60th Year Coals of Fire on Their Heads Here's to Good Health It's Hard to be Humble Always to Pray... Writing for Reading All Things... Looking for a Sign? Teach them Diligently Diversities of Gift Charity (Pure Love) Serious Taxes
January
With this issue of the Banner of Love, we begin our 60th year of continuous publication. We continue each month praying the cause of this newspaper meets the desires of the Lord for service to His people.
The Banner of Love was established by my grandfather and grandmother, Elder Hard and Dora Richards in 1932. My grandmother, Sister Dora Richards, picked the name for this publication from the themes expressed in Songs of Solomon 2:4 and Psalms 60:4 and titled the publication accordingly as is detailed at the top of the front page of each issue.
The Banner of Love is published each month only because of the efforts of two, groups of persons: our writers and our readers. We would not have been able to continue publishing so many years without the submissions of our good writers who voluntarily submit their articles each month, and our readers who provide to us guidance and news articles about their churches and church meetings.
Our goal for this publication remains the same as it was when my grandfather began his first writings and editing to publish a newspaper of solid doctrinal articles and good news of the Lord’s people, avoiding; special interest causes and provocations. We will meekly continue to serve the Lord’s will in bringing to our readers the news and articles each month, but will boldly proclaim with our doctrinal writers the blessings and riches of the Lord’s kingdom as inspired through the Scriptures.
We find inspiration for our efforts in the writings of the Scriptures, but no place much better than in the Proverbs of Solomon.
“My son, if thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
“If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:1-5.
Our goal is to provide inspiration and instruction through our writers to help our readers in their “search for hid treasures.” We have a number of able-bodied writers to whom we desire to provide the avenue to explain their instruction to individuals who otherwise might not directly receive such teachings.
Each month we struggle to go through the physical chores of producing the month’s issue. The burden is carried in large part by my mom, Sister Opal Richards who handles the day-to-day routine administration involved with the tedious work of the mailing list and typesetting. My aunt, Ima Dora Richards Haile, who helped her father and mother, my grandparents, with the physical chores of publishing the early editions of the Banner, helps with the actual mailing each month as the individual reader addresses are affixed to the papers and delivered in sorted fashion to the post office.
We strongly refuse to seek advertisement or donation support for the paper, believing the Lord will provide for continued publication as He has form the past 60 years, and he has provided in lean times when we were weak and unsure at times that we could do the work.
The Banner of Love is for our readers and writers under the guidance of the hand of the Lord. We continue to seek your news, writings and details of good news of fellowship among the Lord’s people. We realize that we cannot “add one cubit unto our statute” by taking thought of our perceived problems. We simply pray the Lord will guide us in His will to continue presenting a “Banner of Love” to “those that fear Him, that it might be displayed because of the truth.”
February
Parts of the Bible are much easier for me to follow, and understand, than are other parts.
For example, I have never felt that I needed a lot of help, explanation or instruction in connection with Exodus 21:12-25, Leviticus 24:20, Deuteronomy 19:21 and Matthew 5:38.
In those verses we learn about the Old Law of dealing with our personal enemies: those who ‘persecute us, trespass upon us, hate us; despitefully use us, and say all manner of evil things against us. We learn how to inflict an “eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”
Most of us naturally do not have any problems understanding the meaning of those verses. And if you are like me, it also is not hard to implement the action toward those whom I feel have trespassed upon me. It gets pretty easy for me to “slip in” a negative word or two about someone whom I really do not like and I know probably may not like me, or that I have heard has said bad things about me. It gets especially easy when I know for sure someone is saying bad things about me or casting me in a negative light with my friends or colleagues.
Now comes the much harder part. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, gives us a considerably different instruction: one that is a little harder for us to understand, somewhat difficult for us to comprehend, and extremely difficult to implement into our daily lives.
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thy enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use , you, and persecute you.” Matt. 5:43-44. Luke 6:27-36.
Proverbs tells us to give bread to the hungry enemy, and water to the thirsty enemy. The Apostle Paul echoes this same instruction in Romans and Hebrews, telling us to provide food and drink to our enemies and not seek revenge, but to leave vengeance in the hands of the Lord. Prov. 25:21-22, Rom 12:14-21, Heb. 10:30-31.
We are told that in loving our enemies, praying for them, feeding them, and turning the cheek to them, we will “heap coals of fire” on our enemies head and the Lord will reward us. Rom. 12-20. Prov. 25:22.
