by Randal Matheny

I am incomplete without you. That incompleteness has been expressed in many ways. "No man is an island." Luciano De Crescenzo put it this way, "We are each of us angels with only one wing. And we can only fly embracing each other."

Solomon said it more practically.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Eccl. 4:9-12, NIV

One of the most common feelings in the world must be loneliness. For to be truly human is to share, and share deeply.

But sharing means risk. Risk causes fear. And fear gives greater weight to the dangers than the blessings.

In the body of Christ (an image that makes us feel our incompleteness), Jesus' invitation softens the risk and highlights the blessings.

You can run away from Jesus, and you will be lonely. You may refuse the fellowship, friendship, and cooperation in the kingdom of God available only in the church, and you will remain alone.

In Christ is life. In the Body is the flight of freedom.

I am an angel with one wing. Embrace me.

by Emmett Smith

One of the most poignant passages in the entire Bible is John chapter 17. This entire chapter is a record of a prayer Jesus prayed the night he was betrayed. He knew what was about to transpire, and these words are reflective of that knowledge. He prayed for himself, for the apostles, and for those of all ages who would heed their words. It would be impossible to even begin to exhaust the truths that can be gleaned from this chapter in a single article. For now, let's look at the following passage:

John 17: 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Note that Jesus specifically prayed not for us to be taken out of the world, but for us to be sanctified, and kept from the evil one. When Jesus prayed for our sanctification, what did He mean? The word literally refers to being separated, consecrated, cleansed or purified. The context makes it obvious that some kind of separation from the world and from the evil one was intended. Not that we would be hermits or monks, but that we would be set apart spiritually as His people to do His will. (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9) But of particular interest to me is the means of that sanctification.

That means was specified in verses 17 and 19 as God's word, "the truth". Jesus prayed that we might be sanctified by the truth of God's word. Yes, contrary to certain philosophers, absolute truth does exist. Not only does it exist, but it is crucial that we know it! The evil one is certainly aware of this. Who do you think is the source of the false philosophies that deny the truth of God's word? Ironically, many so-called "theologians" are among those who deny the truth. Jesus warned us to beware of false prophets.

Peter referred to the word as our spiritual milk, which we should desire like a newborn baby desires its milk (1Peter 2:2). But just how great is our desire for the truth? Jesus said it would make us free! (John 8) He also said that it is by continuing (or abiding) in His word that we become "disciples indeed". It only takes a small change, just a little twist, to change the truth into falsehood. Peter also mentioned this as he warned against perverting or "wresting" the scriptures, because to do so results in "destruction" (2 Peter 3:16).

God's word is absolute truth. Its truth is essential for spiritual growth and sanctification. Thus the things we decide to accept as truth should be tested against this standard. And if they don't pass the test...

Acts 17:11 WEY The Jews at Beroea were of a nobler disposition than those in Thessalonica, for they very readily received the Message, and day after day searched the Scriptures to see whether it was as Paul stated.

Isaiah 55:10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

What is faith? How does a person exercise faith? How can we have stronger faith?

We shall see that as a mental activity Christian faith is no different from everyday faith. The unbeliever can use ordinary faith, the willingness to believe something, to accept the Gospel message and obtain salvation. The believer can use faith to acquire knowledge of Bible doctrine and to make application of those principles in his daily walk with the Lord.

The Biblical concept of faith is that it amounts to complete confidence in something for which there is no observed confirmation available.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible…. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." (Hebrews 11:1-3, 6)

Christians accept by faith that the Bible is completely true, believing the Bible is what it claims to be, the Word of God. Through faith, the believer has a basis to receive truth from Scripture with its teachings vital to all aspects of human life.

Faith is the only way for anyone to know and approach God. No one can claim special prestige for having believed the Bible, because the basic truths of Scripture are available to all who will receive them.

Therefore, faith as the means of acquiring God’s truth is perfectly evenhanded and compatible with grace.

The value of faith does not lie in the strength or intensity with which a belief is held. The merit of faith lies, rather, in the idea or object which is believed. Faith is valid only when it has a valid object.

Saving Faith has as its object the Lord Jesus Christ and His substitutionary work on the cross for man's salvation. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36) A belief in any way of salvation other than Jesus, however strongly and emotionally held, will prove to have been faith in something worthless and ineffective. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

Saving faith looks to the information, assurances, and instructions of the Bible. Faith in God’s revealed word is the only process which will disclose spiritual truth. The believer who is growing spiritually receives constant confirmation that the divine principles upon which he bases his life are wholly legitimate.

