Could You Say That

COULD YOU SAY THAT? 

We have all heard the above question at one time or another. After hearing of something impressive accomplished by someone, we may ask the question of each other, "what about you? Could you say that?" Let us look at some state­ments that are certainly impressive and then direct the question to each of us - could you say that?"

"I am not ashamed of the gospel." Could you say that? Paul could (Rom. ). Too many Christians could not honestly make that statement. Their ac­tions show they must be ashamed of the gospel, for they never do anything about spreading it! It is God's power to save; it is that which the apostles preached (1 Cor. 15:1-4). But people can't be saved by it unless we preach it, for "it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Cor. ). My friend, unless you are willing to tirelessly spend and be spent in the propagation of the gospel, you cannot 0tand with Paul in his assertion.

"For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." What about this one; could you say that? Paul could - and did (Phil. ). His life was such that his gain in would far exceed any gain in this life. But many have spent their time in acquiring "gain" in this life and have made no provision for heavenly gain. Hence, they cannot say what Paul said. For them only brings incalculable loss - not gain. If one spends his life in real service to God, he can say what Paul said. will hold nothing but gain for him.

"I am ready to be offered." Could you say that? Paul could (1 Tim. 4:6-8). The key word we want to note here is "ready." Not only was Paul willing to be offered, but he was ready. What if your time to die should come this moment ­would you be ready? We need to realize that when our time comes, we will leave this life whether we are ready or not! So, why not get ready if you are not? Then with the great apostle you can say, "I am ready..."

"I am pure from the of all men." Could you say that? Paul could (Acts ). He could say it because his conscience felt no pangs of guilt when he reflected on his past work in the Lord. He shunned not to preach all the coun­sel of God (Acts ). Now, how about you? If your closest associates die and lose their souls in hell, can you with a clear conscience say, "I am guiltless in the matter; your blood is not upon me?" Friend, if you have never tried to teach them the truth, you can't say that! When you appear before the Lord in judgment, what if he should ask you, "how many did you teach the gos­pel to?" Many will have to pitifully say, "none." Oh, the old song - "not one soul with which to greet him; must I empty handed go?"

"I am doing a great work and cannot come down." Could you say that? Ne­hemiah could (Neh. 6:1-3). The walls of his beloved Jerusalem had been tom down and her gates had been burned. Nehemiah was determined to rebuild them. When he enemies, Sanballat, To­biah and Geshem tried to get him to cease his work for the Lord, he gave the above reply. Sadly, many of God's people want to take "time out" from the Lord's work to fraternize with the devil. When your friends try to talk you into forsaking the assembly for a pleasure trip, or some other purpose, what is your answer? Is it, "well, I guess I ought to attend services, but I suppose this one time won't hurt any." One problem with that is that the next time it will hurt even less! Your answer to such ought to be just like Nehemiah's. If you are doing all you ought to be doing for the Lord, you won't have time for the devil. Your "great work" for God will not suffer when such tempta­tions come.

"I will not be negligent." Could you say that? Peter could (2 Pet. ). He was speaking about his duty to remind folks of things they needed to remember. But the statement ought to be true of all of us in our work for the Lord. Lots of folks can't say what Peter said, because they are negligent. How about your atten­dance ... giving ... prayer ... labor in the Lord? Are you negligent in them? If so, you can't say what Peter said. Negligence will be the cause of many souls being lost, for it brings a curse. "Cursed be he that doeth the work of Jehovah negli­gently..." (Jer. 48: 10, ASV). Let us not be negligent, but abound in the work of the Lord.

"I must be about my Father's busi­ness." Could you say that? Jesus could (Lk. ). And note that he said it when but 12 years of age; he started serving his Father early. God's business was first with Jesus, and he was determined to do it (John ). Too many "half way Christians" are busy with their own af­fairs to take care of God's business. Friend, if that is the case with you, you are too busy! It is not uncommon to hear brethren excuse their failure to handle the Lord's work by saying, "I'm sorry, but I was just too busy right now." Well, if you would save your soul, you need get a lit­tle more unbusy with your affairs and get on with those of God! Honestly now, could you say what Jesus did... even when he was a lad?

