[Biblemat] A> Be A Boy Scout

[ZekeFlores1 at cs.com]

Brethren,
       Here's an article I hope you can use.
       Zeke Flores
       Kiber Street church of Christ
       Angleton, TX
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Be A Boy Scout!
Zeke Flores 
       When I was a young boy, about a hundred years ago, I was a Cub Scout. 
Cubs are the junior version of the Boy Scouts and as a Cub, I couldn't wait 
until I was old enough to join the real Scouts, the Boy Scouts! I would daydream 
about the time when I could make the motto of those proud Boy Scouts my own: 
"Be Prepared!" I pored over the Scout manuals knowing that they helped prepare 
a Scout for any and every circumstance that might arise, whether in the wild, 
in the home, or in society. I wanted to truly be prepared. Unfortunately, as 
I grew older, my interest in that dream faded and I'll always regret that I 
never joined that group of young men that at one time I so wanted to be a part 
of.
       However, as a man, I still realize the importance of the Boy Scout 
motto. Certainly one must be prepared for a myriad things in life whether they be 
social, financial, or otherwise. While one can never fully prepare for every 
curve ball life throws, being prepared is excellent advice. We prepare for our 
own daily necessities; we prepare for our children's education as best we 
can; we even try to prepare for our eventual retirement. But how prepared are we 
when it comes to spiritual things?
       I'm not speaking necessarily of our own personal salvation, although 
it certainly factors into the things about to be discussed. What I mean is, how 
prepared are we to properly present the truth about various matters when 
faced with opposition?
       For instance, consider evolution. The world overwhelmingly takes the 
theory of evolution for granted as scientific fact. Could you show someone the 
fallacies of the evolution argument? Could you really articulate a reasonable 
explanation why we are created in God's image (Gen 1:27) and not descended 
from monkeys? Or that the heavens really do declare the work of God's hand (Psalm 
19:1) and are not the result of some cosmic big bang mysteriously happening 
billions of years ago? 
       Could you express a well reasoned answer for why you believe the Bible 
is not just a collection of myths, stories and legends but rather the 
inspired word of God as it claims to be (2 Tim 3:16)? Would you be able to show by 
internal and external evidence why the Bible does not just contain the words of 
God, it is the word of God?
       How about refuting religious error so commonly believed about God, His 
Son Jesus, the church, and God's plan of salvation? How about refuting the 
errors of Islam, Buddhism, Catholicism, or any other denomination? Are you able 
to "make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope 
that is in you" (1 Pet 3:15)?
       Members of the church of Christ were once known as "people of the 
book." I've been told by older Christians that it was common for non-Christians to 
seek out a member of the church if he had a Bible question because he knew 
that he'd get a Bible answer. Could that still be said? Would someone seek you 
out knowing that your answer would be as "the oracles of God?" (1 Pet 4:11) 
Could you even explain to yourself why you believe what you believe?
       The purpose of this little article is certainly not to belittle 
anyone's ability or knowledge but to remind ourselves that, as the Boy Scouts know, 
we must be prepared! The only way to stand for truth is to stand in truth and 
this entails work, effort, and study. In this post-Christian age we live in, 
it is more important than ever that we be well-informed, well-reasoned people. 
We must "be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the 
most of your time because the days are evil. So then, do not be foolish, but 
understand what the will of the Lord is." (Eph 5:15-17) Let us all "Study to show 
thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly 
dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim 2:15) 
       Be a Boy Scout, BE PREPARED!
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