FREEDOM
Today July 4, 2021, is a day that all Americans celebrate in honor of the Declaration of Independence. This holiday commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by delegates from the 13 colonies.
Something similar also has happen in the Lord’s church and with another kind of freedom that is, “Spiritual Freedom”.
How does it work? Every child born into the world is born free from sin, therefore free spiritually. But truth is that at some point in our lives we all sin (Rom. 3:23) and become slaves to sin. Jesus said, “whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34), and that is when we become servants of sin and slaves of Satan. Peter wrote of false teachers who taught destructive doctrines who promised liberty but: “. . . they themselves are slaves of [a]corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into [b]bondage” (2 Pet. 2:19), no longer free!
What Did it Take to Free People from Bondage?
Blood! But not just any blood. Only the blood of One. Peter wrote, “18 knowing that you were not redeemed with [g]corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:18-19). Only the blood of the Lamb of God—Jesus…

“When people make mistakes, don’t make them feel rejected, but go the extra mile to make
them feel forgiven, accepted and free.” Joyce Meyer

You may not understand but this type of theology runs rampant today in the world of religious teaching. What is clearly being taught is not, when people sin, don’t reject them, but forgive and forget their sin which is not according to divine teaching, which calls sin lawlessness, (1 John 1:4) and all sin must be repented of (Mark 13:5). God’s children must have godly sorrow for sin (Matt. 5:4; 2 Cor . 7:9 10 ) which leads to repentance. The world teaches a message of “feeling forgiven” forgiven”, not repentance. . .

“We often make mistakes Lord, even sinning against you Father, and we ask that you forgive us when we do sin”, or “We are weak, and we all fall short please forgive us when we sin against you Father.” These are all a true statements, but we must be careful that our “…godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation” (2 Cor. 7:10). Be careful we aren’t self-deceived into a pattern of sinning the same things all week, then praying like that, thinking we are ok, good to go. True godly sorrow produces diligence or persistent effort. Godly sorrow causes us to. . .

We now live in an age where the modern mind leans heavily against the notion of punishment of any kind and especially if it is considered harsh. This is seen in everything from the removal of the schools right to administer the “paddle” to the loss of parental rights to “Start children off on the way they should go…” (Prov. 22:6, NIV), now to the social belief that when governments apply some punishment for crime, that punishment is considered “cruel and unusual” (i.e. the death penalty). The modern mind believes society is to blame because “we did not intervene in the upbringing” of the criminal which is ironic considering it is the same society that frowns on teaching young people the right way. Modernism also claims God cannot punish eternally…

“4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in [c]you all” Ephesians 4:4-6. Christ is, “. . .the head of the body, the church. . .” (Col. 1:18), “. . . for the sake of His body, which is the church” (Col. 1:24). Clearly the “body” and the “church” are synonymous.

Jesus cannot be an adulterer! Paul in Romans 7 describes one who is married and then marries another while her husband still lives as an adulteress (vss. 2-3). If you think yourself a Christian, then you are married to the eternal Christ and not free to marry another. “He is risen!” (Matt. 28:6; Rom. 8:34). Paul, concerned for the faithfulness of the saints at Corinth said they were deceived by the devil, their minds corrupted from the purity in Christ because of people preaching another Jesus whom the Apostles have not preached (2 Cor. 11:2-4; see Gal. 1:6-12). It is of Christ that the whole family in heaven and earth is named! (Eph. 3:14-15). I call myself Christian because I am a child of God, and why-on-earth would I want to wear another name? Why would I put any other name on the building where I worship the true and living God?

Believe it or not the military began drafting men in 1940 to fill vacancies in the military because there were not enough volunteers. In 1972 I missed being drafted into the military by one number and the draft ended in 1973. God does not have a draft program; His army is completely made of volunteer men and women who have obeyed the gospel of Christ. Did you know when you were baptized into Christ, you were also baptized into His army? How often have you sung the words, “Soldiers of Christ Arise and Put Your Armor on” and never considered the implications? Every Christian is a soldier, and we are all commanded to put on the whole armor of God to fight the spiritual battle and “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11). Daily is the spiritual warfare (v. 12). Unlike the war in Vietnam or Afghanistan, there will not be any newspaper articles, no T.V. News broadcast, and no statistics on numbers of lost verses the saved.

Sadly, most evangelicals teach a “fearless christianity” which goes something like this: “You don’t have to ‘do anything’ to be saved just say this prayer, ask Jesus into your heart and Jesus will fill you with love, peace and joy. Now you can live your life free from all your troubles feeling good about yourself because you are saved, and God is love and the only thing now that matters is love.” To the modern world being saved is all about feeling good. But even a 5th grader would likely see the contradictory implications of saying, “you don’t have to do anything, just say and ask, which is doing something”. Most sad is these evangelicals, and their followers, who have eyes that do not see and ears that cannot hear, will never. . .

Stop and think, what one thing is the greatest motivator that keeps the brotherhood in line when it comes to facing life day to day? I believe walking in the fear of God is the greatest deterrent to sin, and the greatest motivation to live godly, holy lives. I hope that the more we study this together in this and following issues will help us to be grateful for the utterance (“the fear of God”). This is absolutely true, and inspiration says walk in the fear of the Lord. But fear must be learned. When a child is brought into the world, there is no fear in them. When my son Tony was just a young child, we warned him constantly of the dangers of touching the “space heaters” we used to heat our house. But not until he rested both hands squarely on one did he learn fear and that fear kept him from ever going near a hot space heater. Fear must be learned and especially the fear of God. The Lord said. . .

