by Michael E. Brooks

"Another parable he put forth to them, saying: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches'" (Matthew 13:31,32).

On my first trip to Nigeria I visited a game park where I saw a number of antelope and other African animals, including real wild elephants. I was fascinated by all of them, but none were more impressive than one of the smallest of all that I saw –- the termite! Actually, it was not the termites themselves that impressed, but the huge mounds of dirt that marked their subterranean nests. These termite mounds were from three or four feet high to fifteen or even twenty feet, the larger ones with bases at least ten or more feet in diameter. Made of the red Nigerian clay they were scattered throughout the forest, clear, easily seen evidence of just how many of the small insects dwelt there.

A number of spiritual lessons can be inferred from the termite and his mound. Perhaps most obvious is the power of numbers, when all are united in purpose and action. One termite can move very little dirt in his short life, but millions together are quite powerful. Another way of stating the same principle is "Great things have small beginnings." Jesus describes his church as being like the mustard seed; tiny in its original form, but with immense potential. A preacher said several years ago, "the only limit to what a Christian can achieve for God is the size of his or her faith." This is true of one Christian, but how much more true is it of all Christians united together by faith in Christ Jesus. Surely, "All things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23b).

A second lesson is that all things that we do have consequences. The termites do not set out primarily to build a mound. Their real construction takes place underground where they build their nest. Though the mound has some function, it consists of the waste dirt that is removed to make their tunnels. To a great degree it is the by-product, or consequence, of the termites' work. In physics we were taught, "Every action has an equal but opposite reaction." Whatever we do leaves results. Every word we speak, every good or evil deed, even every thought, produces other words, deeds or thoughts within ourselves and those who are influenced by us. We frequently do not know all the results of our actions, nor do we always know just whom they affect. But there are effects, either good or bad. We must learn to anticipate the results of our words and deeds and ensure that they are for good, not for evil.

Finally, in a termite mound the real action is beneath the surface. One can look at the big pile of dirt for a long time without seeing any movement or sign of life. One could easily assume it is inert, dead, with nothing inside. Nothing could be further from the truth. Just under the surface there are millions of insects working, eating, and reproducing. The mound above is only a part of the real structure. Thousands of feet of tunnels wind beneath the earth, full of life.

Does the same principle not also often apply to people and even to churches? We may watch someone for a time, thinking, "there is not much to him –- he is nothing special." Some churches don't seem to have a lot of activity, no spectacular programs or obvious attraction. But both may contain hidden depths of spirituality and faith. Don't be quick to judge. Make sure to know the whole story, exploring beneath the surface, before coming to conclusions. People and churches are often doing much more than we think they are –- they just don't feel compelled to advertise or take credit for it.

In God's creation there are often parallels between the laws of nature and the spiritual principles governing eternal life. Our observations of the material world help us to understand the spiritual. We often can learn, even from the lowly termite.

by Tim Hall

One thing every conscientious Christian desires is to have pure religion in the sight of God. We know God's attitude toward the hypocrite, so we strive to have faith that is genuine. As a result, James 1:27 has received appropriate attention: "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world" (NKJV).

A major aspect of pure religion, according to James, is to "visit" orphans and widows. The reason for such a command is understandable: these are people who have few, if any, resources; they are vulnerable, easily exploited by the unscrupulous. How to carry out the command, however, is not always so clear.

How exactly does one "visit" such hapless people? Some Christians limit their response to times when the need presents itself before them. If an orphan or a widow should knock on their door begging for help, they would respond with kindness. But how often will that happen? When we live in patrolled suburbs or gated communities, how can the poor reach our doorsteps?

We should note that the word for "visit" comes from a Greek root that means "to inspect" or "to look". Consider another instance of the same root word in Acts 6. A situation of neglect had arisen in the early church, yet the apostles did not feel it advisable to "leave the word of God" to attend to more mundane (yet important) matters. What was their proposal? "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business" (Acts 6:3).

Imagine this response: "All right, Peter, we'll keep our eyes open for such men. If anyone stops by our house and they appear to be qualified, we'll let you know." Such a passive approach to seeking out servants would not have been acceptable. An aggressive search was what the apostles had in mind. And that is the nature of the word that is translated "seek out" -- the same word translated in James 1:27 as "visit".

