<BrethrenVoice> <GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY> <15 August 2002> Contents: --------- (1) <Exhortatory> "Avoiding evil" - Ravi Zacharias (2) <Testimonial> "The story of Ujagar Singh" (Pt-5)- C.E.Wigg (3) <Doctrinal> "To what should we be loyal?" (Pt-1)-William MacDonald (4) <Prophetical> "The Redeemer's Return" (Pt-4)- A.W.Pink (5) <Exhortatory> "How important is our life style?"-Connie Giordano (6) <Poem> "The Wish" - C.M. Hart (1) <Exhortatory><Slice-of-Infinity> AVOIDING EVIL Ravi Zacharias At a recent film festival, actor Sean Penn amused his audience with a political quip: "We now have a president who thinks in terms of good and evil and that comes from watching too many Hollywood movies." (Footnote 1:http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110001743) September 11th pointedly marks the re-emergence of the word "evil" into public arenas. For many, there is no word more appropriate to describe the cowardly actions of terrorism. But for many others, even in light of these perilous times, the word "evil" is avoided at all costs. So when our nation's leaders admit its existence out loud, an awkward gasp is heard throughout the land. Why is it we are comfortable using the word "evil" in our movies but not in our worldviews? C.S. Lewis explained it well. A person does not call a line crooked unless they have some idea of a straight line. But where did they get this idea of straightness? Thinking in terms of good and evil is dangerous business for anyone who has decided that God does not exist. The difficulty that the modern mind has with "evil" is precisely that it does not want evil defined. You see, the moment evil is admitted, the notion of the absolute will not fit under the rug; it is an admission of a moral law and ultimately a moral law Giver. The conversation in the Garden of Eden provides us with a profound look at the modern mind. The temptation was very importantly worded. The tempter says, "When you eat of this you shall be as God, knowing good and evil." What that really means is, "You will play God, defining good and evil. You will reinterpret the whole arena of ethics, right and wrong." You see, the key to the temptation was-and still is-the alluring idea of defining good and evil on our own. Eugene Peterson, the author, makes this significant observation about the human experience from the Garden to modernity: "The experience of God. is accompanied by a temptation to reproduce the experience as God. The taste for God is debased into a greed to be God. We enjoy the dark sides, the good and evil forces, super heroes and evil villains because we play God; the defining is ours." (Footnote 2: Eugene Peterson, The Living Message, New York: Harper Collins, 1996. p. 223) Friends, the defining is not ours. We were created to know the difference between good and evil. The Creator has done the defining. It is not our prerogative to do that. --- Copyright (p)(c) 2000 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. "A Slice of Infinity" is a radio ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. _______________________________________________________________________ (2) <Testimonial> THE STORY OF UJAGAR SINGH OF KAPURI VILLAGE, HARYANA, INDIA (PART-5) Charles E. Wigg .... Part 5 Ujagar Singh listened with great attention, this was indeed good news, he had never heard anything like it before in his life. The circumstances that led up to his hearing the message of salvation that day, were not just coincidence, but in it all he saw the hand of God, he had no trouble to believe the message, he knew in his heart that it was true, faith was born within him. The loving invitation was "COME", but how could he come? the evangelist went on to explain. To come to Christ, there are but three simple steps, (1), repentance towards God, (2) Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, (3), receive Christ by faith as personal Savior, then confess Him as your Lord and Master to others. Let me explain, REPENTANCE, is a genuine sorrow for sins, a willingness to turn your back on the way you have been taking, to turn back to the true God and ask His forgiveness. "FAITH", means that you must believe in your heart, not just in your mind only, but with a deep inner conviction, that the Lord Jesus came from heaven for you, that He died on the cross for you, that when He hung there and suffered untold agony on that cross, He did it for you. It means that you turn away from every other god, or thing which you have been serving, in which you have been trusting, and that you trust your whole soul, your life , your all to the Lord Jesus Christ forever.. To "RECEIVE HIM BY FAITH", means that you invite the risen Lord Jesus Christ into your life, to take control, to take over the management of your life forever. You can do this only by faith, because you cannot see Him. He is God's gift to you, but the gift never becomes yours until you receive it. Our friend was quite willing to take