ANDERSON CHURCH OF CHRIST
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ANDERSON CHURCH OF CHRIST HOME | BIBLE CLASS | BULLETINS | MINISTER | OUR MEETINGS | PROGRAM | SERMONS |
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WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? by Carl McMurray I listen to the news. I drop into late night cable news, I listen to talk radio when I’m driving, and I keep internet radio discussions on at my desk as background noise when I’m working. Of course the hot issue across the band is the mosque that is being planned at ground zero in New York City. Frankly, I’m tired of it. I’m tired of consistently hearing talking heads whining about why can’t the Muslims be more thoughtful? Why can’t they be more sensitive? Why do they have to build it in this particular location? Are they kidding? The Religion of Islam teaches that unbelievers are to be killed or enslaved. I don’t expect sensitivity to the feelings of Americans from a religion that celebrates ground zero as a victory, and views Christians as an enemy to be conquered. Double talk and stubborn resistance? What can you expect? I believe Jesus Christ is the resurrected Son of God, Lord of Lords, and King of all Kings. As I have opportunity I try and share His desire for all men to respond to His love and be saved from their sins, laying hold of the hope of eternal life. I hope you do too. The devil makes our task more difficult by confusing men with counterfeit churches and doctrines that seem, at first look, to be biblical or more comforting than the sacrifice and obedience that Jesus asks for. Because of this it takes patience and continued teaching to get one to give up the religious traditions they were raised in and change their view toward God’s authority and their own response to it. Most on the broad path simply will not do it, but Jesus said a “few” would. A few will see with their eyes and believe with their hearts and obey. It is what Jesus said, what can you expect? I love my brethren. I believe in their desire to do good, their concern for other Christians, their love for God, and their desire to go to heaven. My brothers and sisters sometimes make the same mistakes and fall prey to the same sins I do. But, they keep trying to do better. Sometimes, after struggling to make great changes in their life, they fall into the same traditions and ruts that I fall into. Those easy ways of thinking and comfortable practices that we know are right without having to think about them too much. These practices that we’re comfortable with are not wrong in and of themselves, but sometimes they cause us to be blind to other practices and viewpoints that are also perfectly acceptable. We can make the mistake of thinking it is “our” way, or the highway. We can demand that others be willing to change, grow up, and give up their traditions while holding tightly to our own. It is human nature to try and be comfortable I believe, and to dislike change. What can you expect? Well, as Christians, we can expect of one another openness to fresh viewpoints and examination of our practices to continue to excel in our service to God. From “fresh eyes” and new converts come startling truths sometimes to drag us from our ruts. God bless us as open hearted. |
