About The Georgia post. (Knoxville, Crawford County, Ga.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 3, 2013)
PAGE 4 THE BYRON BUZZ SECTION Thursday, January 3,2013 Let Us Go On To Perfection What Does The Bible Say About.. James Earnhardt Evangelist Church of Christ The writer of Hebrews encourages those who read Hebrews to “press on unto perfection.” This is found in Hebrews 6:1, “Therefore, leav ing the discussion of the el ementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.” The term “perfection” as used here has reference to full growth or maturity (see Bible marginal notes); which is contrasted to the elementary condition or “babe” in Heb. 5:12-14, “For though by this time, you ought to be teachers, you need some one to teach you again the first Donate A Boat or Car Today! Boaq’pAngel "2-Night Free Vacation!” nmmmm www.boatatigeI.com sponsored by boat angel outreach centers STOP CRIMES A6AINST CHILDREN AIRLINES ARE HIRING Tram for high paying AuBtnn Carppr EAA approved program^ Fmancel aid ifquaKfied -lob placement asadaice. CALL Aradan Institute of htaiidmance 866-564-9634 principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word or righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food be longs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by rea son of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Thus, the people to whom the Hebrew letter was ad dressed had been going back ward instead of going forward; they had deteriorated to the point where they had “need of milk and not solid food.” This is an unfortunate condition in the life of any Christian, and it is one not limited to people in Bible times but is often seen today. No one can stand still in the Christian life; one will either go forward in learning and growing in the truth of God’s word as He intends, or he will find that he is drifting. (Cf. Heb. 2:1 ff.) Those who profess to follow Christ must either give close attention to those things which He has spoken through the Bible, or they will find them selves getting closer and clos er to that slippery slope of no return. We must either be “go ing on to perfection”, that is to maturity in Christ; or we will revert to our infantile state. The apostle Peter tells us ex actly how that process works in 2 Peter 1:5-11 “But also for this very rea son, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness broth erly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blind ness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an en trance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Sav ior Jesus Christ.” No one accidently grows into the type of character which is pleasing to the Lord. There are certain things one must do if he is to go on to perfection in Christ. He must be willing to “eat” the spiritual food which has been provided for him; when that is done, the result will not be disap pointing. The Lord’s people must study the Bible (II Tim. 2:15), learn its teachings and put its requirements into prac tice in daily living. Anyone familiar with the New Testa ment teachings knows that Christianity is a purposeful life. In fact, Christianity may be described as the reproduc tion of the life of Christ in the human heart. This of course requires an active life for, “... faith without works is dead”, read all of James 2:14-26. As we approach this New Year, let us each one “...put on the new man who is re newed in knowledge accord ing to the image of Him who created him” (Col. 3:10) that we might do as Paul said in Phil. 3:14-20, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will re veal even this to you, Never theless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind... .For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” In 2013 please join me in “pressing on into perfection” through the study of God’s Holy Word, that we might at tain the knowledge to “rightly divide” the message He pro vides through His written word, the Bible. Bible quotations are from the New King James Version unless otherwise stated. For questions or comments please contact James Earn hardt at 478-825-7517. Proposal Of The White Cane ^ Photography Classes www.BeginningPhotoClinicS.coxn Classes for all ability levels - (478) 956-6973 bonniesworkshops@gmail.com Culi * Color * foil fr.vOMl Sfyfe * farms ■ ftraiflfilnt'n fjufjfe * FYdriuri' L i.'Jur Lotrvc!™ frafoisibnal L'p GW FOUAPPOINMMTS * WALK. INS WELCOME (478)825-3736 1030 PEACH PKWY, STE 2 * FORT VALLEY It is an honor, and an in spiration, to have been re deemed from sin, bom again, and called to ministry in the Kingdom of God. Through the years, a good number have been touched of the Lord, as we shared our love, compassion, and the Gospel message. Though many have been reluctant to accept such a promise-only a few have been adamant concerning the validity of our presentation. It is always disconcerting, to say the least, when a poten tial candidate insists on dis crediting the virtue of Christ and His offer. The question of which direction to go when a persistent voice is raised against the Gospel, requires a decision on our part. When one has forcefully refused the Grace of God, it is often wisdom to walk away, at least temporarily - giving them time to think! But when one will not allow such departure, and pursues the debate, to the point of blasphemy; it be comes time for Plan B! The following is the ac count of what happened: Joe (not the real name), spoke briefly to me, and upon discovering I was a Christian; immediately launched into a series of questions-tuming the conversation to criticism, sarcasm; and profanity! He denounced the Virgin Birth, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and fallacy of Christmas. I de clared the promise with calm ness and concern; informing him of my motive-reassuring Joe of my compassion for those who were lost. I offered to shake his hand, which he withdrew sharply. With misty eyes, I declared my concerns; as pertinent pas sage was shared in what wis dom I possessed. He became somewhat violent — even threatening. It was then that I informed Joe of my reluctant proposition: As was possible, calming his tirade-I men tioned Acts 13:11; and the ac tion put forth by the Apostle Daniel W. Gatlyn, USN Ret., Minister/ Journalist Paul. I quickly reminded him that I was out of ’’spiritual ammunition”—that my nor mal abilities were exhausted. ”1 have shared my love, my message, my concerns, and I am running out of options! The Apostle, centuries ago, came to the same juncture; and he turned to his prospect, and said: You are a child of Satan, and I say unto you, that you shall be blind for a sea son!” And immediately, his sight left him! The following proposition was then made to my falter ing friend. ’’Now, I belong to the same God, and you have pushed me in a comer. I have never done this before; and I am not sure that it will work. But if it does, you will need to find a White Cane quick ly—so that folks will know you are blind! Now it may be that you should back off somewhat—and think this through—or perhaps you are willing to take the chance of losing this vital faculty. If it worked in Paul’s day, then there is every reason why it should work today!!! Are you ready to take this chance—or would you prefer to reassess the entire scenario?” (PS-My experience, as re lated above, never really hap- pened-but such is not alien to Biblical chorus! Perhaps we have exhausted our bold ness!) Advertise Today to make something Happen Tomorrow! Becky Carroll Wilcox 577 Mulberry St.,Suite 110, Down town Macon «*■ 'collision^ /TJJJMo) rpIgMLTgr^ FREE CONSULTATIONS! General Trial Practice (478) 257-6100 qjwxm €TC. Antique Clock Repairs Grandfather, Wall, Cuckoo, All Types BUY • SELL • REPAIR J.J. (Joe) Bales 113 S. Camellia Blvd. Fort Valley, GA31030 (478) 827-1111 230 Hwy. 49 N. Byron (478) 956-4007
