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 The Cornerstone 

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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 9 *   Number 10*  March 11,  2007

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God is watching

My children at times have been very sneaky. They have gotten a hold of something they are not suppose and disappeared quietly out of sight. Before any one notices it, they have cut papers that ought not to be cut, written on floors not to be written upon, or are caught chewing gum with empty wrappers all around. A child learns, at an awfully young age, that their misbehavior cannot occur unless they get out of mom and dad’s sight. They learn quickly that mom and dad simply cannot see everywhere, everything at all times.

Isn’t it a humbling, thrilling, and scary thought to know that God can see everything everywhere at all times?

"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:3

It is humbling because we realize that God sees every thing that we do, whether good or bad. It is thrilling to know that He sees us when we do good. But, it is such a fearful thing to know that He also see us every time we do evil. "For His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He seeth all His goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves." Job 34:21

Unlike the child that can escape the vision of a parent, at no time can we escape the vision of God. Therefore, let us live each moment knowing that God is watching.

 Stacy Crim

Are You Committed?

Allan E. McNabb

Commitment is a popular word in religious circles. But don’t forget that commitment is a two-edged sword. When you commit yourself to God, you commit yourself to obey Him — with commitment comes responsibility.

What is Commitment?

In simplest terms, a commitment is "something pledged."

A parent promises to give a child candy after dinner — that is a commitment. A girl promises to go on a date with a boy — that is a commitment. God promises eternal life to the faithful — that is a commitment.

Our Commitment to Jesus

Although the word commitment does not appear in the Bible, Jesus reveals our commitment as His disciples. "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple" (Lk. 14:26-27).

We must love Jesus above everything and everyone on earth — we must put Him first. Jesus says, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul" (Matt. 16:24-26)?

Jesus’ Was Committed Upon Earth

Jesus requires a total, complete, sacrificial commitment from people who desire to be His disciples. But at the same time, Jesus has shown us the way to salvation by living the committed life He requires of us.

Jesus is therefore a sympathetic High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16), leaving us an example of total commitment to God, "Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in turn; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Pet. 2:22-23).

Thus, Jesus demonstrated commitment. He committed Himself to God by living righteously, and by suffering in order to bear our sins upon the cross — by His stripes we’ve been healed (1 Pet. 2:24).

Jesus Committed Himself to God in Death

With His last words and final breaths, Jesus committed Himself to God — complete and endless commitment while suffering on the cross.

Moments before giving up His spirit, Jesus said, "Father, into your hands I commit My spirit" (Lk. 23:46). He committed Himself to God, who judges righteously (1 Pet. 2:23).

Jesus Has Shown Us The Way

Jesus has shown us the way to salvation. "He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Heb. 5:9) — "the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb. 12:2).

We’re committed to either Jesus or the world.

To whom are you committed? Are you committed to Christ? Have you entrusted yourself to God?

2/11/07 Reason for Hope

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The Obvious

Phil Sanders

A group of kindergarten children visited the local police station and viewed the pictures of the ten most-wanted men. One child pointed to a picture and asked if it really was the photograph of the wanted person. The policeman guide replied that it was.

The youngster inquired, "Well, why didn't you keep him when you took his picture?"

What seemed an obvious mistake to the child, of course, is from his perspective rather astute. Why they didn't keep the criminal in custody, however, may be a far more complicated thing. The picture may have been taken before he committed his more serious crimes. He may have served his time and gotten out on probation. He may have escaped. A judge may have released him on a technicality. Who knows? The obvious is not always the whole picture.

So it is with many things. A person you know does something completely out of character. You may assume you know the reason, but do you? Reserve your judgment on appearances, until you know the truth ( John 7:24). Ask, probe, and find out the truth, before you speak against something you may not understand.

Solomon by inspiration said, "The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him" ( Proverbs 18:17).

Again, he said, "Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him" ( Proverbs 29:20).

The Word of God, too, is like this. Many fall into error by jumping too quickly to conclusions and without examining all the facts. The Bible taken as a whole teaches we are saved by faith, but it does not teach we are saved by faith alone ( James 2:18-26). The Bible teaches we are saved by grace, but it does not teach we are saved by grace alone without faith (Eph. 2:8-10).

There is a difference between something true and the whole truth. Let's determine to find the whole truth on any subject.

3/4/07 Weatherly Heights Huntsville

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