No matter how many times our brothers sin against us, we should forgive and leave revenge in the hands of the Lord. Matt. 18:21-35.
The Lord has put a tough instruction on me. It is much easier for me to go the “eye for an eye” route. Praying for my enemy is not only hard for me to understand, it is equally hard for me to carry out.
How do I pray for an enemy.
Do I pray that the enemy will treat me better? Say better things about me? Finally agree with my point of view? I admit that I am guilty of this kind of prayer. But if I examine this kind of prayer, it is not a prayer at all FOR my enemy, but AT my enemy. It really is a selfish prayer for myself.
Praying FOR an enemy is hard. It requires conscious effort, not selfish offhand remarks, as I find myself guilty of by attempting to fool myself into thinking I have prayed for or forgiven my enemies.
Forgiveness of enemies is just that. Complete forgiveness, without condition. DO we want the Lord to put a condition on His forgiveness of our sins? Matt. 6:14-15.
Praying for your enemies is just that: praying FOR them, not AT them.
AT 2 Samuel 16:5-14 we find King David was the subject of much cursing and abuse by Shimei. One of King David’s men, Abishai Asked the king to allow him to stop the “dead dog” Shimei from cursing the king by allowing Abishai to “take off his head.” Instead, David replied: “let him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord hath bidden him. It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day.” We learn later in 2 Samuel 19:16-23, that Shimei would later regret his cursing of David and that David forgave him.
We learn at Deuteronomy 23:5, Nehemiah 13:2 and Numbers 24:10 of God’s ability to turn our enemies curses into our blessings.
If you want to know how to respond to your enemies, how to pray for them; we need only to look at the examples given to us, among others, by Jesus on the cross, and by Stephen at his stoning.
It would be difficult to imagine worst sins, trespasses, or abuses from your enemies than Jesus bore at the cruxification, or Stephen when he was stoned to death Both prayed for their enemies
“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34.
“And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, Lord lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts. 7:59-60.
Praying for your enemies is not an easy chore. You have to work at it, you have to think about it, and you have to be sincere about it. You should pray for your enemies as you pray for yourself. Pray they will be blessed of the Lord, they will have good health and nourishment for themselves and their family. Pray that the Lord will fulfill, their needs as only the Lord knows what they are.
Pray for the Lord to forgive them, as you have.
March
I am not a medical doctor. I do not pretend to be a doctor, and do not want to be a doctor, even if I had the talent or ability.
I am not a faith healer; and do not want to be a faith healer—even if I thought I could be, or it was possible to be.
However, I want to discuss good health and how to have it. We all want it whether we are five years old—or 85. I want to be healthy. I know I do not practice the things that I should to achieve good health. I have lots of room for improvement and I am telling this as much to myself as for anyone.
We all know the basics to good heath. We need to eat and drink right, not smoke, get exercise and practice good personal hygiene. Those are the things we learn in basic health courses in school and see in the five-minute health announcements of the morning news television shows. Many special diet programs can get complicated and my interest is lost in a hurry. I am generally too busy to get involved in detailed exercise programs.
What I want to discuss is three basic concepts for better health. Three things to use as daily reminders of ways we can better enjoy healthy lives.
1. Good diet. We all know our own ways to eat better. More fresh vegetables, less sugar and lean meats, etc. Follow meals with a walk or your own method to exercise and properly digest foods.
2. Take better physical care of your body. don’t smoke, don’t let yourself get dependant on chemical substances whether it is alcohol, prescribed nerve relaxants or drugs.
These first two are very basic guidelines and. ones with which you already are familiar. It is the third “basic” which I want to discuss now and it is not one I invented. It is one which has been around a long time, but one which I feel we forget about just as much as we do good diets and exercise.
This “good health” tip was given to us, by Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel. It is just as important, if not more, than the other basics of good health.
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:22.
“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Proverbs 15:13.
“All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15.
We all know what a strong mind and spirit can mean to good health. We have seen many of our “Strong” family and friends simply fight off death or disease because they had strong “merry hearts.” It is something that should not be underestimated.
We should practice a “merry heart” just like we try to eat properly. The results of not having a “merry heart” are evident and each of you have seen them.
