As we enter the New Year of 2011 may we examine the condition of our personal relationship to the Lord, His church, and to other Christians and our friend’s families? Some of the most convenient areas of personal work can be found in our relationships mentioned. Perhaps we have not considered the people that we know the best as possible converts to Jesus Christ and His Church; but in reality these are the easiest to approach about being a Christian, about being faithful, about their personal growth as Christians {i.e. Heb. 5:12-14 - 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers , ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (KJV)

May I also remind those who are faithful to consider speaking to those that are not as faithful as they ought to be; Yes! We know who they are and we ought to speak to them kindly about their lack of attendance and other matters that may be improved through attention in Bible classes and preaching services as well as regular attendance in the classes and worship services – See Heb. 5:12-14 above and Heb. 10:24-26 - 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 for if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, (KJV)

While we often consider speaking to those that do not attend the church including our close neighbors – cf. Mark 12:30-31 - 30 and thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. (KJV) … We often neglect those that are closest to us; we ought to speak to them about their relationship to God so that they too might enjoy the fellowship that we have with others in the Body of Christ. .. cf. 1 John 1:3-7 - 3 that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. (KJV)

Conclusion:

We ought to reach out to those that are un-churches, to those that are involved in false religions, and those that were at one time Christians. There are no reasons for apathy on our part toward those outside the safety of Christ’s Church. If we love the lost souls we will be busy in our attempts at teaching them today and in the future. Please notice the three Biblical references regarding this subject …

1 Tim. 4:11 - These things command and teach. (KJV)

1 Tim. 6:3-6 - 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. (KJV)

2 Tim. 2:2 - And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (KJV)

By Garreth Clair Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Return to the General Articles page

Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /