Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Nations That Forget God

     Psalm 9:17 says, "The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that
forget God." (NIV-2011) The word translated "nations" is the Hebrew word goy, and
it means "nation or people."  No  nation  is  so strong militarily, financially, politically, or
socially that it will continue to stand  if  it  defies  the  will of Almighty God! There have
been  several  large  and  powerful  empires  and kingdoms of days gone by, that were
thought to be invincible, but they met their demise when things  got  so  bad  that  there
was no conscience and no turn around in sight. Ancient Babylon, Greece, and Rome
are examples of  "Oh, how the mighty have fallen." We learn from history that there are
several telltale signs that the road leading to an ultimate fall is being traveled. What are
some of the signs that indicate a nation is traveling the road leading to destruction?

     First, when it forgets God! This is seen when those who are its leaders have little if
any concern for governing according to principles of righteousness and fairness. Instead,
they are seekers of pleasure, hungry for corruptly obtained wealth, and they seek the
good-will of human beings rather than God. No nation is stronger than those who lead
it. Leaders tend to be the "voice" for the people, especially in a society that elects its
leaders. People generally elect leaders who reflect their political, social, and religious
beliefs. Something  is  amiss when a nation disregards principles of righteousness and
elects leaders based on race, intellect, or in order to send a message, instead of right and
wrong. Principles of right and wrong should be the guiding light in all situations.

     Second, a nation is traveling the road to destruction when it devalues human life. There
is nothing that magnifies this attitude more than the practice of abortion. Abortion is the
murder of innocent unborn human beings! Life begins at conception. What has an unborn
baby done to deserve death? We often hear people say, "It's about the mother's rights."  
No, it's about the baby's life! No nation that murders its own innocent people can
survive the wrath of God. Murdering unborn children is the taking of innocent life. One
thing that should bother us is the fact that generally speaking, relatively few of God's own
people realize the seriousness of abortion. Some even cringe when abortion is condemned
as sinful. God teaches us that the attitude underlying such a senseless act is inexcusable
and wrong! (1 Tim. 1:8-11) Where is the same clear, emphatic, and bold denunciation
of abortion as there is of sins of a doctrinal and moral nature? There's a dead cat on the
line somewhere! 

     Third, a nation's demise is forthcoming when God's law of morality and marriage is
disregarded. God's  word  clearly  teaches  that  the  sins  of  bestiality, adultery, child
exploitation and molestation, lesbianism, rape, and homosexuality will end in hell unless
those who practice such things repent. (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Rev. 21:8) Sexual sins are not
only addictive, but they are also destructive to one's body, mind, soul, and society.
Who would have believed that this nation would "progress" to the point that lawmakers
would support same sex marriages and civil unions? A person cannot believe the Bible
and support, accept, and defend same sex marriages! God joins an eligible man and
woman in marriage. He does not join those of the same gender! (Mat. 19:1-9) Yet,
many of those who accept and defend such are "religious" people. This proves that many
people have no real concept of God teaches about true religion. To them religion is just a
"belief system." Atheism is a belief system, and it is corrupt to the core!

     In order to survive, people must seek God by reading his word, loving his will,  and
practicing righteous principles. There is no other acceptable way. Nations that forget God
will perish!
                                                                                                               R. Daly

Copyright 2012

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Where's The Choir?

      Those  who  visit  the  assemblies  of  the Lord's people sometimes ask, "Where's
the Choir?" They are astonished that faithful congregations of Christ seek to tenaciously
adhere  to  the  teaching  of  the  apostles when  they  worship  God  in  spirit and truth.
(Jno. 4:24; Acts 2:42) The New Testament does constitute a "pattern" and we must be
careful to do only  what  it  authorizes. (Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11)  This  brings  us to the
reason  we  do  not  see  choirs, choruses, duets, solos,  trios,  quintets, sextets, or
any  other  kinds  of  "tets" singing  to  or  performing  for faithful congregations when
they are assembled for worship. The New Testament does not authorize such things.
If you believe these things are authorized, I ask, "Where is the passage that warrants
choirs, choruses,  duets,  soloists, and  the  like  to  sing  to  or perform for the local
congregation?"

     Paul wrote "to the holy people and faithful brothers and sisters at Colossae" and said,
"whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through him." (Col. 3:17) Before an act can be right in God's sight it
must be authorized, or done "in the name of the Lord Jesus." We do a thing in the name
of our Lord when he authorizes it by means of a direct statement, approved apostolic
example, or implication in the sacred text. For instance, by direct statement we learn
that people are to be immersed in order to receive forgiveness of their sins. (Acts 2:38)
By apostolic example we learn that water is the element in which one is to be immersed.
(Acts 8:36-39; 10:47) By implication, that is, a necessary or logical conclusion, we learn
that when a person is immersed in water in order to have his sins pardoned, he becomes
a Christian and a member of the body of Christ. (Mat. 28:19; Acts 11:26)

     There is no direct statement in the New Testament that tells us a choir is to  perform
for a congregation with God's approval. There is no apostolic example that shows us that
a choir did perform for a congregation with God's approval. Neither is there a passage that 
implies  a choir  may perform  for  a congregation assembled to worship God. Therefore
there  is  no divine authority for choirs,  choruses,  and  "special"  singing  groups  in  our
congregational worship. When we "gather together in congregation" (1 Cor. 11:17-18),
we " speak to one another" and "teach and admonish one another," as we sing and make
melody with our hearts to the Lord. (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)  The "group" that God tells to
sing is the congregation. Singing is an act of worship and  is to be a  corporate  experience;
an  act  in  which  the  voice  of  every  man, woman, boy, and  girl is lifted up to Yahweh.
We do not sing for show or entertainment! "Where's the choir?" You won't find one in the
congregations of Christ that are faithful!
                                                                                                               Ron Daly
Copyright 2012