Doing As Well As We Know
People rarely do as well as they know how to do. Few people speak as well as they know how; most mistakes in grammar are made from carelessness rather than ignorance. Most of us know a great deal more about personal health and hygiene than we practice in our daily living. We actually know more about thrift than our loose spending would indicate. Our good manners are reserved for special occasions and "company".
In like manner, but of a much more serious nature, our religious life hardly ever comes up to standard with what we know we ought to do to be pleasing and acceptable to the Lord. All of us admit that we could do better. Then, what are we waiting for? Do we not know "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Jesus said, "He that is not with me is against me." and "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things I say?"
There are many people in various religious denominations who do not believe the teachings of those groups with which they are affiliated. They are quite often opposed to the methods and techniques by which the groups operate. And more than this, these people know what the Bible teaches on the matter, yet they fail to do as well as they know. They remain in these sects, give of their time and money to propagate something they know to be wrong, and are altogether unhappy in so doing. Yet, they do nothing about it. Why? Why indeed? Have they never read I Kings 18:21 "... How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him." Surely they realize they are being dishonest with themselves and hypocritical before others in continuing such. And more important, they are displeasing unto God. May they have the courage to do what they know they ought to do.
Then there are those who have never done anything at all about their lost condition. They make no pretense of being "anything religiously", though they have heard the gospel preached in its purity. Instead of acting according to their knowledge of the word, they wait. But what are they waiting for? The mighty angels of the Lord "in flaming fire taking vengeance on those that know not God and obey not the gospel" is all they have to look forward to in eternity. (II Thess. 1:8) Yet, they wait, and do not obey. What are they waiting for? Saving power? The gospel is the power of God to save (Rom. 1:16) and they have heard that. Converting power? The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. (Ps. 19:7) Faith? That comes by hearing the word. (Rom. 10:17) Change of heart? In what way do they wish to change the heart? Do they not believe that Jesus is the Christ? Yes, of course they believe. Then they must not change that, for except they believe they shall die in their sins. Without faith it impossible to please God. They must believe before they can come to God. (Heb. 11:6) Are they not sorry for the wrongs they have committed? Yes, surely. Then the heart must not be changed in that respect, for "except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish". Will they not confess Jesus as Christ before men? Oh yes, they frequently tell people that they believe in Jesus and honor Him. Then that must not be changed either, for they must confess Him or He will deny them. Then what are they waiting for? They simply have not done as well as they know by submitting to baptism, thus obeying the Lord and changing their state or condition. May they do as they know and obey before it is too late.
"Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of the Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21).
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To Whom It May Concern:
We regret that it is necessary to make the following statement through the papers, but we feel that in the interest of truth and right that all brethren and churches should be informed that the church at Beech Grove, Arkansas in Green County persisted in bringing in W. Carl Ketcherside of St. Louis, Mo. to hold a meeting there this summer, and that they have allowed the church there to be used as a "spearhead" for the divisive teaching of "Sommerism" in this section.
The church at Beech Grove, or their leaders, ignored the advice of many faithful gospel preachers, and refused to consider the division and strife which had been caused at Senath and Canalou, Missouri, by this man's hobbies.
However, we do not believe that all the members at Beech and Grove subscribe to this factional teaching, and we hope that they may exert some effort to counteract these hobbies, which have left a trail of divided congregations in the North, and now seek to disturb the peace of the congregations in the South also.
A challenge was issued to Ketcherside to meet either W. L. Totty, or Sterl A. Watson in a discussion of these matters, but he refused to debate unless he could name his opponent and select the place for the discussion.
We trust that all loyal gospel preachers, and all faithful Christians will take advantage of the situation existing at Beech Grove and act accordingly.
Signed:
Elders, church of Christ Evangelists:
2nd and Walnut St.
J. A. McNutt, Paragould, Ark.
Paragould, Arkansas H. F. Sharp, Blytheville, Ark.
Also Write:
Joe H. Blue, Salem, Arkansas
W. Curtis Porter, Monette, Ark.
C. L. Purdom, F. W. Pruett, Gus Eubanks