those three steps, amazed that it was so simple and easy, that there was nothing to pay, no pilgrimage to make, no rituals to perform. He bowed his head and as the evangelist led him in a simple prayer of confession and acceptance, he prayed from his heart, he truly came to Christ, the One who had said, "Come unto Me all you that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest". As he prayed, a great burden was lifted from his soul, the burden of guilt and grief were gone, he began to enjoy a sweet and wonderful sense of rest and of peace, such as he did not think was possible in this world. After some further words of counsel from Suresh Kumar, and a promise to give him a New Testament in the Hindi language, he returned to his home, a new man. He told his children what he had done, and they could see a change in their father already. He now had a friend with whom he could share all his trials and problems, but a conviction burned in his soul, he now belonged to the Lord Jesus, He had bought him with His own precious blood, and he was a Sikh no longer, then he felt that he must let all know this wonderful fact. So the next day, he took the bus into Bilaspur again, and went to a barber and asked him to cut his hair, that hair that had never been cut since he was a baby. The barber was afraid, telling that the Sikhs would come and kill him, but our brother assured him that he would take all responsibility. He than bought a tin of white paint and a brush, returned to his house and painted a white cross on each side of the door into his compound, he wanted every one to know that he now belonged to the Lord Jesus Christ. [to be continued...] ______________________________________________________________________ (3) <Doctrinal> TO WHAT SHOULD WE BE LOYAL? (PART-1) William MacDonald What do you think of the person who says, "My parents were members of this denomination. I was born in it. And I'll die in it. "Oh," you say, "I think he's wrong to talk like that:" "Yes, but why is he wrong?" "I suppose because he assumes his denomination is right and will always be right." "Well, then, to what denomination or group should he be loyal?" "I guess he shouldn't be loyal to any denomination, because no denomination is perfect." "One final question. If he shouldn't be loyal to any denomination or group of Christians, to what should he be loyal?" "He ought to be loyal to the Lord and to the principles of His Word." Yes, of course! That is the only correct answer. It is a mistake to develop an undying loyalty to any Christian fellowship, no matter how scriptural it may be at the time. Even suppose that you reject the whole idea of denominations. Suppose you meet with Christians who refuse any sectarian name. Suppose, for instance, that they speak of themselves by the innocuous name of "the assemblies." They seek to adhere to the teaching of the Word. Shouldn't you throw in your lot with them permanently and be loyal to them alone? If you do, you will find yourself in a difficult position. You are committed to a group that will almost inevitably change over the years. This has been the history of almost every Christian fellowship. Liberal tendencies creep in. Zeal and freshness give way to formalism. A denominational hierarchy develops. Soon you can write Ichabod over the whole thing-the glory has departed. Then again, if you are loyal to a group of assemblies, the question always arises, "With which particular ones do you agree?" There are wide differences among any group of local churches, just as there are wide differences among individuals. Some are open, some are exclusive. Some are conservative, some are liberal. Some have a pastor who presides over the congregation, others repudiate a one-man ministry. No two assemblies are exactly alike. So there is a real problem. To which assemblies are we to be loyal? Are we to blindly subscribe to all the assemblies that might be listed in a semi-official address book? It seems obvious that we cannot consistently do this. We must judge each individual assembly by the Word of God, as far as our own personal affiliation is concerned. [To be concluded] _______________________________________________________________________ (4) <Prophetical> "THE REDEEMER'S RETURN" (PART-4) Arthur W. Pink IV. THE REDEEMER'S RETURN IS NECESSITATED BY THE HUMILIATION OF THE CROSS .... The degradation which the Lord Jesus endured when He was here upon earth before, requires that He shall come back again in power and glory in order to vindicate Himself. Is it reasonable to suppose that the last view which this world shall have of our blessed Lord before He takes His seat upon the Great White Throne to judge the wicked dead, shall be that of the "lowly Nazarene"? Surely not. Need we remind our readers of the depths of humiliation into which our Redeemer descended? Born in a manger, with the beasts of the field for His first companions, and a bed of straw for His cradle! Sharing the home of humble Jewish peasants