Quotations
There are many quotations that are not quotations of scripture, yet embrace and make known a principle of scripture. The Apostle Paul warns that we are to refuse profane and old wives fables and calls upon us to exercise thyself
rather unto godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). We must distinguish between a fable and a statement of fact. The Apostle Paul in his teaching at times, called attention to quotations made by those of his day. In Titus 1:12, Paul calls attention to a quotation
made by one of the prophets of Crete. "The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies." Then he said, "this witness is true" (Titus 1:12-13). Again in acts 17:28, Paul told the Athenians that one of there own poets have said, "for we are
also his offspring" (Acts 17:28). Based upon this truth, he taught them that they then should not think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver, or stone graven by art and man's device. We want to notice some quotations that embrace and make known
a principle of scripture.
It is not how long one lives but how well we live that counts...
The quality of life is most important. One can live to be 120 years old but
if we have not contributed that which is worth while to humanity, our life is but wasted time. If we have never learned about Jesus Christ and experienced obedience to God through him, our life has been wasted. Jesus said, " for what is a man profited,
if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? The Psalmist aid " Lord make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold thou hast made
my days as an handbreath; and mine age is as nothing before thee. Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew; surely they are disquieted in vain; he heapeth up riches and knoweth not who shall
gather them. And now Lord; What wait I for? My hope is in thee. The apostle Paul admonishes the saints at Corinth "therefore my beloved brethren be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abo
unding in the work of the Lord for as much as ye
know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1Cor. 15:58.
It is said that repetition is the mother of education...
or perhaps we would say practice makes perfect.
Those who engage in sports spend days practicing for one sport event. They repeat over and over their plays. The great themes of the bible are presented over and over only in different figures of speech. In order that we may understand Christ is King,
His rule is absolute that requires our submission and whole hearted obedience. God's people again is spoken of as a vineyard that we may understand Christ is the vine we are the branches. Our spiritual life depends upon our remaining in the vine. In
so doing we must understand his will and through obedience, produce the proper fruit. God's people are spoken of as a body. The head is the seat of authority that governs the body. Each member through understanding of His will and obedience to it,
functions together for the building up of itself in love, to accomplish his will among men. God's people are spoken of as a church. A called out people, separated from the world through a proper understanding of th
e purpose of our
calling and obedience to show forth his excellencies, giving honor and glory to him who died for our sins. Preachers of the Gospel are called upon to teach these things over and over again. The Apostle Paul told Timothy, "if thou put the brethren in
remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, where unto thou hast attained" (1 Tim. 4:6).
Every tub sets on it's own
bottom...
or we are responsible for our own conduct. We are living at a time where great effort is made to excuse ones negligence or evil conduct, by placing fault upon another. People use alcoholic beverages and
drive and kill, and excuse themselves by putting blame on drinking. People smoke and ruin their health and blame tobacco companies. Children become criminals and blame their parents. Parents fail as parents and blame school teachers. The Apostle Paul
said, "be not deceived: God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap live everlasting" (Gal. 6:7-8).
Job 4:8 tells us, "f we sow to the wind, we shall reap the whirlwind." God will hold us responsible and accountable for our own conduct and the choices we make in life. Paul said, "we must all stand before Christ in judgment to receive according to
what we have done in the body, whether it be good or bad"
(2 Cor. 5:10). EVERY TUB SITS ON IT'S OWN BOTTOM.
Paul Rockwell
April, 1998 Volume 4 Issue 2 Index
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