Articles
A Small Thing
By: Johnny O. Trail
This last week I spoke at a funeral and various family members shared reminiscences after I delivered the message. One story that was shared by a family member regarding an invitation to attend church stood out among the others in the realm of personal evangelism.
It seems that a husband (in this case the recently deceased) and wife who just moved into the area were visited by a lady in the local congregation with some vegetables that were harvested from her garden. Mrs. Elizabeth Felts was about five feet tall and probably north of one hundred pounds dripping wet. When she visited her new neighbors, she said she, “thought their family might need some things from her garden since they were new in the community.” Mrs. Felts continued by inviting the entire family to services on Sunday.
She could not have known it, but the wife was a Christian and the husband was not. When the wife went back into the house, she said to her husband, “A lady from the church of Christ right down the road invited us to their services, do you want to go with me tomorrow?” He replied, “Sure.”
The next day they attended services and were warmly welcomed. One gentleman from the congregation invited the husband to go fishing. Suffice to say that one visit by a lady carrying vegetables to a family who just moved into the community resulted in significant fruit for the church. The family and their progeny continued to attend the church for over sixty-seven years.
The husband mentioned in the vignette, obeyed the gospel. After a few years, he became a deacon who oversaw the building and grounds. All their children obeyed the gospel, and many of the grandchildren followed suit.
As a matter of fact, he and I became good friends during the time that I preached at that same congregation. Over the years, he provided me with cuttings from weeping willow trees that I later planted and allowed to grow on the various properties that I have lived on.
From these things, we might note that it only takes a small act of kindness to produce great things for the kingdom of God.Matthew 10:42 says, “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."
Consequently, the word of God teaches that great things can emerge from small beginnings. Notice Luke 13:18-21. “Then He said, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.’ And again He said, ‘To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.’"
Christians should never discount the ability they have to influence others. When Jesus traveled into the region of Samaria, He met a woman who influenced her entire village to learn of the Messiah. Notice her words to the village she formerly traveled from to draw water. John 4:28-30 says, “The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, ‘Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?’ Then they went out of the city and came to Him.”
This woman of Samaria would have been very low on the social ladder; especially considering her moral situation (John 4:17-18). Even so, her entire village met Jesus and believed in Him as the Son of God. Notice what is said in John 4:39-42 says, “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me all that I ever did.’ So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word. Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.’"
Many people are converted through “friend evangelism.” That is, becoming friends with people with a goal of talking with them about New Testament Christianity. This is not disingenuous in its conception, but a means of being a true friend to all the people that one encounters.
Friend evangelism might eventually allow a faithful child of God to connect a person to the greatest friend that all of humankind has ever had—Jesus Christ. Notice Jesus words in John 15:12-15. “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
If one small lady carrying a few vegetables to a home with new neighbors can make an eternal difference in the lives of many individuals, what could an army of likeminded Christians do? We must take advantage of every open door that falls in our life’s pathway and tell others about Christ.
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The Older Brother
By: Johnny O. Trail
We might hate to admit it, but sometimes Christians are guilty of acting like the older brother in the story of the prodigal son or, at the least, feeling like him. One tends to sympathize with a person who has been doing the right thing only to see a person who had lived a reprobate life become celebrated and accepted after repenting. While this is decidedly the wrong attitude, it does underscore that struggle that some have with people that become renowned after living rebellious and wicked lifestyles. For a few moments, one might consider some bad things that the older brother avoided in the parable of the prodigal son.
The older brother did not face the same trials as the younger brother who became rebellious. Luke 15:13-16 says, “And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.” The younger brother was in a state of starvation before he “came to himself” and returned to his father. He was feeding hogs, which would have been as low as a Jewish young man could have fallen.
The older brother remained in the comfort and care of his father’s home while his brother learned the cost of leaving his father. Luke 15:17 says, "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” There is no indication that the older brother lacked for anything in his father’s house. In the same way, those who become Christians at an early age avoid all the problems that come from living a rebellious lifestyle. Hosea 8:7a says, "They sow the wind, And reap the whirlwind…”
The older brother had access to all the blessings that came from remaining in his father’s home. Luke 15:31 "And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.’” The sooner that one becomes a child of God, he gains access to the blessings of God immediately. Ephesians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
This stands in contradistinction to one who becomes obedient to God at a later point in their life. They simply do not get to enjoy the blessings of being a Christian for as long as one who has attempted to live their Christianity in a faithful manner for many years.
While God bestows blessings upon the wicked and the righteous, the child of God is blessed in a special kind of manner. Luke 11:11-13 says, “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" The heavenly Father abundantly provides us with what we need far and above people living in the world.
The older brother did not lose his inheritance in a wasteful fashion like his younger brother did. Luke 15:13 says, “And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.” When the father divided his possessions with his younger son, he received all that he was entitled to at that time. This would have been one third of the estate at the time of the endowment.
Consequently, the older brother’s inheritance grew while the younger brother wasted his inheritance while engaged lavish, sensuous living. One source avers, “…the younger son's inheritance was a premature cash or portable asset share of his father's estate.” Again, Luke 15:31says, "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.” Presumably, the father and older son continued to work (cf. Luke 15:25) and earn a living that his younger son would not have had legal rights to. The older brother would have had access to even greater blessings than his younger brother would have had if he had not returned to his father’s home.
The younger son’s actions were tantamount to wanting the father dead. While the older brother was angry about the father’s act of receiving his wasteful son back into his home, there is no record of the older son wanting the father dead. The Bible is replete with passages that encourage people to honor the Father. Exodus 20:3-7 says, "You shall have no other gods before Me. ‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.’ ‘You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.’” When one lives in a state of rebellion, they are not living in reverence to Jehovah God.
