God Used Josiah Powerfully

Ted D. Burleson

As King Jeroboan of Israel (B.C. 970) stood beside idolatrous altar, a man of God came from Judah to Bethel and said, “A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David.  On you he will sacrifice the priests of the  high places who now make offerings here, and human bones will be burned on you” (1 King 13:1-2).  From this we can already see that God had a plan for Josiah’s life even though Josiah wouldn’t be born for another three hundred years!

       In B.C. 611, Josiah was living just happily as most eight year-old-boys would.  His mother was Jediah and his father, Amon, was the king. Amon’s officials conspired against him and assassinated the king in his palace.  Imagine the grief a little boy felt as his father was buried in the garden of Uzza.  Imagine the shock when the people of the land made eight-year-old Josiah king in his father’s place (cf. 2 King 21:23-24).

When Josiah was twenty-six, he brought all the pagan priests from the towns of Judah and desecrated the high places, from Geba to Beersheba, where the priests had burned incense to false gods. He broke down the shrines at  the gates (see 2 King 22:1, 3, 8).  He removed the horses and burned the chariots that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun from the entrance to the temple of the LORD.  Josiah smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles and covered the sites with human bones.  Then Josiah looked around, and when he saw the tombs that were there on the hillside, he had the bones removed from them and burned on the altar to defile it, in accordance with the word of the LORD.  Josiah slaughtered all the priests who offered sacrifices on the altar of the false gods and burned human bones on the altars.

The Passover had not been observed in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel so Josiah caused the Passover to be celebrated to the LORD in Jerusalem that year.  Josiah provided for the people who were there a total of thirty thousand sheep and goats for the Passover offerings, and also three thousand cattle-- all from the king’s own possessions.  He got rid of the mediums, household gods, the idols and all the other detestable things found in Judah and Jerusalem.  The Bible says that neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.

While Josiah was king, Pharaoh Neco, king of Egypt went up to the Euphrates River to help the king of Assyria.  King Josiah marched out to meet him in battle, but Neco fought and killed him at Megiddo.  He was only thirty-nine years old when he died.  Josiah’s servants brought his body in a chariot from Megiddo to Jerusalem and buried him in his own tomb (cf. 2 Kings 23:11-34).

In his lifetime, Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he had all who were present in Israel serve the LORD their God.  As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the LORD, the God of their fathers (cf. 2 Chronicles 34:1,33).

God didn’t wait until Josiah was an adult to use him powerfully in His service.  He needed Josiah, and He needed him right then!  God needs you, and He needs you right now!

The Restoration Plea

David Hester

 “The restoration was to consist in holding precisely and only what is taught in the word of God, and in founding our practices strictly thereon…To believe precisely what the Scriptures teach, to practice only what they enjoin, and to reject everything else.”

     So said Moses E. Lard, one of the great preachers of the 19^th century. All too often we use the terms “Restoration Movement” and “Restoration Plea” without explanation, assuming that everyone understands what the terms mean. However, that assumption can no longer be made. There have been many attempts in recent years to rewrite Restoration history (One such example: using the term “Stone-Campbell Movement” instead of “Restoration Movement”—a subtle attempt to cast churches of Christ in a denominational context, with Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell as the founders. Another is the trend to use the words “sectarian” and “sectarianism” to describe those who hold true to the New Testament. Until the late 20^th century, those words referred to denominationalism).

     What Lard expressed was simply a summation of 1 Peter 4:11: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” How can one say what God has said, on any matter, without going back to the word of God? When one accepts any part of Scripture as an authoritative rule of faith and practice, he has accepted the Restoration Principle—returning to the Bible for all religious matters—regardless of how little he accepts.

     In the long ago, the prophet Jeremiah wrote, “Thus saith the Lord; cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord” (Jer. 17:5). This verse summarizes the desire of many of our day—to turn away from what the will of the Lord requires. The Restoration Plea calls for all people to return to the Lord’s way in everything religious: “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Jer. 6:16). 

     This is what the great pioneer preachers of yesteryear proclaimed. This is what we must proclaim, for it is what the New Testament declares. For true restoration to take place, we must go back—not to Rome, not to Constantinople, not to Mecca, but to Jerusalem! We can, and we must, be about the business of restoring pure New Testament Christianity in the 21^st century!