and spending His youth and early manhood at the carpenter's bench! During His public ministry, so poor and so lightly esteemed that the common courtesies of hospitality were denied Him--"He had not where to lay His head!" Despised and rejected of men; the butt of Pharisaic contempt and the center of Jewish ridicule! His life seemingly ending in defeat as He hung helpless upon the cross, enduring the shame of a criminal's execution and taunted by his heartless enemies! Is this the only sight which the earth is to have of the Lord of Glory? Is the Son of God to retire from this world in apparent defeat without any subsequent opportunity for vindicating Himself? Surely not. Is it not evident then that He who was here before in humiliation must yet come back to be glorified in His saints and to be admired in all them that believe? Does not the very fitness of things, do not the claims of equity and righteousness, insist, that He who was the willing Victim shall yet return as the triumphant Victor? Does not the Cross of Calvary necessitate that our Lord shall yet come back to our earth in order to substantiate His claims and ratify His promises? "For dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet. I may tell all My bones: they look and stare upon Me. They part My garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture" (Ps. 22:16-18). Such was the picture that was painted by prophecy. But this scene was not to be the finale. In this very same Psalm we read, "All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee. For the kingdom is the Lord's: and He is the Governor among the nations" (vss. 27, 28). "And they that had laid hold on Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled" (Matt. 26:57). See our blessed Lord standing there before the Jewish Sanhedrim, arraigned before His own creatures! Mark Him as He offers no defense in response to the false witnesses that testified against Him, and then ask, Is this to be the last thing? Is there to be no sequel to this? We do not have to seek far for an answer, for on this very occasion the Redeemer declared, "Nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven"(Matt. 26:64). And again, it is written, "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him." Yes, the Crucified Saviour is coming back again, coming back to vindicate Himself in a world where He once endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself, and, coming back to rule and reign as He first appeared in order to suffer and die. [to be continued...] _______________________________________________________________________ (5) <Exhortatory> HOW IMPORTANT IS OUR LIFESTYLE? Connie Giordano "Example is more forceful than precept. People look at me six days a week to see what I mean on the seventh day." - Richard Cecil James 3:13 tells us - "...Let him shew out of a good conversation..." In Acts 24:16 the Apostle Paul said - "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." The only possible way to have a blameless conscience is to have a "good conversation" as the Apostle James mentioned in the verse above. "Conversation" in the Bible many times refers to our behavior, manner of life, or conduct. To have a "good conversation" would be to have a noble, praiseworthy, genuine, virtuous, and honest manner of life. Do we have that before God and men? The Scriptures refer to our "conversation" before the believers and before the heathen. In 1 Timothy 4:12 the Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy as well as all believers with these words - "...be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." "Be thou an example" - This word "example" means the mark of a stroke or a blow; a pattern, print, fashion, or form. In what ways are we to be a pattern for others to follow? "In Word" - We are to be an example in our speech and in our doctrine, teaching nothing but the Word of God. "In conversation" - We are to be an example in our conduct, behavior, and manner of life. "In charity" - We are to be an example in our love, affection, and good will to God and men. "In spirit" - We are to be an example in the governing of our passions, the manner and disposition in which we do all things, and our spiritual mindedness. "In faith" - We are to be an example in our fidelity - our ability to maintain unshakeable confidence in God at all times. "In purity" - We are to be an example in the sinlessness of our life and the chastity of our body and mind. "An example of the believers" - What is needed so desperately today is for those to rise up who can say along with the Apostle Paul - 1 Corinthians 11:1 - "Be ye followers of Me, even as I am of Christ." This can only be possible where a "good conversation" or genuine, virtuous, and honest behavior is present. The Apostle Peter spoke of our conduct before the heathen in 1 Peter 2:12 - "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." In this particular verse, Peter stressed an upright and consistent lifestyle. He