[Biblemat] A) GOD HAS SPOKEN

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Monday
morning to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.
Here is an article that recently came my way:

GOD HAS SPOKEN

     When one is staying the course, he is holding fast to the
direction he has taken in spite of opposition and obstacles.
A few questions are in order.  WHAT is the course?  HOW 
does one know that the course is?  If one is headed in the
wrong direction, should he stay the course?  Is one being
legalistic if he asserts that there is a definite course to follow
in life?  What will happen to one who does not stay the proper course?

     God had given us a course to follow.  It is called "the way
which leads to life" (Matt. 7:14).  Few find it.  It is followed by
hearing the sayings of Jesus and doing them (Matt. 7:21).
Those who follow any way other than the one Christ has given are following a 
way that leads to destruction, and many
take that course (Matt. 7:13).  God has enabled us to stay the
proper course by giving us a chart, or map.  It is not a blank
may, but rather one that furnishes the man of God with direct-
ions and sufficient details to make him complete, fully equipp-
ed for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16,17).

     It is puzzling that anyone would speak negatively of diligen-
tly seeking "the pattern" to follow it, and then talk about the
importance of "staying the course."  If there is no pattern,
there is no designated course to follow.  Can you imagine try-
ing to build a house without a pattern or plan?  What would
be the site, the size, the shape, the number of rooms, the 
number of stories?  If those essentials are specified in a patt-
ern, and one builds "according to the pattern", will he constru-
ct what the plan calls for and thus succeed?  If one sets sail
for England from the United States, and follows an accurate
map, "staying the course" when he has found assurance that
he is on the proper course, is he being legalistic because he
insists on following the may precisely?  What would you do
if you were in his place?  The New Testament is our indispens-
able guide to eternal life (Rev. 22:14; Jno. 8:31,32; Heb. 5:8,9)
To reject it is to so benight oneself that he knows not where
he is going.  How then can he "stay the course"?  (Jno. 12:
35).        ----------- Gilbert Alexander.
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