 Brother Hester is the evangelist for the Center Point Church of Christ in Pinson, AL.  He may be reached at 6836 Ashberry Drive, Pinson, AL  35126.

Have You Forgotten?

Bruce Ligon

The ability to remember is a wonderful blessing. It is amazing how that many years can transpire, but in an instant we are able to call to mind an event or person from years ago that we have not thought about in a very long time.  But at the same time all of us know from personal experience that we are not able to remember everything.  Or to express this reality in another way, sometimes we forget.

As Christians, it is possible for us to forget or lose sight of the importance of fundamental principles that have to do with our personal relationship with the Lord. Listed below are three principles that we need to strive to always keep before us.  Regularly keeping these things before us will help us to remain strong in the Lord.

First, all blessings are from the Lord.  James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (NKJV).  A good exercise for each of us from time to time is to pause from the regular routine of life and “count our blessings.” As a familiar gospel song emphasizes, as we do this we will be surprised what the Lord has done.  While there are difficulties and discouragements that come into the lives of each of us, the reality is still that we have been greatly blessed by the Lord.  Indeed, our attitude should be as the Psalmist, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12).

Second, the gospel of Christ is powerful.  Because of the reality of sin (Romans 3:23; 6:23), mankind’s greatest need is salvation.  In Romans 1:16, the apostle Paul declared, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).  While there are many problems plaguing our society, the gospel of Christ is the answer and solution.  The glory of the gospel of Christ is that it is based on the love, grace, and mercy of God and that it is capable of providing all those who obey its commands the assurance of salvation.

Third, as Christians, we have responsibilities to the Lord and His church.  It is most certainly true that it is impossible to earn or merit our salvation.  But it is also the case that God is expecting our willing and faithful service. Consider carefully these words of exhortation, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).  Properly understood, Christianity is not a spectator sport, but a lifestyle devoted to service and devotion to the Lord. The need of each of us is to find some way to serve the Lord based upon our talents, abilities, and opportunities.  And as we give of ourselves in the Lord’s service, we have the following assurance that our time and efforts will not be in vain, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” Corinthians 15:58).

 Brother Ligon is the evangelist for the Church of Christ in Plain Dealing, LA.  He may be reached at P.O. Box 202, Plain Dealing, LA  71064.

What Kind of “Manager” is God?

Tim Childs 

Some months ago, this writer heard a leader in the Lord’s church ask another, “Do you believe God “micromanages” your life?  Then, recently, I heard Larry King in an interview with Rick Warren, a preacher for a large denominational church in California, ask the same question of Mr. Warren.  In both instances it seemed the question was being asked rhetorically with the proper response apparently to be understood as “no.”   What role does God have in the Christian’s life today?

When we think of a “micromanager” in the secular world, we note one who is “hands on.”  He or she is an individual who is heavily involved in the day to day details of making decisions and overseeing the workers being managed.

I once heard a deacon in the Lord’s church say that his mother, who belongs to a denominational church, went so far as to believe that on the Lord’s Day the Holy Spirit led her in the selection of which dress to wear to worship that day.  I do not suggest that God cared whether my wife wore her blue dress or her yellow one to worship yesterday.

We can learn something about the way God “manages” our lives today by seeing how he has been involved in an integral way in people’s lives throughout the course of history.  Did God create the universe and sit back and watch it go (as Deist hold)?  Or is He not the sustainer as well?  Was God aloof during the days of Moses and the formation and life of the nation of Israel?  How did God “manage” the life of the newly formed church on Pentecost?  Without God’s heavy involvement and providential care the church would have been crushed and silenced.

Elijah (1 Kings 18) asked the prophets and devotees of Baal: Where is your god?  The follow-up question was: What is he doing?  Has your god gone on a journey?  Is he asleep?  The church of today needs to ask these same questions about our view of God.  Does it necessarily follow that because there are no on-going revelations and miraculous spiritual gifts that God has withdrawn himself from our lives?  Has God become remote and indifferent to our daily lives?  God is alive.  He hears.  He answers.  He protects. 