How many times have our worries and depression led to ulcers, both of the mouth and stomach? Once we see many of our brethren and sisters lose their merry heart, their physical health also deteriorates; but those with strong “merry hearts” seem to miraculously fight off death and disease. It is no miracle. It is a basic that Solomon gave us more than 20 centuries ago.
We know how to eat better. We know how to get better exercise and take better care of our bodies.
But how do we have a merry heart? We already know that too, if we just think about it. First, trust the Lord and pray to Him. Ask Him for His help and guidance for those problems you have been worried about. Do not envy your neighbor. Galatians 5:21; Romans 13:v-9. Hold that temper in check. If you get mad, take it to the Lord and ask him for guidance. Vengeance is the Lord’s not ours. Romans 12:19. If we spend our time with judgment and vengeance in our hearts, then we will not enjoy the “merry heart” so important to good health.
Too many times we put our trust, faith and confidence in another person or a family member to relieve our problems. When they are unable to solve our problems it only makes us worse. We should put our trust and confidence in the Lord. Psalms 118:8.
All the basic dieting ideas, exercise, etc. are important to good health. A “merry heart” is just as important.
April
There is a popular song that hit the airwaves a few years back titled: “It’s Hard to Be Humble.” It was a fun song in which the songwriter and singer (a native of Lubbock, Texas) poked fun at himself by noting in the song that “Lord, its hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.” The song continues in similar vein with the chorus ending; although it’s hard to be humble, “I’m doing the best that I can.”
Being humble is hard. It is against our very nature. However, we learn that there is a real reward to being humble, if we can just humble ourselves enough to see it.
Being humble we realize where the real source of our wisdom, our knowledge and our talents is. We must know that we would not have those talents and abilities if the Lord did not bless us with those.
“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:7.
Just how wise do we think we can be? Be the number one world renown genius? If we could be all of that, it would be hard to be humble, wouldn’t it? If, as a famous boxer used to say, I am the greatest, how great or how wise would we really be? How hard would it be then for us to be humble?
It would not be too hard to be humble if we only read Corinthians 3:18-20: “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are in vain.”
We are told in numerous examples that it is better to be humble and to realize that our strength, our talents and our wisdom comes from the Lord. As an example, in Proverbs 16:19: “Better it is to be an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
In James 4:6: “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” And continuing at verse 10: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up.”
WE are also taught the lesson of humility in St. Luke in the parable of the two men who went to the temple to pray. One of the men was a Pharisee, the other a publican. The Pharisee, although he, perceived himself as being humble, was not humble in his prayer. He did not see himself as a sinner, but saw himself as better than the publican.
There is a lesson in this for all of us. Do we ever see ourselves as better than others because we are doing all those public things that look better. Or, are we simply going through the motions and the formalities of acting humble, without really being humble?
Look at the publican in this parable who followed the Pharisee to the temple. (St. Luke 18:11-14.) The publican stood back, not lifting his eyes, praying to God that he knew he was a sinner and seeking God’s mercy. Verse 14 of St. Luke Chapter 18 tells us it was the publican who left the temple justified rather than the Pharisee. “For everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
In 1 Peter 5:5-6, we again are told that we are all subject to one another and that no one is greater than the other: “Yea, all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you Tin due time.”
Being humble is good for you. - If you must brag, look around you and find those people who are doing a good job of being humble. Usually, it is the truly humble who are doing the work and should be encouraged. Send them a note of thanks and let others know of the good work they are doing. That’s the type of bragging we told is okay. Bragging on others, not on yourself.
“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.” Proberbs27:2.
May
We are all aware of the three basic ways in which we are taught to worship the Lord -- through singing, preaching and, praying.
I wish I could sing better. I am an excellent singer with perfect pitch and beat when I am alone in my car driving along singing to myself. So long as I am the only listener sound pretty good.
The same goes for preaching. I can preach to myself pretty good. I know what I say and I can generally give myself a pretty good lecture and sermon. However, put me in front of a crowd and I have trouble conveying in words the exact meaning I want to convey. I know how I feel, but the right words and exactly how to say them fails me.
The Lord gives us the avenue of prayer under a little difference conditions than in preaching and singing. We may not have the blessing to sing beautifully in public and we may not everyone be blessed with liberty of the tongue to preach the sweet gospel of Christ. But God has given to each of us a direct hotline to his throne through the avenue of prayer.
We do not have to have a beautiful singing voice to pray a sincere prayer in an appeal to the Lord. We do not have to have great speaking ability or even a great knowledge of language. All we need is an humble desire to seek the Lord’s assistance.