In the final summation of things, the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son was more richly blessed than the younger son. When one starts to feel envious or jealous about one who has lived in a rebellious manner, he needs to reflect upon the blessings that he received by striving to live in a righteous way from an early age.
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Mistaken Identity
By: Johnny O. Trail
A few months ago, a credit union that I do not have an account with or any association with for that matter, called and said that I need to come in and sign by loan papers. As you might imagine, this set the fraud alarms off in my head. We had not taken out a new car loan, and if we did, we would have done it with the credit union we typically use.
Even more concerning was the fact that the loan company had my name, phone number, and email address. Come to find out, the person taking out the loan for a new car had the same name as I have! Still, I have been perplexed to this very day about how the credit union and the car dealership ended up with my name, phone number, and email address as contact information. I even called the dealership that the loan originated with, and they never called me back.
Believe it or not, I still get the occasional email from SiriusXM regarding their desire to renew my trial subscription with their service regarding the aforementioned new car purchase. As far as I know, this mistaken identity situation has been resolved. I have monitored my credit, contacted a good sister in Christ who works at the credit union that contact me, and attempted to clarify the matter with the dealership. To date, there have been no problems that I am aware of in connection with this situation.
This whole thing made me think about the trial of Jesus and the denial of Peter. Peter wanted to be mistaken for one who had not been with Jesus during His earthly ministry because of the implications of conspiracy and punishment.
Still there were elements of Peter’s actions that could not result in true denial of his relationship with Jesus. For one thing, Peter’s violence against the servant of the high priest. John 18:10 says, “Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.” I sincerely believe that I would remember witnessing a person’s ear being hacked off with a sword. Along these lines of reasoning, one feels confident that Peter and his actions stood out among the temple guard who witnessed this happen. How does one deny being in the presence of Jesus in light of such a gruesome event.
In addition to this fact, Peter’s manner of speech revealed his identity to those who were around the trial of Jesus. Matthew 26:73 says, “And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, ‘Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.’" You cannot be around One as eloquent, as learned, and as wise as the Messiah was and not have your vocabulary modified.
Similarly, people have noticed a change in a person’s writing and vocabulary as they have matured, and as they have had greater educational training. Jesus taught His audiences about the importance of words at various points in His ministry. Consider these two passages uttered by Jesus. Matthew 5:37 says, “But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Also, John 15:7 says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” One cannot be influenced by Jesus and not use the type of vocabulary He used. This was true in Peter’s age and in ours also.
Even though Peter tried to deny it, he was guilty of associating with Jesus. That is, he was seen on numerous occasions by the Jews that frequented the sermons of Christ, witnessed the miracles, and partook of the food that Jesus miraculously supplied. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that some of Peter’s accusers were among the multitudes who gladly heard the words of the Savior. Consider Matthew 26:69-72. These passages say, “Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee.’ But he denied it before them all, saying, ‘I do not know what you are saying.’ And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, ‘This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ But again he denied with an oath, ‘I do not know the Man!’"
The true disciples of Christ should be guilty of being seen with Him. This statement is metaphorical in nature, but the word of God teaches that people should see Jesus living in those who are His followers. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Romans 12:1-2 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Before Jesus ascended to the Father, He spoke with Peter about the manner of his death. This foreshadowing of Peter’s passing implied that he would die rather than deny Jesus in the future. Peter’s refusal to deny Jesus in the future would cost him his life! John 21:18-19 says, “‘Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.’ This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’"
Would you be able to deny your association with Jesus if pressed to represent yourself in court preceding? If so, you might need to consider the nature of your discipleship. If not, you are most assuredly living after the manner of one wanting to be identified with Jesus. Philippians 3:7-8 says, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”
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The Growth of the Church in the First Century
By: Johnny O. Trail
In Pliny the Lesser’s letter to Trajan, he remarks about the growth of Christianity in his age. He avers,
For the matter is well worth referring to you, especially considering the numbers endangered; persons of all ranks and ages, and of both sexes, are and will be involved in the prosecution. For this contagious superstition is not confined to the cities only but has spread through the villages and the countryside.
In other words, Christianity was growing an exponential rate, and Pliny was informing the emperor of this fact.
It seems odd that any institution would grow when one considers the persecutions brought against the church and the humble beginnings of Christianity. Jesus preached and traveled in a relatively small area around various areas of Judea. One source says, “…about 80% of his ministry took place within a tiny regional core of roughly 20 square miles in northern Galilee, while his entire life's events occurred within a zone roughly 65 to 100 miles from his hometown.”
Modern man believes that a person must impact people in a large area to gain a popular following. This was not so with the Messiah—the multitudes followed Him and heard him gladly. Mark 12:37b says, “…And the common people heard Him gladly.”
The growth of Jesus ministry was incredible considering the opposition of the Roman Empire The Roman Empire was the most powerful nation that had ever existed at that point in world history. Conventional wisdom might dictate that a nation as powerful as Rome would be able to destroy a small religious group with a small following with little or no effort. Most people who were citizens of Rome believed that the empire would stand forever. The prophecy of Daniel revealed the very opposite of human wisdom.
Conversely, Daniel prophesied that the church, or kingdom (cf. Matthew 16:15ff) would stand forever. Daniel 2:44 says, “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” Around 1500 years later, the Empire of Rome lies in dust and rubble with very few people having a true understanding of Rome’ contribution to the modern world.