Friends, we should all be able to truth­fully say all these things. If our attitude toward the Lord and his work is as it should be, we can say them - and mean every one of them! - Bill Moseley
 
 

SEED AND SOIL

The productivity of seed is directly proportionate to the fertility of soil. It matters now how good the seed is, if it is planted in bad soil, either it will not germinate or, having germinated, it will produce a sickly plant. So it is with the word of God and human hearts.

In the parable of "The Sower," stress is laid, not on the power of the seed, but, on the kind of soil in which it is sown. Four kinds of soil are mentioned in which the seed is sown - the wayside, rocky places, soil in which thorns are abundant and good soil (Lk. 8:1-15; Matt. 13:1-23). Each of these repre­sents four different kinds of human hearts, while the seed is called "the word of God" (Lk. ).

The deficiencies of the first three kinds of soil do not, in any way, cast reflection upon the power of the seed to pro­duce life. The problem is in the soil and not in the seed. Neither should men speak of the word of God as powerless to convert men - the potential to pro­duce new life and to change men is found in the word of God (see Romans 1:16; 1 Peter 1:22-25). So why doesn't it always bring forth an abundant har­vest? - because the soil, the human heart, is not receptive or it is encum­bered with the cares of the world. So, let's not blame God for our lack of productivity - the kind of soil we are has been our choice.

What are the ingredients of fertile soil? Jesus defines it thusly: "... they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience," (Lk. ). I believe there are still human beings with good hearts that want the word of God. Is your soil good? Jim R. Everett
 
 
 
                                  CRACKLING THORNS
 
The wise man said, ".. .as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is van­ity" (Eccl. 7:6). What is his point?

Ever see an old fashioned wash pot in which your grandmother used to do her laundry? Had to have a good hot fire under it to get the water boiling, so good fuel was needed. You never saw her put thorns under it, for they flare up, make a lot of noise (crackle) and then die away - and she was left with cold water. But that good oak? ­then you had a fire!

That's the nature of ' the "fun" of the fool; has to always have something to entertain him, and he never turns to the more serious matters of life. In fact, the preceding verse says the re­buke of a wise man is better than' the mirth of a fool! So - enjoy life; learn what its legitimate pleasures are and engage in them with good sense amd moderation. But know this - "fun" is not what life is all about. If that's all one is looking for, he will come to the end of his days with no lasting good. When the ling thorns die out, he is left with a pot of cold water - and not the warmth of good things! – Bill Moseley
 
 
 
AND ANOTHER THING...
(MISTAKEN IDENTITY)

In most places I have preached there has been one commodity we have not been short on - and that is little kids! If you are not a member of a local church, it’s sometimes hard to tell who they belong to. When I am preaching away from home I usually have to wait until I am invited into a home somewhere and there I usually learn whose they are! And they can surely come up with some things ... had a little boy come up to me one time and say, "brother Moseley, you look just like Dick Tracy!" Now - aren't you wondering if it was one of yours??

Now I have no idea where he, she or "it" (still have you guessing, don't I?) came to that conclusion. At least they mistook me for the "good guy." I'm just happy they didn't tell me I looked like one of the Simpsons or Batman's friend, the Joker. And they tell me kids don't notice much! Don't you believe it!

The main thing is that the little ones ought not feel like they can't approach older folks and talk to them, even if they don't always say the most flattering things. We should encourage them to interact with older folks; take up some time with them. Guess I can't complain about the "Dick Tracy" moniker. In one meeting I was holding the preacher's little boy thought I looked like Jim Bak­ker, much to his Dad's embarrassment! Be careful how you speak, act, look and present yourself. Little eyes are watch­ing, and no telling what they are liable to see! – Bill Moseley