Jesus teaches timeless/universal principles about God’s involvement in our lives through the use of things like birds and grass of the field (Matthew 6:25-33).  If God has numbered even the hairs of our head (Matthew 10:30), it stands to reason that God is near and is not delinquent in his responsibilities as the “manager” of the universe, the church, your life and mine.

Brother Childs is an evangelist and one of the elders for the Hillcrest Church of Christ in Dunmor, Kentucky.  He may be reached at P.O. Box 55, Dunmore, KY  42339.

Neil Richey

 Thirteen General Periods in the Old Testament

1. Beginnings (Genesis 1:1-5:32)

2. Flood (Genesis 6:1-8:19)

3. New Beginnings (Genesis 8:20-11:32)

4. The Great Patriarchs (Genesis 12:1-45:28)

5. The Egyptian Sojourn (Genesis 46:1-Exocus 14:31)

6. Wilderness Wanderings (Exodus 15:1-Deuteronomy 34:12)

7. Conquest of Canaan (Joshua 1:1-Judges 3:11)

8. The Judges (Judges 3:12, Ruth, 1 Samuel 12:25)

9. United Kingdom (1 Samuel 13:1, 2 Samuel-1 Kings 11:43, 1 Chronicles-2 Chronicles 9:31)

10. Divided Kingdom (1 Kings 12:1-2 Kings 18:12, 2 Chronicles 10:1-28:7)

11. Judah Alone (2 Kings 18:13-25:7,  2 Chronicles 29:1-36:21)

12. Babylonian Captivity (2 Kings 24:1-25:3, 2 Chronicles 36:6-23)

13. Return from Captivity (Ezra 1-6, Esther 1-10, Ezra 7-10, Nehemiah 1-12)

It is in the period called “Return from Captivity” that we find the text for our study in this essay—the book of Nehemiah. By way of this study, we only want to make four observations.

A Book With an Impressive Historical Setting

       By impressive we mean, a vivid impression upon our minds. Following Israel’s deportation into captivity, Judah maintained the Southern Kingdom. Yet, they did not learn their lesson from their northern brethren. Therefore, Judah came under Babylon’s control, and the first captives were taken out of the land in 606 B.C. (Dan. 1:1-7). Two subsequent deportations of captives occurred in 597 and 586 B.C. Jeremiah, a contemporary of these events, prophesied that the captivity would last 70 years (Jer. 25:12). No details are given of those 70 years of captivity.

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah pick up the account of God’s people, the Jews, returning home from captivity. It began with the decree of King Cyrus in 536 B.C. (Ezra 1:1-4). This return home came in three groups. Zerubbabel led the first group home in 536 B.C. (Ezra 1:5-6:22). Under Zerubbabel’s leadership, the first group was to rebuild the temple. After having faced the adversaries, and overcoming complacency with the help of Haggai and Zechariah, the temple was finally built and dedicated (some 20 + years after returning to Jerusalem). Ezra led the second group home in 458 B.C. (Ezra 7:1-10:44). It was during this time that the Jews experienced a great spiritual revival. We have skipped nearly 60 years, and Ezra, with a commission from King Artaxerxes I, leads a second group home. Ezra finds that God’s people have intermarried, compromising their spiritual devotion. He prayed for the people and began a series of reform. Nehemiah led the last group home in 445 B.C. Nehemiah would now lead home the last group of Jews in order that they might rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

A Book With an Impressive Historical Account

Johnny Ramsey says, “Some critics of the Bible scoff at Nehemiah as being a bricklayer’s book. But there is a much deeper plot than that in this dramatic section of God’s word. The purpose of rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall was to keep Abraham’s seed safe within and the world outside the confines of the city David had taken from the Jebusites (2 Sam. 6). It was imperative that Israel remain intact until the coming of the promised Seed (Gal. 3:16)” (Practical Bible Studies, p.p. 111-112).

Upon the recognition of Nehemiah's own errors and those of his people, he requested of the king safe passage back to Jerusalem (Neh. 1-2). Nehemiah’s request is granted. Nehemiah returns home, and under his outstanding leadership, and by the divine providence of God, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days--and that in spite of the opposition of Sanballat and his followers (Neh. 2-6). Too, Nehemiah improved the religious character of his own people (Neh. 7-13).