The persecution brought against the church had the opposite of the intended effect. Acts 8:4 says, “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” As people traveled from Judea to the uttermost parts of the known world to avoid persecution, they carried the good news of a resurrected Messiah with them and taught others. Maybe the church of our age needs a persecution to inspire the people of God to share the news of Jesus with others.
Next, one might reason that the dominant religions of the age would eclipse and destroy the first century church. Again, history demonstrates the opposite of this assumption. Instead of pagan religions completely overwhelming the church, many of them converted to Christ. Acts 19:19-20 says, “Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.” Secular history records that many of the former pagan temples shuttered their doors and became churches.
Another dominate religion in the region of Judea, Judaism, sought to oppose Christianity. Acts 8:1-3 says, “Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.” The Apostle Paul was one of Christ’s greatest opponents until he was confronted with the truth on the road to Damascus.
Despite all of these things, the church grew along with the proclamation of the good news. Colossians 1:23 says, “If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.” Whether Paul was speaking metaphorically or in a literal sense the truth remains—the good news was spreading like wildfire even in the face of obstinate persecution and denials of the truth about Jesus.
No man, religious movement, pagan worshipper, or device of Satan will hinder the purposes of God. Isaiah 55:11 says, “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.” While this is an Old Testament promise, one should take comfort in these passages regarding the work of the New Testament church.
This being true, why are Christians in our age hesitant and sometimes afraid to share their faith? Why is there a defeatist attitude among some regarding the ability of the church to grow and prosper? The kingdom or church will stand forever, and God’s purposes will be accomplished!
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The Glory of Men
By: Johnny O. Trail
There are many different areas in life where people can use their influence to gain the glory of men. The one who engages in such practices can come across as being arrogant and haughty to others. When one is a child of God, he must understand what humility is about regarding the cost of our sins and the nature of the relationship that we have with God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Sadly, religion is an area where people can abuse their influence for self-glorification. This was a problem in the age of Christ, and it is a problem in ours too. We need to be careful that we do not become like the Pharisees were regarding self-righteous, self-glorification.
Consider Jesus’ words in Luke 18:9-14. “Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’"
The Pharisee in Luke 18 probably felt as if he was doing God a favor by praying to Him! It is truly arrogant to make yourself better than others regarding moral considerations wherein you do not know the facts of another person’s life. Really, we need to understand the sin that exists in our life and ask for forgiveness. We will not stand in judgment for what others have done in the flesh.
We should not make ourselves feel better about our spiritual condition by thinking we are better than others. 2 Corinthians 10:12 says, “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
The Pharisees were the exalted leaders of the Jews in the age of the Messiah. Evidently, they had a very high opinion of themselves, and many of them practiced their religion for show. Jesus, the omniscient Son of God, exposed them for the hypocrisy. Notice His words in Matthew 23:1-7. “Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.'”
Consequently, there were similar problems in the first century church. Seeking the approval of wealthy people in the assembly was a problem in James’ address to the diaspora. In a society where people were extremely impoverished and even living in slavery, showing respect to men was considered sinful by the brother of our Lord. James 2:1-4 says, “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ and say to the poor man, ‘You stand there," or, ‘Sit here at my footstool,’ have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”
Showing partiality to someone simply because they are wealthy is sinful. James minces no words is sharing that truth. James 2:8-9 says, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”
The true litmus test for living in a correct manner before God is the example set forth by Jesus Christ. We are to be like Him in all our ways. Notice what Paul says in Romans 12:1-3. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”
In our age, as in others, we need to be careful that we do not use our religion for self-glorification. Christians need to understand that greatness is determined by how one serves God and his fellow man. Matthew 23:11-12 says, “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
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Who Will Carry My Bag of Dirt?
By: Johnny O. Trail
A lady we go to church with just recently retired from the Farmers’ Co-op. Prior to her retirement, she was kind enough to take soil samples collected from my yard to be analyzed for needed nutrients and fertilizer supplements.
I just recently needed to have another soil analysis done, whereupon she told me of her recent departure from Co-op. I quipped back, “Who will carry my bag of dirt now?” Afterward, she suggested a good coworker to carry the bag of dirt to for analysis.
In a figurative sense, there are people who love to carry bags of dirt regarding sensational or exciting things they have heard. Proverbs 18:8 says, “The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.” Sometimes people want to share tasty trifles regarding things they hear or become privy to. It is almost as if they cannot wait to share it with another person!
Oftentimes this can be detrimental to a person’s relationship with others or cause strife between brethren. AI defines talebearer as “…a person who spreads gossip, reveals confidential secrets, and shares harmful rumors. The Hebrew root word (rakil) pictures someone who trades or peddles information like a merchant, but with malicious or deceitful intent. Their words cause division, hurt relationships, and break trust.”
In spiritual considerations, we need to avoid carrying our gossip to other people. It seems that there are people who delight in sharing some sensational story or some morsel of truth they have heard. The Bible warns against being a talebearer. Proverbs 20:19 says, “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.”
As a matter of fact, it was a violation of the Old Testament Law for one to be a talebearer among the people of God. Leviticus 19:16 says, “You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD.” God understood the power of the spoken word among His covenant people; especially words spoken in a derogatory manner.
The Bible contains many passages that warn against using the tongue in a malicious manner. James 3:6-10 says, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”
Jesus warns that a disciple must be careful in what he says. When we speak, we reveal what we mean from our hearts. Sadly, there are words that we sometimes use which are virtually impossible to take back. Matthew 12:34-37 says, “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
The child of God needs to examine his words carefully before he shares them with others. A test for repeating things offered to others might include the following considerations. Is it helpful regarding the situation at hand? Will it create emotional pain or psychological grief for the one being mentioned in the discourse? Would you want the situation repeated if you happened to be in the place of the one being talked about? Does it need to be repeated? Would you use these words in “polite” conversation? If you cannot say anything good, should you say anything at all?
