Noteworthy News

(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Clinton says getting easier to ask forgiveness

OAK BLUFFS, Mass. (Reuters) - President Clinton said in a speech Friday it was getting easier for him to ask for forgiveness, but stopped short of explicitly doing so in relation to the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

Speaking at a commemoration of the 35th anniversary of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King's march on Washington, Clinton said, "I'm having to become quite an expert at this business of asking for forgiveness, and it gets a little easier the more you do it. And if you have a family, an administration, a Congress and a whole country to ask, you're gonna get a lot of practice."

The president cited the American civil rights movement and the example of South African president Nelson Mandela as having taught him in the art of forgiveness.

"I have to tell you that in these last days it has come home to me something I first learned as President but it wasn't burned in my bones -- that is that in order to get it you have to be willing to give it," he said to applause from the audience.

"And all of us -- that the anger, the resentment, the bitterness, the desire for recrimination against people you believe have wronged you, they harden the heart and deaden the spirit and lead to self-inflicted wounds," he said.

"And so it is important that we are able to forgive those we believe have wronged us even as we ask for forgiveness from people we have wronged," he said. (Friday, August 28, 1998)

COMMENTARY (Joe R. Price)

Yes, to be forgiven one must forgive others. Jesus taught this to be the character of citizens heaven (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:33-35). We are even supposed to have an attitude of forgiveness toward those who do not ask for our forgiveness (Lk. 23:34).

Jesus also taught that the sinner must repent in order for forgiveness to actually occur. “If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him” (Lk. 17:3). The one who sins against his neighbor cannot expect to be forgiven by God when he does not repent (change his mind) of his sin. Godly sorrow drives the sinner to repent of his sin (2 Cor. 7:10). Repentance will drive the sinner to bear the fruit of repentance in his life (2 Cor. 7:10; Lk. 3:8; Acts 26:20; Rev. 9:20-21).

Only when we are forgiven by God can we rest in the blessed hope forgiveness brings (Psa. 51:7-13).

Assignments: August 30, 1998

Announcements: Gary Bass

Opening Prayer: Gary Bass / Terry Haith

Closing Prayer: Keith Alsobrook / Dan Head

Song Leader: Clarence Gardner / Morris Bass

Scripture Reading: Shane Bass/Willie Golightly

Lord’s Supper: Rick Holt/Jason Holt/Chris Holp

Building Cleanup: Head

T HE SPIRIT’S SWORD

“And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17)

The Northside church of Christ

Meeting at the North Bellingham Grange Hall · 5201 Northwest Road · Bellingham, WA

Visit our Web Site on the Internet: http:// www.davisinet.com/northsidecofc

Volume II, No. 28 August 30, 1998

You Tell On Yourself

You tell on yourself by the friends you seek,

By the very manner in which you speak;

By the way you employ your leisure time,

By the use you make of dollar and dime.

You tell what you are by the things you wear,

By the spirit in which your burden you bear;

By the manner in which you bear defect,

By so simple a thing as how you eat.

You tell what you are by the way you walk,

By the things of which you delight to talk,

By the book you choose from the well-filled shelf.

In these ways and more — you tell on yourself.

---R. W. Hart

Of the Corinthian Christians, Paul told them that they were a letter, "known and read by all men" (2 Cor 3:2). What are you and I telling the world, whether Christians or non-Christians, about ourselves?

-Jerry Vinson

ARE WE LEGALISTS?

Joe R. Price

The definition of terms is crucial to understanding Biblical topics. Without sound definitions, one's conclusions and applications will stray from the revealed truth. A need for proper definitions arises when studying “legalism” from the Bible. Many folks are unfairly labeled as “legalistic.” Webster defines legalism as “strict, often too strict and literal, adherence to law.” At times this term is used to describe those of us who believe that God has placed CONDITIONS upon man which must be met in order to receive His blessings of salvation and eternal life. The charge is that ANY requirement of OBEDIENCE nullifies the grace of God and has man earning or meriting his salvation.

Man does not earn his salvation. The charge is false and against the word of God. The Bible shows that the only way one “earns” or “merits” salvation is by the "work" of NEVER SINNING (that is, never violate God's law). This is the “work” found in Romans 4:2-5 which results in the payment of salvation as a “debt” in which one could “glory.” This, however, is not attainable since “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23; cf. Gal. 3:10-11). Earning salvation demands sinless perfec­tion - nothing less (Eph. 2:9). The “legal­ist” would, by definition, be someone who teaches man must be saved UPON THE BASIS OF SINLESS LAW KEEPING. Nobody I know teaches such a false doctrine.