When I was young, as I passed a cemetery, I would muse about the people I knew that were buried there. I did not think much about death and what is beyond the grave, only about the person I once knew who was there. As I aged a little my thoughts changed into fear. I pondered what it would be like to be in that coffin in the ground? That is when death began to frighten me. I would try to avoid looking at the cemetery as I passed by, turning my attentions to the radio, conversation with a passenger or just look the other way to avoid the frightening thoughts of being trapped in the grave conscience and aware unable to escape. I was unable to escape my fear of dying. Now I am old, I am a Christian and as I pass by the cemetery, I think of the majority of lost souls that once occupied those empty shells buried beneath the earth. They remind me. . .

“38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

These words of truth and encouragement which the apostle Paul wrote by inspiration do warm the heart, and give assurance to the faithful, that no external power, no matter how great it may be, can tear us from the hand of God. What comfort, what resolve, resolution, what promise we have received for our loving Father through the Word of His Grace. Yet though God’s Word is always true, some have perverted the Gospel of Christ by addition and subtraction (Gal. 1:6-12). Such is the case with Calvinists who make claims of once saved always saved, by. . .

Psalm 34 is David’s tribute to God for his deliverance from Saul and Achish. David is blessing and praising God even while experiencing adversity and death. What we learn from David is that no matter how unfavorable, unpleasant, horrible, or life-threatening our current situation is, God is always there, therefore, we must in turn. . .

Did you know that the majority of people have been miss-taught to ask “jesus” into their hearts to be saved? Do you have any idea what that means? People are asking “jesus” and not Jesus into their lives, that is to say they are calling on nothing more than a name “jesus”, and not on everything that make His name, Jesus so powerful, and able to save us from our sins. The Bible clearly teaches we are to get into Jesus not the other way around. Tell me, exactly how can you live your life for someone whom you do not know? Jesus said, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and. . . ”

Is it a fact that if Jesus loves me, and I love Him, that I will be in heaven in the after while? The answer might be somewhat a surprise to most. Because the answer is yes and no. Yes, if you love Jesus and keep His commandments, and no if you love Jesus with all your heart, but don’t even know what His commandments are. So then, do you? Do you know…

The first most important thing the Devil in this world wants to destroy is the “biblical” relationship with our Creator through His Son Jesus. That relationship must agree with the inspired word of God, and anything more or anything less is sin which only divides one’s soul from being a part of God’s precious family in eternity. The second most important thing the Devil in this world wants to destroy is the “biblical”…

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory” (1 Tim. 3:16). Why did Paul say, “without controversy”? If you understand it, he is saying, no one can justly, or even question the greatness of the “mystery of godliness”. Since the day Paul made this claim, it has stood unstained, though many today, especially in “higher education”, openly…

Christians are to have, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). Peace is sought by nearly everyone, yet, though most desire and love it when they have peace few know how to possess it. Christians must love and seek after peace. We must learn how to make peace and there is not a better teacher than the Master Himself. Jesus came, “To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79). Sadly, most are better…

There was a T.V. gameshow called, “To Tell the Truth”. There was a host, a panel, and three people all claiming to be, let’s say, electricians. The panel would ask questions, trying to learn which two were imposters, and which one was genuine. After all the questioning is done the host asked this question, “Will the real electrician please stand up”. When it comes to the church, the scriptures clearly teach there is only one, it is the bride of Christ. According to the United Nations statistics there were over 23,000 “competing and often contradictory denominations worldwide” that grow in number by an average of 100 per day (World Census of Religious Activities [U.N. Information Center, NY, 1989]). Each denomination claims to be the church though by many different names and many differing teachings. If these all are truly the Lord’s that means Jesus has over 23,000 brides. So, I wonder? Is Jesus an adulterer? Praise be to God that…

Will we be tested by trials that shake us to the very core: Yes, but our God’s grace is more powerful than any test, and He is still good even when everything around us isn’t. Remember this above all else, God can do the impossible for His own. God is with us 24/7, in the unpleasant and painful times when it is hard to remember what a “good life” felt like—God is still there. Solomon, in his wisdom wrote, “For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods” (1 Chronicles 16:25). Jerimiah says, thus says…

Concerning grace many often use it as a “fix-all” answer to every form of sin and doubtful doctrine. We must not allow grace to be perverted, thus, I offer the following for your consideration…

I do not know about you, but I have been in the courtroom, and have experienced the utterly helpless feeling that comes from knowing that whatever that judge pronounces is final, right or wrong, its final. I have seen personally the innocent found guilty, and the guilty found innocent. That is the way of a human judge who will hear both sides, truth and lies, and make the best judgment he can. Not so with Jesus for He will know everything about your life, your lies, your sin, your thoughts and…

Having talked with many people of every class about “spiritual things” I can sum up what most people say in 7 words and they are, “Let me tell you what I believe”. Phrases like this are why so many people have “Their own faith”. Just 2 weeks ago my wife and I spotted a restaurant in Hudson that we’d never seen before and stopped in to try it out. The name was Johnny’s Diner. We’ll be going back, but for two reasons, one, the food and service was great and two…

The word of God is clear, “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). There are many who “claim” this is true, but the outward evidence tells a different story as they walk in fear daily. Their language also gives them away with words like, “I can’t”, “I am afraid”, “It’s not worth the risk”, and one of my favorites, “I’m not afraid of dying but”. The exact opposite is true of those who live without…

There is a “form of love” that always fails. In photography there is a term, “Spherical Aberration”. It occurs when all incoming light rays end up focusing at different points. In other words, the parallel light rays do not converge at the same point after passing through the lens. This results in photos that are not worth printing. There are spiritual aberrations affecting the church today because many are…

