by Stan Mitchell

Do you remember that marvelous advertisement that had a bunch of cowboys herding cats? Thousands of cats ran helter skelter across the prairie, with those hapless men in chaps waving their hats and yelling, "Git along little kitties!"

The words "cats" and "orderly," do not usually appear in the same sentence! Cats are independent, unwilling to be trained, taught, or led. Did you ever see a cat bring in a pair of slippers? Have you ever heard of a "seeing eye cat," a "sheep cat" or a "watch cat," or one that would even acknowledges his name? A friend has the theory that all cats think their name is "Dinner time."

Our cat, as empty-headed a ball of fluff as any, would survive in the wild exactly six minutes. She is uncoachable, uncontrollable, yet dependent on us for nourishment, protection, and shelter. Not that she would acknowledge any of it, or express gratitude of any kind! I notice that every time it rains, though, our little bundle of indifference saunters in again, making herself at home on the most freshly laundered clothing!

There is a book on leading the church entitled, "Herding Cats." In churches, everyone wants to be nourished, pampered, and allowed to sleep for days on end. No one wants to be directed, corrected, or trained in righteousness. We expect and never thank, we wander all over the neighborhood yet expect attention on demand, and if the food in the old kitty dish is not the finest cuisine, we "walk" next door, or down the street requesting neighbors to give us what we want.

All of which is to say that as members of the church, we should expect more of ourselves than the average tabby. We should make the job of our elders easier, the success of our church more assured.

"Obey your leaders, and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work may be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you" (Hebrews 13:17).

by Barbara A Oliver

I have started making the dreaded New Year's resolutions. As usual, diet is near the top of the list, as it is for many Americans. Then, there is the one about working harder, and the one about learning to speak Spanish.

And, of course, as a Christian, reading my Bible, praying more, and developing a closer relationship with God top the list. These are all commitments that I make at the beginning of each new year.

But that is where I go wrong. I make a commitment. Yet, commitments are based on My strength, My drive, My ability, My pledge to persevere. So, like most people, three weeks later, I am back to my old slack habits. And for most of my resolutions, that's ok. I can survive another year being fat, being lazy, being mono-lingual.

But can I survive another year with the distance between what I am and what I want be in Christ? All other goals pale to this one goal. How do I keep it from becoming another failed resolution, another failed commitment?

I will not commit. I will surrender.

To surrender means to yield, "to give up oneself into the power or control of another."/1 I cannot commit to be like Christ. I have to surrender. My will, my desires, my goals must fall ... I almost said "second." But there is no "second." There is only "first," and God is First.

I have one New Year's resolution this year: To surrender. Each day I will surrender. Each day, because My will is strong, My desire to be in charge is strong. Only by surrendering every day can I hope to place my life in his hands.

What will you do this year? Commit or surrender?

/1 Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, 1983.

by Richard Mansel

Previously, we began studying proofs that baptism means "immersion." Greek authorities agree that "bapto" means "to dip or immerse," and we have established that it was used that way contextually in Greek literature. Our remaining proof is its usage in the New Testament.

As determined by our previous study, Greek writers used the word "bapto" in terms of submerging spears, ships, and soldiers. Moreover, the imagery of drowning was used on more than one occasion. This imagery is indispensable when we turn to New Testament usage.

New Testament writers used the imagery of burial to help readers grasp the concept of baptism. In Romans 6:3-4 we read, "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (NKJV). Paul repeats the image in Colossians 2:12, "...buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with [Him] through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead."

The word "buried" here is key. Thayer says that in baptism we are "plunged under the water" (p. 605). We are to be "buried" with Christ in baptism. When we bury someone we immerse them completely under the ground (or in a sepulcher, mausoleum, etc).

J. B. Lightfoot said, "Baptism is the grave of the old man, and the birth of the new. As he sinks beneath the baptismal waters, the believer buries there all his corrupt affections and past sins; as he emerges thence, he rises regenerate, quickened to new hopes and new life" (ISBN 1:415).

In Romans 6:3-4 we see the entire scenario perfectly established. Immersion, submersion, and emergence exemplify the death, burial, and resurrection. We must die to sin so that we can be born again (John 3:3-5). Paul also wrote, "For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him" (2 Timothy 2:11).