With these considerations in observance, a certain biblical passage comes to mind. Proverbs 26:20 says, “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.” In other words, if people would stop spreading sensational stories and half-truths, the rumors would stop and the problems would stop.
If a person wants to be a true friend to others, he has the ability to keep a confidence. Proverbs 11:13 says, “A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.” One who continually tells all that he knows will soon find that he has very few friends. We all want to have relationships wherein we feel that we can trust someone to confide in when we need to have a serious conversation.
In it final consideration, we should not be carrying our dirt to other people. Oftentimes we are better off not repeating things that fail the litmus test of scripture. In fact, we need to use words that are uplifting and positive as much as is possible. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
The Older Brother
By: Johnny O. Trail
We might hate to admit it, but sometimes Christians are guilty of acting like the older brother in the story of the prodigal son or, at the least, feeling like him. One tends to sympathize with a person who has been doing the right thing only to see a person who had lived a reprobate life become celebrated and accepted after repenting. While this is decidedly the wrong attitude, it does underscore that struggle that some have with people that become renowned after living rebellious and wicked lifestyles. For a few moments, one might consider some bad things that the older brother avoided in the parable of the prodigal son.
The older brother did not face the same trials as the younger brother who became rebellious. Luke 15:13-16 says, “And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.” The younger brother was in a state of starvation before he “came to himself” and returned to his father. He was feeding hogs, which would have been as low as a Jewish young man could have fallen.
The older brother remained in the comfort and care of his father’s home while his brother learned the cost of leaving his father. Luke 15:17 says, "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” There is no indication that the older brother lacked for anything in his father’s house. In the same way, those who become Christians at an early age avoid all the problems that come from living a rebellious lifestyle. Hosea 8:7a says, "They sow the wind, And reap the whirlwind…”
The older brother had access to all the blessings that came from remaining in his father’s home. Luke 15:31 "And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.’” The sooner that one becomes a child of God, he gains access to the blessings of God immediately. Ephesians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
This stands in contradistinction to one who becomes obedient to God at a later point in their life. They simply do not get to enjoy the blessings of being a Christian for as long as one who has attempted to live their Christianity in a faithful manner for many years.
While God bestows blessings upon the wicked and the righteous, the child of God is blessed in a special kind of manner. Luke 11:11-13 says, “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" The heavenly Father abundantly provides us with what we need far and above people living in the world.
The older brother did not lose his inheritance in a wasteful fashion like his younger brother did. Luke 15:13 says, “And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.” When the father divided his possessions with his younger son, he received all that he was entitled to at that time. This would have been one third of the estate at the time of the endowment.
Consequently, the older brother’s inheritance grew while the younger brother wasted his inheritance while engaged lavish, sensuous living. One source avers, “…the younger son's inheritance was a premature cash or portable asset share of his father's estate.” Again, Luke 15:31says, "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.” Presumably, the father and older son continued to work (cf. Luke 15:25) and earn a living that his younger son would not have had legal rights to. The older brother would have had access to even greater blessings than his younger brother would have had if he had not returned to his father’s home.
The younger son’s actions were tantamount to wanting the father dead. While the older brother was angry about the father’s act of receiving his wasteful son back into his home, there is no record of the older son wanting the father dead. The Bible is replete with passages that encourage people to honor the Father. Exodus 20:3-7 says, "You shall have no other gods before Me. ‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.’ ‘You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.’” When one lives in a state of rebellion, they are not living in reverence to Jehovah God.
In the final summation of things, the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son was more richly blessed than the younger son. When one starts to feel envious or jealous about one who has lived in a rebellious manner, he needs to reflect upon the blessings that he received by striving to live in a righteous way from an early age.
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Mistaken Identity
By: Johnny O. Trail
A few months ago, a credit union that I do not have an account with or any association with for that matter, called and said that I need to come in and sign by loan papers. As you might imagine, this set the fraud alarms off in my head. We had not taken out a new car loan, and if we did, we would have done it with the credit union we typically use.
Even more concerning was the fact that the loan company had my name, phone number, and email address. Come to find out, the person taking out the loan for a new car had the same name as I have! Still, I have been perplexed to this very day about how the credit union and the car dealership ended up with my name, phone number, and email address as contact information. I even called the dealership that the loan originated with, and they never called me back.
Believe it or not, I still get the occasional email from SiriusXM regarding their desire to renew my trial subscription with their service regarding the aforementioned new car purchase. As far as I know, this mistaken identity situation has been resolved. I have monitored my credit, contacted a good sister in Christ who works at the credit union that contact me, and attempted to clarify the matter with the dealership. To date, there have been no problems that I am aware of in connection with this situation.
This whole thing made me think about the trial of Jesus and the denial of Peter. Peter wanted to be mistaken for one who had not been with Jesus during His earthly ministry because of the implications of conspiracy and punishment.
Still there were elements of Peter’s actions that could not result in true denial of his relationship with Jesus. For one thing, Peter’s violence against the servant of the high priest. John 18:10 says, “Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.” I sincerely believe that I would remember witnessing a person’s ear being hacked off with a sword. Along these lines of reasoning, one feels confident that Peter and his actions stood out among the temple guard who witnessed this happen. How does one deny being in the presence of Jesus in light of such a gruesome event.