If I could fathom terms like “infinite, endless, limitless or boundless” I might be able to explain my faith. O’ how many times I have read and meditated on, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Faith is “infinite” because our Creator is infinite in wisdom, power, and presence. When you take time and investigate Hebrews 11 verse 1, you will begin to understand the immense and unlimited force behind these deceivingly…

Everywhere you go, at this time of the year, you will hear or see something about Jesus. Signs in front yards that say, “Jesus is the reason for the season”, or “Put Jesus back in Christmas”. You hear carols being sung, “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, “…Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day”, and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. Because of this, this is a great time to talk to people about Jesus, when their hearts are more receptive. But what you need to say, and what they need to hear has nothing to do with C…

It is that time of year, again. Holidays are upon us and it is practically impossible to isolate oneself from it. Manger scenes in front of buildings, the movie “Christmas Story”, school children sing carols, and of course there are the multitude of signs, posters, and ads claiming that we must put Christ back into Christmas. Although this year many are isolated and there are not as many conversations that echo of “Jesus is the reason for the season” still rings out. As a Christian the responsibility to effectively present “Fact from Fiction” can at times offend most listeners who believe

Sometime in March of 2001 I was visiting a woman at the Akron General Hospital whom I had been teaching the Gospel to for a number of years. She had just had her pancreas removed along with part of her stomach because of cancer. Her husband of 55 years was there also sitting on her bedside. I was talking with her about her soul reading scriptures that pertained to salvation. As time went by, she fell asleep and her husband and I began talking. He told me that he was of the opinion that, all anyone had to do to be saved was to believe in God. I handed him my Bible which was opened to Mark 16. I pointed to the 15th verse and asked him to read aloud through verse 16. He read, “15And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” He looked at me and asked, “Are you telling me…

Along with many household items and photographs, one item in particular was a small anvil which was carried at the battle of Gettysburg by one of his relatives. There are many things that are precious to us such as, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. For some there are precious items, keepsakes such as family heirlooms, a necklace, a ring, a platter that belonged to great grandma. I have a few things on display at home that are precious to me, in that they remind me of good things.

Out of all these things, I couldn’t help but remember the words of Peter concerning genuine faith, that it is, “much more precious than gold that perishes”, (1 Peter 1:7). As you study your Bibles you will eventually come across some things that indeed are precious, read on for some examples…

A couple of years back I helped a brother remodel his basement. We put in new floors, new steps, and painted. One very backbreaking thing we did was to tear out an old brick-planter which was as large as an average fireplace. Now I was 62, he was 79. It was hard work for anyone, carrying hundreds of large red bricks up the steps, out through the garage and then out back. It took us hours. I will never forget this one thing. Just while I was thinking about the ache in my back, being sorry that I am always so quick to volunteer, this much older brother said, “Man o’ man, my legs hurt, my hands are cramping, and my back is burning, but brother, at my age I am so very thankful to the Lord that I am even able to work like this. He said, David, always be thankful for every little thing God affords you. Be thankful for His Tremendous Love. Here is a list of a few scriptures that focus our attention on being thankful to the Lord…

Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt the 26th U.S. president was known for coining the phrase, “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far”. Christians also must speak softly but, in place of a big stick we must carry something much more powerful, much more persuasive—the word of God. Peter commanded, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:15). Carry God’s word in your heart, that is the big stick, and that is…

So many Christians today make note of that amazing day called Pentecost when Peter stood up and preached Jesus for the very first time and out of the thousands upon thousands that heard the gospel—only 3,000 souls obeyed it and were baptized for the remission of sins, and added to the church, which is the body of Christ (Acts 2:38, 41, 47; Col. 1:18, 24). So, what about you? Have you heard the gospel? How did you react? Did you act in faith or…

This article is written so that saints can be ready to give an answer to those in the world who make claim that the churches of Christ, you, are unloving and uncaring because you, the church refuse to give to the poor. When people call the church phone it is automatically transferred to my cell phone and between November and “Christmas”, I receive multiple daily calls from individuals outside the church asking for assistance of one kind or another. All have a sad story, all say, “can you give…” and all pull at my heart strings. Over the years…

Did you know that there are three laws? Two exist today and must be obeyed, one has been replaced. The Hebrew writer speaks to the old covenant, the first Law that was replaced saying, “7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.” (Heb. 8:7-9) and then, “In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away” (Heb. 8:13). Good news is the law that replaced the first is the second, the Law of Christ. Paul spoke of it in this was, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). Paul also referred to it as the “Spirit of life” saying, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2). To the church at Corinth Paul said, “to those who are without the Law, I became as one without the Law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might gain those who are without the Law” (1 Cor. 9:21 NASB). The priesthood has changed, there no longer exist the “Levitical Priesthood”, now Jesus is our new High Priest (Heb. 3:1, 4:14). So, to recap, the old law was in force till Jesus came and nailed it to the cross (Col. 2:13, 14), and established the new and better covenant (Heb. 12:24). The Law of Christ, currently in force is the foremost law for us all. It replaces the old law and supersedes all others. More on the law of Christ at the end of this article. Now to the other law that we must follow, God speaks…

Every member of the Lord’s church knows membership and salvation cannot be separated. When this truth is missing in the heart of a member it will unquestionably manifest itself in sparce and deflated attendance. Before we proceed, I must also make it clear there is no connection between the protestant decline and the decline in the Churches of Christ. 1) The downturn of membership in the “protestant” churches is a result of…

