Act As If Your Children Are Watching

I like the story about the father who comes home to find his young son working on a school project with an impressive set of colored markers. The dad asks where they came from. His son admits he took them from school without permission but will return them the next day.

"I can’t believe you’d do that," his father responds. "It’s against everything I ever taught you. If you needed them so badly, why didn’t you tell me? I would have taken some from my office. I’m so upset with you, I’m going to call in sick tomorrow so I can talk to your teacher."

A classic case of do as I say, not as I do.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Who you are speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you say." In a similar vein, Robert Fulghum warned parents: "Don`t worry that children never listen to you. Worry that they’re always watching you."

It’s a great burden to have to be all we want children to be, but it’s the surest road to success as a parent, teacher, or coach. Children are more likely to do what they see us doing than what we tell them to do. Often they ignore the words and mimic the actions.

And, by the way, how we behave when we’re off-guard, when we think no one is looking, influences people more than self-conscious and intentional demonstrations of virtue.

Children notice how we handle ourselves and how we cope with stress, anger, and good fortune. They notice whether we’re accountable or make up excuses, whether we deal with or avoid our problems. Everything we say and do sends a message.

If you want to help your children build the type of character you’re proud of, act as if they’re watching. And you know what? They are.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
Michael Josephson, Founder of Josephson Institute
http://charactercounts.org/

Being An Example To Our Children

This quarter in the High School class we are going through a book called “Tough Choices”. We will be discussing tough choices that occur in situations involving television violence, foul language, sex, drinking a little as long as you don’t get drunk, the pressures of friends, the clothing we wear, dancing, the music we listen to, the Internet, white lies, etc. While these tough choices are difficult in High School, they are also tough choices for all of us, regardless of age. With Alyssa being a little less than six months old, this class is a refresher of the values that Michelle and I will work through with her to make sure she is well equipped to face her future peer pressure and the pressures of society in general on these topics.

We as parents have a responsibility to our children to teach, be good examples, and to keep them from doing things that would lead them away from the truth. We read in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” How can we expect our children to grow up and be strong in the faith if we are weak examples ourselves? Children look up to their parents in the early years as “Super Hero’s” and in later years as older, wiser parents who hold a warm spot in their heart. This warm spot many times overrides the truth in their hearts. We are to teach our children to love Christ more than anything in this world, even us, their own parents. Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.” Our father always told us that no matter what he said, if it was wrong according to the scriptures, go with the truth, not him. Dad has been a great example to all of us.

Sometimes we as parents may think that it does not matter if we stray away here and there. We may go on vacation and miss services because we are driving, not even trying to find a church the week before. There may be something going on at school that we think is more important than services. These things may happen in “one off” situations where we are really in a difficult situation, but we really have to watch, the more they happen, the more we adapt to missing more and more, and falling farther and farther away from the truth. Over time as we take mini vacations from church, we may not even realize that the choices we make for our children are not in their spiritual best interests.

We also have to be strong on these fundamental issues when they arise. We cannot give in to the pressures of society ourselves. We have to remember what is said in Proverbs 17:15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. How do we justify the wicked? Could it be by letting our children watch things on TV that no one should be watching? Could it be teaching our children that it’s OK to drink as long as you don’t get drunk? Could it be allowing our children to attend dances or other venues that are sexually charged? Could it be by missing worship services for other events?

True Worship

We sing the song during worship “True Worship”, but what is true worship? The song talks about coming together to sing and pray, giving our offering, eating the bread, and drinking the cup. Is “true worship” criticizing the person who gives the announcements because they are repetitive, excessively long and useless because everything is written in the bulletin anyway? Is “true worship” thinking about how long the opening prayer is and wishing it was over? Is “true worship” critiquing the song leader for the songs he picked and the extravagant way he leads the singing? Is “true worship” critiquing the preacher for the lesson he chose? It’s too strict, it’s too dry, it’s too long, and he’s too monotone. Is “true worship” critiquing everyone else who is there to worship? They may not dress the way you think they should, they are not focused like they should be, their personal lives are not reflective of how they personify themselves at worship, they sinned in the past and you still look on them in that light.

I think we all know that these things are not “true worship”, but many times we may fall into one or more of these sinful traps. When we attend worship services we are to be focused on God. Jesus says in John 4: 21-24:

Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

As we read here, we see that the “True Worshippers” will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. These are the people who look beyond the irrelevant issues of who is directing our minds in worship, but instead focus directly on the words they are saying so that they can apply these words to their lives. These are the people who find ways to make direct application from the things being said, sung, taught, etc., to their personal lives to enrich all those they come in contact with on a daily basis.