It's also the same root found in Hebrews 12:15: "Looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God ... " Does that look like a passive stance or an aggressive one? No one would argue that "looking diligently" is anything less than aggressive. Again, it's from the same Greek word elsewhere translated "visit."

Our point is simple: Visiting the orphans and the widows means more than helping when they cross our paths. The command also means that we are ever sensitive to needs around us. We seek to stay in touch with those who are without parents or without husbands. It's more than "Call me if I can ever be of help." It means we'll take the time to go where they live so we may personally inspect their situations.

Let's make one final observation: This is the way God deals with us. The Hebrew writer quoted David in Hebrews 2:6: "But one testified in a certain place, saying: 'What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you take care of him?'" "Take care of him" is "visit him" in the KJV; in the Greek, it's the same word found in James 1:27. If God is aggressive in looking out for our needs, we should be willing to do the same for one another.

Now, let's really practice pure religion.

Abraham & Sarah by Mitchell Skelton

Hebrews 11 is like the portrait gallery of Faith's Hall of Fame. As we walk through it, we come to a portrait much larger than the others. Instead of a single person, we see two. Abraham is the main figure, but in the background is his wife Sarah. As we look at this picture, we see the reason why it is displayed so prominently in the hall.

If anyone was ever sure of what they hoped for and certain of what they did not see it was Abraham and Sarah. Abraham and Sarah are commended because they took God at his word and believed in his promise. They gave up the things of this world and looked forward to a greater reward.

Abraham was considered faithful because he trusted God's word.

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God" (Hebrews 11:8-10).

When God spoke to Abraham, he believed and obeyed. In the same way, God speaks to us today through his word. "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son" (Hebrews 1:1,2a). To be faithful to God we must not only believe in him but we must obey his word. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

Abraham and Sarah were considered faithful because they trusted God's promises.

"By faith Abraham, even though he was past age -- and Sarah herself was barren -- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore" (Hebrews 11:11,12).

Abraham and Sarah trusted God to fulfill his promise. "By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised" (Hebrews 11:11 NKJV). God has made a promise to us and asks us to trust in his promise. "Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring -- not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. This is why 'it was credited to him as righteousness.' The words 'it was credited to him' were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness -- for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:16,22-24).

Abraham was considered faithful because he trusted God's guidance.

"By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, 'It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.' Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death" (Hebrews 11:17-19).

God tested Abraham's faith when he commanded him to sacrifice his son Isaac. God never induces anyone to sin. "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone" (James 1:13). However, God does test our faith to see if it is genuine. Abraham did not question God. Even though he had received the promise through Isaac, he trusted in the Lord; it was for God to reconcile his promise and his command. He trusted in his guidance. God's promise to those who trust his guidance is a home in heaven. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:1-3).

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country -- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them" (Hebrews 11:13-16).

by Mike Benson

In his commentary on the book of James, Warren Wiersbe relates the following incident,

"Whenever I ride a bus or elevated train in the city, I often think of the man in Boston who was entertaining a famous Chinese scholar. He met his Oriental friend at the train station and rushed him to the subway. As they ran through the subway station, the host panted to the guest, 'If we run and catch the next train, we will save three minutes.' To which the patient Chinese philosopher replied, 'And what significant thing shall we do with the three minutes we are saving?'" (Warren Wiersbe, "Where To Get Wisdom," Be Mature, 105).

Dear reader, before you "break your neck" to try to catch a car, a bus or even a traffic light, it might be helpful to consider what you will do with those few extra seconds or minutes that you save.

The Bible urges, "See then that you walk circumspectly (i.e., carefully), not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time..." (Ephesians 6:15,16a). Think about it.

by Barry Newton

When sitting across the modern round table of discussion with those who may disagree about the essentiality of immersion for salvation, it has been my experience that, typically, a fruitful dialogue will be elusive if baptism is studied. Instead, clarity on baptism arises after a biblical understanding of salvation by faith is achieved.

Do you agree?

Next article: "Have Faith In Me"