But, we are called “legalists” because we affirm that God has made salvation conditional. That is, we believe God has placed us under His command­ments and that we are obligated to obey Him in order to receive His bless­ing of salvation. One of the clearest passages teaching the conditional nature of salvation is Hebrews 5:9. “And having been made perfect, He (Jesus, jrp) became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Only those who obey Jesus will be saved by Jesus (Matt. 7:21-23). Do they earn it? No, it is His gift to the obedient (Eph. 2:8-9)!

Obeying Jesus is not the same as "earning" one's salvation. We are all sin­ners. None of us can ever expect to earn salvation. While being saved “by grace through faith,” it is our “duty” as a servant to obey our Lord (Lk. 6:46). But, obedience is not the basis our of salvation (Lk. 17:10).

Today, some brethren charge us with being “legalistic” because we teach that we must have a Bible pattern (authority) for all we believe and practice. Many churches of Christ are engaging in church support of human organizations, the sponsoring church arrangement in evangelism and benevolence, and the social gospel. If we truly must “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col. 3:17), we must ask the question, “Where is the Bible authority for such practices?” The response has been, “We all do many things for which we have no authority.” This is supposed to be reason enough to continue in an unauthorized activity. If one continues to press for the Bible pattern in such matters, he will likely find himself being labeled as “Pharisaic” or “legalistic.” To some, “legal­ism” is a persistent demand for Bible authority in all things.

It is not “legalistic” to expect and demand Bible authority for all that we believe and practice. It is never too strict to do all things upon the basis of the revealed authority of Christ! The problem is that some brethren have strayed from the narrow path of authorized activi­ties into the indefensible path of human innovations. We must continue to call them back to the “old paths,” not compromise the position of truth by viewing it as “legalistic.” Jesus advocated obedience in the strongest terms (Jno. 8:51; 14:15, 21, 24; Lk. 6:46). Since He has all authority (Matt. 28:18), that authority must be established by a direct command, an approved example or a necessary implication for our practice to have His approval (see Acts 15:7-18 for each form of establishing divine authority). It is not legalism to require what the Lord requires!

Are we legalists? If legalism is being used to suggest the earning of salvation, the answer is an emphatic “no!” If legalism is being used to describe a strict adherence to Bible patterns, the answer is an equally emphatic “yes” (since we all must adhere strictly to truth in our lives). Define your terms. Use them scripturally. Then, Biblical understanding will result (2 Tim. 2:15).

Why Should I Do Good To All Men? (Galatians 6) Notes

(Scripture Reading: Gal. 6:1-10)

I. THE EXHORTATION OF THE GOSPEL - 6:1-10.

A. Remember The Spiritually Weak - v. 1-5; Matt. 18:15-17; Heb. 12:12-13.

B. Remember: We Reap What We Sow - 6:6-8.

C. Remember To Do Good To All Men - 6:9-10.

II. THE MOTIVE OF THE GOSPEL - 6:11-16.

A. The Cross Of Christ.

III. THE PRICE OF THE GOSPEL - 6:17-18.

A. The Suffering Of Christ - cf. 2 Tim. 3:10-12 (2 Cor. 11:24-25).

Emotions Or Emotionalism?

(Scripture Reading: Acts 26:9-11)

I. THE ROLE OF EMOTIONS IN THE CHRISTIAN’S LIFE.

A. Emotions Do Not Determine True Doctrine - 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

B. Emotions Do Not Determine Our Life Of Faith - 2 Cor. 5:7.

C. Worthy Emotions Grow Out Of Convictions Which Are Based Upon Truth.

D. So, Emotions Are Good & Beneficial When They Proceed From A

Conviction Formed By Truth.

II. EMOTIONALISM: WHEN EMOTION RULES.

A. When Emotion Rules Us, The Authority Of God’s Revealed Word Becomes

Clouded & Minimized.

Conclusion

1. Let emotions result from the power of truth in your life (Acts 8:39).

2. Guard against letting emotions rule (Col. 3:17).

3. Obey the gospel & walk by faith, not sight!