There is no question in my mind that some of the most sincere, and powerful, prayers have been made by those of little physical stature or political power.
We are given numerous examples in the Bible of the importance of prayer, how to pray and when to pray. The 6th chapter of Matthew tells us where to pray and how to pray.
Jesus teaches us through parables in his ministry and one such set of a parables begins the 18th chapter of Luke. These two Parables tell us how often we should pray and what our attitude should be during prayer.
First, Christ gives us the example of the woman who constantly troubles an unjust judge to give her relief from an adversary. The judge is said to not fear God nor regard man. But he finally gives in to the woman to keep her from continually bothering him.
The lesson is that God is not like the unjust judge. And if the unjust judge will finally give relief to those continually seek his assistance, why should we not believe that our God will also take care of his own chosen people when they continually appeal to Him, through prayer.
The second example is of the Pharisee and the publican who went into the temple to pray. The Pharisee had an attitude problem and prayed by thanking the Lord because the Pharisee was a better man than the publican. Meanwhile, the publican acknowledged he was a sinner, undeserving of the Lord’s mercy, and humbly sought his appeal through prayer. The publican went away justified rather than the Pharisee.
We should be humble when, we pray, (Luke 18:14) and men ought always to pray. [Luke 18:1] When Christ returns he should find us consistent, continual and humble prayers without faint. [Luke 18:8]
June
First a note regarding a change being made with the Banner, which our readers may notice. Last month we had a major breakdown in our typesetting equipment, and as usual, it occurred just as we were attempting to finalize the issue.
Some of you may have noticed some of the “problems” in typesetting and makeup in last month’s issue which hit us as we were trying to meet our printing deadlines.
This month we are changing our typesetting operation in an attempt to provide better readability as, well as to ameliorate this type of problem in the future. Please let us know your thoughts as we revise the “look” of our typesetting.
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I am constantly encouraging our readers to write for the Banner. We have a number of excellent columnists and regular contributors which have provided us with good, sound doctrinal articles for our readers. However, we know there are numerous others who could contribute to our readers’ interests, but for some reason or another, do not pen their thoughts to paper.
One excuse I hear regularly is that “I do not have enough thoughts to provide an article of any substance”. This is a mistaken belief which we wish we could change. While some subjects do require more in-depth research and full explanation, there are a lot of our readers with excellent thoughts, however brief, which would find a place in the hearts of our readers. In fact, general research indicates a greater number of readers search first for the smaller articles and read them first, before dedicating the time to the longer, more detailed articles.
We are presently experiencing a problem which is not new. In fact, my father wrote on this same subject more than 30 years ago in the Banner and provided an interesting example of the effect of a brief and to-the-point article. The following is from my father’s column in a Banner issued in July of 1960 with the example by the late Elder S. J. Ellis from the immediate prior issue in 1960:
“We have a problem, and those who write for the paper can help us with it.
First we want to say we appreciate every person who writes for the paper and we want you, by all means to keep writing. Without you we could have no paper.
Here is how each writer can help, and that is by making your article as brief and concise as you can do so and get it like you want it. If you do this, we can likely get your article printed sooner, and also there will be more room for others.
We convey ideas with words, and it takes enough of them to say what you want to say, but many times the most of us use too many words.
A good example of good use of words, the article Elder Ellis wrote in the last issue, he made one short statement that caused more comment and more study than any we, have printed in some time.
Remember one thing, we want you to keep writing, we need your news -- we must have it if we put out a paper...”
The article by Elder Ellis is as follows:
“To the readers of The Banner of Love and brethren and sisters in the Lord.
1 am sorry I have not written sooner, so may have asked about our health and visited us and sent cards and gifts for which we are thankful.
But it seems to make me nervous to read or write. The doctor told me I would have to take it easy and avoid anything of a strenuous nature.
Wife had a bad spell the first of the week but we are both better now. About all I do is eat, sleep and try to keep cool.
I want to give you just a hint of what Jesus said. He called up the seventy and sent them out to preach the gospel. When they returned He asked them: ‘Lack you anything?’ They said, nothing. I believe if the Lord sends a man today, he will lack nothing.’ But if the Lord don’t send him, he better bear down on the support of the ministry..
