THE TRENTON BULLETIN

THE TRENTON BULLETIN

Trenton Church of Christ, Trenton, Florida

It seems logical that if ninety-percent of the population believes in something it should be right. While logic will be effective if you follow Mr. Spock it does not work well in every situation of life. If you smell smoke and everyone is running the other way it would seem wise to go with them. However, the majority view of people does not always suggest appropriate answers to life’s delicate questions and needs. This is especially true when man seeks to find answers about his relationship with his Creator. There is a tendency for man to equate truth with what a majority of views hold to be true. How can so many people be wrong?

Jesus addressed this question in Matthew 7:13,14: "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” The way of salvation is a narrow path that is not easily taken. Albert Barnes wrote, “It is not ‘the great highway’ that people tread. Few go there. Here and there one may be seen - traveling in solitude and singularity. The way to death, on the other hand, is broad. Multitudes are in it. It is the great highway in which people go. They fall into it easily and without effort, and go without thought. If they wish to leave that and go by a narrow gate to the city, it would require effort and thought. So, says Christ, ‘diligence’ is needed to enter life.” [Barnes Notes; Matthew-Mark, page 78]

In a world of the “easy button” people find it hard to accept service to Christ on any level that requires diligence or difficulty. This does not suggest that life as a child of God is drudgery; it is the complete opposite. The challenge of living for Christ is that effort must be put forth daily to measure ones steps in accordance with the divine will of the Father. Rowing up river is not as easy as going with the flow of the river downstream. The view of the majority is an easy way to live but the end result is death.

Why are the people of God in the minority? Few are willing to live for God. Fewer still are willing to give up their lives to serve Jesus Christ. The majority of people desire the darkness rather than the light (John 3:19-21). It is not a badge of nobility to be in the minority but a reality of how the world turns against the truth of God. Only eight were saved in the flood (1 Peter 3:20). A “remnant” returned to Jerusalem in the days of Ezra (9:8). Those who are saved are “few” (Matthew 7:14).

When you walk the way of life, is it the easy way of the majority or the difficult way of the few? Paul wrote, “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). The desire to live a godly life will put you at odds against the world; as if you were swimming upstream against the whole world. Through the power of God, victory can be achieved. Jesus challenged those who would follow Him: "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26). Enter the narrow way!

"'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' And he was called the friend of God." (James 2:23)

Abraham is called the father of the faithful (Galatians 3:16-29; Romans 4:11) and "the friend of God" (James 2:23). He is an example to us in many ways, therefore, it is always good to study him and learn from that which the Bible reveals to us about him.

In commenting on the statement that Abraham was "the friend of God," Guy N. Woods said, "God regarded Abraham as his friend because he was ever faithful to God and always submitted his will to God's." (A Commentary on the Epistle of James, p. 146) In his faithfulness and obedience, Abraham demonstrated several characteristics that we would do well to emulate so that we too might become friends of God.

Nearly every action in Abraham's life shows his great faith in God. He left his country and countrymen never to return (Hebrews 11:8-16). He believed the promise of a son though such a birth was naturally impossible (Romans 4:18-21). He cast out a son, Ishmael when Sarah and God commanded it (Genesis 21:9-14). He was even willing to offer Isaac, the son of promise, when God demanded it (Hebrews 11:17-19). Because of his great faith, he enjoyed the victory of faith (Genesis 22:12).

As seen in the illustrations above, whatever God wanted Abraham to do, he did. Whether it was leaving his homeland, casting out one son or sacrificing another, he obeyed God without question or qualm.

In Genesis 18:19 God states one of the reasons He was able to bless Abraham so abundantly and regard him as His friend. He said, "For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him." Abraham's devotion to God not only caused him to walk obediently but also allowed him to influence others, especially those in his own house, to do the same.

In situations where strife could have occurred and then escalated, Abraham seemed able to defuse them (cf. Genesis 13:1-13). There was one key trait in his character that caused him to be able to be such a peacemaker -- he regarded others better than self. This is a quality that the Christian is to possess today. Philippians 2:3-4 states, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

His unselfish nature is not only seen in giving his nephew Lot first choice of land in which to pasture his flocks and herds (Genesis 13:9) but also in his willingness to intercede for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:22-23). Even though they were wicked, Abraham was concerned for them and did what he could to spare them from the judgment which came upon them.

