Back to the Gospels

After years of being a part of conservative churches and conservative friendships, I have noticed a Bible study dilemma. Almost all discussions of new and old ideas seem to be derived from the Book of Acts or some of the writings from the Apostles. Church rules and regulations are mostly patterned after the Epistles. Church government is often more of a priority than church effectiveness. It seems that the Gospels have been relegated to a historical mode more than an actual guide for living the Christian life. I hear much more quoting of scriptures from Acts through Revelation than I do the Words in RED. Most church lobby discussions and arguments are along the lines of the epistles and their quotations.

On the other hand, some church groups want to ignore Paul’s teachings about hair, tongues, modesty, and more; and replace that with a supposed Christ-like lifestyle. These types call Pauline regulations "legalism" while they spend their efforts feeding the poor (often just street bums), having church club meetings, and doing social based service without power from God. Both sides are missing a greater call to true righteousness that is clearly defined in the gospels.

The Lord recently spoke to my heart to emphasize the Words of Christ this year. As I began to concentrate on the sayings of Christ, I began to understand why the modern church tends to skip around many of these words. Jesus gets straight to the heart of man with His call to service. He leaves no room for argument. While a liberal may explain away an epistle concept and a conservative may over-apply the same concept; the way Christ spoke did not leave room for eliminating His call to discipleship. What do you do with a verse that states: "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." How can you argue tithing or giving; or make less than a full conversion to Christ after these words? Shallow conversions don’t fit here! Church government seems a mundane subject when this decision reaches a man’s heart! Holiness standards are not a problem to a man who has left all!

I have watched both conservative and nominal church folk completely bypass the golden rule. Luke 6:31 says, "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise". How different would your life be if you ACTUALLY treated others like this? Copyright laws would all of a sudden affect churches and supposed Christians. Business dealings would be very "above board" and clearly defined. Can you imagine facing eternity after copying the cassette of a Southern Gospel group on a blank tape? What if it was your group? I have been told that church choirs often copy material from one book instead of purchasing a book for each member. What if you put together the book? After a car wreck, on the job, selling a used car, and other life scenarios can put your real desire to follow this saying to a tough test! Wouldn’t insurance companies and many others love for everyone to follow the golden rule?

Maybe you think my emphasis on Christ’s Words is a little extreme. Is your life able to withstand the floods and storms of life intact? Jesus said, "Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock." The ruin of the house (man), that did not follow His sayings, was a great catastrophe!

Do you depend on the Holy Spirit to guide you? Jesus said that when the Spirit came, He would bring to your memory all that Jesus had said. John 14:26 says, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." The early church had only the Old Testament and the memory of what Christ said. Yet, they were turning the world upside down.

"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." His words are eternal and you will be eternally responsible for those words. "And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power." His words should be quoted since they have power in their effect on men. "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." Even in Revelation, Christ reminds the church of keeping His Word. "…If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed." Whoa! Being a disciple requires that we continue to hear and obey His Word. "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." "…the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." "Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." "He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me." You can see how important Christ’s Words are!

I feel many Christians have accidentally put too little emphasis on the Words in Red! It is easy to think more about church government, holiness standards and lifestyles. But we should be careful to remember that the Words in Red will judge us at the last day. WHY DON’T YOU TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT THE WORDS IN RED? It will cause you to search your heart in a new way.

Please realize I mean no disregarding of the remainder of the New Testament. Just to prove it, let me quote Paul. "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings." Even Paul was careful to say that we must follow and teach the words of Christ. There is a reason those words are in red! Give them a brand new special place in your heart and memory!

Back to the Gospels

After years of being a part of conservative churches and conservative friendships, I have noticed a Bible study dilemma. Almost all discussions of new and old ideas seem to be derived from the Book of Acts or some of the writings from the Apostles. Church rules and regulations are mostly patterned after the Epistles. Church government is often more of a priority than church effectiveness. It seems that the Gospels have been relegated to a historical mode more than an actual guide for living the Christian life. I hear much more quoting of scriptures from Acts through Revelation than I do the Words in RED. Most church lobby discussions and arguments are along the lines of the epistles and their quotations.

On the other hand, some church groups want to ignore Paul’s teachings about hair, tongues, modesty, and more; and replace that with a supposed Christ-like lifestyle. These types call Pauline regulations "legalism" while they spend their efforts feeding the poor (often just street bums), having church club meetings, and doing social based service without power from God. Both sides are missing a greater call to true righteousness that is clearly defined in the gospels.

The Lord recently spoke to my heart to emphasize the Words of Christ this year. As I began to concentrate on the sayings of Christ, I began to understand why the modern church tends to skip around many of these words. Jesus gets straight to the heart of man with His call to service. He leaves no room for argument. While a liberal may explain away an epistle concept and a conservative may over-apply the same concept; the way Christ spoke did not leave room for eliminating His call to discipleship. What do you do with a verse that states: "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." How can you argue tithing or giving; or make less than a full conversion to Christ after these words? Shallow conversions don’t fit here! Church government seems a mundane subject when this decision reaches a man’s heart! Holiness standards are not a problem to a man who has left all!

I have watched both conservative and nominal church folk completely bypass the golden rule. Luke 6:31 says, "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise". How different would your life be if you ACTUALLY treated others like this? Copyright laws would all of a sudden affect churches and supposed Christians. Business dealings would be very "above board" and clearly defined. Can you imagine facing eternity after copying the cassette of a Southern Gospel group on a blank tape? What if it was your group? I have been told that church choirs often copy material from one book instead of purchasing a book for each member. What if you put together the book? After a car wreck, on the job, selling a used car, and other life scenarios can put your real desire to follow this saying to a tough test! Wouldn’t insurance companies and many others love for everyone to follow the golden rule?

Maybe you think my emphasis on Christ’s Words is a little extreme. Is your life able to withstand the floods and storms of life intact? Jesus said, "Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock." The ruin of the house (man), that did not follow His sayings, was a great catastrophe!

Do you depend on the Holy Spirit to guide you? Jesus said that when the Spirit came, He would bring to your memory all that Jesus had said. John 14:26 says, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." The early church had only the Old Testament and the memory of what Christ said. Yet, they were turning the world upside down.

"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." His words are eternal and you will be eternally responsible for those words. "And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power." His words should be quoted since they have power in their effect on men. "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." Even in Revelation, Christ reminds the church of keeping His Word. "…If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed." Whoa! Being a disciple requires that we continue to hear and obey His Word. "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." "…the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." "Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." "He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me." You can see how important Christ’s Words are!

I feel many Christians have accidentally put too little emphasis on the Words in Red! It is easy to think more about church government, holiness standards and lifestyles. But we should be careful to remember that the Words in Red will judge us at the last day. WHY DON’T YOU TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT THE WORDS IN RED? It will cause you to search your heart in a new way.

Please realize I mean no disregarding of the remainder of the New Testament. Just to prove it, let me quote Paul. "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings." Even Paul was careful to say that we must follow and teach the words of Christ. There is a reason those words are in red! Give them a brand new special place in your heart and memory!