatians 3:27). We were raised from the watery grave of baptism to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). We were raised with Christ through faith (Colossians 2:12). Since this is true (Colossians 3:1), we have died to the practice of sin (Romans 6:2). “For ye died and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Therefore, because of all of this, you must put sin out of your life and “put off the old man with his doings” (Colossians 3:9) and “put on the new man” (3:10). The elect are identified as holy and beloved (Colossians 3:12ff). We are holy because God’s chosen ones are separated unto God for sacred service. In Christ, God’s holy ones are to exhibit a pure and godly character. Christians are identified as beloved simply because we are loved by God. It is a term of affection and refers to God’s true love for His children. Putting off the old man of sin requires a change of heart and mind. It requires a change of conduct and pattern of life. We no longer serve self, Satan or sin. As Peter described it, we are now “children of obedience” (1 Peter 1:14). We must be servants of obedience unto righteousness (Romans 6:16). After we “put to death” what is earthly and of the flesh (Colossians 3:5), we must get dressed for heaven. Paul said, “put on the new man” (Colossians 3:10). We must …

Christianity hinges upon whether or not Jesus was raised from the dead. Paul made clear that “…if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Corinthians 15:17). His resurrection is the very source of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). How can we know He was raised from the dead? We can know because God has provided a reliable source, inspired by Him, that sets forth the undeniable evidence. We can be sure of what God’s Word teaches; therefore, if it teaches Jesus was raised from the dead, then He was! On the day of Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus, Peter preached the Gospel, and the theme of the sermon was the resurrection of Jesus, as without it, no one can be saved. As recorded in Acts 2, Peter appealed to specific evidences that day to make the case for the resurrection. Peter appealed to signs and wonders (2:22). Jesus performed undeniable miracles, and on one occasion, those “chief priests” even plotted to kill Lazarus since he was undeniable proof that Jesus was the Christ, as He called him from the dead (John 12:9-11; 11). Before Jesus raised Lazarus, He declared, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). The purpose of miracles was to confirm the Word (Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:3-4). These miracles proved Jesus was the Christ, and the resurrection was the crowning proof. Peter appealed to Old Testament prophecy (2:25-35). The Jews present that day were familiar with the Old …

Autumn is a beautiful time of the year especially with the leaves changing their colors. For that reason, for many it is a favorite time of the year to travel. This can also be a busy time of the year as we try to keep the lawn clean and neat with all the falling leaves. Have you thought lately about the execution of God’s wisdom and power, or the blessing He bestowed on us in creating trees on the third day of creation? We may often take them for granted, but trees have so many useful purposes both for man and wildlife. For instance, trees provide shade, protecting us and our houses from the heat of direct sunlight. Trees supply us with shelter from strong winds during storms. Trees provide building materials for all sorts of things including the construction of our furniture and houses. Trees provide fuel for building fires to cook at a campsite, or to keep us warm during the cold months of winter. Finally, trees provide us with food, a variety of nuts, berries and other fruit to enjoy. When God finished His work on the third day, having made grass, plants and trees, He saw that it was good (Genesis 1:12). As Jesus lived and walked here among men, He used all kinds of things to teach and draw spiritual applications. Even so, Jesus compared the lives of men and the nature of the inner person with fruit-bearing trees. Concerning trees, Jesus well understood that …

Most Christians are familiar with the concept of the Trinity. Likewise, most Christians are familiar with the need for the church to be united. However, I believe few really consider the relation of the two concepts. I submit that the Trinity is actually a model for how we are to relate to one another. We should strive to be like God; therefore, we must be united. Jesus said that we are to be one, just as He and the Father were one. “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent me” (John 17:20- 21). Thus, an understanding of the unity and oneness of the Godhead is necessary to understand exactly how we as His disciples are to relate to each other. Firstly, all Christians should be regarded as equal in value. While certainly each has different talents, abilities and functions, nevertheless, we are one in value and worth to God. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:27).Thus, any situation where one member dominates another or a person is regarded as somehow lesser in value is improper. Many problems have developed within the church where one person or …

There are many things that shape our lives, experiences that contribute to the kind of people we are. Some of them are positive and help us have a better quality of life, but not all are beneficial. No one has to tell us to enjoy the good times, but how problems affect us can be difficult to overcome. Even some of those who we consider great people of faith in Scripture had to deal with trials that left them despondent and discouraged. David could write, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning” (Psalm 22:1). Jeremiah could complain, “O LORD, you have deceived me, and I was deceived; you are stronger than I, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all the day; everyone mocks me” (Jeremiah 20:7). Demas could go from being Paul’s fellow worker (Philippians 1:25) to forsaking him due to his love of the present world (2 Timothy 4:10). I am reminded of an individual years ago who had great difficulty being faithful in her relationship with God, and she rarely attended worship. Over the course of time, she confided that she had been abused as a young person. I asked her how she felt when she did come to the assembly to worship God. Her response was, “I don’t belong here. You all are such good people, and I have nothing but problems. I can’t be what God wants. …

The entirety of Christendom loves the idea of having Christ as Savior and going to heaven. However, the vast majority of this group has very little use for what Jesus actually said. These people claim to love God and worship Him, but in reality, they have made a god in their own image, one who does things the way they want. This majority that believes it has accepted Jesus as Savior has actually rejected Him because these people do not do the will of the Father. It is spelled out in no uncertain terms in Matthew 7:21-23 that to enter the kingdom of heaven, one must do the will of the Father. This is what the parable of the wise man (24-27) is all about. If we hear and act upon the words of Jesus, then we build our houses on the rock; however, if we hear and do not act upon the words of Jesus, we build houses on sand. There is no question or ambiguity here; if we wish for Jesus to be Savior, we must accept Him as Lord and submit ourselves to doing His will.