If we all focus our hearts and minds on being “True Worshippers” at all times, love for our God, Lord, and Savior as well as our fellow man will be greatly increased and we will be blessed even more than we already are.

Father's - Enter to Win a 42" LCD TV, Winner Announced at Sunday Services!

A few weeks ago I received an over sized postcard in the mail from a church in the neighborhood. The postcard was advertising that the fathers who went to their website, registered, and attended services on father’s day would be entered in a drawing to win a 42 inch LCD television. It was a very nice postcard and a good incentive to the fathers. I’m sure most of the members at that church thought this was a great idea.

Is it OK to give away TV’s to entice members to come to church? We really have to study the scriptures on authority to determine what is authorized and what is not. This gets me thinking not only about this situation, but also about situations in the church I attend, what is appropriate and what is not?

Matthew 7:21-27
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock." And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand." The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall."

These verses help us to understand that just because we think we are doing what is right does not necessarily mean that we are. Jesus states here that there will be many who did many things in His name but He will not accept them, He will tell them “DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.” The word lawlessness here directly insinuates that there is a law and that if we want to be accepted by Christ that we must be like the Bereans were in Acts 17: 11. “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. We must examine the scriptures to make sure the things we do are true and in accordance with the law.

Jesus has also told us in John 12:47-48 "If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world." He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day." We have to be cautious to make sure that we are following the sayings of the words Christ spoke. We will be judged by these sayings and should take time to study to make sure the things we do are in accordance with His teachings.

So, should we give away televisions to entice better attendance at services? It is a great way to draw a crowd, but I can’t find in the scriptures any example of the early churches giving things away to entice a crowd. I do read of one great gift that should entice us all to attend every service. It’s found in John 3: 16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Your Own Business

By: Donnie V. Rader

One of the commands of God that we sometimes act as if we haven't read is the one that tells us to mind our own business. The text says, "that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you" (1st Thessalonians 4:11).

Yes, the Bible actually tells us to mind our own business! Thus, we need to consider some ways we sometimes violate this instruction and just how serious that is.

It Is a Sin

Remember that sin is a violation of the law of God (1 st John 3:4). Since the law of God tells us to mind our own business and not another's (1st Thessalonians 4:11), then it would be a sin to behave contrary.

In the second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul stated that there were some in the church who were "busybodies" (2nd Thessalonians 3:11). A busybody is one who is not busied in his own business, but over busied in that of others' (Vines). If he did not cease his practice, he was to be disfellowshiped (2nd Thessalonians 3:6-15). That tells how serious being a busybody (minding the business of other people) can be. God said such a one is "disorderly".

Paul rebukes those who are idle, wandering from house to house telling things that they should not (1 st Timothy 5:13). He calls them "gossips and busybodies".

Peter wrote that we should not suffer as a "busybody in other people's matters" (1st Peter 4:15).

How We Are Sometimes Guilty

In our conversation. Quite often we find ourselves talking about other people, their money, the things they do, what they buy and what we think about all of that. It may be that the things we talk about are personal which should not be of any concern to us.

Some take it on themselves to meddle by thinking they must tell others exactly what they think about their clothes, their hair, their weight or how they handle their money or children.

We sometimes ask questions about things that are none of our business. We sometimes ask how much someone makes, how much they spend about conversations that do not concern us.

In family relationships . It is very easy for parents to mind the business of their children who are married and have families of their own . Some parents treat their grown children as if they were still kids, telling them what to do. When parents feel that they have to make critical comments on their grown children's money, looks, clothes and children they are minding business that is not theirs. Why is it that some parents feel that they need hold the reigns on their adult children and meddle in their affairs?

Some are failing to recognize that a new family has been established and God has established the husband as the head of that family (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31).

This sometimes is reversed. Children sometimes try to mind the business of their parents. Because of the close family ties we may feel free to meddle in the affairs of brothers, sisters, grandchildren, aunts and uncles.

Church-preacher relationships. Sometimes preachers feel that their role grants them the right to mind the business of some of the members of the church where they preach. He may try to tell them his opinion (not bound by the Bible) on how they ought to handle their affairs.

Sometimes members of the church try to mind the business of the preacher. A few will act as if they or the church owns the preacher. Preachers sometimes have some of their fellow-Christians to tell them how they should spend their spare time, who they should choose as friends and what his wife should do with her time. I once heard of a church that asked the preacher to bring a financial report of his personal expenses before the men in a business meeting. With tongue in cheek, he prepared one and commended them for the wonderful idea. He said he thought that every man ought to do the same so the men could watch for covetousness among the members. The men quickly decided that their first idea wasn't necessary.

