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 The Cornerstone 

This is the Stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the Chief Conerstone." Acts 4:11

Pulbished to Support the Work of the West End Church of Christ, Richmond, Virginia

Volume 6 *   Number 14*   April 2,  2006

Keeping the Church Pure

James Baker

One of the greatest challenges facing brethren today is keeping the church pure. Try as hard as we may, it always seems that something gets through, and sits right under our noses for periods of time, until someone notices it. I remember a guy down south saying, "Copperheads are the kind of snakes that can sneak into your house and be there for a long time before they get noticed." What a frightening thought! So is it with sin.

All Christians do sin from time to time. The Bible said so, 1 John 1:8. But what we must be on guard against, are those who are divisive and hide their sins, but still want membership in the local church. Acts 20:28-31. It is incredible to know that some will practice sin, hide it, and still seek refuge in a local church, Acts 5:1-11; 2 Cor. 11:26. As the old saying goes, "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?"

The fact of skeletons being in the church is evident by our Lord as He said that He will gather out of His Kingdom that which offends, and cast them into a furnace of fire. Matt 13:41-43.

Yes, right up to the Day the Lord returns, there will be dirt among God’s people, but let us not be discouraged. Let us rather keep trying to expose the wrong. Here are some things we can do.

If you know something is amiss, deal with it! Being afraid of, ignoring it, or hoping that something will go away on its own, is not the answer when dealing with sin among Christians. Remember what God told Joshua after the sin of Achan. He said that it had to be dealt with or Israel would continue to fall before their enemies, Josh. 7:7-13. If it’s not taken care of, it’s still there, John 9:41; Rom 6:12-13; Eph 4:27.

Don’t be hungry for members. It is better to have a church of only six people, than a church of seven hundred and thirty, with most of them practicing sin, Matt 18:20; Deut, 7:7; 1 Sam 14:6; Judg. 7:7; 1 Pet. 3:20; Gen. 18:32. When interest in numbers is higher than interest in truth, brethren will let things slide, or sweep them under the rug, so that the roll book doesn’t decrease because of having to get rid of the sinners, 1 Cor. 5:7; Prov. 22:10. Let us not forget that when the truth is taught and enforced, we won’t have the masses around us, because only a few will be saved. Matt 7:13-14.

Get to know everyone! When brethren don’t invest time with each other; they will never know one another very well. In Acts 2:42-46, we can see that the church spent a lot of time together, and by doing that they got a chance to know one another better. By knowing others’ likes and dislikes, habits and ways, we can know if a Christian is drifting into sin, or living with a sin, Heb 3:12-13.

Teach the whole counsel of God. The word of God is quick and powerful, piercing to ones inner thoughts and intent of the heart, Heb 4:12; Acts 2:37; Acts 24:24-25. With a weapon this powerful in our hands, we need to use it, because it is the only thing that can shed light on man to warn him and point him to correction, 1 Cor. 1:17-21. Paul recognized this because he said that he had not failed to proclaim the whole counsel of God, Acts 20:27. When brethren fail to teach on all that the Lord has said, gaps are left, in which sin will reign and grow. Let us not leave any stone unturned, let us teach the gospel on all subjects, so that men will either conform or do the church a favor, and leave, 1 John 2:19; John 6:64-66; 1 Tim. 4:1-5; Matt 19:16-24.

Philadelphia, PA

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Is There No Shame Left?

Kent Heaton

When Moses was writing about the early days of the world, he penned the thoughts of God concerning mans state of mind. "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5) The result of mans depravity led to the destruction of all "flesh that moved on the earth ... all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died." (Genesis 7:21,22) We may find a glimpse of the condition of the world as in Noah's day from Romans 1:18-32. It is more evident that we are finding this mind-set in our world today.

Our society has turned upon the appeal of the flesh. There are few things sacred and holy in the thoughts of men today. It may surprise some to find those who are capable of blushing anymore. There seems to be little shame in the things we see and the things we hear. Because of the open and free discourse of every aspect of life, we are bombarded by things we would never have heard before.

On television, women are paraded about in their undergarments as advertisements. Skin cream ads portray the naked backs (nearly full view) of women who sensuously stroke their smooth skin. Men and women are shown in the shower together to plead the cause of soaps and cleansing agents for showers. The monthly times of women are broadcast daily through ads either for the product itself or for hair shampoo.

Television shows or sitcoms seek laughs when talking about the sex life of married people and more often than not - those who are living together. Many of the shows are based upon the sexual relations and exploits of men and women - and homosexuality! In a recent broadcast of "The View," a host talked about the impossibility of having sex during pregnancy and described in every detail as to why that was impossible. Those things that are sacred to marriage are plastered over the screen as vehicles to gain popularity and ratings. There is no shame left in the marriage bed. "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled," is no longer a sacred trust in the minds of men. (Hebrews 13:4) To take matters further, we now have television ads discussing the inability of men to complete the sex act and avenues of cure to help.

The honor of the marriage bed is being exploited all over the television screen and radio broadcast. On the radio, commercial's air that discuss the sexual problems between a man and a woman and the cure for such. Ads seek women who are not sexually satisfied because of age or stage of life to call in to participate in research along those lines. Condoms are freely given time on the air (and on TV) to discuss their role in sexually related themes. There is no shame left!

When Adam and Eve were in the garden and before sin come upon man, "They were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed." (Genesis 2:25) There is no shame in the relationship of the man and the woman together in the sexual union. The naked body is a blessing to all in the marriage union. That is how God has made the home and it is a place of honor. Those matters should be left in the marriage bed and no where else. To exploit them as we have seen in our society today only suggests to our young people and to all others, sex is to be enjoyed however and whenever we want it. "Fornicators and adulterers God will judge." (Hebrews 13:4)

We need to instill shame in the manner we allow society to use the beauty of the marriage bed to the lustful intentions it seeks. How difficult it is for our children to not become entangled with such things today. There will be a day - not far off - that owning a television or radio will destroy the lives - and minds - of those who follow after its view of taking the marriage bed to Hell.

The Reading Room March 2000

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