In addition to this fact, Peter’s manner of speech revealed his identity to those who were around the trial of Jesus. Matthew 26:73 says, “And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, ‘Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.’" You cannot be around One as eloquent, as learned, and as wise as the Messiah was and not have your vocabulary modified.
Similarly, people have noticed a change in a person’s writing and vocabulary as they have matured, and as they have had greater educational training. Jesus taught His audiences about the importance of words at various points in His ministry. Consider these two passages uttered by Jesus. Matthew 5:37 says, “But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Also, John 15:7 says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” One cannot be influenced by Jesus and not use the type of vocabulary He used. This was true in Peter’s age and in ours also.
Even though Peter tried to deny it, he was guilty of associating with Jesus. That is, he was seen on numerous occasions by the Jews that frequented the sermons of Christ, witnessed the miracles, and partook of the food that Jesus miraculously supplied. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that some of Peter’s accusers were among the multitudes who gladly heard the words of the Savior. Consider Matthew 26:69-72. These passages say, “Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee.’ But he denied it before them all, saying, ‘I do not know what you are saying.’ And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, ‘This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ But again he denied with an oath, ‘I do not know the Man!’"
The true disciples of Christ should be guilty of being seen with Him. This statement is metaphorical in nature, but the word of God teaches that people should see Jesus living in those who are His followers. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Romans 12:1-2 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Before Jesus ascended to the Father, He spoke with Peter about the manner of his death. This foreshadowing of Peter’s passing implied that he would die rather than deny Jesus in the future. Peter’s refusal to deny Jesus in the future would cost him his life! John 21:18-19 says, “‘Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.’ This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’"
Would you be able to deny your association with Jesus if pressed to represent yourself in court preceding? If so, you might need to consider the nature of your discipleship. If not, you are most assuredly living after the manner of one wanting to be identified with Jesus. Philippians 3:7-8 says, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”
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The Growth of the Church in the First Century
By: Johnny O. Trail
In Pliny the Lesser’s letter to Trajan, he remarks about the growth of Christianity in his age. He avers,
For the matter is well worth referring to you, especially considering the numbers endangered; persons of all ranks and ages, and of both sexes, are and will be involved in the prosecution. For this contagious superstition is not confined to the cities only but has spread through the villages and the countryside.
In other words, Christianity was growing an exponential rate, and Pliny was informing the emperor of this fact.
It seems odd that any institution would grow when one considers the persecutions brought against the church and the humble beginnings of Christianity. Jesus preached and traveled in a relatively small area around various areas of Judea. One source says, “…about 80% of his ministry took place within a tiny regional core of roughly 20 square miles in northern Galilee, while his entire life's events occurred within a zone roughly 65 to 100 miles from his hometown.”
Modern man believes that a person must impact people in a large area to gain a popular following. This was not so with the Messiah—the multitudes followed Him and heard him gladly. Mark 12:37b says, “…And the common people heard Him gladly.”
The growth of Jesus ministry was incredible considering the opposition of the Roman Empire The Roman Empire was the most powerful nation that had ever existed at that point in world history. Conventional wisdom might dictate that a nation as powerful as Rome would be able to destroy a small religious group with a small following with little or no effort. Most people who were citizens of Rome believed that the empire would stand forever. The prophecy of Daniel revealed the very opposite of human wisdom.
Conversely, Daniel prophesied that the church, or kingdom (cf. Matthew 16:15ff) would stand forever. Daniel 2:44 says, “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” Around 1500 years later, the Empire of Rome lies in dust and rubble with very few people having a true understanding of Rome’ contribution to the modern world.
The persecution brought against the church had the opposite of the intended effect. Acts 8:4 says, “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” As people traveled from Judea to the uttermost parts of the known world to avoid persecution, they carried the good news of a resurrected Messiah with them and taught others. Maybe the church of our age needs a persecution to inspire the people of God to share the news of Jesus with others.
Next, one might reason that the dominant religions of the age would eclipse and destroy the first century church. Again, history demonstrates the opposite of this assumption. Instead of pagan religions completely overwhelming the church, many of them converted to Christ. Acts 19:19-20 says, “Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.” Secular history records that many of the former pagan temples shuttered their doors and became churches.
Another dominate religion in the region of Judea, Judaism, sought to oppose Christianity. Acts 8:1-3 says, “Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.” The Apostle Paul was one of Christ’s greatest opponents until he was confronted with the truth on the road to Damascus.
Despite all of these things, the church grew along with the proclamation of the good news. Colossians 1:23 says, “If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.” Whether Paul was speaking metaphorically or in a literal sense the truth remains—the good news was spreading like wildfire even in the face of obstinate persecution and denials of the truth about Jesus.
No man, religious movement, pagan worshipper, or device of Satan will hinder the purposes of God. Isaiah 55:11 says, “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.” While this is an Old Testament promise, one should take comfort in these passages regarding the work of the New Testament church.
This being true, why are Christians in our age hesitant and sometimes afraid to share their faith? Why is there a defeatist attitude among some regarding the ability of the church to grow and prosper? The kingdom or church will stand forever, and God’s purposes will be accomplished!
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The Glory of Men
By: Johnny O. Trail
There are many different areas in life where people can use their influence to gain the glory of men. The one who engages in such practices can come across as being arrogant and haughty to others. When one is a child of God, he must understand what humility is about regarding the cost of our sins and the nature of the relationship that we have with God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Sadly, religion is an area where people can abuse their influence for self-glorification. This was a problem in the age of Christ, and it is a problem in ours too. We need to be careful that we do not become like the Pharisees were regarding self-righteous, self-glorification.