Be Careful of Extremes
As is true of any Bible principle, it is possible to go to one extreme or another. One extreme has been discussed above: minding another's business. The other extreme is to think that no one should have a right to correct you or say anything critical. When a Christian becomes weak and lets sin hinder his service to God, other Christians are to try to restore him (Galatians 6:1). Efforts must be made to convert him from the error of his way (James 5:19-20). However, that is not a violation of "mind your own business".

Elders are to watch and rule over the souls of those who are members where they are serving (Hebrews 13:7, 17). They have the oversight of the flock of God (1st Peter 5:2). That will involve talking to some of the Christians about how they live, train their children, treat their mates, etc. That again, is not a violation of "mind your own business". However, a few may cry that it is none of their business.

Some Questions to Ask Yourself
Before we get too carried away asking questions, telling what we know or passing on our advice let us ask ourselves the following questions: (1) Is this really any of my business? (2) Have I been invited into this matter? (3) Will my action of asking or telling possibly do more harm than good? (4) Will others think that I am minding other people's business?

Though our text (1st Thessalonians 4:11) is easy to violate, it is a text that we can obey. Let's try!

Would You Like A Doughnut?

Shawn sent me this article today and I wanted to share it with you. Here were his comments:

Here is a really good article you may have seen before, but I really like it. It makes plain why Christ had to die, I don't think many young people really understand what this professor is teaching.

I don't know where the article came from or who to credit. if you do, please let me know so I can credit that person.

Thanks,
Tim



There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the Western United States.

Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year regardless of his or her major. Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.

One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he Could talk with him. "How many push-ups can you do?" Steve said, "I do about 200 every night." "200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?" Steve replied, "I don't know... I've never done 300 at a time." "Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson. "Well, I can try," said Steve. "Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor. Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it." Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.

Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?" Cynthia said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?" "Sure." Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.

Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?" Joe said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?" Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got their donut. And down the second aisle, till Dr. Christianson came to Scott.

Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship. When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?" Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own pushups?" Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them." Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then." Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?" With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten pushups. Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!" Dr. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow. Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry.

Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?" Sternly, Jenny said, "No." Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these pushups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten pushups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely. Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row.

During his class, however, some students from other classes had Wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it. Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"

Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!" Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come." Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten pushups for him?" Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut" Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?" Jason, new to the room hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said, "give me a donut."

"Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?" Steve did ten pushups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.

Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. Sweat was profusely dropping off of his face and, by this time, there was no sound except his heavy breathing, there was not a dry eye in the room. The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda,do you want a doughnut?" Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you." Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?" Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow pushups for Linda.

Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?" Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?" Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone, I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not.

When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve, here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups.I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes.

Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?" As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said. "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, he yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten." Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile. "Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding "Not all sermons are preached in words."

Turning to his class the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid. Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it laying on the desk?"

Be Prepared

Be Prepared.

That's the motto of the Boy Scouts.

"Be prepared for what?" someone once asked Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting,
"Why, for any old thing." said Baden-Powell.

The training you receive in your troop will help you live up to the Scout motto. When someone has an accident, you are prepared because of your first aid instruction. Because of lifesaving practice, you might be able to save a non-swimmer who has fallen into deep water.

But Baden-Powell wasn't thinking just of being ready for emergencies. His idea was that all Scouts should prepare themselves to become productive citizens and to give happiness to other people. He wanted each Scout to be ready in mind and body for any struggles, and to meet with a strong heart whatever challenges might lie ahead.

Be prepared for life - to live happily and without regret, knowing that you have done your best. That's what the Scout motto means.

Excerpted from page 54, Boy Scout Handbook, 11th ed, (#33105), copyright 1998 by BSA, ISBN 0-8395-3105-2

The above motto from the boy scouts also applies to us as Christians.

We should be prepared for “any old thing”.

The training we receive from studying, worship, and fellowship with each other will help us live up to this motto. When someone gets into trouble we are prepared because of the training we have received. Because of frequent study and application, we might be able to save a soul that is in “deep water”.

We should be productive Christians and should “give happiness to other people.” We should “be ready in mind and body for any struggles, and to meet with a strong heart whatever challenges might lie ahead.”

We should “Be prepared for life - to live happily and without regret, knowing that you have done your best.”

Will A Person Go To Hell Because He Has Not Been Baptized?

I received this article from:
"Words Of Truth And Reason" Volume III Issue xxix
http://www.vdcoc.org

adapted from an article by Thomas Thornhill, Sr.

Will a person go to hell because he has not been baptized? No, a person will not go to hell because he has not been baptized. A person will go to hell because he has sinned! But, doesn't a person need to be baptized to be saved? Absolutely. This presents no contradiction.

