by Tim Hall

The name "Leroy Brown" has lost some of its notoriety. Since Jim Croce's 1973 hit song told the story of "Bad, bad Leroy Brown", just the mention of that name sets the tune spinning through my mind. That may now change. A story carried by USA Today on August 24, 2004 is responsible.

According to that story, Leroy Brown, age 19, of Pine Bluff, AR discovered that his wife was being a little too friendly with another man. To show his disdain for her actions, he took the pants she wore on her latest outing and set them on fire. Alas, the fire got out of control and the house in which they lived was destroyed. Now a song is waiting to be written about "Sad, sad Leroy Brown".

The story brings to mind the old adage about cutting off one's nose to spite their face. That has always been a hard proverb for me to figure out exactly, but I think I get the gist. It points to the foolish attempts of one to extract vengeance on another, not realizing how much damage they themselves will incur. Leroy Brown certainly illustrated the principle.

Webster's defines "spite" as "petty ill will or hatred with the disposition to irritate, annoy or thwart". The offended one wishes to see the offender feel pain in some form, and actively works toward that end. In many cases, however, the one acting out of spite feels even more pain before the day is done.

God's ways are always best. What does the Lord advise when we've been wronged? "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. 'Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:19-21, NKJV).

Good people are often innocent victims of the schemes and devices of the wicked. But when the victim decides to make the perpetrator feel pain (in whatever degree), they move themselves out of the realm of "innocent". They have been overcome by evil, not being willing to wait for the judgment of God.

Leroy Brown probably now wishes he had learned this principle from Romans 12. How much easier his life would be if the Lord's will had prevailed in his situation. Sad, sad!

by Greg Tidwell

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Galatians 6:1 (ESV)

Paul provides a very realistic and practical statement about sin in the lives of Christians, a balanced approach which deals directly with sin without falling into a destructive self-righteousness. Several important concepts appear in this verse:

1.   Sin is a universal danger. Anyone can be caught in transgression, and all need to keep watch on themselves. We should neither be shocked to learn that Christians sin nor complacent in guarding our own souls against sin.
   

2.   Sin is to be opposed with a view towards the restoration of the sinner. The purpose of confrontation is to bring the transgressor back, not to drive him away.
   

3.   The person doing the restoring must be spiritual, that is to say in step with the Spirit of God. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the attributes of this spirituality as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Each of these spiritual qualities has a place in confronting sin. 
   

4.   Paramount in the restoration of a sinner is an attitude of gentleness. This approach flows from the humility of knowing our own susceptibility to sin and our need for the Savior. Of all spiritual attributes, this quality is most important in confronting sin.
   

Human nature has not changed since the day Adam and Eve fell from grace, and the Biblical approach to sin and salvation remains as true today as when Scripture was first written.

The church will continue to deal with sin and its consequences until the Lord returns. We must make sure we do so as the Lord intended.

by Don Ruhl

Read Isaiah 37 and 38

Praise Him When You Are Well

Hezekiah, king of Judah, had a fatal illness, but he prayed to Yahweh God, and He reversed illness so that the king recovered. Isaiah 38:9 then says,

9 This is the writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick and had recovered from his sickness (Isa. 38:9, NKJV).

What then follows is his praise of God. Hezekiah did something that is crucial in our relationship with God, that is, when he had a burden, he prayed to God. When God removed the burden, Hezekiah did not forget the Lord, but thanked and praised Him for what He did.

After contemplating this, I wondered to myself on whether I had thanked and praised God for recent answered prayers. Sure enough, there were some prayers answered for which I had not yet thanked God, but did so immediately. Then I thought about some past blessings of answered prayers and again thanked God for helping me in the past, although I had already thanked Him for those answered prayers of the distant past. It sure felt good to thank Him, knowing and remembering His kindness toward me.

Do you have some answered prayers for which you may have forgotten to thank God? If so, make the time today to thank Him.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read Colossians Chapter 3

Let Peace Rule

Please give heed to the following teaching of the Holy Spirit, found in Colossians 3:15,

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body... (Col. 3:15, NKJV).

Some people are determined to have their way, even if it hurts their congregations. They are going to rule the congregation, or if they cannot do that, then they will ruin the congregation. However, hear what the Spirit says.

1. Let there be peace. Peace is not liberal. It is not false doctrine. It is not weak.

2. Let it be the peace of God. The world has its version of peace, and it is different from the peace that God gives. Meditate in the Scriptures without ceasing to learn the peace of God.

3. Let the peace of God rule. Let it be the dominant factor.

4. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Peace will not be in your congregation, if it is not in your heart first.

God through Christ has called us in one body. Therefore, let us do our part to keep the body one by letting the peace, that comes from God, reign supreme in our hearts.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

Read Philippians Chapter 2

Paul urges the Philippian church to be united, not only with Christ, but also with one another, saying,

2 make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose (Phi. 2:2, NIV).

Hear these words of the Spirit, because some people, even in the church, do not desire this unity. We can make every effort to be one with them, but if they continue their contentious ways, we cannot let them get us down, not letting their criticisms get the best of us, but moving on with the people who do hunger for oneness. Far more in the church, seek unity with us, than seek division. Ignore the contentious; embrace the unifiers.