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

The root of atheism

If the basis for creation is faith in God, the root of atheism is man wanting to be god. This may sound odd, but consider the following words found in Aldous Huxley’s article, “Confessions of a professed atheist.” Huxley says, “I had motives for not wanting the world to have meaning, so I looked for reasons to assume it had none. My problem was not with the spiritual. I just concerned myself with proving there was no valid reason why I should not do as I wanted to. The philosophy of meaninglessness was an instrument of liberation. We wanted freedom from political and economic system and liberation from morality. We objected to the morality because it interfered with our sexual freedom.”

Although Huxley’s statement helped me clearly understand the mentality of an atheist, this is something Christians were already told. In Romans 1, Paul stated that man was without excuse because there was so much evidence to support God (verse 20). Moreover, those who denied the creator turned to all sorts of uncleanness and dishonored their bodies by pursuing the lusts of their hearts (verse 24). In other words, rejecting God allowed them to do whatever they wanted. They got the sexual freedom they craved (verse 26-32).

Darwinism, another rejection of the divine, leads to a similar outcome. Attitudes of “survival of the fittest,” “might makes right,” etc. lead to a society that rewards uncaring, selfish, self-centered behavior.

The outcomes of rejecting godly truth are straightforward – this only leaves us to figure out why it was rejected. Why would anyone not believe in God and His word? It is not because of the lack of evidence – it has to do with a carnal mind that wants to do whatever they want and not be held accountable. Those who live this way may be able to live this way on the earth for a little while, but everyone is going to give an account to the Lord for what they did here on earth in the end (II Cor. 5:10). Their perceived freedom will come to an end.

To abort babies or engage in homosexuality in the name of “freedom of choice” is foolishness. People can deny God, but they will not be able to deny His power on the last day! Remember that He is real.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            Chuck                          

Just say thank you!

As a young man many years ago, I was given a needed rebuke by a sister in the Lord. When someone did something for me, I would say things like, “Oh, you didn’t have to do that!” Or, I would try and be funny and state, “What is this? And look, I don’t have anything for you!” Although I did appreciate what was done for me, I did not know how to express it properly. Then the sister in the Lord corrected me – “Just say thank you!”

People do like to do things for others (Gal. 6:10). We understand that it is more blessed to give than receive (Acts 20:35). Is it wrong for people to expect me to say thank you? Not at all. After all, I do not want to come across as ungrateful even though I inwardly feel very grateful. It is easy to overlook what is required outwardly when we are okay inwardly. However, as our Lord has taught, our attitude will show outwardly when it is first right inwardly (Matt. 23:25-27).

As a preacher, I am well aware of Paul’s example in being thankful for churches that support the preaching of the gospel. In Philippians 1:3, the apostle told the brethren that He thanked God for every remembrance of them. He also pointed out his appreciation by mentioning how they helped him financially time and again (Phil. 4:15-16). Did Paul need to do this? Yes. It was the right thing to do and showed that Paul did not take their kindness for granted.

Jesus taught this principle when He healed the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19. Jesus did not “need” the praise per se so much as those who were healed needed to be thankful. People are pleased when they hear a “thank you”, but keep in mind what it prevents. You do not want to make light of what was done or indicate that you someone “deserved” it.

Think about our relationship with the Lord. Why pray when He already knows what we will say? Why praise Him when He already knows how we feel? Let’s not take our God or our fellow man for granted. Remember – in everything give thanks (I Thess. 5:18).

                                                                                                      Chuck                                                                                      

Do bad attitudes condemn?

Nobody likes social drama, yet it is all around us. How does God feel about it through? Can a brother or sister lose their salvation for harboring ill feelings towards another member of the church? Rather than making any assumptions about what is and is not acceptable to God, let’s just see what He says in His word.

