by Barry Newton

Unlike imitating the proverbial ostrich, the life of a Christian involves squarely facing the facts, responding to them responsibly and then being released from our greatest weight and fear! Wow, now this is the way to live!

To go back to the beginning again, the evidence for the validity of the biblical message is nothing short of incredible and convicting. Sure there are those who would like to deny the historicity of scripture because often they would like to pretend that the Bible’s spiritual message and divine standards are not true. But, for someone to stand with his or her eyes wide open before the mountain of evidence which continues to grow, he or she is naturally led to conclude “this book is for real.”

Although this is the responsible conclusion, admittedly it is also, at least initially, a very uncomfortable one. For to acknowledge the validity of scripture includes admitting that we are guilty of sin. In view that there is a day of judgment coming, this admission is tantamount to acknowledging that if we should stand before God based upon our own merit, we would be condemned.

But there is no need to remain under condemnation because there is more to the message of scripture. Just as God foretold, He sent His Servant to die for us to release us from our sins. In fact, God wants all of humanity to rely upon His Son in order that through him we might be given eternal life as God works to unite under Christ everything in heaven and on earth. Of course the responsible action before such a gracious gift is to honestly, humbly and obediently respond to the Gospel and then to begin to live out a life of gratitude, love and obedience toward God praising and worshiping with all of our being.

There is nothing greater than to live each moment liberated from sin, knowing the inheritance which awaits and to know that our Lord will never forsake us. This is responsible living. This is facing the facts. This is the reality of the disciple of Christ.

by Barry Newton

We see them whenever we gather for worship. They may drop by to see you at home or in the hospital. They are the ones who have been charged with watching over us and caring for our well-being.1 God's Word directs us to obey them in order that their work will be a joy to them.2 We call them elders, shepherds (pastors) or overseers.3 These descriptive titles identify their relational function which the Lord himself created for the growth and good of the church.4

Because overseers are to understand the path which we all ought to be following, they are able to guide us in healthy doctrine and refute those ideas which would mislead us.5

Although none of us are perfect by our own right, the elders are to be living examples of Christian maturity.6 As such, on the one hand they cannot be recent converts, while on the other hand they must be blameless. This means they cannot be living hypocritical lives as those who profess Christ in our assembly but possess active skeletons in their closets. Because they do not live a double life, they will have a good reputation even with those outside of Christ.

We call them shepherds because they are to possess the pastoral qualities of a gentle and temperate spiritual shepherd who understands the way we are to go and is under self-control. These are not to be overbearing men with short fuses from whom people flee in fear. Rather, just as sheep enjoy the presence of their shepherd who takes care of them, these men are to be approachable when we find ourselves struggling with our own spiritual issues.

Elders are to be family men with a proven track record. Men who have one wife and who manage their own children well.5

God's people need good elders, that is, we need shepherds who care and actively serve the flock. Whoever desires to serve as an overseer is not only focusing upon serving in a noble manner, but when the Chief Shepherd returns this willing servant of God will receive an unfading crown of glory!6

Are you too young and inexperienced to become an elder? It has been said that the whole of life is simply the unfolding of the decisions we make as a young person. Decide now to live for God, allowing His word to shape your decisions, thoughts, values and actions, in order that one day you might exhibit the qualities of someone who will be able to step up to serve God's people through this important function.

1 I Peter 5:2, Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17 2 Hebrews 13:17 3 1 Peter 5:1-2; Acts 20:17, 28 4 Ephesians 4:11-13 5 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9 6 1 Peter 5:3; 1 Timothy 3:2-7; Titus 1:6-9 7 1 Timothy 3:1; 1 Peter 5:4

by Barry Newton

Fear of something in creation

Because the intelligence report of twelve spies revealed that the enemy was well-fortified and ten of those spies counseled that it would be futile to attack, the seeds of fear gripped the heart of a nation as God’s command to “go in and take possession of the land” was cast aside.(1)

Because his soldiers were clamoring to bring back the best of the spoils from war, fear caused Israel’s first human king to capitulate under this pressure. He rebelled against God’s command.(2)

Because the Jews had decided that whoever acknowledged Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue, the parents of a blind man (who had been healed!) cowardly avoided acknowledging Jesus.(3)

When God’s people fear something within creation, it can cripple and paralyze their service to God. Acts of love towards others will vaporize if wary Christians retreat behind protective barriers. Furthermore, the fear and doubts of “what if ____” can cower God’s leaders into failing to perform their God-given commissions.

Although God’s people might allow their fear of something within creation to shut down their service to him, this need not occur. Even through threatening dark situations which could create fear, God has illuminated and empowered a path toward faithful service!

