Walking in Wisdom Toward Outsiders
Dylan Stewart
Our conduct must always be “honorable,” both toward outsiders of Christ and to those inside the household of God. In 2 Corinthians 8:21, we learn how we should seek to provide “honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.” In order to take the first steps toward honorable living we must put on the wisdom of God (Colossians 3:10; Romans 12:2), then subsequently walk in that wisdom (Ephesians 5:15), especially around people who seek to speak against us as evildoers.
Donnie Rader, in his commentary on Colossians, explains, “We should use some wisdom in dealing with those who are not Christians. We should stop and think about how our words and actions will be taken. What kind of impression are we leaving by the things we say and do? Even when we do things that are right within themselves, we may leave the wrong impression before others. Good judgment must be used in all our dealings with others” (The Book of Colossians, p.54-55 – Truth Publications). Christians must be very diligent in continually working to maintain a positive influence by walking in wisdom particularly when we are around non-Christians. If we do so, we will bring glory to God through our good conduct; likewise, we could possibly bring others to Christ in the process: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
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You Wouldn’t Have Liked John the Baptist If…
David Diestelkamp
- If you struggle to listen to a preacher because of the way he dresses, you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist. His clothing was rough and was neither stylish nor formal (Matthew 3:4; 11:8).
- If you don’t like a preacher because of his awkward social habits, you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist. He ate an odd diet of locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6), “neither eating bread nor drinking wine” (Luke 7:33), and his disciples fasted often (Luke 5:33).
- If you don’t like the inconvenience of traveling to hear preaching, you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist. He preached in the wilderness and not in urban areas (Matthew 3:1).
- If you insist that a preacher be from a certain region of the country or have a special education, you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist. He “was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel” (Luke 1:80).
- If you don’t like lessons about real repentance that hold people’s feet to the fire, you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist. He primarily preached on repentance and even refused to baptize those who had not repented (Mark 1:4; Matthew 3:2-3, 7-9)
- If you don’t want to study about divorce or have unscripturally married people told they are wrong, you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist. He did exactly that with Herod (Matthew 14:3-4).
- If you want preaching to be politically correct and never offend anyone (including the government), you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist. His preaching offended the king (Mark 6:17-18) and addressed social, tax, and military issues (Luke 3:10-14).
- If you don’t want to hear about caring for the poor, you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist. He taught about giving your second shirt to one who has none and sharing your food with the hungry (Luke 3:11).
- If you aren’t comfortable with people confessing their sins, you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist. People regularly came to him to confess their sins (Matthew 3:5-6).
- If you are resisting being baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist. He preached “a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3).
- If you don’t want to be baptized by immersion, you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist (literally John the Immerser) because John immersed people (John 3:6, 16; Mark 1:5, 9; John 3:23).
- If you don’t like to think about God’s coming judgment, you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist. He warned of the wrath to come as an ax that is ready to cut down a tree (Matthew 3:7-9).
- If you aren’t interested in the kingdom of God, you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist’s primary kingdom theme (Matthew 3:2).
- If you don’t want criticism of religious leaders and false teachers, you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist, who called them a “Brood of vipers!” (Matthew 3:7-9).
- If you insist on miracles to believe, you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist, who “did no sign” (John 10:41).
- If you are impressed with leaders, preachers, or writers because they are popular with other leaders, preachers, or writers, you wouldn’t have liked John the Baptist, who was rejected by the Pharisees and the experts in the law (Luke 7:30).
We think, “No, no, I would have gone to John and listened to him.” But if you let even one of the above things stop you now from listening to the gospel preached, you would have let it stop you when you smelled John, had to walk to hear him, or got wet in the muddy Jordan River.
Jesus said, “…among those born of women there is not risen one greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). Jesus said John “…has borne witness to the truth” (John 5:33) and was “…the burning and shining lamp” (John 5:35). How could anyone not have liked this guy? How could anyone not have listened to him? However, it remains the same today. People won’t look past the man to see the message. Jesus said there was no greater prophet, but I’m not optimistic that we would like him.