The hospitality he gives to three men, who are angels of God, in Genesis 18:1-8 also shows his regard for others. Though he does not know these men, he generously provides for their needs. Since Christians are to be "given to hospitality" (Romans 12:13), the writer of the book of Hebrews uses this incident in the life of Abraham to emphasize this responsibility: "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels" (13:2).

Christians are to be pilgrims and sojourners in this life, living in the world but not being of the world (John 15:19; I John 2:15-17). Again, Abraham is their example. "By faith he (Abraham -- GT) dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:9-10). As he looked "for a city," we must ever be looking to heaven and the things that are above (Colossians 3:1-3) realizing that, even now, our real citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).

Because Abraham lived as a friend of God while on earth, he now lives in Paradise (Luke 16:23-31). Since God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35), we can have that same hope if we will live the same life. Let us all follow the example of Abraham and do what is necessary to be those who can be called friends of God.

“Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6).

I have always heard the expression "salty language" used in such a way that would indicate something, at the very least, distasteful. When I look f0r "salty" in dictionaries, I find that, apart from the literal meaning of something containing salt, the definitions have a negative connotation, i.e., language that is earthy, crude, suggestive, etc. On the other hand, sweet and pure speech is considered as having the opposite connotation.

Salty language—"seasoned with salt"—in our text clearly has no negative connotation at all. In fact, it is an admirable kind of speech that is encouraged by the apostle. I find this interesting. The different concepts have to do with how salt is valued. In ancient times salt was valuable, almost precious. It could be regarded as a spice that imparted a pleasant taste to most foods. It was also valuable as a preservative. It was expensive because it was not easily obtained. Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt (from which we get the word "salary"). Salt was often the "legal tender" used to purchase slaves or pay servants (thus we have the term, "not worth his salt").

Even more interesting (and significant) is the spiritual connotations of salt in the Scriptures. Leviticus 2:13 requires that all grain offerings must be offered with salt which is spoken of as "the salt of the covenant of your God." Furthermore, covenant obligations may be referred to simply as "a covenant of salt forever before the Lord for you and for your offspring with you" (Numbers 18:19). "Ought you not to know," Abijah asks Israel, "that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingship over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt? (2 Chronicles 13:5). Eating the salt of a king implies a commitment of loyalty (Ezra 4:14). For another instance of salt as an important part of the sacrifices, see Ezra 6:9-10.

Now read and understand the importance of Matthew 5:13, "You are the salt of the earth." The whole context of our text has to do with the language that should be found on a Christian's lips and specifically, the effect of that speech on "outsiders." Paul first mentions concern for his own speech in view of his desire that "God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ … that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak" (4:3-4). After this, Paul immediately addresses the need for disciples to behave "wisely toward outsiders." Behaving wisely has to do not only with the use of time but also with speech, as our text states.

Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person (Colossians 4:5-6). Paul urges us to use language "seasoned with salt" which he prefixes with the word "gracious." Certainly, he has in mind words that are sweet, clear, pure, etc., and not the kind of sharp, unsavory, distasteful language that our culture thinks of as salty.

I have no problem understanding any of this. But when I think about the impact of my speech on outsiders, I suspect that more often than not I focus on the phrase, "so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Do you see what I mean? I can easily focus on—let me put is this way—the debate. Maybe such phrases as, "answering the challenge," or "defending the faith" would describe it.

But then I think, surely there is more to it that just this. What about my language at all other times—which would be, of course, most of my speech. What about that? Do I ever ask myself, "Is the way I talk 'gracious' and 'seasoned with salt?" Is it, in general, pure and sweet? Does it have the overall effect of opening doors for those who are outsiders? Is it behaving wisely toward outsiders? Maybe I should think about that a lot. How about you?

Prayer: Father, I talk a lot—often, I'm afraid, a lot more than I should. But I also fear that my speech often reflects my personal anger, frustrations, and selfishness. Please give me the wisdom to use my speech, even in ordinary affairs, so a door may be opened for outsiders to be drawn to you. Amen

· Marriage itself is not solely an institution for the propagation of children, but is also for the fruition of that richer fellowship God intended when He saw that it was not good for man to live alone. (George G. Hockman,1957)

· The goal in marriage is not to think alike, but to think tighter. (Robert C. Dodds, 1959).

· There would be more marriages made in heaven if there were more young people who with the though of their future children, were prayerfully willing to give God a voice in their final decision. (Leo Trese, 1962)