Suppose someone is bitten by a poisonous snake. There is an antidote available, but the person bitten does not use it and dies. Why did he die? Did he die because he had no antidote? No, he died of the poison the snake had injected into his bloodstream. Others did not have the antidote and they did not die. Why not? They didn't die because they didn't have the venom in their bodies. They never needed the antidote.

What causes a person to go to hell? Is it a lack of baptism? No, it is sin. When one commits sin, he is like the person bitten by a poisonous snake. He will be lost and go to hell unless he does something to counteract the poison of sin in his life. Fortunately, there is an antidote available that will do the job: the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7). This saving blood is contacted through the waters of baptism, for it is here that one comes in contact with the blood of Christ. Jesus' blood was shed in His death on the cross, and when one is baptized into Christ one is baptized into the death of Christ where the blood was shed (Romans 6:3-4). Thus the deadly venom of sin is counteracted, having been washed away in baptism (Acts 22:16). If one refuses the antidote he will not die because he has not been baptized, but because the sin remains.

Until a person is bitten and the venom is injected into the body, the antidote is not needed. In like manner, until sin enters a person's life, the antidote of the blood of Christ is not needed. That is why infant baptism is unnecessary. A little child is not a sinner. He or she has not yet committed sin thus doesn't need the cure. Sin comes through transgression of law (1st John 3:4), and a little child who doesn't understand the difference between right and wrong cannot transgress the law of God.

If you can understand this message you have been affected by sin. All accountable people have sinned (Romans 3:23), and are thus condemned to eternal death because of it (Romans 6:23). You won't be able to blame God in the judgment if you have been bitten by sin and are too stubborn to take the antidote which is available.

Doubting Thomas

Luke 24: 38-41
And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? "See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?"

John 20: 24-29
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing." Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."

Thomas is the first apostle we think of when we think of someone “doubting” Jesus’ resurrection. We sing the song during worship called “Thomas’ Song” which focuses our attention on his doubts. The interesting thing about Thomas is that he wasn’t the only apostle that doubted. We see in Luke 24 that the first time Jesus appeared to the other apostles he asked them “why do doubts arise in your hearts?”. Jesus even showed them His hands and his feet and asked them to touch Him so that they would believe and “they still could not believe because of their joy and amazement”. As we read John 20, we see that Thomas was not with the other apostles when Jesus came. Thomas’ experience is detailed separately in this chapter which is probably why he is referred to as “Doubting Thomas” so frequently. It appears that all the apostles including Thomas doubted. What can we learn from this?

This is not the first time some of the apostles doubted. We read in Matthew 14: 17-34 about Jesus walking on the water and Peter getting out of the boat to meet him. We see that when Peter started to sink, Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?". Jesus compares doubting to faith. Jesus spent a lot of time with the disciples to build their faith, belief, and to resolve their doubts. We see in Matthew 21:18-22 where Jesus is hungry and withers the fig tree that the disciples marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither at once?" And Jesus answered and said to them, "Truly I say to you, if you have faith, and do not doubt, you shall not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it shall happen. "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive."

We see through these examples that doubts arise on the way to building faith and belief. It is our responsibility to stick with it when we doubt, like the apostles did, to overcome our doubts and build our faith. When we doubt, we should study, lean on fellow Christians, "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.”

Withdrawing Fellowship

If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15

Recently at the church I attend, the disciplinary action of “Withdrawing Fellowship” took place. Although the words “Withdrawing Fellowship” cannot be found together anywhere in the bible, we do read about those who do not obey the instructions laid out in the bible and we are warned not to associate with them as stated in 2 Thessalonians 3: 14-15. After a church takes action like this, you may think: What about “Love”, the main focus of church is for everyone to love each other. If they really loved these people, they wouldn’t shun them like this. This action seems extreme, harsh. The people at this church must have a “holier than thou” attitude.

Initially, these thoughts seem legitimate. We don’t like it when negative things happen to our friends. We may even take our anger out on those who facilitate these negative actions. It takes time to study and think about why this has been done to understand the true meaning and purpose behind it all.

The first step is to examine what should be our and their number one goal in life. This can be found in 1 Peter 1:4 “to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,”. If this is our goal, it is our responsibility to do everything we can to help our fellow Christians and ourselves to accomplish this goal.

When we see a fellow Christian struggling, it is our responsibility to “…admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14. We are to do everything we can to help those who are on the road to destruction to initially understand their situation and then to encourage them to come back to the truth.