In 1858 Charles Spurgeon said, “The Christian Religion is a golden chain with which the hands of men are fettered from all hatred.” Truly the spirit of Christ is love, John wrote, “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8). Now, since God is love, reason requires wherever His Spirit is love must rule. Connect the dots: Every Christian has the Spirit within from their baptism to guide them in all truth, and truth is all Christians must be ruled by the love of God. Fact is fact, truth, truth, and the Spirit says that no Christian is allowed to hate anyone. Clearly, Jesus said, “43 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 [a]But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven…” (Matthew 5:43-45a). Christians have no right to practice, or to tolerate the works of the flesh, which includes…

Assembling on the first day of the week was especially important to the early church and should be just as important to the church of Christ today, but is it? How much does it take to keep you home? For me, saddest of all, is when brethren excuse themselves from assembling because their prideful attitude, they have deemed a fellow Christian or Christians too imperfect or flawed. Considered the powerful example of…

This side of patience requires effort, service and a godly spirit. In Romans chapter 2 verses 5 through 10 Paul contrasts those whose hearts are hardened and impenitent and do not seek for truth to those who “by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality”. The first faces judgment, the second glory, honor and peace. Patient continuance…

Go anywhere, converse with anyone, or group, and you’ll discover that patience is universally respected and regarded yet scarcely practice. It has been replaced with personal need for instant pleasure and the need for instant satisfaction. People are in such a rush these days that “the moment” is too long, waiting is unacceptable and the desire for instant response makes patience a thing of the past.
There was a time when a child who repeatedly…

Back in 1973, one year after I graduated high school, I saw a movie with my wife called “The Sting”. In the movie a man “Doyle Lonnegan” murdered a friend of “Johnny Hooker”, an aspiring con man, who then devised an elaborate plan for revenge, one so crafty that Lonnegan would not know he had been swindled, thus “The sting”! So it is with deception! When one plans to deceive the object is, “not to let the one being deceived know”. Jesus, speaking of the signs of the times and the end of the age was asked a question by His disciples, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matt. 24:3). Starting at verses 4 and 5 Jesus answered, “4Take heed that no one deceives you. 5For many will…

The difference between what is true and what is feelings may be difficult to determine but it can be done. Typically, people make their feelings become facts instead of opinions. An individual may have a strong point of view, willing to fight to the death, break relationships, because of what they feel is right only to learn what they believed to be fact is actually a version of their own imagined fact. All our thoughts are extremely important in that they form our actions, therefore, to keep things fundamentally factual, is a must. Accomplished only by…

We are constantly seeing “New Churches” being formed. Every day another building is purchased, another name mounted and why? Each has a slightly different doctrine which is, in itself, sinful (Gal. 1:6-10). Each of these congregations have different names, that cannot be found in the Holy God breathed scriptures that Paul wrote of saying, “16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 ESV). How can this be? Imagine you work in a factory with only one supervisor. He gives you a guidebook he himself wrote that explains specifically how you are to…

King David in the fifth Psalm turns to God in prayer seeking guidance. He declares, “1Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my [b]meditation. 2Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray. 3My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.” (vs.1-3). Nothing has changed, today we still have wickedness, evil, workers of iniquity, those who speak falsehood, and bloodthirsty and deceitful men (vs.4-6). Just as it was in David’s day we today must “look up” and…

When I read the words of the apostle Paul often written while imprisoned, I am overwhelmed by his confidence, his conviction and more, he delivers a clear message that for him, “It is a Privilege to know Jesus”. Scripture like, “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12). Note, Paul said, “I know whom”, not what “I have believed.” Any doubt that for Paul it was a privilege…

History cannot be changed! Only the future can be changed. What really “erases history”? Just stop teaching it! This point is proven by…

Spiritually Hoarding Things Never Ends Well. God’s people also have seen members who struggle with spiritual hoarding. Brethren who have died to sin through repentance, “the old things”, and were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38, 16:22), to start a “new life” (Rom. 6:4), then continue to walk in their old ways…

Have you been what to say to a person who invites you to visit the church of Christ? Does this sound familiar? “You are just another Campbellite”, “Your church is a denomination that was started by Alexander Campbell”, “Your church is no different than any other”, and of course, “You guys think you are the only ones saved”. These few “rehearsed statements” are made by people who have been taught to believe in what I call the “Multi-church Evolution”. That is the belief that every church that names Jesus as Lord and King is indeed His church. Even though “their churches”, are most often named by every name but His, and their teaching and beliefs often contradict each other, their insistence is still we are all, “one in Christ”. Not so! We cannot be one if what we believe and teach is different than another for God asked, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3), the answer is no! Just look out at the world around you today and see how people who disagree act. In this issue I will disprove that the church of Christ was founded by anyone other than Christ and once you believe that you should invest much time into other things “your church” has taught you…

When it comes to quitting there is an endless list. Some people quit their jobs, quit spending too much, quit eating too much, quit wasting time, and some quit exercising. There are many things that as a Christian we should quit such as sexual immorality, worshiping things, drinking alcohol, slander, cheating people, etc (1 Cor. 6:9-10)

We as members of the Lord’s church need to be the ones who carry and portray the name of a righteous man. We who are called into service by our righteous Lord and King need to be the source for others to learn what righteousness is…

