Newsletter Vol.3, #13—April 22, 2007

Matthew 10 ³²So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, ³³but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Listening to Yourself

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:6

Several years ago, when tape recorders were still a novelty, someone decided to hide a microphone in a room where guests would gather. The plan was that, later, during the time refreshments would be served, the tape would be played back to the amusement of all. At the scheduled time, the

tape recorder was brought out. The guests were eager to hear themselves. However, as the tape was played, grins soon turned grim, and laughter was replaced with soberness. What happened? Everyone was hearing themselves as they actually sounded, and it didn't sound good. Now, everyone finds their voice sounding "strange" when it is played back on a recorder. But it wasn't the strangeness of their voices that took the joy out of this gathering. What took them aback was what they said and how they said it. They didn't realize how they sounded to others. They had no idea how harsh their words were at times. They didn't comprehend how insensitive they were to the feelings of others. They didn't notice how self-centered their comments were. In short, they hadn't been listening to themselves talk. Humbled and humiliated, the guests left with a fresh understanding of how they sounded to others.

Often, we think of ourselves as speaking in a forthright manner, but if we listened to ourselves we may hear painfully blunt words. We perceive ourselves as merely passing on information, but if we listen to ourselves, we might hear only gossip. Often what is thought to be frank speech sounds harsh and cruel to the listener. We may think we are speaking with a velvet tongue, when literally we are wielding a sword. It is imperative to keep the listeners in mind. How will it sound to them? How will it affect them? If I were in their place, how would I receive it? These questions must be foremost in our minds. Kindness must be on our tongue.

And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Perchance someone reading this article may entertain the thought that I had them in mind. I confidently say, I didn't. The impetus for this article came from an occasion when I stopped to listen to myself. It was an "ear-opening" experience. I had no idea how I sounded until I took the time to listen to myself. I didn't like what I heard. Listening to yourself is one sobering and humbling exercise, but without a doubt, a necessary one!                                                         Ron Adams

PostScript: A final thought: We need to so act that if our interactions with others were videotaped, we would be happy with what we viewed on the replay.

The Rogers Reflector

A weekly publication of the Downtown church of Christ, P.O. Box 447, 201 W. Chestnut St., Rogers, AR 72757, Vol. 24 May 1, 2005 No. 18

Must Be More Than Religious

Chuck Bartlett

Do you know anyone who is not a member of the church but is considered to be religious? Would you think one to be such if they were a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent? If not, why not? The truth is, if one was guilty of the ungodly traits listed, they can have just as much right to consider themselves religious as those who are not guilty of the wicked acts mentioned.

The word religious means devoted to a religious belief, one who is pious and conscientious. Now, before you conclude that a person who is a blasphemer and a persecutor could not be conscientious, don't forget the apostle Paul. He told Timothy, “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor and an insolent man;...” (I Tim.1:13).

On another occasion, Paul made this statement, “They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee” (Acts 26:5). We see that prior to becoming a Christian, Paul was devoted to Judaism beyond many of his contemporaries, and more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of his fathers (Gal.1:14). In other words, he was deeply religious. It was this misdirected devotion that caused him to persecute the church beyond measure and tried to destroy it (Gal. 1:13).

Although all of what Paul did, he did it ignorantly (I Tim.1:13), he was still guilty. He considered himself the chiefest of sinners (I Tim.1:15). Even though Paul didn't realize he was transgressing, he was dead in sin until he obeyed the gospel (Acts 22:16).

It should be apparent that just because someone considers themselves religious, it doesn't mean a whole lot, unless their religion is from above. James states, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless” (Jas.1:26).

There are many sincere people in the world who are committed to what they believe is right. We might respect their dedication, but let us not lose our perspective and think God approves. As James recorded, you can be religious and it be completely in vain--meaning it is useless. James went on to say, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and keep oneself unspotted from the world” (Jas.1:27).

We can safely conclude that if we are a faithful child of God, then we are religious. That doesn't mean we are a child of God by just being religious. Keeping self unspotted from the world is going to require a whole lot more than being totally committed to a belief. One must be committed to Christ and His teachings (II Jn.9). Are you?

The Parable of the Vacationist

Now it came to pass as summer drew nigh that Mr. Church Member lifted up his eyes unto the hills and said, “Lo the hot days come and even now are at hand; come let us go unto the shore where cool breezes refresh and where glorious scenes await.”

“Thou speaks wisely,” said Mrs. Church Member. “Yet there are three, yea, even four things we must do before we depart.”'

“Three things I can think of, but not four,”' responded Mr. Church Member. “We must arrange for our flowers to be watered and cared for, our paper to be discontinued, and we must see that our mail is forwarded; but the fourth eludes my mind.”

“The fourth is like unto the first three, yet even more important than all. Thou shalt dig down into thy purse and contribute thine offering, that the good of the church may be preserved and that it may be well with thee; for verily I say unto thee that thou hast more money now than thou wilt have when thou dost return.”'

And it came to pass that Mr. Church Member gave his contribution for the vacation period, ere he left, and the treasurer, upon counting the contribution, rejoiced saying, “Of a truth there are still those who care for the Lord's work.”

What Is?

Chuck Bartlett

What is interesting about the word of God is that it does not set out to prove certain things; it simply affirms what is.

What is?

1. God is (Gen. 1:1)

2. Sin is (Rom. 3:23)

3. Death is (Hb. 9:27)

4. Heaven is (Mt. 6:9)

5. Hell is (Mk. 9:43f)

6. Grace is (Ro. 3:22f)

Believing in what is, is much easier than trying to believe what is, isn't.