was referring to a manner of life that was virtuous, commendable, honorable, genuine, and beautiful to behold. It was to be lived right before the heathen world. In order to hold such a sparkling testimony, we would have to frame our lives by the rules of the Gospel. We would have to apply the rules of the Gospel to every part of our conduct - our business transactions, modes of dress, style of living, entertainment, manner of speech, plans of living, and dealings with others. The Apostle Paul explained it this way in Philippians 1:27 - "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ..." Is our conduct after a godly sort? Is it lived out in a manner worthy of the Gospel? Many times throughout the Scriptures we come across the words "walk worthy." Ephesians 4:1 says - "...walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." 1 Thessalonians 2:12 says - "...walk worthy of God, Who hath called you unto His kingdom and Glory." Both of these Scriptures are summons to all believers to live up to their higher calling in Christ Jesus. Like the word "conversation" used earlier, "walk" also refers to our conduct, behavior, and manner of life. To "walk worthy" is to behave after a godly sort, suitably, appropriately, and in a manner worthy of the Gospel. How do we do that? Colossians 1:10 gives two ways - "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God." The Apostle Paul exhorted us to be "fruitful in every good work." In other words, our hearts are to be fertile soil for the seed of God's Word, producing excellent, upright, and honorable deeds in our lives. He also exhorted all believers to be "increasing in the knowledge of God." We are to hunger after God, become acquainted with His true character, and desire all that there is to know about Him - His ways, His purposes, and His commands. Accomplishing these two goals causes us to "walk worthy" so as to be pleasing God in all things. Are all believers walking worthily before God and men? Unfortunately, some have turned aside from the Lord and have become His enemies. Philippians 3:18-19 offers an explanation - "(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)" Many times the Apostle Paul addressed the issue of the unworthy walk of some professing to know Christ. He was so moved by their hypocrisy, even to the point of bewailing, mourning, and lamenting their backslidden state. Their "end" had now become destruction, ruin, and utter loss. Their belly became their god. In other words, they lived only to eat, drink, and be merry. They worshipped their own appetites. They were lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. They lived not to please God but Self in Self-Indulgence and Self-Gratification. "Whose glory is in their shame" - They now gloried in things that were shameful, dishonest, and disgraceful. "Who mind earthly things" - Their main motivation in life was to obtain earthly things - wealth, honor, and the pleasures of this world. How important is our lifestyle before God and men? Psalm 50:23 tells us - "...and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God." Only those whose lifestyle is after a godly sort will ever see the salvation of God. Only those who see the salvation of God will ever make it to heaven and escape eternal punishment in Hell. That is how important our lifestyle is before God and men. May God Bless His Word. Connie --- Copyright 2002 by Connie Giordano _______________________________________________________________________ (6) <Poem> THE WISH C.M. Hart Gen. 18. 27; Zech. 12. 10; Heb. 2. 9 ------------------------------------ If dust and ashes might presume, Great God, to talk to thee; If in thy presence can be room For crawling worms like me; I humbly would my wish present, For wishes I have none; All my desires are now content To be comprised in one. The single boon I would entreat Is, to be led by thee To gaze upon thy bloody sweat In sad Gethsemane. To view (as I could bear at least) Thy tender, broken heart, Like a rich olive, bruised and pressed With agonising smart. [To see thee bowed beneath my guilt; (Intolerable load!) To see thy blood for sinners spilt, My groaning, gasping God! With sympathising grief to mourn The sorrows of thy soul: The pangs and tortures by thee borne In some degree condole.] There musing on thy mighty love, I always would remain; Or but to Golgotha remove, And thence return again. In each dear place the same rich scene Should ever be renewed; No object else should intervene, But all be love and blood. For this one favour oft I've sought; And if this one be given, I seek on earth no happier lot, And hope the like in heaven. Lord, pardon what I ask amiss, For knowledge I have none; I do but humbly speak my wish; And may thy will be done. _________________________<BrethrenVoice>_________________________ [which seeks to be guided solely by the New Testament Biblical pattern, facilitates free flow of Christian information. 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