There has been a lot in the news lately about riots and the aftermath to homes, businesses and communities that necessarily results in vandalism and destruction to property. These movements care little about the individuals they hurt and are non-selective when it comes to violence and destruction. They bulk anyone or anything in their path as targets. Like a tsunami destroys everything in its path, so does an angry mob. What is interesting is that many businesses and private individuals have posted signs of solidarity and yet still fall victim to the wave of terror. It is as though the mob can’t read, which is not likely. More likely are these two points: 1) Signs have no power against the power of the mob since they are inanimate objects. 2) The sign is meaningless to the mob that acts without fear against the message of the sign because no consequence apparently exists for their actions. We have a sign posted on the building and on the front lawn, “Church of Christ”. The mob would be all who…

Everyone today that is old enough to have a cell phone understands the term “Block” in reference to the inordinate and excessive number of phone calls we get from unwanted solicitors that are unwelcomed, unsolicited, and just plain annoying. There are many “Apps” such as Nomorobo—that strive to block telemarketing calls. As annoying as these callers are, the one thing we all have learned to do is hang up. Sadly there are some callers who are legitimate and because of all the conditioning by the others, we tend to block everything, and hang up on them, and often just won’t answer the call and sometimes miss out on a great opportunity. Spiritually speaking many people put a “Block” on God or won’t even answer Him and will even hang up on Him. Do not misunderstand me, you will never get a physical phone call from God. His call will be through the words of inspiration as they are recorded in the Bible and spoken by His people. So, how do you block God’s call? By…

A three word catch-phrase that proliferates the media today, has been repeated so many times that some are actually believing it is true is: “The New Normal”. This is as far from truth as one can get in relationship to the way people will be living out their lives in these United States. I am not saying that some things haven’t changed, but that we won’t know what will continue to be “normal” in the future. Will we all be wearing masks every time we step outside, will we forever be forbidden to hug one another, will the riots and violence in the streets be normal…as for “The New Normal”, there is spiritual application that can be known by everyone, right now, in our lifetime, because we can see it being played out in the lives of others who began living a new normal, and continue striving for it, even to this very day. The New Normal I speak of is…

In this addition we are focused on the church of Christ. Though there are multitudes of inspired things we could address concerning the Lord’s church, because of limitations we will consider the church from only 7 aspects. The first being that a good church is a church that has RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD. Every good church had its beginning by the hearing and accepting of the Word of God which then defines its very nature as did the church at Thessalonica. They, “received the word of God”, which they heard preached, then “welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God…

The Good Minister – Part One The local congregations are often seen in two parts. The preacher, evangelist or minister and the members. Although this is incorrect, many see the “modern church” in this fashion. Fact is the properly organized church has Jesus as its only Head (Col. 1:18), elders or overseers as the shepherds (Acts 20:28), and evangelist or preachers and teachers (Eph. 4:11-13). But too often to many lay upon the shoulders of…

Growing accustom to things, sometimes is a good thing, and sometimes is a bad thing. One example: Growing accustom to the dark in a physical sense is a good thing because it will help you to see objects and avoid stubbing your toe, or tripping and falling over and getting hurt (John 11:9-10), but in the spiritual sense getting accustom to the dark is one of the most terrible things that a person can do…

Such passages as, “I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: 4 ‘Your seed I will establish forever, and build up your throne to all generations’” (Psa.89:3-4), we understand to be a promise from God to David, that the Messiah would sit upon “David’s” throne. I can’t even begin to count the number of “Premillennialists” I’ve met who try to apply this prophecy to a “millennial kingdom”. We serve the Lord and King Jesus, they deny that. Jesus is now sitting on David’s throne, they deny that. Jesus is King ruling from His throne in Heaven, they deny that too…

imperfections did it, being just a “man” after God’s own heart, so can you.

Like all of us, David was not without his faults. We have all seen strong storms with powerful winds that can make a tall strong tree bend. In each of our lives and in the life of David there are times when the storms come with fierceness, bending us and trying to break us spiritually. These storms are temptations such as the “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16), not of the Father but of the world. Many events in the life of David sought to bend and break him, and cause him to fall from grace and again I emphasize, if David withstood these, being just a man, so can you and I. We may not be powerful kings ruling thousands, but we all can by the grace of God and by the power of the gospel of Christ keep our hearts leaning, and depending on the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ…

There cannot be a higher praise from God Himself than to hear Him say, “You are a man after My own heart”. Just to imagine that, God, might say this of any of us should cause goosebumps, chills and the deepest resounding rejoicing ever. Obviously, David knew this kind of feeling for he used the phrase “rejoice” many times in the Psalms, many that directly portray how a good leader must place their reliance on the LORD. David, king of all Israel, found comfort in God’s protection. “Because You have been my help…

So, you’re walking with all your friends along a pathway and just up ahead is a man who begins to curse you in front of everyone, and the faster you walk—the faster and louder this man becomes. He follows alongside of you cursing you continuously kicking up dust at you—then if that is not enough, he begins to throw stones at you and at all your friends. One of your friends says, why do you allow this man to continue this way—let me go up and kill him for you. What do you do? This very thing is recorded for our learning (Rom. 15:4) in 2 Samuel 16:5-14 and 2 Samuel 19:18-23, did actually happen to king David…

David is noted as being a man after God’s own heart. But does that mean he does not sin? We know that was not the case. But we can learn from his attitude toward sin in that he seemed to have a pattern for dealing with his sins. He sinned, he recognized his sin, and he owned his sin. In this issue we will, I pray, a pattern from a king that we can apply to our own selves…

It was Pharaoh’s pride that kept him from making a wise choice. Of course, the Lord used the pride of Pharaoh’s heart to accomplish His will (Rom. 8:28; 9:17). King Belshazzar’s pridefulness (Dan.5), who knowing full well what happened to his father king Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 4) still did not humble his heart but was filled with pride (5:23). The handwriting was on the wall, and Belshazzar died and his kingdom went to Darius the Mede (5:30). What of king Saul’s pridefulness? He hated David because of his ability in battle and because the people sang of it (1 Sam. 18). Then there was David one king who…