A Book With an Impressive Historical Character

Nehemiah was an impressive leader. But, what made him so? He had an unstoppable faith in God (Neh. 2:8; 2:18; 2:20; 4:14-15). He encouraged his Jewish brethren to cooperate (Neh. 2:18; 4:6; 4:17). Nehemiah knew how to prepare himself and his people (Neh. 2:12-18). Nehemiah was enthusiastic, and that enthusiasm was contagious (Neh. 4:6). He was a praying person (Neh. 4:9). Nehemiah was a watchdog--one who protected his people (Neh. 4:9; 4:17).

A Book With an Impressive Historical Message For Us

We will only emphasize two messages that God, through Nehemiah has for us today in this great book. First, we learn how to be good leaders. Second, we learn more perfectly the importance of prayer.

Observe who a good leader is. A good leader is one who knows how to relate to his people. “And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven” (Neh. 1:4). My question is why? Because his people were hurting. He knew how to sympathize with his people. Add to that, a good leader will inspire others to go to work. “Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach” (Neh. 2:17). They all went to work, and the wall was built in just 52 days. Then, a good leader will not give in to the opposition. “But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build...” (Neh. 2:19-20).

Observe what a good prayer life is. One should pray in earnest. “Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them” (Neh. 4:9). Add to that, our prayer life should be continual (cf. 1 Thes. 5:17—“Pray without ceasing”).

Nehemiah—What a History. When we look through the telescopic lens of time back to about 430 B.C. we read the autobiography of a man who was a great servant of God. May we be like he was. 

Brother Neil Richey is the evangelist for the Augusta Road Church of Christ in Greenville, South Carolina.  He may be reached at 5315 Old Augusta Road, Greenville, SC  29605.

New Book for Teens

Ted D. Burleson

 Glenn Colley and Chuck Webster, both former editors of this journal, have written a new book for teens.  The title of the book is Get Real: Real Teens Making a Real Difference in the Real World. 

       Today’s teenagers, youth workers, and Bible class teachers need good, solid material that addresses the challenges that young people face in today’s world.  Get Real is such a book.  It challenges young people to have real faith, biblical faith, in a world that thrives on counterfeits.  Glenn and Chuck encourage teenagers to exhibit the kind of faith that Paul described in 1 Timothy 4:12...being examples in the way they walk, talk, act, live, and love.  Get Real will be an excellent resource for teen Bible classes, as well as personal devotional reading by young people and those who want to encourage them in their walk with Christ. 

Wendell Winkler, a gospel preacher in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, said of the book, “I pray that every congregation of the Lord will include Get Real in their teenage curriculum.  Every student needs a copy.”

Billy Smith, Dean of the School of the Bible at Freed-Hardeman University said of the book, “Get Real is biblically based, well written, and beautifully illustrated in the language of today’s youth.  I am happy to commend this excellent work.”

Allen Webster, gospel preacher and editor of House to House/Heart to Heart, writes about Get Real, “both authors know the Bible and can be trusted to be completely true to its teachings.  I highly recommend Get Real to you and the young people who are important in your life.”

The thirteen chapter titles include: “Do People Look Down on Me?,” “Do My Words Help People?,” “Do My Words Hurt People?,” “How Do I Know What’s Right?,” “Will I Be Faithful Ten Years from Now?,” “Am I in Love?,” “I’m in Love,” “Do I Have an Attitude?,” “He’s Got an Attitude,” “Can I Win a Soul for Christ?,” “Is My Faith the Real Deal?,” “Do I Have a Dirty Mind?,” and “Stay Out of the Back Seat.”

The books are $7.95 plus shipping and handling and may be ordered by contacting Chuck Webster at 205-822-5610 or chuchwebster@bellsouth.net

Deep Water

I’m afraid you're in deep water,

And the tide that flows is swift.

Have you looked back to the shoreline?

Have you noticed any rift?

Have you thought about the Captain?

He will take you safely in.

To the ship with riches laden,

He’ll forgive you of your sin.