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BY WHAT AUTHORITY?
Mike Johnson
“By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” These two questions, asked in Matthew 21:23, were asked of Jesus by certain chief priests and elders of his day who were trying to trap him. Although their motives were not good, their questions showed they understood the need for authority and that authority must come from one who has the rightful power to grant it.
Jesus responded by asking (vs. 25), “The baptism of John — where was it from? From heaven or from men?” The response of Jesus shows that there are only two sources of authority, which are “heaven” or “men,” i.e., “divine” or “human.”
It is essential to understand the need for authority in our relationship with God and where it rests.
Actually, “standards” of authority are accepted in just about every realm and relationship. For example, we know that 16 ounces equal a pound, 12 inches is a foot, and 3 feet equals a yard. These are accepted standards in our society. Imagine the confusion that would exist if everybody had their own standard of weights and measurements. Imagine the turmoil that would ensue if people were allowed to mint their own currency or if no one were willing to abide by the decisions of our court system. An accepted standard is critical in secular matters; it is essential in our relationship to God.
Where does authority rest in religion? There are three possible answers. First, there is internal human authority. Conscience, one’s judgment, personal tastes, and feelings are all examples of this type of authority. Second, there is external human authority. This type of authority involves custom, tradition, human creeds, and church councils. The third possibility is divine authority. This authority, of course, has God as the source, is centered upon Christ, and is recorded and revealed in the Bible.
Of the three possible sources mentioned above, it is clear that man must follow divine authority (Col. 3:17, I Pet. 4:11, II Jn. 9, Rev. 22:18-19, Gal. 1:6-10). Internal and external human authority produce confusion, denominationalism, and strife. The reason for this is in Proverbs 14:12, which says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Further, it is impossible to achieve the unity which Jesus prayed for (Jn. 17:17-21) if we cannot at least agree upon the Bible as our only source of authority. The Bible might be called an infallible book by which fallible people can achieve the unity that Christ desires. Further, any attempt to use either form of human authority will allow innovations and additions into the Lord’s church. We must DEMAND authority from God’s Word for every belief and practice.
The question raised by the Jewish leaders regarding the need for authority and its proper source is undoubtedly essential. Remember, all authority is either human or divine. What authority, or standard, do you use?
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We Cannot Save Ourselves
David Riggs
“But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isa. 64:6)
Let us suppose that a plane crashes into the water with three men aboard, and there is no boat, ship, or land within hundreds of miles. One of the men is able to swim only a few hundred feet. The second can manage to stay afloat an hour or two. The third is a world champion long-distance swimmer. What is the fate of the three?
It doesn’t matter if the third is a great swimmer or not. He is in the same fate as the other two. The first will drown in twenty minutes; the second in an hour or two; and the third in fifteen hours. All three need a savior, for without one, all three will drown.
So it is with all men. Being a good moral person alone amounts to nothing more than filthy rags. We all are sinners, and without a Savior are doomed to destruction.
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The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans
Terry W. Benton
Revelation 2:15 mentions the doctrine of the Nicolaitans and says that God “hates” that doctrine. Whatever it was, the church at Pergamos had members that taught this doctrine as well as the doctrine of Balaam (Revelation 2:14). Because of these doctrines in the church, God had “a few things against you.” Whatever these doctrines were, it mattered to God and He was not going to tolerate it.
Contrary to what people today think, doctrine is important to God. John said that we must “abide in the doctrine of Christ” (II John 9-10) and that if you don’t abide (stay put; don’t venture into other doctrines that originate from men), then you “have neither the Father nor the Son.” Doctrine is equated with having God. You cannot have God without the right doctrine, the pure doctrine of Christ. When the doctrine taught is from men, it contaminates the relationship with God and causes a separation from Him. If the church tolerates such doctrines, they risk separation from God’s fellowship.
Don’t let anyone tell you that “that is just doctrine and doctrine does not matter.” You cannot have God’s favor without the pure doctrine of Christ.
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Editor: Mike Johnson