In our previous study of David two of the lessons focused on how David trusted his God. Then 2 more; his reverence and his respect. This week we focus on David, the man after God’s heart in that he loved God. David wrote, – “I will love You, O Lord, my strength” Psalm 18:1. David is not alone, for it must be exciting for every Christian to meet others who have…

One thing I thought of “At A Time Like This” is that life is uncertain. Solomon wrote, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Prov. 27:1, Read James 4:13). “At A Time Like This”, we realize our constant need for God as the Psalmist said, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psa. 46:1). “Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth” (Psa. 124:8). So at a time like this let’s all do what Peter said, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7)…

Read through David’s words in Psalm 118 and know the confidence he had in the power of the Lord. Psalm 118:8-9 “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” When David was troubled, surrounded by the nations like a swarm of bees, he proclaimed, “You pushed me violently, that I might fall, but the Lord helped me” (Psalm 118:13). David trusted in the Lord…

Respect is a scarcity and for most people calling themselves Christian, respect for God’s word is a thing of the past. David wrote, “Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies” (Psalm 40:4). David’s respect was spot on, that is on the LORD. Is there any doubt that this is one more reason that GOD called David, “a man after My own heart”? When we respect God, it means we respect the authority of His word, as we’ve said so many times, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17). The Lord’s people, unlike the multitudes of religious people, show their respect for Him by respecting His word as the authority in all aspects of our lives, whether it be following the pattern in our worship, or the manner in which we live out our day to day lives. We all want to be people after God’s own heart…

The Psalmist praised Jehovah by saying, “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.” (Psa. 111:9 KJV, ASV, ERV, etc…). Most of the newer versions have the word “awesome” in place of “reverend”. Some have “terrible”, some “awe-inspiring”, some “holy and terrifying”, some “fearsome and holy” and the Young’s Literal Translation has, “Holy and fearful is His name”. This is the second of 10 articles that are descriptive of king David’s character as it pertains to his being a man after God’s own heart. We know David trusted God, now we see that necessary trait in his character called “Reverence”. Necessary because a man who does not understand what it means to be reverent, cannot be pleasing to God…

(PART 1 DAVID TRUSTS GOD) “And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (Acts 13:22). This issue is the first of ten in a series called, “A Man After God’s Own Heart”. We begin with the words of David as recorded in Psalm 62 verses 9-12 which described the heart of David as seen in his own writings: David Trusted his LORD: (Psalm 62:9-12)

It seems that sometimes when a member starts down the wrong path the body of Christ has a tendency to turn and look the other way when the exact opposite is true. Every member should be making every effort to salvage the soul that is sinning by talking, writing, and exhortations to repent and begin practicing the Lord’s will as it pertains to the matter at hand. Seeking to save a brother or sister who has taken a wrong turn spiritually is the greatest work the church does both individually and collectively. Why? Because the value of every soul! “…what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mt. 16:26). Why? Because the alternative: “…these will go away into everlasting punishment” (Matt. 25:46). Why? Because “to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 44 where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched”, is not an option we want for someone whom we love (Mark 9:43-44)…

When Jesus walked the earth, He was rejected by most. Today is not different, for people still cast stones at His words, thus at Him because of His Words. In a debate (July 2012) on the issue, “Is homosexual marriage compatible with Scripture?” One speaker was quoted as saying: “We can’t allow the tree of the words of the Bible to overshadow the forest of God’s grace” (Margaret Hawk). It is frightening to say the least that any person, let alone one who claims to be Christian, would make such a statement. To outright say that the Bible, the Word of God gets in the way of knowing God’s grace is beyond any likeness of reason. Blasphemy, pure and simple. We are saved by grace, “through faith” (Ephesians 2:8), and said faith comes only by hearing said Word of God. (Rom. 10:17). Yes frightening, yet more terrifying is that anyone would believe and follow such utter foolishness….

Paul wrote, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). What most people struggle with are the word “through faith”. Most kneel to man saying, I believe what your are teaching—and turn their backs of Christ and His teaching. We ask the question can on be lost by faith, and the answer is yes whenever your faith is in man and not God…

The most destructive and dangerous view of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST is that it is all about us. This humanistic view permeates our society and is rapidly making its way into our pulpits…So why is this view of life so destructive and dangerous to the cause of the Gospel?

When I meditate on what it means that God is Holy (Rev. 4:8; Psa. 99), and then what it means for me to be holy (1 Pet. 1:16) and in light of what the Bible says about intoxicating drink (Prov. 20:1; 23:31-33, etc), I find it impossible to suggest that anyone, especially those I love drink at all. It is equally hard for me to believe that Jesus who loves me, would produce wine of such a nature, and approve of it which in our day is responsible for so many deaths, divorces, violence, diseases, addictions…

We’ve all heard the preacher extend the invitation to alien sinners: Believe, Repent, Confess, and be Baptized for the remission of sin. We’ve also heard preachers extend the invitation to erring Christians who have publicly sinned to come forward and publicly acknowledge their sin. In the New Testament we have authority.

it the Church of Christ? – Look Before you Leap!

I Have had the great pleasure of meeting with brother Don Wright regularly to do a “Podcast” that is published through the Brown Street Website “brownstreetcoc.org”. We’ve been talking about the church, and specific marks that identify the church as the one true church. Something that brother Wright said intrigued me. So simple, yet powerful are the words, “If the church where you attended isn’t…then you’re in the wrong church.” Sometimes the ending is “you need to get out of there”. This reminded me about a phrase, “Look before you leap”. Something that is seldom properly done today when it comes to religion.

