Woodland
Hills Church of Christ
|
|
|
Sunday, April 2, 2006 Volume 50, Issue 12 THE TONGUE IS A FIRE One of the greatest forces in all of nature is fire. It has great potential for good and for evil. We can use fire in many profitable ways. We can heat with fire, cook with fire, and use fire to purify metals. We make glass using fire, and in countless other ways we use fire for good. But it is also true that fire can be one of the most destructive forces on the earth when it is out of control. Many people have lost their homes, and even their lives to fires. Forest fires destroy thousands of acres each year. Great harm is caused to man when fire is not kept in check. James tells us the tongue is a fire. He wrote, "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." (James 3:5-6) In the use of our tongue (words) there is great potential for both harm and good. With the tongue we can speak the truth, but we can also lie and deceive. With the tongue we can teach God’s word, but we can also teach false doctrine. With the tongue we can sing songs of praise to God, but we can also sing the praises of sin. With the tongue we can encourage each other, but we can also tear one another down. We can hold our tongues and save the reputation of another, but we can also gossip and bring ruin to a friend. In the tongue lies great potential for good and for evil. Let us each do our very best to make our speech a blessing and not a curse to others. Remember the words of James 1:26, "If any man among you seems to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain." See You In Bible Class Sunday,
FAMILY NEWS OUR SICK/HOMEBOUND WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS Sympathy THANK YOU Dear Christian friends,
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE The goal of every Christian must be to live a righteous, sober and godly life. (Titus 2:11-12.) One becomes a Christian by obeying from the heart the gospel of Christ. "But God be thanked, that; ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." (Romans 6:17-18.) The gospel is the story of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4.) Those who obey the gospel (a) Hear God's word, (Romans 10:11-18), (b) Believe in Christ, (John 20:30-31), (c) Repent of sins, (Luke 13:3), (d) Confess faith in Christ, (Matthew 10:32) and (e) Submit to baptism in water. (Acts 22:16.) Following baptism is the Christian Life. The Christian life involves LIVING BY THE SPIRIT. Christians must live a clean and godly life. Living by the Spirit means living a good life. (Romans 8:13.) The Christian life involves LEARNING. It is impossible to be faithful in Christian Living without a study of God’s word. Through study Christians gain God's approval. (2 Timothy 2:15.) The Christian life involves LOVING. The Christian life will involve pure and sincere love. It would be impossible to separate Christian Living from sincere love. (1 Peter 1:22.) The Christian life involves LEAVING. The old life must be left behind, as one becomes new in Christ. The Christian leaves the old to become humble, loving, kind, teachable and obedient in spirit. (2 Corinthians 5:17.) The Christian life involves LOOKING. The Christian is ever looking for the appearing of the Lord, Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:13.) "Come Lord Jesus." As a Christian you must make your calling and election sure through Christian growth. (2 Peter 1:5-9.) If you are living, learning, loving, leaving and looking you will be prepared for eternity. "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:11.) If you are a Christian LIVE a faithful Christian life. (Revelation 2:10.) by Charles Box
|
