[Editor's Note: The following article is aimed at our teenagers, but we all can learn from it.]
When Adults Disappoint by Jim Jonas
(Jjbogator@aol.com)
Contributed by K. Dillinger
"Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do" (Matthew 23:3)
In this passage, Jesus warns His disciples about the hypocritical behavior of the scribes and Pharisees. He says they occupy positions of religious authority but they often violate their own teaching. The tendency in this situation would be to reject everything such a person said because of his hypocrisy. But Jesus instructs His disciples to distinguish between the teacher and the content of the teaching. If the principle is valid, observe it, in spite of the teacher's shortcomings.
I vividly recall that during my teenage years I became very disenchanted with the adults in the congregation where I worshiped. It was clear to me at a young age that many of them were spiritually anemic. I expected more from my adult role models, and rightfully so.
So, what should you do if you feel similar frustrations?
Do what is right. If you are truly insightful enough in God's word that you grasp a particular principle or issue better than adults around you, then you have a corresponding obligation to act accordingly (Ecc 4:13). If you don't, are you not making the same mistake that those adults who disappoint you are making? It is not enough to simply know what is right; we must live it. Even in your teenage years, you can wield tremendous influence among older people by your example.
Be patient. Adults are fallible; they are going to make mistakes. But because they often exercise authority over you (teachers, elders, parents, etc.), it is easy to resent their mistakes. While there is no justification for sin, the ability to sympathize with others and appreciate their circumstances is valuable (Col 3:12-13). A word of caution: It is a precarious undertaking when the young offer constructive criticism to their elders. Your point, while valid, may unfairly cause resentment among adults. It takes wisdom to offer correction, and sometimes, youthful exuberance may be mistaken for brashness and arrogance. Be patient; try to create a dialog with those older adults that seem approachable and reasonable.
Don't assume responsibility for the church's welfare. Because the congregation of my youth was not all it should have been, I felt guilty for its failures. While we are all answerable to God for our lives, God holds the elders of a congregation (if they exist) accountable for the welfare of the local church (Heb 13:17). In their absence, the adults who should be more advanced in wisdom and knowledge will bear the ultimate responsibility. Do what you can with your limited opportunities, but don't let the failures of others drag you into despair.
The Victory of Faith by Ken Weliever
(weliever@hotmail.com)
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.
And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith"
(1 John 5:4).
Do you wear Nike shoes? Seen a Nike commercial with the slogan, "Just Do It"? Do you know what Nike means? It's a Bible word!
In Greek mythology, Nike was the imaginary goddess of victory,
who presided over all military and athletic contests. The Greek
word "nike" (nee'kay) is the word for victory in 1 John
5:4.
Those born of God will face conflicts, controversies, and confrontations.
We can either be conquered or we can be the conqueror. The Greeks
believed in an illusion. But because we are born of God, believe
in the real God, and belong to the true God, we have the real
resources to be victorious in running our race to eternity. Consider
these three applications.
(1) Victory over Temptation. The same writer warned about the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:15). Many a Christian has fallen prey to these foes. But through our growing faith in the revealed Faith of Christ, we can achieve victory. Sometimes our surrender to temptation is excused with the refrain, "I am only human." True. But through faith, God has given us super human resources to fight and find victory. God has promised a means of escape (1 Cor. 10:13). You can win the battle with temptation. Just do it!
(2) Victory over the "thorns of the flesh." Paul spoke of his struggle with the "thorn" in 2 Cor. 12:7-10. We're not told the nature of his thorn, but it was hurting Paul. It was something Satan used to impede his progress, to hamper his effectiveness and frustrate his faithfulness. But Paul prayed. God didn't remove the thorn. But through God's grace and Paul's faith, he found the strength to subdue the troubling thorn. Through grace and faith, we too, can be victorious over the thorns of sickness, pain, personal problems and vexing circumstances. You can win the battle with the "thorns of the flesh." Just do it!
(3) Victory over discouragement. Discouragement can sap the strength out of us. It can deplete our energies, exhaust us physically, drain us mentally and weaken us spiritually. Discouragement is a device of the Devil. It undermines the love in our homes, cripples the work of the church and enfeebles our faithfulness. Yet, we can muster the courage to overcome this fatal feeling. Through our faith in Christ, we can see a brighter tomorrow and know that one day all of our troubles and trials will pale into insignificance when we see Jesus. You can win the battle over discouragement. Just do it!
My Christian friend, will you be vanquished or victorious? The conquered or the conqueror? The choice is yours. The next time you put on your Nike shoes, remember that "nike" means victory. Know that as a Christian you can experience the victory of faith through Jesus. And believe (that with God's help) you can just do it (Phil 4:13)!
[The following notes conclude our study of Psalms 119. If you missed any issues, they are archived at our website.]
PSALM 119 - Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
TAU. (Ps 119:169-176)
[169, 170. The prayer for understanding of the truth precedes
that for deliverance. The fulfilment of the first is the basis
of the fulfilment of the second (Ps 90:11-17). On the terms "cry"
and "supplication" (compare Ps 6:9; 17:1).]
169 Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord: give me understanding
according to thy word.
170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according
to thy word.
171 My lips shall utter [or, "pour out praise" (compare
Ps 19:2); shall cause Thy praises to stream forth as from a bubbling,
overflowing fountain.] praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
172 My tongue shall speak of thy word [literally, "answer
Thy Word," that is, with praise, respond to Thy word. Every
expression in which we praise God and His Word is a response,
or acknowledgment, corresponding to the perfections of Him whom
we praise.]: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
[173, 174. (Compare Ps 119:77, 81, 92).]
173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen [in preference to
all other objects of delight.] thy precepts.
174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my
delight.
[175. Save me that I may praise Thee.]
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments
[as in Ps 119:149, 156.] help me.
[176. Though a wanderer from God, the truly pious ever desires
to be drawn back to Him; and, though for a time negligent of duty,
he never forgets the commandments by which it is taught.]
176 I have gone astray like a lost [therefore utterly helpless
as to recovering itself (Jer 50:6; Lu 15:4). Not only the sinner
before conversion, but the believer after conversion, is unable
to recover himself; but the latter, after temporary wandering,
knows to whom to look for restoration.] sheep; seek thy servant;
for I do not forget thy commandments.
[Ps 119:175, 176 seem to sum up the petitions, confessions, and
professions of the Psalm. The writer desires God's favor, that
he may praise Him for His truth, confesses that he has erred,
but, in the midst of all his wanderings and adversities, professes
an abiding attachment to the revealed Word of God, the theme of
such repeated eulogies, and the recognized source of such great
and unnumbered blessings. Thus the Psalm, though more than usually
didactic, is made the medium of both parts of devotion--prayer
and praise.]
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BIBLE INSIGHT is published for the members of, and visitors to,
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Carey Dillinger is the editor. He can be reached at the church
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FROM A CHILD'S EYE VIEW
The Sunday school lesson for the day was about Noah's Ark, so the preschool teacher in our Kentucky church decided to get her small pupils involved by playing a game in which they identified animals. "I'm going to describe something to you. Let's see if you can guess what it is. First: I'm furry with a bushy tail and I like to climb trees." The children looked at her blankly. "I also like to eat nuts, especially acorns." No response. This wasn't going well at all! "I'm usually brown or gray, but sometimes I can be black or red." Desperate, the teacher turned to a perky four-year-old who was usually good about coming up with the answers. "Michelle, what do you think?" Michelle looked hesitantly at her classmates and replied, "Well, I know the answer has to be Jesus -- but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me!"