Consider Jesus’ words in Luke 18:9-14. “Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’"
The Pharisee in Luke 18 probably felt as if he was doing God a favor by praying to Him! It is truly arrogant to make yourself better than others regarding moral considerations wherein you do not know the facts of another person’s life. Really, we need to understand the sin that exists in our life and ask for forgiveness. We will not stand in judgment for what others have done in the flesh.
We should not make ourselves feel better about our spiritual condition by thinking we are better than others. 2 Corinthians 10:12 says, “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
The Pharisees were the exalted leaders of the Jews in the age of the Messiah. Evidently, they had a very high opinion of themselves, and many of them practiced their religion for show. Jesus, the omniscient Son of God, exposed them for the hypocrisy. Notice His words in Matthew 23:1-7. “Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.'”
Consequently, there were similar problems in the first century church. Seeking the approval of wealthy people in the assembly was a problem in James’ address to the diaspora. In a society where people were extremely impoverished and even living in slavery, showing respect to men was considered sinful by the brother of our Lord. James 2:1-4 says, “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ and say to the poor man, ‘You stand there," or, ‘Sit here at my footstool,’ have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”
Showing partiality to someone simply because they are wealthy is sinful. James minces no words is sharing that truth. James 2:8-9 says, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”
The true litmus test for living in a correct manner before God is the example set forth by Jesus Christ. We are to be like Him in all our ways. Notice what Paul says in Romans 12:1-3. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”
In our age, as in others, we need to be careful that we do not use our religion for self-glorification. Christians need to understand that greatness is determined by how one serves God and his fellow man. Matthew 23:11-12 says, “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
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Who Will Carry My Bag of Dirt?
By: Johnny O. Trail
A lady we go to church with just recently retired from the Farmers’ Co-op. Prior to her retirement, she was kind enough to take soil samples collected from my yard to be analyzed for needed nutrients and fertilizer supplements.
I just recently needed to have another soil analysis done, whereupon she told me of her recent departure from Co-op. I quipped back, “Who will carry my bag of dirt now?” Afterward, she suggested a good coworker to carry the bag of dirt to for analysis.
In a figurative sense, there are people who love to carry bags of dirt regarding sensational or exciting things they have heard. Proverbs 18:8 says, “The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.” Sometimes people want to share tasty trifles regarding things they hear or become privy to. It is almost as if they cannot wait to share it with another person!
Oftentimes this can be detrimental to a person’s relationship with others or cause strife between brethren. AI defines talebearer as “…a person who spreads gossip, reveals confidential secrets, and shares harmful rumors. The Hebrew root word (rakil) pictures someone who trades or peddles information like a merchant, but with malicious or deceitful intent. Their words cause division, hurt relationships, and break trust.”
In spiritual considerations, we need to avoid carrying our gossip to other people. It seems that there are people who delight in sharing some sensational story or some morsel of truth they have heard. The Bible warns against being a talebearer. Proverbs 20:19 says, “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.”
As a matter of fact, it was a violation of the Old Testament Law for one to be a talebearer among the people of God. Leviticus 19:16 says, “You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD.” God understood the power of the spoken word among His covenant people; especially words spoken in a derogatory manner.
The Bible contains many passages that warn against using the tongue in a malicious manner. James 3:6-10 says, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”
Jesus warns that a disciple must be careful in what he says. When we speak, we reveal what we mean from our hearts. Sadly, there are words that we sometimes use which are virtually impossible to take back. Matthew 12:34-37 says, “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
The child of God needs to examine his words carefully before he shares them with others. A test for repeating things offered to others might include the following considerations. Is it helpful regarding the situation at hand? Will it create emotional pain or psychological grief for the one being mentioned in the discourse? Would you want the situation repeated if you happened to be in the place of the one being talked about? Does it need to be repeated? Would you use these words in “polite” conversation? If you cannot say anything good, should you say anything at all?
With these considerations in observance, a certain biblical passage comes to mind. Proverbs 26:20 says, “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.” In other words, if people would stop spreading sensational stories and half-truths, the rumors would stop and the problems would stop.
If a person wants to be a true friend to others, he has the ability to keep a confidence. Proverbs 11:13 says, “A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.” One who continually tells all that he knows will soon find that he has very few friends. We all want to have relationships wherein we feel that we can trust someone to confide in when we need to have a serious conversation.
In it final consideration, we should not be carrying our dirt to other people. Oftentimes we are better off not repeating things that fail the litmus test of scripture. In fact, we need to use words that are uplifting and positive as much as is possible. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
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An Abundant Entrance
By: Johnny O. Trail
A post offered on Facebook read, “Most Christians Will Be Lost.” After the post, the one making the claim offered the following passage, 1Peter 4:17-18, as a proof text. These passages say, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’”
The same Peter later writes in the second epistle bearing his name the following words. 2 Peter 1:10-11 says, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” So which passage is true? Will the “righteous...[be—JOT] scarcely saved,” or will there be an “entrance…supplied to you abundantly in the everlasting kingdom?” Did Peter contradict himself, or is there a better understanding of these passages?
Quite frankly, I Peter 4:17-18 are some of the most misappropriated passages found in scripture. They are sometimes used to teach that the children of God will barely get into heaven. The picture painted might show people entering the gate of heaven with flames coming off of their backs. That is, they are just barely getting into heaven! So, what is the appropriate exegesis of these passages?
