MODERN DAY ELIJAHS
Elijah the Tishbite is one of the greatest characters of Old Testament history. He had great courage, boldness and zeal for God. He withstood Ahab, faced down false prophets, dealt with discouragement, departed the world gloriously and reappeared on the mount of transfiguration.
Elijah withstood Ahab for his idolatry and compromise with heathen nations: (1 KINGS 17-21) Elijah respected God's commandments. Many preachers today would rather "compromise with the heathens" and follow their religion than to simply preach the powerful, life changing word of God. Let us ring forth the truth today as Elijah did in his day. There is one God, though our world says there are many. (1 Corinthians 8:5) It is not narrow-minded to take the Bible and show men that one true God. There is one church, though the world says there are many right ways. (Matthew 16:18) Neither is it narrow-minded or mean-spirited to take the Bible and show men that one true church. Elijah stood for God and right. God give us some modern day Elijahs that will stand today!
Elijah as a “man of God:” (1 KINGS 17:18, 1 Kings 17:24) There is a need for modern day Elijahs to let the world know that the church of Christ is not a denomination. The church of Christ is not a division of anything. (1 Corinthians 1:10-13) The church belongs to Christ and wears His name. (Matthew 16:18) It is possible to be a Christian and a member of the church of our Lord without being in any denomination. May God help preachers today to, like Elijah, have enough courage to go up on the mountains of our land and stand face to face against those that lead souls to worship and serve contrary to God's teaching. Brethren, it is time to STAND rather than compromise!
Elijah and modern day preachers: The moral and spiritual lessons derived from Elijah are great. (Please take time to study 1 Kings 17-21, 2 Kings 1-3, Malachi 4:5-6, Matthew 17, and James 5:17). Elijah was a man of prayer. He was of like passion as we. He showed kindness to widows. He was uncompromising on God's truth. Elijah stands in stark contrast to the compromising, grace-only, faith-only, love-only preachers among us that want us to condemn nothing, accept everything and join hands with everyone regardless of what God says. Life was not easy for Elijah. But let us pray that God will raise up some modern day Elijahs that are not ashamed of Christ or His church and that are unyielding on matters where God has spoken.
By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 551, Greenville, Alabama 36037