“Love believes all things” (1 Cor. 13-7), as in (NKJV, NASV); is a way of saying that love “always trusts” as the (NIV) translates it. What are the “all things” that love believes. All things that are contained in God’s word. That is everything that pertains to our faith that comes by the hearing of the word (Romans 10:17). The NEB bible translated this part of verse 7 this way, “there is no limit to its faith”, no limit to loves faith…

Godly love bears all things because God does. Love demands that we must count the cost and that means to be willing to leave all to follow Christ. Jesus said, “…whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33). The cost is to develop so much love for God, that your love for everyone is the same in character as God’s love for you. How has God treated you? The way you deserved, or the way of love? Didn’t God “bear all things” concerning you? Didn’t He count the cost?

Love, “does not seek its own” (1 Cor. 13:5) So often, and so sad, we hear people use the expression, “It’s a dog eat dog world.” I believe that there is much truth to this statement, for society in general…But this is not, must not be, nor can it be a characteristic of the faithful brotherhood of believers in Christ! We have been admonished to, “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Pet. 2:17). You cannot fulfill this and be seeking your own. When we read that love, “does not seek its own”, we understand this to mean…

Now as we continue, let’s note that, “love does not envy” (1 Cor. 13:4b). I remember the words of Solomon who wrote, “A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.” (Prov. 14:30). According to Pilate, the governor, the Jews delivered up Jesus to be crucified because of envy. Pilot said, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy” (Matt. 27:17-18). It was the reason Joseph was sold into Egypt (Acts 7:9) Envy is not compatible with Christian, “agapé” love…

Much misunderstanding comes when society bulks all the different Greek definitions for different kinds of love into one word, love. Therefore, we must turn to a Greek-English dictionary, called a Lexicon, look up the various words that are interpreted “love” to see which word is being translated love in the verse you’re reading. This serves us, in that it makes it easier to understand what God is saying in a more precise measure.

God’s grace is freely given to everyone who is willing to accept it in faith. Don’t misunderstand me, faith only comes one way, as inspiration put it, “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Saving faith is faith in God’s word—not man’s word. Receiving grace comes through faith in the written word of God. Paul wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). We are saved by grace through faith in God’s word. But make no mistake, faith by itself is worthless. We will investigate these things in this article.

DO YOU HAVE YOUR BIBLE OPEN? There are many who have repeated phrases like, “The Bible is the most sold book in the world and the least read book in the world” or “So many people have their Bibles displayed, if they’d just dust them off and read them.” So, is your Bible open daily, are you studying, are you adding to your faith and growing in the Lord?
But I ask DO YOU HAVE AN OPEN BIBLE? This question differs from the first, in that it asks the important query, is your Bible open to different interpretations? Much sin is entangled into religion because of this practice…

Whenever I get into a conversation about Jesus, the church and faith most often people quickly rise up and say. “You’d love my church”, “You need to talk to my pastor”, “I love the worship at my church because it makes me feel so good”. But the moment you quote the Bible concerning salvation you’ll hear, “I can’t believe…”, “You can’t believe” and my favorite “That’s not what that means”. Quotes such as “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19), “I can’t believe…”, “You can’t believe”, “That’s not what that means”. or “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16 ESV), “I can’t believe…”, “You can’t believe”, “That’s not what that means”….

Is it possible to worship God in vain? Let’s hear from the Master, Lord and High Priest. Jesus said, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matt. 15:8-9). Did you see that, “in vain they worship Me”. Therefore, the Lord Himself says we can, with all sincerity, worship Him in vain. Vain defined by Webster is “2: marked by futility or ineffectualness: UNSUCCESSFUL, USELESS, 3: having no real value: IDLE, WORTHLESS and 4: archaic: FOOLISH, SILLY. Further, in religion Webster says, in vain means: 2: in an irreverent or blasphemous manner. One example of this is the profane fire of Nadab and Abihu recorded in Leviticus chapter 10.

We cannot do what David did. The church is “under the law to Christ.” Our decisions in life must be made in harmony with our King’s will, as He rules us through His law, as we make our journey from earth to heaven. Jesus’ law is not the old covenant of the Old Testament. Hebrews 7 and 12 says, “For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.” Jesus is our new High Priest “by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant” (Heb. 7:22), “For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second” (Heb. 8:7), “In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete…” (Heb. 8:13). What David did was under the old law, and is obsolete.

Paul admonishes the church three ways to be united. First, he said, “speak the same thing”: What is that same thing? The same thing = “no other gospel” (Gal. 1:8). Second Paul said, “that there be no divisions among you”: Finally, Paul said be of, “the same mind and in the same judgment”:

The real problem with division within the ranks of the body of Christ, with opening the gate for things to take place without Bible authority is this: Where do you draw the line? Fact is once this begins there is just no stopping place. Many of us have watched, even in our generation, practices added to the church where there is no Bible authority whatsoever. But yet throughout all the “different / perverted” gospels, there still exist churches of Christ who continue their plea to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent. Brethren, we must carry the banner of Christ our Lord, Master and Savior of the Body, standing for what is written.

Why is edification so important to the life of the Lord’s church? Well, because if each we don’t put this into practice, we’ll never grow, and we’ll surely cease to exist as a local church. Hear what Paul had to say to the elders in Ephesus. Acts 20:28 and 29, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church [a]of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking [b]perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.”