‘This is my honest view.’ If you don’t agree don’t think hard of me. Your little brother and sister in hope and love. S.J. and Icey Ellis, Plainview, Texas.”
We know we have a number of our readers who are inspired with thoughts which would be of tremendous interest to our readers: one subject, one verse, one thought. We invite you to share your thoughts and your special verses on subjects. You do not need to write in volumes to contribute. Maybe even a few sentences. Many times, as we have seen in example after example, a brief and concise thought can convey more to a larger audience. The Lord’s Prayer is barely half a minute reading time.
Please put on paper and send us your inspirations, regardless of how short.
July
I have had visits with certain close friends recently who have suffered grief in their families. In two cases, the families had lost sons, one not quite a teenager, and the other in his first year of college.
In both cases, the deaths, as we all can imagine, had hit the families very hard. At first, it is hard to believe the close loved ones are gone, and as the reality sets in, depression and long-term grieving have their effect.
It is hard to visit with someone who has just lost a family member, especially one so young. It is hard many times to identify with this situation, unless we have been through it personally, as anyone who has can verify. I know the families who lose a child appreciate the concern, but they know they have a hurt that is unknown except by those individuals who also have lost a child.
My brothers and sister and I, have a letter written by my mother to her sister on the death of my oldest brother when he was very young. It is still difficult for me today to read the anguish clearly evident in her handwriting which my mother went through at the loss of her first-born child. I know my father could always identify when he assisted at the funeral for a young child.
The scriptures are clearly our best source of reference in situations such as these, both for the family grieved, and for those of us who want to provide our sympathy and understanding in such circumstances. Both the grieved, and those attempting to comfort them, should seek the guidance provided by scripture.
Rom. 8:28. “And we, know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
There are numerous references for those who grieve over the death of a child, but none that forms the foundation for understanding better than this verse. A solid understanding and appreciation of Rom. 8:28 will provide much consolation. It is some times difficult, in layman’s terms, to, understand how the death of a young person will work for good, but faith in this position provides much relief.
The Psalms of David also provides numerous poetic statements of David regarding his understanding of faith in the Lord and its power in healing those who grieve.
“He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my Salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.” Psalms 62:6-8.
For those seeking to help those who grieve, we are given instruction, even if we cannot provide direct words of comfort: “...Pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16.
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” I Cor.1:3-4
Another major comfort is taught to us in Paul’s epistle in Thessalonians: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”
Thess 4:13-14. The verse continues at 15 through 18 that God will raise those having died to join the remainder of his children and that none shall be lost. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
“All” things work together for good...
August
I keep hoping I will see a “sign” that will help me in my decision making. Several times I have needed to make decisions or choose a direction and I know that a “sign” would help me greatly to know what to do, who to believe, what direction to proceed.
I have thought at times that if God could just give me some “sign”, then I would know to trust in Him and go the direction the sign has indicated to me.
Have you ever asked God to give you a sign? Have you ever asked Him that if he will just give some “sign” to you to help you in your decision, in turn you will commit to him -- either to walk “straight”, change you ways, or never “question” His power, His glory or His existence?
For those of us who have asked for a sign, we are not the first ones to have done so. In fact, Jesus himself was asked for a “sign” to prove Himself. We should learn a lesson from the lesson Jesus gives to us for when we demand a “sign”.
Beginning at Matthew 12:38 we learn that the Pharisees came to Jesus demanding a “sign” that would prove he was who he said he was. Like the Pharisees, those who asked for such signs, are showing our question of belief, not our trust in such belief. Jesus answered them by indicating the only sign that should be necessary for any of us to place our trust and welfare in the hands of the Lord.
“An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall be no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” See also Matt. 16:1, Mark 8:11, Luke11:16, John 2:18.
The Apostle Paul detailed more into the foolish requirement of a sign in the first chapter of 1 Corinthians. He noted that the “Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” I Cor. 1:22-24.
Earlier in the chapter, beginning with the 17th verse, Paul explains to us some of the wisdom in God’s design of our salvation:
“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”
Paul is telling us, our total focus should be on Christ crucified and resurrected -- and nothing else. The truth needs no dressing up or enticement. It needs no “signs” or flowery oratory. The power of God unto salvation is the only “sign” we need.
Those who seek a “sign”, and those who need the perfect science and wisdom are acting in foolishness as to the power and glory of God.
The preaching of the cross to them is foolishness “but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” verse 18.
