Over the years I have been amazed at things people chose to believe based upon “what if” scenarios. Problematically, this creates a foundation for doctrines based upon what one does not know rather than what one does know. For example, people have come to my door asking “What if Adam and Eve had not sinned?”  My reply is always, “They did sin,” (Gen. 3:1-8). The point of their question is to make assumptions about what would have happened if Adam and Eve did not. Why speculate when we know it happened?

Truthfully, many religious groups use similar logic. Some reject baptism by asking “What if someone wants to become a Christian and there is no water?”  Where can people live without any water? What person that desired baptism for the remission of sin (Acts 2:38), would get in a car, ride a horse, or even walk to a place that had no water? I have studied with many people who, upon wanting to become a Christian, required us to travel to where there was water.

I was once asked, “What if God decides to save everyone at the end of time?” This seems like a nice thought initially. However, we do not need to wonder about this. Everyone will not be saved at the end of time (Matt. 7:13-14). My faith is in the Lord. I would much rather just accept what He says than speculate about things He did not say!

I have had people ask, “What if you are wrong?” This question is also easy to answer Biblically. If I am wrong, then I am believing and teaching error. I will lose my soul if I do not change (John 8:32; Luke 13:3). However, the Lord gave us His word, and it is understandable (Eph. 3:4). I can be tested by others, and I can test myself (I John 4:1; James 1:25; II Cor. 13:5). Just because I could be wrong does not mean that I am. We can have assurance that what we follow is correct (II Tim. 1:12). At the same time, we should always be studying to show ourselves approved.

                                                                                            Chuck

In the first article I brought up the passage that says the deacons are not to drink much wine (I Tim. 3:8). Does this the passage that prove that you can drink a little as long as you do not drink to excess? Is the text also teaching that if you want to drink alcohol, do not become an elder as they are forbidden from drinking? From a Christian point of view, something seems odd with these conclusions.

Let’s first establish that the wine in this text is fermented. It would seem out of place for Paul to write that deacons should not be given to much unfermented grape juice. If deacons were told not to be given to much, are they allowed to have a little? If there is danger in consuming much alcohol though, why would they be permitted to take a little?

Perhaps Paul’s instruction to Timothy might have a bearing on this. It was clear that Timothy did not (or would not) drink any wine that was fermented. Timothy would not even drink it for medicinal reasons. However, he was told by Paul that he should take some for his stomach’s sake (I Tim. 5:23). This begs the question – why would Timothy, at least up to this point, not take wine for his ailment? Obviously there was an issue Timothy was aware of when it came to consuming wine that had alcohol in it. He needed to be told that it is okay for sickness.

Getting back to deacons, the phrase in I Timothy 3:8 “not given to much wine” could also be phrased as “to say not paying attention to.” This is hardly a text to support the idea of drinking socially (non-medicinal). Saints are to keep themselves unspotted from the world by being sober and righteous (James 1:27; I Pet. 5:8; Titus 2:12). Therefore, with all the dangers and abuses connected with alcohol, it would be a stretch to use this text to support the consumption of wine that is fermented to merely satisfy thirst.

Could grape juice (non-fermented) even exist throughout the year in Biblical times? This question will also be addressed in next week’s bulletin.

Chuck 

Jesus spoke many parables when He walked with mankind. Let’s revisit the parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matt. 25:1-13). Our Lord spoke about how there were ten virgin planning to go meet the bridegroom to go to a wedding. We are told that five of them took extra oil for their lamps, while the other five did not.

As the parable unfolds, we find that the virgins who did not bring extra oil asked the other five virgins if they would share what they had. Their answer was “no” (verse 9). Those who brought extra said that if they shared what they had, they too might run out of oil. The virgins who brought enough oil were praised for being wise both for bringing extra and for saying “no” to ensure they would be able to meet the bridegroom.

Wisdom dictates preparedness. There is nothing wrong with helping others – Christians are clearly admonished to do this (Gal. 6:10). However, something is wrong when the unwise of this world expect the wise to cover their mistakes. If a person chooses not to work, should those who do work provide for them? The answer is no (II Thess. 3:10).

There will always be people who, lacking wisdom, criticize those who do have wisdom for not acting the way they want them to. It should not surprise us that the unwise expect the wise to act foolishly! This happened to Jesus on many occasions. Recall when people came looking for Him because they expected Him to fill their bellies with free food (John 6:26-27). Consider the spiteful thief on the cross. He did not care for Jesus, did not believe who Jesus was and still told Jesus to save him (Luke 23:39). The list goes on and on.

