[Biblemat] S) OUR VERY BEST

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is a study from my
recent files.  Use to the glory of God.

OUR VERY BEST

     There is no greater challenge than that of being a Christ-
ian, nor is there a richer reward for one's endeavor than pur-
suing the way of righteousness.  If there were no eternity,
judgment day, heaven or hell -- still, by far, the best way to
live upon this earth would be the life of a genuine Christian.
The demands of the gospel make better people of us and make us far more 
valuable to those about us as we strive to
walk in the footsteps of Jesus (1 Pet. 2:21).

     It is not an easy way to traverse, though the effort is well
repaid.  Even the Savior marked the roadway as one of self-
denial (Lk. 9:23), and Paul referred to the necessity of bring-
ing one's thoughts and actions into subjection in order to be
victorious as a Christian (1 Cor. 9:27; 2 Cor. 10:5).  Some folk
cannot meet the challenge of the gospel because of their lack
of conviction or lack of real desire.  How sad it is to realize
that many who once were loyal servants of Christ have now
turned back to libertine existence because of the appeal of
fleshly appetites (2 Pet. 2:18).

     The demand os Christianity are based upon the integrity 
of the Bible.  The depth of the sacred page is beyond the 
shallow pace of earthly existence and millions are just not
willing to pay the price of stalwart devotion to the Man of
Galilee.  It takes no effert at all to follow Satan, while the 
Redeemer will accept only the finest devotion (Lk. 14:33).  It
will not work to try to compromise the integrity of the Script-
ures to mesh with the lackadaisical attitude of mankind.  Jesus made it clear 
that the message of salvation could not
be compromised (Jno. 10:35; 15:3).  What consolation that
precious Book divine is to all faithful students of its delight-
ful contents.  The message of the Bible provides a richness
that demands the best of us!

     Christianity is challenging because it is built upon the deity of the 
Master, Jesus Christ.  He has "the Words of eter-
nal life" (Jno. 6:68), "a name above all names" (Phil. 2:9) and
a glory which is unsurpassed (Jno. 14:6).  To the King of kings we owe 
allegiance that propels us into a sojourn that
people of the world cannot fathom (Acts 4:13).  Even Napol-
eon, in his famous speech to General Bertrand, admitted that
"the spirit of Christ overawes me."  As another leader of men
later wrote, so we believe as well, that our blessed Lord sup-
ercedes all rulers, armies, navies and heroes that ever lived,
in power and influence.

     The impact of Christianity challenges us also because it
is promulgated by the great commission and not by some
bombastic plan set forth by mankind.  The parting words of
the Savior, prior to His going back to heaven are so simple
and yet so profound.  Nothing could have permeated the Roman Empire so 
successfully as the humble servants of the
crucified Nazarene pressing the claims of the Messiah upon
the profligate society.  The early saints "went everywhere
preaching the word" (Acts 8:4), and the message of the Lord's redemption 
covered the ancient world as the waters
cover the sea!

     Christianity demands our very best because it is demon-
strated by purity of life.  The basic, fundamental values of the
religion of the Son of God can best be seen in the dedicated
demeanor of fervent disciples of the Lord.  Too many times
the world receives a faulty impression of the "way of the 
cross" because of our failure to portray the ethics of godlin-
ess.  There is an enthralling stanza in the ears of every Christ-
ian: 
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wonderful passion and purity;
May His spirit divine, all my being refine,
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

       Christianity is great because it brings optimism, hope and joy into 
the daily walk of the children of God.  Trusting
in the Creator (Prov. 3:5), instead of earth's vain trinkets, gives us the 
enrichment that only the hope of heaven can
bequeath to us.  We never look back to a life of sin, but ever
press on to the beautiful home of the soul.  As parents we 
choose early in life to indelibly etch in the mural and fabric
of our children's lives that this world is not our home: "They
desire a better country, that is, a heavenly" (Heb. 11:10).

     Let us, therefore, meet the challenging nature of Christian-ity with a 
firm commitment and deep resolve so that, one day,
by the grace of God, when all the saints go marching in, we
shall all be there to greet them!   ----- Johnny Ramsey in Gos-
pel Minutes, Vol. 56, No. 1, Jan. 5, 2007.
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