To the Greeks, who sought wisdom and science in all things to satisfy their tremendous knowledge, what hope is there to be saved by Jesus who could not save himself. Their human pride would not allow them to lower themselves to believe in a poor, lowly “saviour”, a man of poor birthright, poor condition in life who surrounded himself, not with the elite knowledgeable politicians and wise orators, but with carpenters and fishermen.
Paul teaches us the triumph of faith in the glory of the cross over conventional wisdom. God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and the weak things to confound the things which are mighty. v. 27.
We do not need “signs”, scientific proof or the flower of man’s oratory abilities to cloud the focus upon the “sign of Jonah” -- that being like Christ in the death, burial and resurrection We believe in this first and we will not have to spend our time “looking for a sign.” We have the sign we need: our salvation through Christ. That should be our focus.
We should “walk by faith”, and not attempt to walk by the sight of a sign. II Cor. 5:7.
September
Within the last few days I returned from an extended trip away from home. I had been traveling to various meetings with a business colleague and friend for about ten days before we were finally heading home. On our final traveling day, we had to arise by 4 a.m. and depart our hotel in Boston, Mass., at approximately 4:30 a.m. in order to make a 5:50 a.m. flight. All these times are eastern, an hour earlier than our regular time zone in Texas.
The two of us were very tired and we discussed how pleased we were to be heading back home to our families. It seemed like a long time in getting home, but when we arrived in Lubbock, I smiled when my friend’s small children greeted him at the airport with large hugs for their Dad. But, as you might imagine, my smile grew somewhat when I then was surprised by my wife and two small children who had also decided to meet me with a similar airport greeting. It was a great shot of adrenalin.
The Lord richly blesses us through our families and the comfort, support and love we provide each other through them. A part of our love, especially for our children, comes with the duty to teach and provide the proper foundation as our children learn early how to deal with the world.
With this in mind, I had been reviewing the series of articles written 30 years ago on the 10 Commandments by Elder Donohue which we have been publishing the last few months from past issues of the Banner. I was reminded of the writing of Moses after delivering the 10 Commandments from Mount Sinai in which he instructed the people how to daily apply the Commandments.
Not only did Moses teach that we are personally to follow the commandments, a duty is imposed on us to teach them to our children and grandchildren; in so doing, we are providing the very foundation so important for them in their adult life. I do not consider myself a very adept teacher, but Moses’ does not let me off with such an excuse. He gives us instruction as to the teaching tools we are to use:
In the 6th chapter of Deuteronomy, Moses tells us that our God is one Lord, and that we “shalt love the Lord with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” He then instructs that the Commandments “shall be in thine heart:
“And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shaft write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” Deut. 6:4-9.
We are not to simply instruct our children occasionally in the commandments, but should make them an integral part of our daily lives with our families and in our personal perceptions to the public. Children learn in large part by example, especially from their parents and grandparents.
Do we “diligently” teach our children the commandments? Do we make the commandments an integral part of our daily lives? Can we personally recite from memory the commandments, as we would a popular song or nursery rhyme? Do we remember the various commandments as easily as we recall silly the jokes we pass along?
We should “diligently” review the commandments and find ways to integrate them into our discussions with our families and homes … when we sit in our homes or walk by the way, when we go to bed and when we arise. We should remind ourselves with strings on our fingers if necessary and with constant reminders in front of our eyes.
We should remember we are not discussing the “10 suggestions or recommendations.” Look up the meaning of the word “commandment.”
October
Don’t you think it would be nice if a number of people in our churches could all have equal talents? If the minister is ill or not available, any of the congregation could assume the pulpit. Also, it would be good, wouldn’t it, if we all could sing and lead singing as well as our best singer and leader.
I know it sometimes is pretty easy for me to look around at members of the church and point out that a certain individual or two simply does not have the talent or ability that would help him/her and the church. Other members have abundance of talents, especially in the most “important positions” in the church. Certainly, there are positions and/or people in the church which are “most vital”, and others whom are not necessarily needed for the functions of the church? Don’t you agree?
Well, the Apostle Paul does not appear to agree with this type of philosophy. He teaches us differently.
Study the 12th chapter of the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. His teachings here provide us with some interesting insight into the total function of the church, or the “body of Christ.”
First Paul tells us that we will have “diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” I Cor. 12:4. And while there will be differences of administrations and diversities of operations, we have the same Lord.
