|
|
Unpracticed
Christianity
The
Unpracticed
Christianity displeases the Lord. "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?"
(Luke 6:46.) When a person "professes"
Christianity but does not "practice" Christianity the name of
God is blasphemed. Paul wrote, "You who make your boast in the law, do you
dishonor God through breaking the law? For the name of God is blasphemed among
the Gentiles because of you..." (Romans 2:23-24.)
Unpracticed
Christianity delivers damnation, rather than salvation. Jesus said,
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall
enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in
heaven." (Matthew 7:21.) Being a hearer and not a doer of God's word leads only to self-deception.
(James 1:22-25.) A "do-nothing" Christianity is a curse to the
church and a heartache to God.
Unpracticed
Christianity depletes spiritual strength. Spiritual strength comes to
those that are hungry for it. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, For they shall be filled."
(Matthew 5:6.) Spiritual strength comes
to those who practice godliness. "For bodily exercise profits a little,
but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that
now is and of that which is to come." (I Timothy 4:8.) Spiritual strength
is a by-product of the practice of righteousness. Unpracticed Christianity
will always take away from our spiritual strength.
In an
immoral world those of us that make up the
- - - - Charles Box
Practical
Christianity For
Daily
Living
Salvation is by the blood of Jesus. (Hebrews 2:9.)
His blood was shed in His death. Baptism brings us into the death of Jesus.
"Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into His death? Therefore we
were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised
from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in
newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4.) As Paul wrote to the Colossians he
dealt with practical Christianity.
Practical
Christianity means seeking heavenly things: "If then you were
raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting
at the right hand of God." (Colossians 3:1.)
Practical
Christianity means having a heart set on Godly living: "Set your
mind on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:2.)
Practical
Christianity means your life is hidden in Christ Jesus: "For you
died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3.)
Practical
Christianity means putting to death sinful desires: "Therefore put to death your
members which are on the earth: fornication,
uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is
idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of
disobedience." (Colossians 3:5-6.)
Practical
Christianity means putting off sinful things: "But now you
yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy
language out of your mouth. Do not lie
to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds."
(Colossians 3:8-9.)
Practical
Christianity means putting on Godly things: "And have put on the
new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created
him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Therefore,
as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness,
humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving
one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave
you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the
bond of perfection." (Colossians 3:10-14.)
Practical
Christianity means allowing God's peace to rule your heart: "And
let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one
body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15.)
Practical
Christianity means letting the word of Christ dwell in your
richly: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16.)
Practical
Christianity means doing all you do in the name of the Lord: "And
whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17.)
Christianity
is for every circumstance of life.
Literally, Christianity is life. It affects the way we talk, the way we
think and the way we act. As a Christian all our actions and thoughts must be
controlled by the Lord. Christianity is bringing every aspect of our life into
obedience to Christ. "Casting down arguments and every high thing that
exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ." (II Corinthians 10:5.)
Christianity is for living every day, whatever the circumstance of that day may
be. Until Christianity becomes practical and is lived every day it is not New
Testament Christianity! Are you practicing Christianity in your daily life?
Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not
believe will be condemned.” (Mark
- - - - Charles Box
News
& Notes
1. Prayer
List: In Need Of Prayers: Jimmy Allen, Deane Autrey (1236 Grove
Park, Auburn, AL 36830 – 334-826-8647), Jerry Barr, Jimmy Beard, Barbara
Bennett, Mae Beverly, Colby Boutwell, Brenda Burkett,
Michael Copley, Quentin Crowe, Evelyn Duke (following hospital stay), Birdie
Lee Godwin, Roy Goodwin, Hannah Hanks, Montine
Hardin, Stacy Harrell, Gloria Harrison, Evan Hartsell,
Linda Holley, Mary Lawrence, Jeremy McGill, Jo Ann Moorer, Kenneth Munro, Curtis Newton, Cody Pate, Mary Powell,
John Reynolds, Linda Sexton, Bobby Shields, Austin Shows, Joe Smith, Leroy
Waller (following hospital stay), Richard Watts, and Mary Williams. Crowne Health Care: Mary
Alexander, Gladys Childs, Kathy Johnson, Wallace Murry,
and Myrtle Perdue. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps.
