Dear Reader:
You are reading an article that has been circulated to more than I know. Yet, it is written with only you in mind! Though I don’t know your specific needs, it is certain you need at least the following items:
1. God’s word. From it alone we gain faith (Romans 10:17), knowing that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
2. Encouragement to believe and obey God’s word. I grant there are many things hard to understand (2 Peter 3:16), but with the study of this God-breathed volume (Hebrews 1: 1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16), we can understand (Ephesians 3:4).
3. Someone that cares for your soul. That’s me! I’m very willing to study with you any time at any place that permits us the mutual mindset to examine God’s word and only His word so that we might learn what we must do to be saved eternally. Like you, I’m not interested in “gimmicks” or “enticements” that pleasure only this physical life. I’m interested in going to heaven eternal! (Philippians 1:21 – 30)
The very fact you are reading this article proves to me you have some interest in God and godly things. Perhaps your interest is in what things you must do to rid your soul of sin. I would love to help you learn! Or you might have questions regarding the church of Christ: when it began, who is in charge, what doctrine we use, how we worship, etc. I would love to show you from the Scriptures the answers to these concerns. You might have an interest in knowing why we Christians do what we do and avoid engaging in things the social world finds quite acceptable. Those can become real issues for the Christian, but I can show you from the Scriptures that the life we Christians live is not our own but is Christ living in us (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3; et al). You might have an interest in the Old Testament and if it in some fashion has anything to do with us in today’s world. I love the lessons from the Old Testament that are written for our learning (Romans 15:4). Yes, those old stories are referred to as “shadow and image” lessons (Hebrews 10:1). I would caution you in thinking the “ten commandments” are what we can live by today. That thought is simply not true! When Jesus died, it concluded the Old Law (Colossians 2:14: Hebrews 10:1 – 10) and brought in the New Law (ibid.) But that’s another fact I’d love to help you understand.
Are you still reading? Thanks! The very fact you are still reading this is an encouragement to me, for I don’t like wasting my time writing such things if no one is interested. Yes, just knowing you care enough to read the fact that my greatest interest is in preaching Christ and Him crucified is uplifting (1 Corinthians 2:2). For many years now, it has been to my spiritual benefit to read, study, learn and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, and therefore my delight to share with faithful men who are willing to teach others as well (2 Timothy 2:2). But we also know we cannot limit our teaching to those who have already obeyed the gospel: we must teach it to every soul we encounter, knowing that if the gospel is hidden, it is hidden to the lost (2 Corinthians 4: 3 -4). And, friend, it is NOT my desire to see you lose your soul because I failed to teach you! Since you are expressing an interest by simply reading this article, can we establish a time and place to study together more specifically the things from this wonderful book we call the Bible?
No, I don’t have all the answers. I don’t even have all the questions! But I do know that God’s word has all things you or I will ever need to know concerning life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). It is so exciting to read and study from the Bible and see that the ancients already knew what mankind has devoted centuries to learn. As a small example: that the earth is round (Isaiah 40:22), or that there is a great empty space to the north and the earth and other planets are held in place by gravity (Job 26:7). It is marvelous that God’s word teaches us that even when great men sin, God forgives! Look at the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the twelve sons of Israel for example. Or great men like David and Solomon. Yes, dear friend, the Bible is filled with wonderful truth – all of it recorded for us that we may truly know God and keep His commandments (1 John 2:3).
So, please let me know if you are willing to meet face to face, or at least via correspondence, and enrich our souls with the wholesome study of God’s word! I look forward to hearing from you soon!