In recent days we have heard much talk about the death of Christ. All this talk reminds me of a book I read many years ago. I’ll never forget the first time I read “The Cross He Bore”, by Frederick Leahy. Here is a brief example of why it made such a deep impression on my heart:

Gethsemane means “the oil press.” David could say, “I am like a green olive tree in the house of God” (Psalm 52:8). Israel in her long history could say the same. But the suffering Savior could say it best of all, for there in Gethsemane–the oil press–he was crushed and bruised without mercy. But how and why? How is the sudden and dramatic change of atmosphere to be explained, even in a measure? Christ knew all along the death that awaited him. He had grappled with Satan and his legions more than once. He had repeatedly spoken of his death to his disciples, telling them what that death would accomplish. He had prayed with the utmost confidence in his high priestly prayer (John 17). Why, then, is there this sudden plunge into such awful agony, why this shuddering horror? Why is this fruit of the olive tree so severely crushed? Why does the divine record say that in Gethsemane our Lord BEGAN to be sorrowful, sorrowful in a new and terrible way? Was it not because God began forsaking him then? How else is this sorrow unto death to be understood?

“Jesus wept,” but never like this. No previous sorrow of his could match this. At the time of his arrest he declared, “Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?” (John 18:11). That cup was constantly in view as he prayed in Gethsemane. What cup? “THIS CUP“–not some future cup. The cup that was symbolized in the feast (Matt. 26:27,28) was now actual: God was placing it in the Savior’s hands and it carried the stench of hell. But stop!

Schilder is right. “Gethsemane is not a field of study for our intellect. It is a sanctuary for our faith.” Lord, forgive us for the times we have read about Gethsemane with dry eyes.

THINK ABOUT IT!

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil— Isaiah 5:20

Do you not find it strange how we change the name of something, or legalize it, or get the majority in favor of it, and suddenly it is suppose to be okay? Does that make sense? Too what extent do you take that? Go ahead, let your imagination run wild—picture the possibilities! Does “anything go” as long as it meets this criteria? Are you the one who decides what is right and wrong? If so, how did you get that position? What are your qualifications? Shall every man do what is right in his own eyes? Yet this is exactly where we find ourselves today when we rule out God’s Word as the sure standard by which all else is to be judged. The same nation that has been so greatly blessed by God has now dis-barred Him from the courtroom of our lives. We no longer recognize Him as an/the authority figure. We refuse to have Him rule over us.

Do you not see the hypocrisy of this? Some of the same people who turn to the Bible to find comfort when they’re troubled, refuse to obey it when it comes to it regulating the manner in which they live. They even pray to God and ask for help when they are in need, but they refuse to listen when He speaks. In other words, they want to use God when it’s convenient, but they have no use for Him when He interferes with the way they want to live. It is as though they think themselves to be wiser than God.

This is not only hypocritical, it is harmful. If the Bible is true, and it is, rebellion against it results in ruin. We reap what we sow—and more. At this very moment some of you are suffering the consequences of your sin–yet you continue to deny it, and even defend the very sin that is destroying you. Does that make sense? Some of you are miserable, your sin has not brought the pleasure you hoped for, yet you continue on the same path. Why?

You will never experience the peace and joy you long for until you confess and repent of your sin. Changing the name, making it legal, and promoting it until it’s popular doesn’t change the fact that it is sin. And the wages of sin is death.Call it whatever you will, changing its name doesn’t change its character. Calling evil good doesn’t make it good. And thinking you will escape sin’s consequences does not mean you will. You can make yourself believe anything but you can never make evil good by calling it good. It’s a fool’s game and you always lose. Sin is like a boat anchor tied around your neck—you can go through all the motions of swimming and try with all your might, but it will eventually pull you down to your destruction.

God has given us His infallible Word and righteous standards to live by that are for our own good. If you aren’t going to follow the Bible what will you use to guide your actions? Your own judgment? The advice of others? How’s that been working for you? Don’t you think it is time to give up your foolish notions and listened to God? He has never misled anyone and He won’t fail you. His will is right, best and safest. Think about it!

Here we go again! Some people just don’t get it. As I’ve said again and again, Facebook can be used for good or bad. Sadly many people choose the latter. I love it when people share their blessings on Facebook and I like it when they share their burdens–asking for prayer. And it’s interesting to see the pictures and read the stories related to their experiences. But I hate it when people air their dirty laundry–especially when it involves the Lord’s church!

Churches are hurt by members from within far more than from its enemies without. Every time you criticize or attack a member of the church, whether you name them or not, you are harming the reputation of the church and hindering its ministry. When you talk about the sins of others publicly you generally do more damage than that which was done by the person who sinned in the first place. So–whose sin is the greater? If someone has offended you, your obligation is to go to that person alone and deal with it in private, not discuss it with others( Matthew 18:15).

Attacking fellow believers and slandering the Lord’s church is a serious offense– so serious that it could bring God’s wrath down upon the head of the guilty party. As everyone knows, there are those who are looking for any reason to criticize the church and they are quick to tell us that they don’t attend because “there are too many hypocrites in the church”. When you openly attack those in the church you are providing them with more ammunition and helping them feel justified in never attending the church. I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes!

A. B. Simpson said:

I would rather play with the forked lightning, or take in my hands living wires, with their fiery current, than speak a reckless word against any servant of Christ, or idly repeat the slanderous darts which thousands of Christians are hurling on others, to the hurt of their own souls and bodies.

You may often wonder, perhaps, why your sickness is not healed, your spirit filled with the joy of the Holy Ghost, or your life blessed and prosperous. It may be that some dart which you have flung with angry voice, or in an idle hour of thoughtless gossip, is pursuing you on its way, as it describes the circle which always bring back to the source from which it came every shaft of bitterness, and every idle and evil word.

Let us remember that when we persecute or hurt the children of God, we are but persecuting Him, and hurting ourselves far more.

Lord, make me as sensitive to the feelings and rights of others as I have often been to my own, and let me live and love like Thee.

THINK ABOUT IT!