The phrase from I Peter 4:17 translated as “for the time” (καιρος) could also be translated as “it is the season,” “set,” or “proper” time. Hence, the passage under review indicates that the period of time under consideration is already at work among Peter’s recipients. Thus the “judgement” under consideration does not refer to the time when all of humankind shall be gathered unto the judgment of God (2 Corinthians 5:10). The judgment Peter mentions was present and impending. So, what “judgment” was Peter referencing in these passages?
Furthermore, one might enquire, “When was this ‘judgment’ to happen?” As mentioned, this was not the judgment that was to happen at the end of time for we know that that time has not happened in our experience nor had the judgment at the end of time happened to the recipients of Peter’s first epistle. When the judgment under consideration of Peter happened, the “righteous” would only be saved with great difficulty.
When 1 Peter 4:17-18 is taken in consideration of 2 Peter 1:10-11 one might be left with the incorrect idea that Peter is contradicting himself. The passage in Second Peter says, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Simply stated, two different types of “salvation” are under consideration in I Peter 4:17-18 and 2 Peter 1:10-11. Understanding I Peter 4:17-18 with an end of time judgment in view is problematic. Guy N. Woods addresses this in his commentary.
But if such is to be the manner of entrance into final bliss by the righteous, how can it be said that the “righteous” shall scarcely (i.e., with great difficulty) be saved? It is obvious that two different “salvations” are contemplated by the apostle in these passages.
So, once again, what judgement is under consideration in I Peter 4:17-18?
An imminent trial was about to come upon the recipients of Peter’s first epistle. 1Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.”
This judgment scene is in reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Wayne Jackson concurs in his commentary. He writes,
The reference is to the impending destruction of the Jewish civil-religious state by the Romans in the summer of A.D. 70, following a five-month siege. Times of severe trial would fall also upon the “house of God” (the church [I Tim. 3:15]). Jesus had warned of such in his Olivet discourse (Mt. 24:1-34). The apostle’s point is this: if hardships were to oppress the Lord’s people, what indeed would be the fate of those who “obey not the gospel of God?”
This “limited” judgment in A.D. 70 against the Jews would be in response to the rejection of Jesus Christ.
The words of Peter in these passages are reminiscent of what Jesus said regarding the destruction of Jerusalem in Matthew 24. Mattew 24:22 says, “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. Jesus mentions the “elect” in these passages, and He makes it clear that the “elect” who heed His prophecy will escape this terrible, limited judgment. This implied physical deliverance from the siege that laid ruin and waste to Jerusalem and the temple.
Woods’ comments on this chapter sufficiently summarize the passages under consideration. He avers,
We hence conclude that the salvation of the “righteous” alluded to by Peter and to be accomplished with such difficulty as to be a matter of wonder was deliverance from complete destruction in the persecution which swept over the world in connection with the destruction of the temple and annihilation of the Jewish state in Jerusalem.
When one exegetes scripture, he must be careful that he does not arrive at an invalid conclusion.
Sadly, many people have been misled into believing that they will barely be saved based upon a misunderstanding of what these passages teach. 1 Peter 4:11 says, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” We must strive to teach the truth, but we should never mistranslate a passage and leave the faith children of God without hope.
An Abundant Entrance
By: Johnny O. Trail
A post offered on Facebook read, “Most Christians Will Be Lost.” After the post, the one making the claim offered the following passage, 1Peter 4:17-18, as a proof text. These passages say, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’”
The same Peter later writes in the second epistle bearing his name the following words. 2 Peter 1:10-11 says, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” So which passage is true? Will the “righteous...[be—JOT] scarcely saved,” or will there be an “entrance…supplied to you abundantly in the everlasting kingdom?” Did Peter contradict himself, or is there a better understanding of these passages?
Quite frankly, I Peter 4:17-18 are some of the most misappropriated passages found in scripture. They are sometimes used to teach that the children of God will barely get into heaven. The picture painted might show people entering the gate of heaven with flames coming off of their backs. That is, they are just barely getting into heaven! So, what is the appropriate exegesis of these passages?
The phrase from I Peter 4:17 translated as “for the time” (καιρος) could also be translated as “it is the season,” “set,” or “proper” time. Hence, the passage under review indicates that the period of time under consideration is already at work among Peter’s recipients. Thus the “judgement” under consideration does not refer to the time when all of humankind shall be gathered unto the judgment of God (2 Corinthians 5:10). The judgment Peter mentions was present and impending. So, what “judgment” was Peter referencing in these passages?
Furthermore, one might enquire, “When was this ‘judgment’ to happen?” As mentioned, this was not the judgment that was to happen at the end of time for we know that that time has not happened in our experience nor had the judgment at the end of time happened to the recipients of Peter’s first epistle. When the judgment under consideration of Peter happened, the “righteous” would only be saved with great difficulty.
When 1 Peter 4:17-18 is taken in consideration of 2 Peter 1:10-11 one might be left with the incorrect idea that Peter is contradicting himself. The passage in Second Peter says, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Simply stated, two different types of “salvation” are under consideration in I Peter 4:17-18 and 2 Peter 1:10-11. Understanding I Peter 4:17-18 with an end of time judgment in view is problematic. Guy N. Woods addresses this in his commentary.
But if such is to be the manner of entrance into final bliss by the righteous, how can it be said that the “righteous” shall scarcely (i.e., with great difficulty) be saved? It is obvious that two different “salvations” are contemplated by the apostle in these passages.
So, once again, what judgement is under consideration in I Peter 4:17-18?
An imminent trial was about to come upon the recipients of Peter’s first epistle. 1Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.”