While we are given manifestation of the Spirit for our good, the Spirit provides to one the “word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge. Vs. 5-8.
Another is given faith, and still another the gift of healing. Other individuals may be given the working of miracles, prophecy, the discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” Vs. 8-12. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.”
Paul tells us that the church is the body of Christ, made up of its individual members as one body. Then the apostle really breaks it down into layman’s terms we should understand. He asks us if the foot, because it is not the hand, is not of the body? Because the ear is not an eye, is it not of the body? If the whole body was an eye, how would we hear? If the whole body was an ear, how would we smell?
Then Paul sets us at the crux of the matter: God has established the members in the church as it has pleased Him.
My name is not listed anywhere in the verse. My personal pleasure as to the gifts and talents of the members of the church is not the basis of this lesson. Because God has established this as it has pleased him, I cannot say that one member is unnecessary simply because the individual’s talents, in my opinion, do not match others in the church. In fact, the opposite is true as the Apostle Paul tells us.
He teaches us that those members of the church “which seem to be more feeble, are necessary.” 1 Cor. 12:22. We are told that the more comely parts of the body do not receive the honor that is due to the uncomely parts of the body. While we may sometimes cover up and hide the uncomely parts, it is those parts which God has given more honor.
We should think about this in our personal bodies. While we think of our facial features, arms and legs as the comely parts of our bodies, it is the hidden and/or covered parts of us that provide vital functions to our body as a whole. The same is true of the church, as Paul teaches us here. He tells us that those whom we may think of as the lowest members of the body, or the church, all have their use, and the highest cannot do well without them.
Because of this we are taught to each care for every member of the body. When one of us suffers, we all should suffer. When one member is honored, all the members should rejoice.
“Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” I Cor. 12:29-30.
Some are given the gift for one office in the church, and some for different office. The Spirit decides this, not us. We must be content with our position in the church, not envious of another, not conceited of ourselves. We are to minister one to the other, to promote the good of the whole body in general. It is an excellent concept, if we do not abuse it, but follow Paul’s teaching.
While the best gifts of the Spirit are to be coveted, Paul lastly in Chapter 12 hints the he will teach us a “more excellent way” of setting our priorities. It is not for the striving of gifts, but through “loving” care for one another. His next lesson in “charity”, or “love”, is perhaps even a greater lesson. We will discuss it next issue.
November
What does it take to be a perfect person? Whatever it takes, I would like to be the perfect person.
It would be wonderful to have the gift of prophecy. Or to be able to speak in tongues.
I would like to know that I personally understand all the mysteries of the universe; that I have all knowledge.
I want to be a person who has the type of faith literally to move mountains; that I would be willing to give all my earthly possessions to feed the poor; that 1 would be willing to offer myself as a sacrifice for my faith.
If I could do these things and had these abilities, then I could be the perfect person, right?
The Apostle Paul gives us one of the beautiful lessons of the Bible on this subject in the 13th Chapter of his first letter to the Corinthians. It is a continuation of his teachings from the 12th chapter, which was discussed in this column last month. In the last of the 12th Chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul tells us to covet earnestly the best gifts: “and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.”
Regardless of our best talents and abilities, the best actions or knowledge, we are nothing if we do not have in our hearts one important element: charity.
“Charity” is the subject of the entire 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians in which the Apostle details its importance and explains its principles. True charity is the very heart and spirit of religion.
Charity, as it is described here is not meant in the common terms we generally refer to it: a concept we refer to closer to alms-giving. Here, the apostle describes what many interpreters refer to as “pure love” or “God’s love”. Charity here is true love and devotion to God and fellow man growing out of man’s total devotion to God.
Paul tells us that charity is preferable to all gifts, and that without charity, all our other talents, gifts and abilities are nothing.
The apostle tells us that even if we could speak in the tongues of men and angels, “and have not charity”, then we are like mere horns or cymbals. If we have all knowledge, the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries, if our faith moves mountains, we are still “nothing” unless we also have charity. And even if we provide all our possessions to feed the poor, or offer ourselves as burnt sacrifices, it all profits us nothing unless we take these actions with a benevolent and charitable heart. It is the charitable heart, not the abundance of talent or the offerings, which is most acceptable to God.
I encourage you to review the entire 13th chapter of First Corinthians, it is just 13 verses, but it conveys the entire theme of the gospel. Beginning at verse 4, Paul lays out the aspects of charity, which is what we all should daily review.
