Gospel Newsletter

West Hepburn Ave. Church of Christ

3907 W. Hepburn Ave
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
July 2009

Idols Why people give up on good things?

(1 John 5:21) Some solutions to consider
Abraham Smith
Earnest Jones Jr.
In today's times, many good efforts have been
We are called dear children and are commanded started and then abandoned. Churches have
to keep ourselves from idols (1 John 5:21). An initiated efforts to save the lost, but they stopped.
idol is an image or a carved image that can be People have given up on themselves. Students have
placed in the mind, can be physical, or material. A given up on their education. Husbands and wives
person can simply look upon another's beauty and have given up on their marriages. Children of God
physical appearance and idolize that person. One have given up on doing the will of God. Children
can idolize another for their talent or talents and of God have given up the faith. Both Elijah and
never mention to that person about Christ. There Paul were tempted to quit serving the Lord (1
have been many famous and renowned people that Kings 19; 2 Cor. 1:8-11). Why do people give up?
have idolized themselves going down in history, Here are some reasons:
yet dying in their sins choosing not to acknowledge
the one true God, the Father through Jesus Christ 1. We forget how important our cause is.
the son that bought them to do all things that are Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the
good, acceptable, and pleasing to him. There will importance of the things to which we have
be many more that follow that same way (2 Peter committed ourselves. Jesus remembered this in
2:1) One can easily idolize without even being recognizing His commitment to die for the sins of
aware that they have idolized or are idolizing the world (John 12:27). Additionally, we need to
something or someone, but at the same time it remember the importance of keeping
doesn't make it acceptable to the one true God. commitments. As God
Even with material things, we must also be careful honors His promise to
about those things that God the Father has given us us by giving us the gift
to enjoy, and must not idolize them by over of eternal life, so should In This Issue
indulging. Instead, we should focus our hearts and we honor all the
minds on things that will keep our hearts pure (Phil commitments we make
4:8) and understand that we can never do too much in our lives. God's
good for one another. We should always be gracious gift, which is
mindful of our blessings, and continue to put our conditionally received,
honored Christ's • Idols (1 John 5:21)
trust in God and not riches, keeping ourselves from
idols. (1 Timothy 6:17-19) commitment to the will
of God. Likewise, we
should honor our • Why people give up
commitments to Him on good things?
Feel Free To Mail Us A Letter or Email Us: when we agree to walk Some solutions to
as He walked and to consider. (Part 1)
hepburncoc@gmail.com participate in the life He
demands of us (Lk.
Visit Us On the Web: www.hepburncoc.org 6:46).
 2. We have not conditioned our hearts to face
difficult challenges. Ezra prepared his heart (Ezra
7:10). Anything that is worth having often cannot
be achieved without paying a great price. We must
begin our task with the realization that there will
be some difficulties ahead, and we should expect
them! "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in
Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12).
3. We do not attempt to succeed with all our might
(2 Chron. 31:21; Jer. 48:10; Col. 3:23; Eccl. 9:10).
Sometimes goals cannot be achieved without us
giving all we can give. "Whatever your hand finds
to do, do it with your might" (Eccl. 9:10). Jesus
said, "So likewise, whoever of you does not
forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple"
(Luke 14:33).
4. We do not lay aside every weight and every sin.
We cannot carry on with extra weight and sin
(Heb. 12:1, 2). Our sins destroy our faith, which "is
the victory that has overcome the world" (1 John
5:4).
5. We focus too much on our failures or
shortcomings. We must forget the past and press on
with the future. Paul said, "Forgetting those things
which are behind and reaching forward to those
things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for
the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus"
(Phil. 3:13-14). If we do not forget the past, we
will be discouraged.
6. We do not learn from our own mistakes or the
mistakes of others (I Cor. 10:6, 11; Jude 5). As a
result, we experience the same result of failure, and
then become discouraged and quit. Paul reminded
the Corinthians that they must learn from the
failures of those in Moses' day (1 Cor10:1-11).
These things are written to the intent that we do not
fall after the same example of unbelief and lust for
evil things.
7. We do not receive any encouragement, but
ridicule. We must remember that we have a
responsibility to compliment others when they do
well (1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 10:24). Those of us who
are weak and have problems need to hear the
words, "You can make it if you try!" "I'm here for
you!" "Don't give up!"
Concerning the assembly, Christians were
admonished, "encouraging one another; and all the
more as you see the day drawing near" (Heb.
10:25). Those individuals who do beneficial things
for us need to hear on a regular basis, "I appreciate
the great job you are doing." When we express and
show our gratitude for the meaningful things they
do for us, we are encouraging them to continue.
Our duty to encourage others is not a one-time
deal. "But exhort one another daily, while it is
called ''Today,'' lest any of you be hardened
through the deceitfulness of sin" (Heb. 3:13).
Whether someone does beneficial things for us or
someone is experiencing difficulties, we should
regularly inquire about how he is doing. We should
offer our support, advice, and assistance where
possible and permissible.
8. We do not focus on the rewards of our efforts (1
Cor. 15: 58; Heb. 6:10-12). The reward of a
faithful life is heaven. "And let us not grow weary
while doing good, for in due season we shall reap
if we do not lose heart" (Gal. 6:9).
9. We have not noticed that others with fewer
advantages have succeeded. Jesus stated that
Nineveh had repented at the preaching of Jonah,
but someone greater than Jonah, Himself, was
there (Matt 12:41). The author of Hebrews, in
chapter 11, listed many men of faith who had
suffered many things. Then he said, "You have not
yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin"
(Heb. 12:4). Many have made far more sacrifices
with fewer advantages than we. Shall we with
more opportunities and less challenges do less than
they have done?
10. Children of God forget the words of Jesus,
"But with God all things are possible" (Matt.
19:26). We ought to agree with Paul, "I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil.
4:13). The song says, "Have we trials and
temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should
never be discouraged; Take it to the Lord in
prayer." Peter admonished Christians to cast all
their care upon the Lord, "for He cares for you" (1
Pet. 5:7). "Let us therefore come boldly to the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find
grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).
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