The strongest, best established faith grows from Christian edification, that process by which a believer is rooted and built up in his spiritual life. “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Col. 2:6-7)

One of the most important results of Christian growth is the progressive increase in the believer's ability to use faith. This requires the continuous intake of truth from the Word of God. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Faith must be exercised daily in all situations, “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:3) More than anything, a day by day consideration of the Lord Jesus Christ makes faith comprehensive. "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2)

Faith leads us to Jesus, and the more we come to know the Savior, the deeper our faith will grow.

by Barry Newton

Does it appear to you that the lives of some people resemble a stainless steel pinball reacting to its environment? Consider the who wife responds to her husband’s inconsiderate actions with a stinging terse remark. Or the employee’s heart brimming over with vengeance because he suffered an injustice. Then there is that person whose mind is filled with thoughts of payback, “she does not deserve my forgiveness.” And in yet another place someone's betrayed secret becomes a catalyst for bitter words to gush forth. This list could easily go on and on. But there is another way for people to live their lives, a pathway whose foundation and guidelines are shaped by God.

The letter of First Peter was written to those who had left behind the ragged lifestyle of being ignorantly driven through fleshly lusts into a lifestyle based upon futility.1 But something wonderful had happened. Through the work of the Holy Spirit and the power of Christ's blood, they had been given a new start as a purified people belonging to God.2

Along with this new life which they had received came not only a new foundation for looking forward to the future,3 but also the responsibility to adopt a new manner for how they would respond to their surroundings.4 No longer were they to merely react. Nor were they to limit doing good to those whom they considered worthy of recieving it. Since God had taken them to be his people, now it had become their responsibility to live in the world (as unjust and hostile as it might be) based upon who they had become as God's people. When others served up injustice, insult and hostility, they were to respond with blessing.5 Even though some of their masters were cruel and undeserving of respect, they were to submit to them.6 Although some of them might have had spouses who were unbelievers, they were to treat them with the graciousness which comes from God, not because their spouses deserved it but because they had been called to this as God's people.7

The letter of 1 Peter is as relevant today as it was then. The stamp of God's holiness is to be imprinted upon our behavior, words and attitudes regardless of how others have treated us. As those who now belong to God, we have the responsibility to treat others based upon who we have become as God's children. We can no longer simply react to our situation or decide whether someone is worthy of a loving response.

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-15 NASB

1 1 Peter 1:14, 18 2 1 Peter 1:2-3, 22-23; 2:9-10 3 1 Peter 1:3-5 4 In 1 Peter, the message repeatedly moves from the salvation accompanying new birth (1 Peter 1:2-13; 1:22-25; 2:9-10) toward how those who have been born again should live (1 Peter 1:14f; 2:1f., 2:11f). 5 1 Peter 3:8-12 6 1 Peter 2:18 7 1 Peter 3:1-7

by Emmett Smith

A week or two ago there was considerable discussion in some of the on-line news publications about a Christian school in Sacramento. The school was threatening to expel a woman's child because of her occupation. She made her living as a strip tease dancer in a local club. She had signed an agreement with the school that she would uphold Christian values at home so her child would see consistency at home and in school. The school's board and administrators felt that she was in violation of that agreement. They offered to help the mother financially while she found other employment, and assured her that doing the right thing would be best for her and her child.

I doubt that any of us would disagree that working as a stripper is not suitable employment for a Christian. The interesting thing about this situation to me was the reader response in letters to the editor. Some were very critical of the school's position, even going so far as to accuse them of being unchristian and judgmental. At least one of these responses cited Jesus' statement to the woman taken in adultery (John 8) in support of his position. You know the one I'm talking about - "Neither do I condemn thee:...". Interestingly, this respondent didn't quote the entire passage.

Of course, to have done so would have significantly weakened his case, because the very next phrase from the Master's lips was "...go, and sin no more." Of course this is not a unique situation. Many professed Christians in today's world seem to forget that last phrase. In their insistence that we must be "tolerant" and "inclusive", they seem to forget that Jesus never condoned sin. In fact, He died to cure it! He used similar language with the crippled man at Bethesda, saying "sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee". What could be worse than being crippled for 38 years? I think you can figure that out.