Paul tells us that charity is long suffering; it can endure evil, injury and provocation without resentment or revenge and it provides us power over our anger.
Charity is kind. Charity seeks (aggressively searches out) opportunity to do good, and to be bountiful in doing good.
Charity suppresses envy as well as self-conceit and arrogance. Charity is not grieved at the good fortune, talent, possessions or glory of others, but instead seeks to share in and rejoice at our neighbor’s good welfare. The pure love of charity helps provide us with esteem of our fellow brethren, and limits our esteem of ourselves.
Charity is decent and builds godly behavior. Charity prefers the welfare of others to its own and never gratifies itself at the cost of others. It restrains tempers and passions. With charity, it becomes impossible to remain angry with those we love, but helps us to forgive and drop our resentments to be reconciled.
It takes no pleasure in committing evil, nor fostering ill will or ill opinion of others; and does not rejoice in doing mischief to others.
Charity “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” It believes well of all persons, judges well, and hopes well of others.
Paul tells us that charity is preferable to all gifts. Charity never fails even though the gifts may. We know that Paul tells us that it is preferable to the other gifts of grace:
“And now abideth faith, hope and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.”
Charity should be our goal. A charitable mind, a charitable heart. If we start there, the rest will take care of itself.
December
There is always a discussion about the government and its taxation of the people. It is a constant subject of conversation whether or not the person talking is otherwise politically oriented. Most everyone has heard the old saying that the two things you cannot avoid are “taxes and death’.
We all complain about having our taxes raised. I know it is always better for me if someone else’s taxes are raised instead on mine. That is why I have never had a major problem, from my personal position, with the so-called “sin taxes”. The government can increase the “sin taxes” and it does not affect me. That must mean that I do not sin and therefore am not subject to the government’s tax. I like the sound of that.
Of course, we know that the government’s concept of “sin”, from a tax stand point, involves primarily alcohol and tobacco. If you commit one of these “sins” you are going to help pay for a lot of the government’s program that others will not have to share in.
I recently had my thoughts shifted to this subject in an articles I was reading that was written “tongue and cheek” about “sin taxes”. It was a humorous article, but the underlying message was important.
If the government really wants to raise “big bucks” to pay off all our national debt, pay for all the new programs we want: health care, welfare, the military, space programs, a big super-duper super-collider in Texas, etc., then we should get really serious about “sin taxes”. The government has been choosing the wrong “sins”. I wonder how long I could avoid further taxation if the government really did levy a tax on sins. Something tells me I could not work enough in a month to pay off my taxes for a day.
What the government should look to taxing are the so-called “seven deadly sins.” Now we would be getting serious about raising some real money to fund the government. How many of us would have to pay?
Let’s start with the sin of “pride”. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, in not of the Father, but is of the world.” I John 2:16. See Mark 7:22. I am afraid the government would really get me there.
Let’s look at deadly sin number two: covetousness. Anybody guilty with me there. Get out your checkbooks. Ever desire someone else’s new home, car, assets, or husband/wife? “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15.
Well, let’s move on to deadly sin number three: lust. Anybody got any problems with being taxed on that one? (I may have to get a second job.) How much money could the government raise if it could tax our lustful thoughts?
“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matt. 5:28.1 John 2:16.
Deadly Sin Number four: anger. Let’s tax that. I can see the government out of financial problems really fast. Have you ever angered too fast at a spouse, child, family member, a coworker? “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” EccI. 7:9.
The next deadly sin is one which is particularly timely during the holiday season (but applies all year round to other than food): gluttony. We could provide a feast for the world if we could tax the over indulgence of most of us. “For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” Prov. 23:21.
Number six deadly sin is envy. Anybody got any taxes to pay here? Have you ever envied anyone you know? Anyone in the church? “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.” Titus 3:3.
The last of the “deadly sins” is sloth. This would be a real source of revenue for taxes. Suppose everyone had to pay each time they are lazy. You have to fork over $500 each time you watched a football game instead of carrying out, the trash and mowing the yard … going to visit the sick and elderly, or to church?
“The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor.” Prov. 21:25. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving thee Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” Romans 12:10- 13.
Let’s hope the government does not ever discover the real “sins” for taxation. Let’s be glad our Father knows them, and forgives them.
“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Romans 4:6-8.
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Col. 1:12-14.