As we examine this subject, please keep in mind we are dealing with attitudes and matters of the heart. Our God knows what is truly in our hearts (II Cor. 11:13-15). All of the following can divide Christians and are unacceptable to Him:

• Treating others in an ungodly manner
• Pretending to be godly when we are filled with envy, jealousy and hatred
• Harboring bad feelings toward someone and avoiding speaking to them

We often find ways to blame others for our bad attitudes. “After all, if someone didn’t do things to make me feel jealous, I wouldn’t feel this way.” It might feel like we are less guilty if we can point out the error of someone else, but sin is still sin. If someone wronged us and we reacted poorly, both parties are guilty (Titus 3:3; James 3:14).

We are guilty even if we do not overtly do anything – cursing, lashing out, etc. as Christians are accountable for their thoughts. (Heb. 4:12-13). Is anyone’s soul really in jeopardy due a bad attitude? Consider these Biblical examples of people who were rebuked for their attitudes:

Diotrephes (III John 9-10)

Diotrephes had more than a bad attitude – he sinfully acted on it by kicking Christians out of a local church and seeking prominence for himself. That desire for prominence – a bad attitude – was the root cause for all of this sin. Even if he never refused John and never put others out of the church, the attitude itself was wrong. The actions of Diotrephes make this obvious. Remember the teaching of Christ: “By their fruits you shall know them” (Matt. 7:16).

Martha (Luke 10:38-42)

I am not suggesting that, in the end, Martha was lost. However, she was sufficiently upset with Mary to suggest that the Lord rebuke Mary. If someone wanted to take Martha’s side, they might say that Mary caused Martha to feel this way. This is why this article was written. Brethren often feel that it is not their fault when they have bad thoughts.  Evil thinking causes people to think, “They are doing that on purpose”, or “They are doing that just to get under my skin.” It may or may not be true, but we are still responsible for how we react!

The elder brother (Luke 15:25-32)

 The story of the prodigal son ends well for the prodigal but less happily for his brother. We might think that everything was fine with the elder brother until his younger brother came home. Not so. If our righteousness only lasts until someone crosses us up, then we are living a lie. If I only appreciate you when I get more attention than you, then how genuine is my faith? This elder brother needed an attitude adjustment. He was upset with his brother and also his father. Now we see how the guilty want to blame others for their disposition.

There is no question that a bad attitude can and will cost people their souls. Let us be mindful of this danger and do what we must to control what we think. After all, out of the heart proceeds many evils (Mark 7:20-23). Beware!

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Chuck

Looking for souls like Cornelius

     If you are not familiar with the conversion of Cornelius and his household, please read Acts 10 and 11. I will point out some of the wonderful qualities this man possessed that aided him in becoming a Christian.

     We are told that Cornelius, even though he was not saved, believed in God and prayed often (Acts 10:2). Though these qualities did not automatically save him, they were essential for him to seek God on His terms. Thus, when the Lord told Cornelius to send for Peter so he could hear how to be saved (11:14), he did not get upset. Too often people allow pride to stand between them and salvation. Cornelius could have closed his mind and decided that he had done enough to be saved already, but His desire for righteousness was earnest.

     Another quality that aided Cornelius was his humility. When Peter came to Cornelius, he immediately fell down to worship him (10:25). Though Peter told him that he should not be worshipped (verse 26), Cornelius’ humble disposition is evident. This attitude was key for Cornelius and his entire household (10:47-48) to carefully listen to and obey Peter’s instructions.

     Also notice how Cornelius desired for others to hear the message of salvation. We are told that when Peter came, Cornelius had many people gathered for the apostle to teach (10:27). What a delight this must have been for Peter! What teacher of God’s word wouldn’t light up with joy when they find many people assembled and ready to learn? This is as true today as it was for early Christians.

     Cornelius’ example shows why it is critically important to pray for those seeking the truth. Not only will our prayers help them directly, but that same aspiring Christian might be encouraged to bring others to their studies too. Those earnestly longing for salvation will want others to be saved as well. If you are not a Christian, please consider Cornelius’ example and earnestly seek the Lord.

                                                                                                                                                                                   Chuck