Fear of the Creator

The correction for becoming overly concerned with this world is to interpret our world based upon knowing God. For example, through Isaiah God taught his people that they should not fear human oppressors bent on their destruction. Why? Because such evil people are mortal and will pass away like the grass.(4) Instead of being overwhelmed by something within creation, they were to remember that it is God who comforts, who has created all things and whose righteousness and salvation will endure forever!(5)

Whether for the purpose of directing our love or fear, God has called us to build our focus upon Him and not upon creation. Jesus taught, “do not be afraid of those who can kill the body and after that can do no more. I will tell you who you should fear: Fear him who, after killing, has power to cast you into hell. Indeed, I tell you, fear him.”(6)

It is living out of a deep reverence for God, this fear of the Lord, which can guide us in how to live wisely. Furthermore, it also forges that heroic character of faith we see in David, Joshua, Caleb, Peter and Paul.(7)

Knowing who our God is and what he wants us to do, let’s live courageously for him. With God-centered courage, let’s tackle our God-given purposes with zeal allowing God to defeat Satan’s arrows of fear and doubt.

(1) Deuteronomy 1:21, 26 (2) 1 Samuel 15:24 (3) John 9:21-22 (4) Isaiah 51:7-8,12 (5) Isaiah 51:8, 13-16 (6) Luke 12:4-5 (7) Proverbs 1:7; 1 Samuel 17:37; Numers 14:5-9; Acts 4:19-20, 1 Thessalonians 2:2-4; 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

by Barry Newton

Adversity is a fact of life. There is no mystery here. What is interesting though is the question, “How are our trials shaping us?”

When various types of troubles insist on crowding into our lives it can be easy to succumb by becoming embittered, grumbling and complaining, hanging onto disappointments or nursing grudges against others. If people allow their trials to shape them in this manner, evil wins. But their individual stories do not need to end this way.

The wide variety of trials which bombard us present us with great opportunities. James 1:2-3 reminds us that because the testing of our faith creates heroic endurance resulting in a maturity where no aspect of character will be lacking, we actually ought to be joyful when encountering difficulties! Trials are opportunities to develop into the people God wants us to be. Maintaining faithfulness even through adversity makes us stronger.

A teenager is taunted for her faith in Christ, she acknowledges that Jesus is her Lord. Perseverance grows.

Economic difficulties or health issues arise tempting a person to lash out at God and become embittered. Instead of becoming a seething pot of acidic attitudes, a prayer is offered up seeking strength to overcome. A prayer life takes deeper root.

A young person walks away from an immoral opportunity. Moral development is fortified.

The clock does not stop ticking as personal goals and desires clamor for immediate attention. The small voice of a child rises asking for help. Instead of an outpouring of abrupt anger at being interrupted, kindness and attention are given. Patience, love and a commitment to true priorities become more firmly established.

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; because when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

by Barry Newton

We have grown up with the analogy that if someone plants a grape seed, it will produce a grapevine not a watermelon vine. Accordingly, we have argued that if we will just preach the original message, it will produce only one crop - the community of Christ as it was intended to be. While there is validity to this, the epistle of James can add a level of sophistication to our thinking for it teaches that two fundamentally different groups of people can result from listening to the same message.

That’s right, as incredible as it may seem, when the Word of God is poured out that message finds itself running off into two different camps: those who are blessed and those who are deluded. To give James’ message a concrete modern application, he claimed that it is possible for some of those who enter the assembly each Lord’s day to listen to a faithful proclamation of God’s Word to be blessed, while others who may sit right beside them and who may consider themselves blessed by God are actually deluded. So why are some deceived and others blessed? James 1:22: “But be doers of the word and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” The watershed of scripture is whether that message is actually put into practice.

The old problem James is addressing can still infect our lives. Sometimes people who know that God’s Word is truth will place their confidence upon their knowledge of that truth. They might be able to expound upon any topic accurately, but if they are not actively doing what scripture teaches, their confidence is misguided. Scripture is intended to shape how God’s people actually live, make decisions, interact with others and worship. A faith which merely centers around believing true doctrine is dead. James 2:26 Do not misunderstand, it is imperative for faith to be built upon a correct understanding (1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 2:2; 4:3-4), but that faith must also shape what that person does.

James provides us with some blunt examples, “do you believe that there is one God? You are doing well but the demons also believe and tremble.” James 2:20 “If anyone thinks he is religious, but does not restrain his tongue his heart is deluded, this persons’s religion is worthless. Pure and faultless religion before God our Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” James 1:26 Not just in these matters, but in response to all of scripture’s messages for us let us be doers of that message and not merely hearers who delude themselves.