Before we go on from here, we need to know and understand what the work of the Lord’s church is, what the members of the church are authorized to do and there are only three. To help us remember I’ll share an acronym I was taught long ago; it is, “B.E.E.” which stands for Benevolence, Evangelism and Edification.

For each scripture that pertains to benevolence and the church, we’ll ask only two questions. (1) “Who are the givers in each case?” (2) “Who are the recipients in each case?” Let’s begin with Acts 2:44-45, “44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and [a]sold their possessions and goods, and divided[b] them among all, as anyone had need.” To rightly divide, to get the truthful answer you need to go back to verses 41 and 42. The answer to the first and second question in this case is the three thousand who were baptized continuing steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine. That is members of the church, gave to members of the church. Let’s consider another examples from the scripture…

God gave the church everything she needs (2 Peter 1:3). There is no joy in division. The church must be as one doing good in the sight of God. Remember God, “’will render to each one according to his deeds’: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath” (Rom. 2:6-8). That is exactly what the Bible teaches. Every time division comes it is a sign that somebody, somewhere has violated the will of God, and behind division we find people who haven’t respect for the authority of Christ.

Now open your Bible to Acts 20 and verses 17, 28-30 and consider the significance of Paul’s warning. Note that in verses 17 and 28, it is clear Paul is speaking to the Elders at the church in Ephesus. As you read verse 29 take care to note the words “I know”. Paul didn’t say, “I think”, “I’m pretty sure”, or “It might be that”, no, he said “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” Think with me and connect the dots. It is not strange that these “wolves” came after the Apostles left. The false teachers who come, come in by stealth (Gal. 2:4; Jude 4) only do so when there is a lack of strong faithful teachers. Do you remember the saying “when the cats away the mice will play”?

Not understanding what the church is according to God and Christ is a root cause of division. To the second aspect of the question: “What is a church of Christ in the local sense?” The local church consists of saved individuals who joined together within their community to worship and work in the Lord’s body. This aspect of the church exists when saints physically assemble for work and worship. They assemble on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2) in one place, “a building”, take an offering, pray, sing, teach, and partake in the Lord’s Supper. The local church has form, function and organization.

If we accept Bible Authority then we must also accept that the church, the body of Christ, is described in the written word. If we’re to know what the Church of Christ is, the answers must come from the Bible. Many, if not most, fail to understand and recognize the genuine church of Christ because their understanding of “church” comes from personal experience and sources outside of the written word. Thee are so many “churches” today which are all divided, different, and all because they have added or subtracted from God’s word on the church. We must be concerned, right now, with what the Bible has to say about the church and what the revelation of Christ is in regard to “His” church.

Today in the world there is much division because people fail to understand how to establish divine authority. God, by, “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3), that is the whole of the New Testament. So, we have the Bible, but how do you establish divine authority? The first and easiest is by “Direct Command” Secondly, we look for what is called, “Divine or Approved Example”. and the third is found in the “Necessary Inference”. Read on and learn what these are and how to apply them as you study.

I am convinced that basic understanding of Bible authority and how to establish it would eliminate almost all the division among religious people today. For that reason, I want to suggest three things at the beginning of this set of lessons. One, open your mind to an open Bible. Two, free yourself of everything prejudice by letting the Word of the Lord be the only tutor. Third, examine everything you currently believe concerning faith, the church and your soul’s salvation against God’s revelation, His word.

In this the third and last article on Identifying the Church, well briefly look at the need to attach yourself, or join yourself to a local congregation. Also, a concise explanation of the word God gave the church to do. Bottom line, if the church you’re in does more than, or less than what the church we read about in the Bible then–you’re in the wrong church.

I’ve personally never been more confused than when I hear of people who insist on calling the Lord’s church after some other person’s name. Remember, we’re talking about the Lord Jesus Christ’s church, of which He is the Head, the church He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28), and which He promised to build (Matt. 16:18). Why not church of “Christ”? What is the motive behind the name, Luther, Wesleyan, Saint Paul’s or Saint Mary’s? Can it be that some give more weight, credence or honor to these individuals than to Christ? I owned a computer business which I called AJT Solutions. “A” for Angela, “J” for Jim and “T” for Tony. I started this business, I paid for it, I was the owner, I had every right to call it after my children. But what if I were to walk into McDonald’s and place “AJT Solutions” stickers over everything that said McDonald’s, over the cups, signs everything? You think the owner would say, who cares, what’s in a name anyway? Seriously not! They would throw me out and remove all my stickers. If you agree with this, then why wouldn’t you agree that the Lord’s blood bought church should wear a name that signifies Him as Head, owner, Lord and Master?

More times than I like to admit, with intention, I’ve walked into a room to get something only to find myself asking, “What am I looking for?” Truth is that you can’t find something unless you know what it is. Have you ever been looking for something and in your mind you thought it was blue, only to overlook it time and time again till you’re spouse says, no it’s red, then, suddenly, there it is, right under your nose. So many good, honest, and sincere people who genuinely love the Lord go out looking for His blood bought church (Acts 20:28), but, never really find it. Why? Because they’re not looking for the church of the bible. For example, many look for, “a place they feel comfortable in”, “a place that agrees with me”, “a place that has plenty of programs for my family”, or “a place with schools, daycare, Zumba and a gymnasium”. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find. If you’re looking for the right thing, or the wrong thing, you’ll find it.

Paul told Christians, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” (Gal. 5:1-3). Sabbath keepers are guilty of keeping just parts of Old Testament Law. According to inspiration, they have become “a debtor to keep the whole law” (v.3).