Where did the time go, and what has happened to 2002? As we grow older, with the passing of each year, it is important that we take inventory of more than our taxable assets, hair loss, and weight gains. In Exodus 40:1-2, Jehovah spoke to Moses and said: "On the first day of the first month shalt thou rear up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting... " God gave Moses this commandment in the second year after the children of Israel came out of Egypt. We don't know why God chose the "first day of the first month" to begin construction of the tabernacle. Perhaps it was Israel's benefit, to make the work more memorable to them. Whatever the reason, it is well to begin a new year by evaluating our priorities and appraising our spiritual condition. As we do this, each of us should examine himself/herself, not engaging in the common practice of faultfinding, and excuse-making. I must look for the things "I" can do to improve my service to God. In Joseph's day, the chief butler said: "I do remember my faults this day" (Genesis 41:9).
Realize that time is precious. David prayed to God to help him and the people realize that they did not have a perpetual lease on life. He prayed, "So teach us to number our days... " (Psalm 90:12). No moment can be recalled or reclaimed. Nor can it be returned to the clock or the calendar. Peter said, "for all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass, The grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away" (1 Peter 1:24). James described life as a"vapor that appeareth for a little time... " (James 4: 14).
The conscious apprehension of approaching death and the brevity of time makes us more careful and sober one's thinking about the seriousness of sin (Ezekiel 18 :20) and our opportunities to serve (Matthew 25: 14-46). Of a certainty, both death and an accounting for sin are appointed (Hebrews 9:27). We are commanded to "redeem the time" (Ephesians 5:15-16), literally to buy up opportunity. We have time and opportunity NOW (2 Corinthians 6:2). Now is the time to teach our children, to worship and serve God faithfully. During the past year, a number of dramatic events have remined us of this sobering fact. Several have lost loved ones. Our nation still endures the shocking events of September 11,2001 when over 3,000 unexpectedly lost their lives. If you knew you would not live beyond this year, would you change anything?
Would you change the way you think? Certainly, this is a challenge! Paul warned the saints at Corinth"lest your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3). When the mind is corrupted, it contaminates the entire being (Matthew 15:19-20). We are to control our thoughts and think on the right things (Philippans 4:7-8). We must set our minds on "things above" (Colossians 3:1-2), and "bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). "For as he thinketh in his heart so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).
Would you change the way you act? Elihu, Job's friend, said: "If I have done iniquity, I will do no more" (Job 34:32). If you knew you would die within the coming year, certainly you would want to abandon anything that has even a hint of sin. Paul admonished, "Abstain from every form of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). We must acknowledge and repent of our sins. Note the words of God to Israel, "And Jehovah said unto me, Backsliding Israel hath showed herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith Jehovah; I will not look in anger upon you; for I am merciful, saith Jehovah, I will not keep (anger) for ever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against Jehovah thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith Jehovah" (Jeremiah 3:11-13). Forgiveness and mercy are promised to those who confess (1 John 1:9).
The wisdom writer stated: "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)
Would you change the way you worship God? Christians are commanded to assemble together to worship the God of heaven (Hebrews 10:25). Early Christians came together "on the first day of the week" to remember the Savior and to pay homage to the Father (Acts 20:7). Even during intense persecution, the Lord's disciples met together, under adverse circumstances, to escape the wrath of the Roman emperor. Their adoration truly came from the depths of their being. They understood the sacrifice made by Jesus when He offered up His life's blood on the cross. They were glad when it came time to assemble with other Christians. David of old expressed it, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." (Psalm 122:1)
New-Testament Christians met regularly, on the first day of the week, to receive the encouragement they needed to go forth, throughout the week, in service to God. Worship was not drudgery; it was a joy and a privilege. Oh, how today's saints need to change our thinking about assembling together. Beloved, our assembling together is just the beginning point. From it, we gain incentive to engage the enemy and accomplish God's great work. Let us prayerfully use the time during which we worship together as a springboard for action in service to our Master and King.