Luther said, "I would have those who are to be baptized to be altogether dipped into the water, as the word doth express." /1 Tyndale said, "The plunging into the water signifieth that we die and are buried with Christ."/2

Many in the religious world believe we are saved before baptism. If true then we would have a problem with the imagery of a burial. Under this scenario, we would be born again, made alive in Christ at the point of faith before being baptized.

Yet this passage clearly shows that we die and are buried with Christ in baptism. The inescapable conclusion is that, if we are saved prior to baptism, when we are baptized we are buried alive. Not the image we want potential converts to have in their heads.

We have shown that baptism means immersion in these three articles. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says, "The Greek language has had a continuous history, and baptizo is used today in Greece for baptism. As is well known, not only in Greece, but all over Russia, wherever the Greek church prevails, immersion is the unbroken and universal practice" (1:415).

/1. Cited in T.W. Brents, "The Gospel Plan of Salvation," p. 268. /2. Ibid., p. 269.

by J. Randal Matheny

Arrogance claims, "I know that already." Humility says, "You've made an interesting point."

Arrogance bristles, "It's none of your business." Humility says, "I thank you for bringing that to my attention."

Arrogance demands, "Why haven't you finished that task?" Humility says, "How can I help you finish that?"

Arrogance challenges, "Who are you to say such a thing?" Humility says, "I hope to learn something signficant from you."

Arrogance informs, "I don't have time for that." Humility says, "Would you share your precious time with me?"

Arrogance sniffs, "That's beneath me." Humility says, "I'd be honored to do that."

Arrogance harangues, "That was a stupid thing to do." Humility says, "I didn't understand your reason for acting."

Arrogance boasts, "I did it first." Humility says, "Many of us finished."

Arrogance waves, "See what I did!" Humility says, "It was a team effort."

Arrogance vents, "God is for wimps." Humility says, "He is my everything."

In 2005, I need to listen more to Humility.

"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

by Kenneth Bray

It is a great tragedy for one to go through life with the wrong concept of God. This leads to unbelief, hostility, or indifference. On the other hand, the greatest blessing that one can experience is that of having a proper understanding of God. This leads to a happy and harmonious relationship with Him and His world. Therefore, it is very important that we understand three basic factors concerning God so that we might have the proper relationship with Him.

The Existence of God Prompts Faith

The first thing that one must understand about God is that He exists. To provide us with the needed information about His existence, God has created a beautiful and orderly world which, in the fact of its own existence, declares His reality (Psalm 19:1). Furthermore, in His Word, the Bible, God is described so clearly that anyone of average intelligence is able to draw the conclusion that He does exist.

This affirmation of the existence of God is known as faith, which involves trust, acceptance, and confidence. Without this trust in the reality of God, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). Our faith, therefore, must be fortified, strengthened, exercised, and fed. Upon this faith all the other virtues are based (2 Peter 1:5-7).

The Authority of God Prompts Obedience

As one learns about the existence of God, he is immediately impressed with the power or the authority of God. God is the creator of the universe, the regulator of human affairs, and the final judge of all who have lived (Acts 17:22-31).

When any honest, sincere, thinking person realizes the greatness of God, then the obvious reaction will be submission and obedience to His will and authority. For our own good God has revealed a plan of living which involves two things: first, what we must do to attain the right relationship with Him, and, second, what we must do to maintain that harmonious relationship.

All of this involves our obedience to His revealed will. Regarding this salvation Jesus said: "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

The Nature of God Prompts Love

One of the most comprehensive descriptions of the nature of God is found in this beloved passage: "God is love" (1 John 4:8). It is true that God has a severe side and will punish the wicked (Romans 11:22), yet we need to keep in mind the love, compassion, and grace that so clearly depict His nature.

Since God first loved us, we then should love Him in return (1 John 4:19). This love means that we think of Him constantly throughout the day, that we take Him into our plans, that we joyfully serve Him, and that we allow Him to comfort and strengthen us in our difficulties.

Conclusion

Faith, obedience, and love blend to form the foundation of the Christian life. When these three qualities are present, the result will be a strong spiritual life. But remember, all of these qualities are prompted by our correct understanding of God. We gain that understanding through the revelation He has made of Himself through His creation and through His inspired word.