“We’ll Finally Learn the Truth!”

“We’ll Finally Learn the Truth!”

By Rick Walker

📷 Sometime during the next couple of weeks, Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller is supposed to conclude his report on this administration’s alleged collusion with Russia. For the past two years this probe has been on-going with hundreds of witnesses testifying under oath. Now that the report is about to be released to the public, members on both sides of the political spectrum are saying, “We’ll finally learn the truth!” No matter what the report says, we can be certain 50% of these people won’t like it!

People today need to know that another report is currently being prepared regarding their own lives! This report is scheduled to be revealed at our judgment. The apostle John writes, “…the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books according to their deeds,” (Revelation 20:12). Notice, it will not be our “good intentions” that will be judged, but our “deeds”! Not even the smallest detail of our life will be over-looked. “And I [Jesus] say to you, every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment,”

(Matthew 12:36).

Yet there is a “truth” people can learn before they get to the judgment. Paul tells us, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad,” ( 2 Corinthians 5:10). Uh-Oh!! But the wonderful truth to which all Christians cling is the one Paul gave in Romans 8:1, “There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!” Yes, we know we have sinned (see Romans 3:23), and that we deserve eternal death (Romans 6:23). But because of our faith in Jesus and in His substitutionary sacrifice for us (see 2 Corinthians 5:21), we know that God will not condemn us (Romans 3:24-26).

Sadly, many will not learn this truth until it is too late (see Hebrews 9:27)! But we know it NOW! So let us all determine to help as many as we can “finally learn (this most important) truth” before it is eternally too late!!!

“A DEATH SENTENCE”

Recently there have been those who have passed away, and it seems like so many are hung up on asking what happened.  Some may even ask, “Why?”

However, if one lives long enough, one knows that we all have a death sentence.  We are all terminal.  Hebrews 9:27 confirms this.

So, what do you do with a death sentence?  What do you do when you get that late night, phone call about someone you loved passing away?

You’ve had those calls, haven’t you?

A few weeks ago, a very young person died.  We don’t think about what is going on around us, do we?  And then, tragedy hits…like our young friend.

Why do we think we have all the time in the world?

I have lost count of the number of funerals I have helped with and I cannot count the times that I have seen shock and bewilderment in someone’s life.

There are times some have asked, “When is it all going to end?”  And my answer is, “I don’t know.”

Jesus lived about thirty-three years.  He “went about doing good” wherever He went (Acts 10:38).  And still He was executed because the establishment was against Him.  And not only the establishment was against Him…His own people, the Jews, were against Him!  Of course, we know He was in control all of the time.  But…He had a death sentence.

And so, do we all!   We will not escape it unless He returns first.

And then there’s this scripture…1 Corinthians 15:54-“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?’” (RSV)

Teamwork

Teamwork

by Keith Bellamy

Any athletic event requires teamwork.  If a team does not work together and stay together it will in all likelihood not be successful.  I believe this is true in the church, also.

Let's notice some passages that will help us understand our topic.  "Do all things without grumbling or disputing" (Phil. 2:14).  "Do nothing from selfish or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Phil 2:3,4).  "But now there-are many members, but one body.... there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another"  (1 Cor. 12:20, 25).

The Corinthian church was an example of one that was very confused and divided.  What Paul is stressing is teamwork.  We must continue to get along, cooperate and share with one another.  The chapter on love, in 1 Corinthians 13 confirms this, also. Love Never Fails!

Jesus said it this way in John 13:34,35.  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another, by this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."  And again, in John 15:12 He said, "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you."

Sadly, from time to time, I have seen these admonitions and instructions not practiced by my brethren.  There are undoubtedly times when I have failed to practice what I am saying about teamwork, too.  When we treat one another as we should…as Jesus would have us do…things will go better with the church and with our relationship with each other.

Teamwork is so very important!

Sometimes I feel that we adults are much like little children when it comes to our attitudes.  For instance, have we ever said concerning the church that if they don't do it the way I want it, I'll just go somewhere else!?  Do we act like little children at times?  I have heard of and have known individuals that will go so far as holding back their contribution because of some decision made by the church leaders.  Doesn't this remind us of a little child that runs home with the ball because he didn't get his way?  Do we need to repent?

It has been said that in any congregation that about 3% do the work and the giving.  (Where is Woodville in that respect?)  However, the church needs team players!  It needs people who will get along, that love each other more than self.  It needs people who are willing to sacrifice. And this sacrifice includes time and money.

What it all boils down to; is what is most important in my life?  Better yet,does Jesus come first?  After all, He is the head of the church.  He has given His orders.

Many times, churches get into trouble because they have failed to apply the teachings of Christ.  Remember the words of Paul —"LOVE NEVER FAILS!”