Would you change the way you study the Bible? Lack of knowledge has always gotten people into trouble. Hosea said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) The frightening fact is that very few people (and this includes members of the church) really study God's word. A host of presumptuous sins result from ignorance. Jesus rebuked the Sadducees, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." (Matthew 22:29) Peter charged that the sin of ignorance crucified the Christ (Acts 3:17). We are commanded to "study to present ourselves approved unto God..." (2 Timothy 3:16,17); but many fail to realize that study is the only road to knowledge of God's will. Numerous Bible classes are offered, and many study materials provide assistance, but the individual must put forth the effort to learn. Will you change and avail yourselves of such opportunities that you might "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18)? If you contribute the time to learn, you will be contributing to the overall strength of the local church. If you knew you would die this year, would you attend Bible classes consistently, ON TIME, with MINDS and LESSONS PREPARED to study God's word?
Would you choose different associates? Christians need to regularly associate with other Christians, apart from the scheduled church assemblies. We need each other; we need to encourage and strengthen each other. Without other Christians, survival is unlikely. More than 100 times, the New-Testament writers used the term "one-another." We are told to love one another, comfort one another, exhort one another, serve one another, be hospitable to one another, etc. Christians should make friends of those in the world to evangelize them, but our closest friends should be other Christians. Christians who select those of the world to be their closest companions risk contributing to their own spiritual demise. Paul stated as a matter of FACT, "be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals." (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Would you change your attitude toward the lost? Have we forgotten our purpose, why we are here? Have we forgotten how horrible it is to be lost, separated from God, because of sin (Isaiah 59:1,2; Ephesians 2:11ff).
We sing the song, Into Our Hands. "Millions are groping without the gospel; quickly they'll reach eternity's night. Shall we sit idly as they rush onward? Haste, let us hold up Christ the true light. Into our hands, the gospel is given. Into our hands, is given the light. Haste, let us carry God's precious message, guiding the erring back to the right." Indeed, we have the gospel, God's precious message of salvation. How many have you taught during the past year? If each Christian converts only one soul in a year, can you imagine the effect it would have on the world! Yes, there are many discouragements, but we must try.
The wisdom writer said, "And he that is wise winneth souls." (Proverbs 11:30) Jesus said, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: and so shall ye be my disciples." (John 15:8) He described some, with good and honest hearts, who "hear the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience." (Luke 8:15) Some who have obeyed the gospel have again entered into sin. Paul COMMANDS, "Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1) James tells us that those who do this "shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:20) If you knew you would die this year, are there those you would diligently seek to teach?
Would you ask, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Oh, there is so much work to do. Indeed, "The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:37,38) Will the Lord be satisfied if I do the same amount of work as I've done in past years? Would you "Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a WORKMAN that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 ASV) As a child of God, He would have you to grow, to advance toward a fuller, more complete service. He wants you to SERVE, to teach, reprove, exhort, and to take a firmer, more determined stand for His truth (Hebrews 5:12; 2 Peter 3:18). If you are not a Christian, God would have you to obey the gospel. Saul of Tarsus, who believed and had turned in repentance from sin, was commanded to "Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins." (Acts 22:16)
May the rich blessings of God abide with us as we strive to serve Him faithfully during 2003. Let's try to make the changes necessary to make next year the best year ever in our service to God.
Yes, 2002 is now history. For us here at Knollwood it was a year of two pictures. We have had more baptisms this year (five) than last year, but we also had five who left to enter eternity. For me, the year was very stressful-especially emotionally--for many different reasons. God has promised to be with us wherever our lives may take us (Hebrews 13:5,6).
Some have put off obeying the gospel for yet another year. Still others are more committed to the world than to the Lord. What will we do with the days God chooses to give us in 2003? May He help us all to be thankful for the time we are given and to use it wisely. I don't believe in change for the sake of change, but when one is going in the wrong spiritual direction, he needs to change. Brethren, let us make 2003 here at Knollwood better for the Lord's cause than last year. Can the Lord count on you to help His cause? (KMG)