There’s a warning sign that’s posted,

And it’s there for all to see.

The light in the lighthouse burning,

And the guard to set us free.

Where the water flows like crystal,

Calm and clear, but not too deep.

There we’re safe from storms that gather,

Day and night a watch he’ll keep.

Are you drifting like the driftwood?

Have you noticed how time flies?

Are you often warned of danger?

But ignoring frantic cries?

There’s a point of no returning;

And a cry for help too late,

Means a soul is lost forever,

Gone past, the mighty floodgate. 

Eva Nell Brown Naramore

Adam Faughn

We are often reminded of this famous phrase from the lips of our Savior: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).  Sometimes, however, we need to be reminded of just how true that statement is.  It is easy to learn so much about a person simply based on what comes out of his or her mouth.

       Recently a quote came to my attention that caused me to shudder, but also to be reminded of the verses quoted above.  The person who made this statement was Dr. John Parsons.  He made the statement in an interview with King’s College, in London, England.  This is the quote: “The pro life movement is having a negative impact on abortion.  Sometimes women change their minds on the operating table and then we lose money!  We have to run a cost effective termination service.  We have abortion on request now.  It's what I believe and what I practice.  A woman has the right to abort—whether it’s to go on a skiing holiday or whether the fetus is disabled.”

It is very obvious what this terse statement should cause us to be reminded of, isn’t it?  Those of us who believe and teach that abortion is the killing of the innocent are so often labeled by others as legalistic, closed-minded or uncaring.  Others say that it is not our right to try to tell others what to think or do—or even what is right and what is wrong.

However, just by reading the statement made above by Dr. Parsons, we should be easily reminded of the mind-set of those who advocate the “pro choice” lifestyle.  To them a skiing holiday (vacation) is just as important as, if not more important than, the life of a new child.  How sad, but, also, how telling!

When we read quotes such as that one, it should remind us that the basis for the sin of abortion is really grounded in selfishness, which would seem to fall most basically under “the boastful pride of life” (1 John 2:16).  The “mother” (or “mother and father”) is far more interested in herself than in the interests of the precious little one struggling within her.  While that “mother” should be thankful every day that her parents saw fit for her to live, it is quite obvious that she does not.  Any woman who would abort her baby, most especially when her life is not in danger, is only interested in furthering her own agenda, career and legacy.

When one studies the Bible on the subject of abortion, it is nearly impossible to avoid the list given by Solomon of the things that God “hates.”  One of those seven is “hands that shed innocent blood” (Proverbs 6:17).²  Abortion, notice, is killing one who is living, human and innocent.  How could anyone claim that this practice is good?

So, the next time you hear or read of someone bashing those who teach, as does the Bible, that the killing of the unborn is absolutely wrong and sinful, be reminded of the statements of those who advocate abortion.  While they try to sound open minded and accepting, sooner or later their words will show their true colors.  “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”    W.O.T.

Adam Faughn is the Youth Minister for the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ in Haleyville, Alabama.  He may be reached at P.O. Box 716, Haleyville, AL  35565.

Scott McCown 

Springtime in Alabama is a time of change.  Flowers bloom, trees bud, the sun shines, rain falls, and occasionally a surprise in the form of a late snow.  Spring always presents quite a quandary, and not just for the weatherman.  Most of us have had to face the issue of what to wear each morning.  We check the weather on television or even online, but we can never be sure if we are right.

Take, for instance, one day when I chose to wear a light jacket on a particular morning. When 9:00 AM arrived, and the local bank opened, I decided to walk the half mile or so to the bank.  During that short walk, the wind began to blow across my face and through my thin jacket.  I began to have negative thoughts about my decision to walk, and to question the reliability of the local weather forecast.  I felt as if the wind had a mind to blow my coat away, I zipped it up a little higher and began walking a little faster.

Walking to the bank necessitated that I return by the same method when I completed my transactions. How much I dreaded that return walk!  Having walked approximately half way back, I began to get warm.  The sun decided to come out to play.  Oh how good the sun’s warmth felt on the back of my neck!  Oh how nice that warmth felt as I continued my trek!  By the time I reached the bottom of the hill down from the building, I had to stop, not to catch my breath, but to take off my jacket.  What the wind failed to do with its force, the sun accomplished with gentle warmth.