If the erring Christian understands and changes, it is our responsibility to do what Paul said in Galatians 6:1. Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Notice here that Paul tells us that we are to restore this person in a spirit of gentleness. We are not to talk rudely to this person, we are not to be harsh with this person, we are to be gentle; we are not to go behind their back and talk about them negatively to others which will stir up gossip. If we are talking to others about this person, it should be with their soul in mind, trying to find a way to help save them. In a spirit of love we are to talk to this person and hopefully help him to come around and once again be on the road to heaven.

Once we have stretched out our hearts in love to try to save the erring Christian, if they are unresponsive, we have to focus on the words of Paul and Timothy in 2 Thessalonians 3:6, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us." It is our responsibility as Christians to look out for ourselves individually so that we do not get to close to sin so as to sin ourselves. We are also to look out for the souls of other Christians who are living righteously.

Finally, when all else fails, we have to obey 1 Tim 5:20 which says: “Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.” Even in doing this, it is still our goal and desire to return the lost soul to Christ. It is a sad day when this type of discipline has to be done, but it is necessary to help keep the church pure and free from sin.

Now we come back to our thoughts. What about “Love”? Love encompasses the whole process. It is with love that we reach out to the erring person to save their soul. It is with love that we watch our actions so that others do not sin. It is with love that we finally mark this person so that they do not lead others away from the truth.

The action of withdrawing fellowship is extreme and harsh. This is the way God planned it. Sometimes it takes extreme and harsh actions for us to realize our impact on others and to shock us into changing our ways. It is not our place to understand everything, but to obey. Remember Isaiah 55: 8-9, For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

The true Christian will never have a “holier than thou” attitude. The true Christian is trying to follow the teachings of God’s word as closely as possible. If we have this feeling about someone, we should examine ourselves to make sure that we are not the one to blame for these thoughts.

What does it mean to be a "Christian"?

Those of us who have been baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins often call ourselves “Christians”. But what is a Christian? Are we still living a life devoted to Christ or do we just call ourselves “Christians” because we go to church regularly and think we’re ok? Are we doing everything we should be doing to help those who don’t know the truth? Do you meet the standard of a true Christian?

http://www.dictionary.com/, defines a “Christian” as “exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ; Christlike”, “a person who exemplifies in his or her life the teachings of Christ”. The true Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ; a person who at all times is aware of their actions and tries to do the right thing regardless of the consequences. The true Christian is not out to harm other people by gossip, negative thoughts or actions, but is always positive, kind, and tries to help his brother find the truth through love. 1 John 2:10 says, The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. The true Christian is a person trying to keep His commandments as 1 John 2:4 says: The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

There are many of us that make it a point to attend every service as Hebrews 10:25 says: not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Will attending all the services make us a “Christian” or make us acceptable to God? Attending the services will help us to grow in faith and knowledge, but we have to have the right attitude as we enter into the service. We have to place all other thoughts and ideas aside as we worship. I have been at worship services many times where I let other things consume the service. When I walk away from those services, it is hard to remember what the lesson was about. We also have to live what we have learned through attending worship and self study. We must Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

It is not good enough for us to only live what we have learned by applying it to our daily life, another responsibility we have as Christians is found in 2 Tim 4:2: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. It is our responsibility to teach those we come in contact with on a daily basis. We should be examples to everyone by the lives we live and the choices we make. Our responsibility is not only to those outside of the church, but also to those in the church. There are many in the church that need as much help through encouragement and knowledge transfer as those outside. We all have to keep each other in check by making sure we are not wavering from the truth in any aspect and by guarding against false teachings. As 2 Tim 4:3 says: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, There are many different people both inside and outside of the church that are lax when it comes to certain issues. If you want to believe something that isn’t correct and you look hard enough, you will find someone who will make you think it is ok. We have to guard against this false teaching and hold fast to the word as Titus 1:9 says: holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

Being a true Christian is a challenging responsibility. If we were all fulfilling our responsibilities as outlined in the bible, there would not be enough room in any building to hold everyone. After writing this I see that I have a lot of work to do, what about you?

Introduction

You may wonder why I titled this blog “To Be Like Christ”. Initially you may think that I created this blog to share my thoughts about everyday life and that I picked my brain until I found this great title. You would be right about the great title, but this blog is not intended for me to share everything about my social and personal life with you, but to share my views of what it means “To Be Like Christ”. I will, however, use and share day-to-day thoughts and ideas as they relate to this topic.

There are many “Christians” in this world who have set their standard. Some have low standards, some medium, and some high. If our goal is truly to be like Christ, no matter what our standards, there is room for improvement. If you are not a Christian yet, hopefully this blog will entice you to learn more about the truth, the way, and the life.