This judgment scene is in reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Wayne Jackson concurs in his commentary. He writes,
The reference is to the impending destruction of the Jewish civil-religious state by the Romans in the summer of A.D. 70, following a five-month siege. Times of severe trial would fall also upon the “house of God” (the church [I Tim. 3:15]). Jesus had warned of such in his Olivet discourse (Mt. 24:1-34). The apostle’s point is this: if hardships were to oppress the Lord’s people, what indeed would be the fate of those who “obey not the gospel of God?”
This “limited” judgment in A.D. 70 against the Jews would be in response to the rejection of Jesus Christ.
The words of Peter in these passages are reminiscent of what Jesus said regarding the destruction of Jerusalem in Matthew 24. Mattew 24:22 says, “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. Jesus mentions the “elect” in these passages, and He makes it clear that the “elect” who heed His prophecy will escape this terrible, limited judgment. This implied physical deliverance from the siege that laid ruin and waste to Jerusalem and the temple.
Woods’ comments on this chapter sufficiently summarize the passages under consideration. He avers,
We hence conclude that the salvation of the “righteous” alluded to by Peter and to be accomplished with such difficulty as to be a matter of wonder was deliverance from complete destruction in the persecution which swept over the world in connection with the destruction of the temple and annihilation of the Jewish state in Jerusalem.
When one exegetes scripture, he must be careful that he does not arrive at an invalid conclusion.
Sadly, many people have been misled into believing that they will barely be saved based upon a misunderstanding of what these passages teach. 1 Peter 4:11 says, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” We must strive to teach the truth, but we should never mistranslate a passage and leave the faith children of God without hope.
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The Necessity of Baptism
The Necessity of Baptism
By: Johnny O. Trail
When I examine Bible commentaries, study Bibles, and other writings that seek to exegete scripture, I always turn to passages that mention baptism to see how the commentator treats the Bible regarding the topic. Unless these materials are written by good, faithful members of the Lord’s church, they typically deny the necessity of baptism for the remission of sins and our salvation.
Just recently I read a book that says, “While we recognize that Jesus commanded baptism (Matt. 28:19), as did the apostles (Acts 2:38), we should not say that baptism is necessary for salvation.” Sadly, this commentator is not alone in reaching this false conclusion. The statement is self-contradictory upon critical examination. Since Jesus (Mark 16:16) and the Apostles (Acts 2:38) commanded baptism, it is apparent that baptism is essential for one’s salvation.
Jesus proclaimed that He was the “way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). If the Master commanded baptism (Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:19) prior to His ascension, then we should obey His words. To do otherwise would be to disregard the “way” that leads to eternal life.
If something was “commanded” by the Son of God, we need to obey Him. It is contradictory to proclaim that Jesus is our Savior and not be obedient to His commands. The Hebrew writer makes it plain that Jesus is the originator and architect of salvation to those who are obedient to Him. Hebrews 5:7 says, “Who, in the days of His [Jesus—JOT] flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” There is not a single passage in scripture that teaches a disobedient person can be saved.
At least one commentator has attempted to argue that Paul was opposed to baptism just as he was opposed to re-implementation of circumcision. “The apostle Paul would have opposed the idea that baptism is necessary for salvation just as he opposed the similar idea that circumcision was necessary for salvation (see Gal. 5:1-12).” While Paul did in fact stand in opposition to binding circumcision upon those under the New Covenant, it is not a true parallel to his position on baptism. This argument it totally without merit.
The same Paul makes a connection between faith and baptismin the aforementioned Galatian letter. Galatians 3:26-27 says, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” We become “sons of God” through faith at the time of our baptism. Therefore, we are not saved by faith alone.
As a matter of fact, Paul’s opening comments deal with those who would pervert the pure message that he proclaimed to those who converted in Galatia regarding the gospel. Galatians 1:6-9 says, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” The gospel is the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (I Corinthians 15:1-4). We obey the gospel when were are baptized (Romans 6:3-4), thus one who argues that Paul was against baptism finds himself among those that Paul proclaimed were “accursed” for perverting the truth.
Paul was himself baptized to have his sins washed away (Acts 22:16). If Paul was saved at the point of simple belief, he would have been saved on the Damascus road. There is little doubt that he became a believer at the point of Jesus approaching him in a blinding light (Acts 9:3-5). Paul understood that he was not saved at that juncture, and he understood that he needed to “do” something given his murderous, blasphemous past. Acts9:6 says, “So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
Ananias told Paul what he had to do to be saved. Acts22:16 says, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'” If Paul was saved at the point of belief and prayer, his sins would not have remained. Instead, the Bible teaches that his sins were “washed away” at the point of baptism—not at the point of faith or prayer.
Similarly, Paul was not saved by belief alone (Acts 9:3-5) nor prayer. When Ananias finds him, Paul was praying. Acts 9:11says, “So the Lord said to him [Ananias—JOT], "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.” Here we have the two required elements of the so-called “sinners’ prayer,” belief and prayer. Still, we know that Paul’s sins were not forgiven. How do we know this? Given the order of events (chronology), we know that Paul had his sins washed away at the point of baptism (Acts 22:16).
The same writer engages in ridiculous double talk when he says, “Baptism, then, is not necessary for salvation. But it is necessary if we are to be obedient to Christ, for he commanded baptism for all who believe in him.” If baptism is necessary for obedience, and we have established per Hebrews 5:7-9 that the obedient are the only ones who are saved, then is stands to reason that obedience to the commandment to be baptized by the Master (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16) is “necessary” for salvation.
How long will our religious neighbors continue to deny what they Bible clearly teaches regarding the necessity of baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)? We need to examine the Bible and apply what it teaches rather than listening to the doctrines of men.