Weddings, Funerals, Tax Time, And A New Year

by Micky Galloway

It seems these times are the times that we take inventory of things serious and make plans for new beginnings. Often these plans never find fulfillment because we simply do not follow through with our planned priorities. Why? Perhaps it is because we don’t know how, or maybe we just are not serious, or perhaps it is because we just do not see the things that really ought to be priorities. As we examine ourselves at the beginning of this new year, let us not engage in the common practice of faultfinding and excuse making, but look to those things “I” can do to serve God better. The chief butler of Joseph’s day said, “I do remember my faults this day” (Genesis 41:9).

Realize that time is precious. David prayed to God that he and the people might realize they did not have a perpetual lease on life. He prayed, “So teach us to number our days…” (Psalms 90:12). No moment can be recalled or reclaimed. It cannot be put back on the clock or calendar. Peter said, “for all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass, The grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away” (I Peter 1:24). James described our lives as a “vapor that appeareth for a little time…” (James 4:14). The conscious apprehension of approaching death and the brevity of time will make one more careful; will sober one’s thinking about the seriousness of sin (Ezekiel 18:20) and the opportunity to serve (Matthew 25:14-46). Both death and an accounting for sin are appointed with certainty (Hebrews 9:27). We are commanded to “redeem the time” (Ephesians 5:15-16), literally to buy up the opportunity. We have time and opportunity NOW (II Corinthians 6:2). Now is the time to teach our children, to worship and serve God faithfully. There have been a number of dramatic events in the past year that remind us of this sobering fact. Our nation still endures the shocking events of September 11, 2001 where over 3,000 lost their lives unexpectedly. If you knew you would not live beyond this year would you change anything?

Would you change the way you think? Certainly this is a challenge! Paul warned the saints at Corinth lest “your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (II Corinthians 11:3). When the mind is corrupted, the whole being becomes contaminated (Matthew 15:19-20). We are to control our thoughts and think on the right things (Philippians 4:7-8). We must set our minds on “things above” (Colossians 3:1-2), and “bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:5). “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).

Would you change the way you act? Elihu, the friend of Job said, “If I have done iniquity, I will do no more” (Job 34:32). If you knew you would die within the coming year, certainly you would want to abandon anything that had any hint of sin. Paul admonished, “Abstain from every form of evil” (I Thessalonians 5:22). Sin must be acknowledged and repented of. Note the words of God to Israel, “And Jehovah said unto me, Backsliding Israel hath showed herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith Jehovah; I will not look in anger upon you; for I am merciful, saith Jehovah, I will not keep (anger) for ever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against Jehovah thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith Jehovah” (Jeremiah 3:11-13). Forgiveness and mercy is promised upon confession (I John 1:9). The wisdom writer stated, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Perhaps the changes you need to make are not in the things you are doing, but in the things you are not doing. Let us examine the way we act.

Would you change the way you worship God? Christians are commanded to assemble together to worship the God of heaven (Hebrews 10:25). Early Christians came together “on the first day of the week” to remember the Savior and to pay homage to the God of heaven (Acts 20:7). Even during intense persecution, the Lord’s disciples met together under adverse circumstances. Their adoration was truly from the depth of their beings. They realized the sacrifice of Jesus when He offered up His life’s blood on the cross. They were glad when it came time to assemble with other Christians. David of old expressed it, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord” (Psalms 122:1). New Testament Christians met regularly on the first day of the week to receive the encouragement and challenge they needed to go forth throughout the week in service to God. Worship was not drudgery, but a joy and privilege. Oh, how we need to change our thinking about the assembling of saints together. Beloved, our assembling together is just the beginning point. From it we gain the incentive to engage the enemy and accomplish the great work of God. Let us never underestimate the importance of each occasion of worship. Let us prayerfully use our moments in worship together as a spring-board for action in service to our Master and King.

Would you change the way you study the Bible? Lack of knowledge has always gotten people into trouble. Hosea said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). The frightening fact is that very few people (and this includes members of the church), really study God’s word. A host of presumptuous sins arise from ignorance. Jesus rebuked the Sadducees, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29). Peter charged that it was the sin of ignorance that crucified the Christ (Acts 3:17). The apostle Paul, speaking of the revelation of God said, “which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:8). We are commanded to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God” (II Timothy 2:15 KJV), yet many fail to realize this is the only road to knowledge of God’s will. Numerous Bible classes are offered and many materials are available to assist you in your study, but the effort to learn must be individually yours. Will you change and avail yourselves of such opportunities that you might “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18)? The contribution of your time to consistent Bible study will contribute to the overall strength of the local church. If you knew you would die this year, would you come consistently to Bible classes ON TIME with MINDS and LESSONS PREPARED to study God’s word?

Would you change who you associate with? Christians need to regularly associate with other Christians aside from the scheduled assemblies of the church. We need each other to encourage and strengthen each other. It is unlikely we will survive alone. Over one hundred times the New Testament writers use the terms “one another, love one another, comfort one another, exhort one another, serve one another, use hospitality one to another,” etc. Christians should make friends from those of the world to evangelize them, but our closest friends should be of those in Christ! When Christians select as their closest companions those of the world, it is unto their own spiritual ruin. Paul stated as a matter of FACT, “be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (I Corinthians 15:33).

Would you change your attitude toward the lost? Have we forgotten our purpose, why we are here? Have we forgotten how horrible it is to be lost, separated from God because of sin (Isaiah 59:1-2; Ephesians 2:11ff)? We sing the song, “Into Our Hands”… “Millions are groping without the gospel, Quickly they’ll reach eternity’s night; Shall we sit idly as they rush onward? Haste, let us hold up Christ the true light…Into our hands the gospel is given, Into our hands is given the light, Haste, let us carry God’s precious message, Guiding the erring back to the right…” Indeed, we have the gospel, the precious message of salvation. How many have you taught in the past year? If each one who is a Christian converts only one soul in a year, can you imagine the effect that would have on the world! Yes, there are many discouragements, but we must try! The wisdom writer said, “And he that is wise winneth souls” (Proverbs 11:30). Jesus said, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: and so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:8). He described some having a good and honest heart who “heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15). Some who have obeyed the gospel have again entered into sin. Paul COMMANDS, “Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). James tells us that those who do this “shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20). If you knew you would die within this year, are there those you would diligently seek to teach?

Would you ask, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Oh, there is so much work to do. Indeed, “The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). Will the Lord be satisfied with the same as I have done in past years? Would you “Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a WORKMAN that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15 ASV). As a child of God, He would have you to grow, to advance toward a fuller, more complete service. He wants you to SERVE, to teach, reprove, exhort and to take a firmer more determined stand for His truth (Hebrews 5:12; II Peter 3:18). Are you diligently making preparations to that end? If you are not a Christian, God would have you to obey the gospel. Saul of Tarsus, who believed and had turned in repentance from sin was commanded to “Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16).

May the rich blessings of God abide with us as we strive to serve Him faithfully in 2004. Let us honestly examine ourselves and determine to make the changes necessary to make this year the best year ever in our service to God.