Kenny Rogers and The First Edition: "Tell It All"

The lyrics of this song should have everybody pondering their conduct. It hits home with all of us who still have a conscience. Listen to this convicting song here.

The bad behaviour of Christians is one excuse sinners use to refuse salvation. That's why 1 John 4:10 and 11 (Bible in Basic English) is vital for us to heed. "And this is love, not that we had love for God, but that he had love for us, and sent his Son to be an offering for our sins. My loved ones, if God had such love for us, it is right for us to have love for one another."

Neither is it a loving activity to gossip. As 1 Timothy 5:13 (BBE)warns, we all must refrain from gloating over the fall of others. "And they get into the way of doing no work, going about from house to house; and not only doing no work, but talking foolishly, being over-interested in the business of others, saying things which they have no right to say."

The analogy of a spring bringing forth salt and fresh water applies to us all today. James 3:10 (BBE) warns, "Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, it is not right for these things to be so."

We must avoid such unruly congregants. As 2 Thessalonians 3:6 (BBE) reminds us, "Now we give you orders, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from all those whose behaviour is not well ordered and in harmony with the teaching which they had from us."

Colossians 4:6 (BBE) is how we all must act. "Let your talk be with grace, mixed with salt, so that you may be able to give an answer to everyone." Salt, in this instance, means a preservative agent to keep corruption from spreading.

Neither should we suppose we're something when we're not. As Romans 12:3 (BBE) reminds us, "But I say to every one of you, through the grace given to me, not to have an over-high opinion of himself, but to have wise thoughts, as God has given to every one a measure of faith."

If Christ hasn't come to us bodily by Monday, I hope to tell you about how important a person's name is.

Saturday Song: Kenny Rogers and The First Edition, "Tell it All"

Those who hadn't lived through the late sixties missed a lot of thought-provoking music. I remember how this song convicted me when I heard it, though I had done none of the things mentioned in it. It's far too easy to excuse our bad behaviour while criticizing others of the same thing.

Listen to this meaningful song here.

The Apostle Paul summed up our proper attitude toward our faith in Romans 13:9 (KJV). "For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

It's easy to love nice people but what about the nasty ones? Christ extended love to even the hateful folks. Matthew 5:43-44 (KJV) says, "  Ye have heard that it hath been said, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.' But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

Since we call Christ our Lord and king, his sayings are our orders. James 2:8 (KJV)  "If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:"

But our Lord doesn't leave us defenseless against those who might oppress us. Jesus told his disciples in John 14:16 (KJV), "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;"

Sadly, there are those calling themselves Christians but who don't obey Christ. Paul wrote of them in 2 Corinthians 11:13 (KJV) saying, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ."

How wonderful that Jesus told us how to recognize false believers. Matthew 7:16 (KJV) reads, "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"

What a wonderful truth this is. The world is watching to see if we truly believe what we teach. May we all be found to be true disciples of Christ.