THE POUND
PROCLAIMER
Volume V
September 2010
Number 7
Sing
to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day
to day. Psalms 96:2
WHY ARE YOU A
CHRISTIAN?
Recently, President Obama was asked a very probing question. The question was, “Why are you a Christian?” The question is one that every Christian should ask themselves. It is to this question that I devote this article.
Before I get into specific ways the Christian might answer this question, I would like to suggest that the asking of this question identifies a situation needing our attention. That which needs our attention is why the questioner felt compelled to ask the question? When I consider the “why” for the question, I come to the following conclusion. The one to whom the question was asked did not exemplify the language and actions of a Christian. Jesus teaches, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16) The apostle Paul by inspiration says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
It should be obvious to all that a Christian is known by their life. The Christian stands out from the ungodly people in the world. President Obama was asked the question because of certain comments he made and the fact he had not joined a church or regularly attended a church since becoming President. On a personal note, the question and the timing of its asking was to give him an opportunity to put to rest the belief of some citizens that he is not a Christian but a Muslim. Whatever President Obama is religiously is not as important as whether or not the Christian is showing to the world their Christianity by the lives they live.
Let us now look into how a Christian might answer the question.
A Christian
could answer the question by pointing out their condition while in sin and the
saving blood of Christ. Paul spoke to this issue in Romans chapter seven. “I was once alive apart from the law, but
when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that
promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through
the commandment, deceived me and through it killed
me.” (Romans 7:9-11) As with all
of humankind, we are born innocent without sin until such a time when we mature
intellectually to understand that disobedience to God’s commandments brings
about spiritual death. At this point, we come to understand that, “... all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God,” (Romans
A Christian
could answer the question by pointing to the benefits of living the Christian
life. Paul in writing to the young evangelist Timothy makes the point that the
Christian life is a productive life on earth with eternal benefits after death.
“... Rather train yourself for godliness;
for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way,
as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7-8) When we consider the words of
Jesus given in the Sermon on the Mount, it is obvious the Christian life is one
of peace and harmony with our surroundings. Consider what is said about our
relationship with those who are our enemies. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and
hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew
Not only does one’s earthly life improve by living the Christian life, they are given a promise of eternal life. Jesus affirms this when He said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:14-16)
Dear Christian reader would you be asked the question that is the subject of this article? If so, could it be that your life does not reflect the high standards demanded by Christ Himself? I encourage every Christian who reads these words to examine themselves as to whether or not they are dedicated to living the Christian life and to being the light to the world God expects.
Dear
non-Christian who might read these words. I can tell you from personal
experience that the Christian life is the most rewarding and satisfying life
one can live in this world. I can also affirm to you that the assurance of
eternal life for those who through obedience to the gospel of Christ (Romans
The Editor’s
Page
There is no doubt that life is difficult at its best. It seems that if it is not one thing it is two. Who can say that God didn’t intend for it to be this way? It is in the crucible of trials and tribulations that humans grow strong. What kind of child is produced by a parent who takes full responsibility for the child’s homework and does it all for him? Will that child be a hardworking person who appreciates the help that they have received? I think we all know the answer. They will be spoiled to the point of expecting others to do for them. To them, joining a local church is nothing more than a way of getting what they want. When they do not receive what they were expecting, they feel the church has failed them. They never come to realize that being a member of a local church places demands upon their time and resources. The Scripture teaches us that Christians are commanded to meet on the first day of the week for the express purpose of taking the Lord’s Supper and laying by in store (1 Corinthians 11:18-20; 16:1-2).
No one denies that it takes effort on the part of members for a local church to be growing and vibrant. The problem seems to be a matter of who is willing to provide the effort. The Hebrew writer gives the solution to this problem. In chapter ten he writes, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.” (Hebrews 10:23-27)
I can hear some saying, “But this does not tell us how often nor on what days”. You are correct! It does not specify when or how often. What it does address is the need to “stir up one another to love and good works”. The leadership of a local church can decide what time to meet on Sunday and how often to meet on Sunday. Also, the leadership can decide to meet on other days, that is, mid-week services and gospel meetings. This comes under the heading of “hold fast the confession of our hope” and “consider how” the church will fulfill its duty. With this said, it now becomes the duty of each member to be present at every opportunity for the purpose of edifying their brethren and being edified by their brethren. The failure to be present at a service regardless of the time or day of that service puts one in precarious situation. It identifies one as “sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth” and in “a fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries”.
To the Christian
who is guilty of forsaking the assembly with the local church when opportunity
afforded, stop neglecting to meet together with other saints then repent and
pray God for forgiveness.
WORKING FOR THE
MASTER
SIMPLIFYING OUR LIVES
How often have you thought or even said that you did not have time in your daily life to do the things you would like to do? I believe we have all found ourselves in this situation. We often long for the bygone days when people sat on the front porch and leisurely visited with their neighbors.
It is not uncommon to hear Christians talk of how we just don’t spend time with one another any more. They reminisce over the past when they and their Christian brethren spent time together outside of the normal assembly times.
Life can become cluttered with all manner of complicated issues. Those who have children in school are confronted with all manner of demands on their time. Everything from homework to sporting events demands their time and attention. When these are added to working for a living which often includes both parents, it increases the demand on their time.
Paul addresses
the life of a Christian as to what it should be in Second Thessalonians chapter
four. “Now concerning brotherly love you
have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by
God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the
brothers throughout
There is a need for Christians to periodically take a look at the clutter in their lives and make an effort to simplify the way they are living. This is necessary, because the cluttered life will destroy the very things we want; such as being at peace and growing in our relationship with God. Too often we observe Christians who are too busy with life’s activities to make time for activities which promote spiritual growth. When Christians are too busy [interpreted, got other things to do] for attendance to Bible studies on Sunday and Wednesday or Sunday evening services, their lives are too cluttered.
There is one of those reality shows on TV that will illustrate this spiritual problem. I have not seen the program other than the promotions for it. I understand it is an attempt to get those people who have a problem with hoarding things to clean out their houses. You would think when some one is wading knee deep through junk they would know to get rid of some things. However, according to this program, they do not and are often offended when others ‘clean up’ after them.
It is easy to add activities and possessions to our life, getting rid of them is another thing altogether. How much better would our spiritual lives be if we would go through the “house” of our lifestyles and deliberately clean out the clutter? Getting rid of everything that is not helpful or does not actively contribute to what is really important in our lives. I am afraid that many Christians do not have the courage to get rid of the many “things” that illegitimately occupy time needed for spiritual growth.
The point is not that the Christian should not be involved with extra curricular activities, but that there is real value in living a simpler life. A simple lifestyle will give the Christian the “time” to improve their relationship with other Christians and with God.
Remember,
brotherly love is an important part of our Christian duty. And as well, we are
to, “… grow in the grace and knowledge of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory
both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)
THE LAST WORD
SENTENCE SERMONS
“May we never let the things we can’t have, or don’t have, or
shouldn’t have, spoil our enjoyment of the things we do have and can
have.”
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WHAT MUST
I DO
Hear: Rom
Believe: Heb 11:6
Repent: Lk 13:5; Ac 17:30
Confess: Matt
Be Baptized: Ac
TO BE
SAVED?
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FAMILY
MATTERS
AUDIO SERMONS & RADIO PROGRAM:
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be a new program uploaded each week. We also keep the sermons updated as well.
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The Pound Proclaimer
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All articles by the editor unless
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Editor: Glen Young
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