Resources/Articles
Let Us Love In Deed & Truth (Part 2)
Here are three more points mentioned in the article entitled “Thirteen Things Churches Need to Know”…
It’s always better to have crayon on the walls of your nursery than cobwebs in the corners of it. So, don’t sweat the small stuff.
Your child is a blessing from Jehovah (Psalm 127.1-5). However, with every blessing comes responsibility. Jehovah promised to Abraham’s descendants that he would “bless the fruit of [their] womb” (Deuteronomy 7.13; 28.4). This, as all other blessings, was contingent upon their strict adherence to the covenant made at Mt. Sinai (cf. Exodus 19.3-6; Deuteronomy 7.7-13; 28.15-18). The Israelites forgot these words (cf. Deuteronomy 32.18; Psalm 106.21). What of us? Have we, as spiritual Israel, followed the errors of physical Israel (cf. Romans 9; Galatians 3)?
As we pointed out in the first article of this series, children need proper training. The greatest responsibility for every parent is setting a godly example. Your impactful example will either instill respect or incur spite for your words. God’s words will be treated in the same manner. Parents need to remember that, in the tender eyes of their child, they are viewed as God. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22.6). “The rod and reproof give wisdom; but a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother” (Proverbs 29.15). The “rod and reproof” in this proverb needs to be properly understood as the rod of reproof. “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22.15).
Remember, Israel desired a return to Egypt rather than an inheritance in Canaan (Numbers 14.3-4) A blessing and a responsibility — that is your child. While this blessing may bring an occasional crayon on your walls, the desire for cobwebs will bring the same regret that Israel experienced in a return to Egypt.
Don’t be afraid of change, but don’t change just for the sake of change.
Change for spiritual betterment must always be made out of faith in God’s will and God’s word. This applies in the home, in society, and in the church. It applies individually and collectively. Remember, Israel wanted a king (1 Samuel 8.1-9). Do you remember why? Was it per God’s directive, or out of frustration with the status quo? When ten of the twelve spies brought back an evil report and Jehovah pronounced a 40-year punishment of wandering, the people decided that a change was in order. Again, was this decision an act of obedience or a reaction to fear of the consequences of their disobedience (cf. Numbers 14.39-45)?
Leaving and cleaving involves a change, but don’t change just for the sake of change. Loneliness can instill a desire for change, but change for your spiritual betterment. Beginning a family involves a change, but don’t change just for the sake of change. Remember God’s purpose for marriage. In all these situations, count the costs of discipleship; don’t change just for the sake of change (Luke 14.26-27).
Be in the people business. When it comes to your building, God doesn’t care about the color of the carpet on the floor or paint on the walls. He does care about people.
Christians need constant reminding of the nature of their calling. Christians are called to become saints (Romans 1.7). Christians need to remember nature of the hope of their calling. Is our calling from God conditional or unconditional? We must know not only which one it is, but why it is one and not the other.
Many are taught that once Jesus gives them eternal life, nothing can undo that gift. John 10.28 is cited in support. Jesus said, “…and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.” Does this passage teach that our salvation is unconditional? Such proof texts, when cited without their regard for their context, seem to teach this. However, John 10.27 says that Jesus’ sheep, upon hearing this voice, follow him. A simple reading of both verses will show that Jesus is teaching that eternal life is conditional upon the sheep following the Shepherd.
Does this harmonize with other inspired teaching? Ephesians 4.1 says that Christians are to “walk worthy of [their] calling.” Peter commanded brethren to “give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1.10). Certainly, the scriptures teach that our calling (Hebrews 13.1) is conditioned upon our obedience to God’s will. Obedience completes our faith.
God cares about the lost (Luke 19.10). For this reason, we are to be in the people business. God’s love for man makes the saving of a soul the most important matter in life. A child has a soul; so does your spouse, your family member, your neighbor, your coworker, your boss, your employee…and your enemy. As a Christian, you must arm yourself with this attitude: “I am in the people business.” Have love for a lost soul. Have love for a saved soul (Hebrews 13.1; 2 Peter 1.7). Love in deed and in truth.
