Thoughts
Worth Thinking
Reputation
…
Reputation
is important to us. We don't appreciate it when our reputation is reviled and
smeared. Even the Scripture tells us that a good name is to be chosen above silver
and gold.
But there is something far more vital than our reputation. That's our
identity. Reputation is what people think we are. Identity is who we truly are.
Paul says of Christians that "your life is hidden with Christ in God"
(Col. 3:3). Jesus says that to find my life I must lose my life. That sometimes
involves giving up your reputation.
Augustine, in his autobiography,
charted his journey from reputation to identity. He says of his preconversion
days: "For in those, my notion of a good life was to win the approval of
these people." That's reputation. Of his postconversion days he wrote,
"I find no safe place for my soul except in You (Christ)." That's
identity.
I just read that identity theft is now
the number one crime in the world. But the Christian can be assured that no one
can steal his true identity. There's a double lock on it: "With Christ in
God."
Reputation is important. But let us
remember One who "made Himself of no reputation" (Phil. 2:7 KJV).
That's not a good translation of the words, but a wonderful translation of the
thought. He did it for us so that our identity may be secure.
Ken Green, gospel preacher
Smiling Faces
Saying, “I Understand!”
For the past five years or so, via a gracious agreement with the brethren, I have been substitute teaching as opportunity permits. As any teacher will attest, challenges abound in any classroom; equally so are the rewards! This past week, a wonderful reward enriched my life! I actually saw the expression on their faces saying, “I understand!”
Granted, some of the students in the same classroom, receiving the same instruction, had no problems at all understanding: their faces smiled, but didn’t radiate that “light bulb” expression. It’s those students who work so hard at understanding that express the greatest happiness at understanding; they want to, but aren’t as quick in reaching the desired understanding. Yet when they do, oh the excitement they express! And what joy fills the heart of the teacher when “success” is experienced in both directions!
The same is true of Bible study. Too often, those who readily obtain the
understanding are the ones receiving the notice instead of the ones who
struggle at these matters. In many places, those who struggle are too silent to
say they don’t understand, and likewise, many of those with understanding are
not paying enough attention to notice
the lack of understanding in their
brethren. We need to be patient with our brethren (
Learning is rarely “instantaneous.” While a few facts here and there are easily obtained, it is when we must combine those facts and make them profitable applications to daily life and especially spiritual maturity that some struggle in the process! Someone once observed that experience is among the greatest of teachers. Perhaps: but what if that experience engages the wrong lessons, yet such lessons are perceived as being just and proper? Remember, many souls don’t have the access to wholesome truth, and the practice of righteousness like those of us who have devoted ourselves to such learning and application of that learning! Our experiences are meaningful to such struggling souls – and in all honesty, their experiences are helpful to us in learning the humbling reality of “but for the grace of God …”
What a joy it is to join such a variety of minds in discussion and
reasoning regarding truth and righteousness! (Isa.
Mike’s Musings ….
The Lasting
Effect of Habits
Most folks tend to
examine “habits” as “personal concerns.” Seldom do they note the lasting
effects of these habits upon others. While we could muse on the habits of the
flesh that are best ended, time and space demands we look at the habits of
spiritual nature that have lasting effects – and damage more than the one
imbibing the habit!
For example, some
have a “habit” of arriving late for services. They aren’t late for anything
else – just bible study and worship services. Do they realize the lasting
effect this has on those who observe this habit? Do they realize what the habit
teaches their children regarding responsibility to God and His kingdom?
Of course there’s
the “habit” of habitual absence from Sunday morning bible study, Sunday night
worship and mid-week services. (Look up the word “habitual” – it’s habit!) Their display teaches – just like any other
example set before their children and/or peers and/or those they don’t even
notice observing their actions. Do they really want others thinking their
actions are prudent and righteous?
Dare we to mention
the “habit” of reading God’s Word only when assembled? Or the “habit” of only
praying at a meal when there’s company to share that meal? What about the “habit”
of ignoring the needs of the less fortunate among our number? Why the “habit”
of only acknowledging certain ones at the assembling instead of all who gather:
i.e. the “habit” of respecting some more or in place of others who are our
brethren?
I muse on the
lasting effects of these and other such “habits.” Those precious souls who have
not yet obeyed the gospel (our children, those who are expressing interest, but
have not yet obeyed, those who are weaker than others in the faith, etc.) … I
muse on the influence/effect such habits generate upon them! To many of them,
such “habits” are interpreted as “normal activity” when in fact those engaging
the habit know themselves of the error in such mannerism!
All would strongly
urge, yea, insist on the breaking of “bad habits” in moral areas of our lives
and as well in areas effecting physical health. WHY NOT BE AS CONCERNED ABOUT
THOSE HABITS THAT HAVE ETERNALLY LASTING EFFECT UPON THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO
FOLLOW OUR EXAMPLES!? I muse greatly on that matter --- do you? Let’s ALL
fashion GOOD habits … the effectiveness is eternal!