This is a true event, but it does remind me of a certain fable concerning a conversation turned contest between the wind and the sun.  The wind in the fable did boast to the sun of its power, and did try and fail to remove a man’s coat by force.  The sun however prevailed, by warming the man so that he removed his own coat.

This story is like the story of God.  God, although He has the power, does not use this power to force us to do His will.  God in love, being love, gently warms our hearts through the sacrifice of His Son (John 3:16-17).  In another place John records, “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10 – ESV).

This story also contains instruction for us.  How do we influence people?  Many times we try to force our opinions (correct or not) on others.  We feel or think we know what is best for them and we tell them so in no uncertain terms.  If we force them to listen and close our ears to their thoughts and beliefs, we can not lead them to truth, they only tighten their coats of doctrine more tightly around them and quicken their pace to get away from us.  What if, what IF, we tried to gently warm them with the truth of God’s love?  What if, what IF, we let God’s love flow through us and warm their hearts?  What if, what IF, we let our light shine on them instead of shining the light in their eyes?  Remember Jesus’ words, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16- ESV).   Look again to the context of John’s words in 1 John 4:

“We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1Jo 4:6-11 - ESV).

Take note of those around you, and let God work His power through your life, as you let your light shine, and act in love to those nearby.

Scott McCown is the evangelist for the Parrish Church of Christ in Parrish, Alabama.  He may be reached at P.O. Box 118, Parrish, AL  35580.

Tis the Season

Dale Hubbert

As the weather warms up there are valuable blessings to be enjoyed.  The earth warms up and becomes fertile for the vegetables that provide delicious nourishment to the body.  Warmer weather in contrast to cold winter temperatures offers the pleasure of being outside more and enjoying God’s creation. 

       Warmer weather also ushers in other things that are not desirable if the Word of God is to be revered.  As temperatures rise some remove clothes to the point of immodesty and shame.  Unfortunately, many either do not know or do not care about the impact their dress has upon others.  We have sadly followed the path of Jeremiah’s day with a lack of ability to blush even at the most shameful situation (Jeremiah 6:15).

It is not possible in the spring and summer to go to the mall, grocery store, or any other public place without seeing those who have no sense of respect for the covering of their body in a way that would please God.  These scenes are common and have become accepted in society.  God however has never allowed the world to dictate or change His will regarding what is and is not righteous.

The church is not immune to this problem.  Sadly, some of those who appear in the presence of others in shameful and sinful clothing profess to belong to the 

Lord.  Paul’s admonition for women to profess godliness in their dress has been abandoned in favor or the popularity and pressure of the world around us (1 Tim. 2:9, 10).

       Parents either do not know or do not care that their children are dressing in such a way as to promote lust and sin (Matt. 5:28).  Some teenage girls (and guys) who are members of the church have joined a wicked society rather than remaining true to God and pure in their conduct and example before others (1 Tim. 4:12).

Some who would never appear in the mall or at the grocery store in improper clothing believe by their practice that there are exceptions in which godly clothing is not necessary.  Swimming, boating, banquets, social events, athletics, and vacations are among the areas some have chosen to make exceptions to God’s law of purity (1 Tim. 5:22).  Who made these exceptions okay with God?  It certainly wasn’t God!

This problem even finds its way into the assembly of the saints.  It is sad and appalling what some will wear to a gathering that is designed to worship God and learn more of His will.  Men are embarrassed and made uncomfortable passing the emblems of the Lord’s Supper because of the way some women and girls have dressed themselves.  Of all places, would one not have enough respect for God to put on suitable clothing?

This sinful problem will not soon go away.  It is our responsibility as children of God to always dress ourselves in a way that would find the approval of God.  It is also our responsibility to teach, encourage, and rebuke when necessary our brethren who bring shame to themselves and the church (1 Tim. 5:20).  The Christian life is always best—it is not always the most popular.

Dale Hubbert is the evangelist for the Curry Church of Christ.  He may be reached at 5454 Curry Highway, Jasper, AL 35503.

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