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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 35*   August 27,  2006

The Last Days

Paul notes that the last days will be marked by grievous times.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous (grievous ASV) times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was." II Timothy 3:1-9

One can certainly understand why Paul used the word perilous/grievous times after reading that list of corruption. Considering the times today, it is like Paul was writing this epistle to Timothy while reading the daily newspaper. We live in perilous times. What can we do?

Remember God delivers – II Timothy 3:11

The godly will suffer persecution – II Timothy 3:12

Continue in the things which we have learned and are assured of – II Timothy 3:14

Know the Scriptures – II Timothy 3:15-17

Verse nine teaches that the folly of the wicked will be brought to light before all men. We on the other hand must remain steadfast in the word, and God will deliver us from such evil times.

Stacy Crim

 

Unto Death Shall Us Part

R. L. (Bob) Craig

A few years back, I wrote an article titled as the above. Since that time, I have written several other articles regarding the marital relationship. Some may get the idea that I have that subject as a hobby that I ride too much. But the fact of the matter is that I am deeply concerned about the condition of marital relationships of our present time.

There is about a 50-50 chance that all marriages will end in divorce. In a majority of these cases, the cause was not the one that Jesus mentioned in Matthew 19:9, fornication (sexual immorality). Most are predicated on personal, and many times, trivial, matters. Matters that could be mediated and solved without divorce if the persons involved loved the Lord enough to apply His rules and really wanted to preserve this marriage.

Preachers (gospel preachers) are expending a lot of time and energy, seeking for ways and means of severing these relationships, remarry, and still be right in God's sight. Just what their motive is, I am not able to discern. Sometimes they, themselves, are involved in an unscriptural divorce and remarriage and they are seeking for self-justification so they come up with a new Bible (?) theory. Sometimes they are so emotionally involved in the case of a close friend or loved one that they blindly look for justification. And so they come up with a new idea for divorce and remarriage. And sometimes they are so concerned with additions, numbers, they dream up these ideas so one or two more can be added to the fellowship with impunity.

This is not the time to "restudy" the issue of marriage, divorce and remarriage; it is time for us to apply the laws that we already have. It is high time for these preachers, who are so concerned with finding an out for people who are involved in unscriptural marriages, to start spending their time in instructing our young people regarding the timelessness, the perpetuity of the marriage relationship.

It's time for parents to start showing their children, by the example of their lives, that the marriage relationship can and should be the most satisfying situation that man and woman can experience. Let the marriage relationship show "due benevolence unto the husband and the husband to the wife."

Here's a little poem I wrote for the wedding ceremony of my grandson and the young lady he had chosen:

TRUE LOVE

"I love you truly,"
That's the way the song begins;
"I love you truly,"
That's how these lives should end.

True love has a way of rendering,
The hidden virtues of my new friend,
More than the gift of a wedding band,
Is the golden touch of a gentle hand,

A heart that's tender and deep and kind,
Inspired by the thoughts of a generous mind,
An ear that listens and meditates,
On the hopes and wishes of a loving mate.
Eyes that glisten and gleam with desire,
That things will be just right,
Eyes that are ready with tears of joy,
That sparkle and shine with delight.

Arms that are ready with a loving embrace,
That takes away the ache,
Of a real bad day with some thoughtless words,
Some selfish acts, or a tale we heard.

All of these and many more
Make married life secure,
And as days past by and dreams unfold,
A plateau is reached and the story is told

Of "I love you truly,"
The beginning of a new married life,
"I love you truly,"
The end of the story of husband and wife.

 

 

Got Any Chairs?

Kipp Campbell

I am reminded of a story in which a preacher and his large family, who were new to a congregation, went to visit a deacon on his farm. After all the greetings and pleasantries were exchanged, there was an awkward silence as the family just stood there, looking for a place to sit down, since the room only had two chairs. After a couple of silent seconds had gone by, the preacher remarked, "Brother, I don’t think you have enough chairs!" However, the man responded, "That ain’t it, I got plenty of chairs – just too much company!" You can imagine the shock of hearing that come a member of the Lord’s church. Yet, this kind of action is actually rather prevalent in the Lord’s church today.

I know of Christians who have made it abundantly clear they want nothing to do with each other outside of services. This is confirmed when it’s time to get-together and they aren’t there. Rather than supporting the time Christians have with each other, they would rather sit at home or associate with worldly friends. It really is a sad commentary when Christians can’t stand to be around each other.

As Christians, we should understand just how important it is for us to spend quality time with each other. The only way for us to "get to know" each other and to know what is going on with each other is to spend time with each other. In Acts 2:44-47, we see a model of what we’re supposed to be. In v. 46 Luke wrote, "And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart." Every day those Christians at meals together. Granted, it was a new time and there was an electric feeling in the air, but they all had the desire to spend time with each other. The point is, they made the time to be with each other. Now, I’m not saying we should eat every meal together or be with each other every day. But we do need to make sure we are making time to spend with one another, so we can know what’s going on in each other’s lives. Perhaps the easiest way to do this is to invite someone into our homes. Peter said, "Be hospitable to one another without complaint" (I Pet. 4:9). Whether it’s for supper (dinner where I’m from), dessert, or even for just a cup of coffee, invite them in and get to know them.

We need each other more than ever today. We are "in the world" for the majority of our week and let’s face it – we need all the help we can get to escape the clutches of Satan. There is a great deal of strength we can draw from being the in each other’s presence. So, let’s make sure we are setting aside time right now to get to know one another better. Just make sure you have enough chairs!

Clarksville, IN Beacon

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