Topic(s): Priorities

In 1815 Napoleon was defeated in the battle of Waterloo, and the hero of that battle was the Duke of Wellington. The duke’s most recent biographer claims to have an advantage over all previous biographers. His advantage was that he had found an old account ledger that showed how the duke had spent his money. That, says the biographer, was a far better clue to what the duke thought was important than reading his letters or his speeches. If someone wrote our biography on the basis of our checkbooks or income-tax returns, what might it say about us, our loyalties, our focus, and about whom we serve (cf. Matthew 25:14; 1 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Timothy 6:20)?

“And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come” - Luke 19:13

Close the Gate

Topic(s): Forgiveness

Two men were deep in discussion as they walked down a country road. On the way home, they decided that they would take a shortcut through a field where some cattle were grazing. As they talked and enjoyed one another’s company, they soon reached the other side. One of the men suddenly ran back across the pasture. He had left the gate open behind them, and the cattle would soon be out. As the man walked back to his friend, he remembered the last words an old friend had said to his sons and daughters just minutes before his death. His wise counsel was, “As you travel down life’s pathway, remember to close the gates behind you.”

Some people have a fetish for closing doors, gates, and drawers. Others seem to always leave them open. The dying man’s advice had little to do with either. He wanted the children to know that despite life’s bad—sins, disappointments, heartbreaks, disasters, failures, losses—one must not allow the negative to follow him through life. We must confess sins but leave them behind, learn from mistakes but move on, forget the disappointments but look beyond them.

The past can “dog” our steps, or it can provide us with information, experience, and insight for the future. Paul had some advise about “closing gates” when he said, “...forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark...” (Philippians 3:13,14).

Bare Season is Here Again!

Topic(s): Moral Issues, Sin, Youth

During “bare season” (summer months) worldly women (and men) are known for wearing as little clothing as possible. Women and girls come onto the streets in shorts and the briefest tops and to services in short skirts and low cut blouses. Men and boys work in their yards or go to softball fields or the track in brief shorts without even a shirt. Both genders go to beaches in attire inappropriate in any place but the bedroom. There seems to be little thought given to “modesty,” the effect our dress can have on others, or to our positive Christian example.

The Lord said, “...whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). The principle not to lust applies to men and women, of course, but the Lord knew this temptation was stronger for males. At the same time, the girl or woman who openly displays herself in immodest dress is accountable for enticing lust. Women are instructed to be careful to adorn themselves in modest apparel, in shamefacedness, and sobriety (1 Timothy 2:9).

We sin if we become a “stumblingblock” to others (1 Corinthians 8:9). Jesus said, “...whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6). Our manner of dress may well be a good indication of the depth of our spirituality. Christians are to be good examples in manner of life and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12). Our Christian example can be ruined by inappropriate dress as quickly as by drinking, smoking, or using foul language.

Let each of us dress so that it we met Christ on the street we would not blush with shame!