2. Requesting Our Prayers: Felice Kendrick
responded to our Lord’s invitation to be restored to the Lord. Please remember
her in you personal, private prayers. Her address is
3. Please Pray For: The following people are serving
in
4. Jason Godwin back to
5. Birthdays:
Celebrating birthdays this week
are: February 26th Deborah Lewis, February 27th
Ken Smith, February 28th Betty Ann Harrell and Larry Lucas, and
March
1st George Lewis.
6. Secret Pals Meeting: There
will be a meeting for the Secret Pals Sunday, February 24th at
7. Thank You: (a)
To a wonderful group of people, thank you! Thank you
for your love and support at this time when all our family is grieving and our
hearts are broken over the death of our precious baby boy. But let us quickly
say without a doubt, we know that our baby is with our Father in heaven, as all
little ones who die are. A big “thank you” for those who
prepared food for us. We had enough to feed Emily and Lee’s entire
family with leftovers. Please continue to remember our family in your prayers,
especially Emily, Lee, Freddie and Ann. Nell
& Nelson Daughtry (b) Dear Walnut Street,
I want to thank you for once again being here for my family. I personally have
never felt this pain, as I have these past few days. Your prayers, your
thoughts, seeing your faces at the service and the generous after service meal
you provided, surely helped start my healing. Please keep us all in your
prayers. Thank You, Freddie Daughtry
8. Food List:
Remember to sign the food list to assist Sister Doris Taylor. She is a special
lady and we want to show our love to her.
9. Walter Johnson To
10. Dishes From Daughtry: The dishes that were carried to the Daughtry
are in the kitchen.
11. Ladies Bible Class: The Wednesday morning Ladies Bible
class invites all ladies to participate in the class. The class meets at
12. Visit Our Website: Our website address is: http:\\www.walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org.
There
are many past issues of the Reporter available on the site. Many articles are
also available. Use the site and share it with others.
13. Put These Dates On
Your Calendar:
(a) March 3rd – 6th
– 2008 Annual Bible Lectureship –
What’s Wrong
With Dancing?
“Dancing” is
defined as “a series of sometimes rhythmic and patterned bodily movements
usually performed to music.” I do not contend that dancing is wrong, as long as
there is no improper bodily contact nor illicit movement. However, exactly what kind of dancing goes on
at proms, homecoming dances, night clubs, etc.?
If you do not know what kind of dancing goes on in these places, all you
need to do is turn your television to MTV or BET and watch for a few minutes.
Many school-sponsored “social events” consist largely of the same kinds of
dancing that one would find in a nightclub or other similar place.
Let’s ask
ourselves some questions about this lewd, sensual form of dancing.
1.
If a man off the dance floor were to attempt to
hold your wife or daughter in the manner that he would on the dance floor, would you allow it?
2.
How would you feel if
a man off the dance floor were to make the same bodily movements towards your
wife or daughter as he would on the dance floor?
3.
How would you feel
about your Christian brethren watching you dance?
4.
How would an elder’s,
deacon’s, or preacher’s influence be affected if he
were known to dance in this manner?
5.
Would Jesus dance
with another’s wife or daughter?
6.
Would you be glad for
Christ to return while you were attending a dance?
7.
Does dancing involve
lasciviousness, or, “indecent bodily movements and improper handling?”
8.
Could the act of
dancing cause another person to stumble in sin?
9.
Does dancing ever
produce corrupt desires?
10.
Would it be better for a Christian not to attend an
event where dancing occurred?
Answer
these questions for yourself, and make the decision that will give you the most
help in getting to heaven.
-
- - - Darrell Powell
-
Any man that
trims himself to suit everybody will soon whittle himself away.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
(334-382-3001)