There is no question that when you walk with wisdom, some will think you heartless, uncaring and selfish. The wise virgins were none of those things, but you could see how others might perceive them to be. May we learn this valuable lesson and not be found unprepared because we were encouraged to be unwise.

Chuck 

I could not help but notice an incident that happened with a father and his daughter at our Bible booth last week. The dad was answering the question about James 2:24: “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” He pushed the button that answered that, “we are said by faith only” and he found out he was incorrect. Undeterred by the verse, the man was still convinced that we are saved by faith only. “I would argue that point!” he said.

It is interesting how people who claim to believe in God and His word are so quick to disagree with what our savior said. This is problematic for the man, but it is even more concerning to realize that he is passing this attitude on to his daughter. It is easy to disregard verses that challenge our ideas of faith, but God’s truth is unchanging (Heb. 13:8).

To specifically deal with the man at the fair, many people get defensive and think that James is teaching that faith is not essential to salvation. Of course it is! Nobody will ever get to heaven without faith (Heb. 11:6; 10:38; I Pet. 1:5, etc.). The text did not say that faith does not save – it said that faith only (sometimes translated as “faith alone”) does not save. Why is that? James answered that in verse 26: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”  Who would conclude that the body can live without the spirit? The person who believes faith alone saves!

Not all “faiths” are equal. For example, we are told about many individuals in Biblical times who had a faith that was dead. They did have faith though. John 12:42 describes people that believed in Jesus but did not want to confess their faith for fear of man. We are told that they loved the praise of men more than God (verse 43). James mentioned that even demons believe in God (James 2:19). Clearly, having faith in God is not the same as being faithful.

Logically speaking, who thinks that acknowledging danger means they are automatically safe? No one! If I believe I am trapped in a fire and could die, I still must do something to be saved. Likewise, if I believe in Jesus Christ and know that I am lost in sin, I am not saved yet. This is why James taught that faith without works is dead (2:26).

Arguments about “faith only” are usually connected to a misunderstanding of grace. When Paul stated that we are saved by grace through faith and not by works (Eph. 2:8), the apostle was not teaching that grace “does the works” that James said was necessary to be saved. Grace is the gift of the PLAN of salvation. In other words, we would all be lost without Christ coming, dying on the cross and providing a way to have the remission of sins.

Grace does not mean that man should not do good works. If works were not necessary, then everyone (faith or not) could go to heaven just based on grace. Remember, God’s word calls belief a work (John 6:28). The fact that mankind was given conditional salvation (i.e. that we must do things to be saved) does not lessen God’s grace. It would if one thought they were earning their salvation. This was the point Paul made in Ephesians 2:9: “not of works lest anyone should boast.”  Faith without works is just as useless as works without grace. Works alone cannot save a soul. No matter how many good things you do, you cannot earn your salvation. It is a gift that has conditions.

Jesus made many powerful statements about salvation: “Unless you believe I am He you will die in your sins,” (John 8:24); “Unless you repent you shall all likewise perish,” (Luke 13:3); “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16). Notice how they all contain conditions. Faith without works is dead, and works alone does not save either. May we seek God’s salvation, not our own!

Chuck

This title seems harsh, right? Am I trying to drive members away? Am I being callous toward people with legitimate reasons to miss worship? Before anyone jumps to conclusions, this article is not dealing with members who might make excuses for missing church services. Rather, it is for those who criticize others for missing when they do not know the facts.

As Christians, we are to be loving toward one another (I Thess. 4:9). If we have the kind of godly love that our Lord has in mind, then we have a love that thinks no evil (I Cor. 13:5). Giving our brothers and sisters the benefit of the doubt is vital to maintaining proper Christian attitudes. Without this disposition, all kinds of gossip and false thinking can arise and create serious problems between brethren.

We are not jumping to conclusions if a Christians says they could not attend worship and then floods social media with information suggesting otherwise. When we do not have any information though, it is not the place of Christians to judge.

Truthfully, all kinds of issues can arise to hinder good brethren from being able to assemble with the saints. Those who cannot assemble but really want to will take advantage of other tools to participate to whatever degree they can. They might watch services live online or later when they are feeling better. They might study the Bible alone if they are sick and cannot attend a class with the group. They also let brethren know where they are so their brethren do not worry unnecessarily. This lesson is about not wanting to jump to conclusions about others, so we should not want others to jump to conclusions about us either. Let’s make the effort to keep one another in the know (Gal. 6:1-2).

Christians also need to be aware that Hebrews 10:25 (about assembling with Christians) has to do with serving the Lord. If brethren are making excuses and missing, the Lord takes it personally, not us as Christians (John 7:7). Let’s give each other the benefit of the doubt. And may we keep each other informed to give assurance.

Chuck