[Biblemat] A) GOD HAS SPOKEN

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

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

GOD HAS SPOKEN

     Comfort, or consolation, is a promise from God for certain
distressed ones.  Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted" (Matt. 5:4).  Paul urged faithful
obedience upon the condition, "Therefore if there is any con-
solation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of
the Spirit, if any affection and mercy..." (Phil. 2:1).  Speaking
to the Thessalonian saints concerning physical death and the
fate of those who "sleep in Jesus" Paul said, "Therefore com-
fort one another with these words" (1 Thes. 4:13-18).  When
an erring brother repents, the saints are charged to forgive
and comfort him (2 Cor. 2:7).  God is called the "God of all
comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may
be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the com-
fort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Cor. 1:3,4).

     Because of their life and state of disobedience, some peo-
ple do not have the comfort of God.  We cannot properly give
them comfort, for to comfort one in his sins is to remove any
incentive to repent and be saved.  Lazarus was comforted,
but the rich man who died in his selfish disobedient way of life was not 
comforted (Lk. 16:25).  It is difficult for gospel
preachers to speak at funerals of those who have died in dis-
obedience to God or those who have killed themselves throu-
gh dissipation, because there are no words of comfort or rea-
ssurance concerning such individuals.  There was not com-
fort for Isaiah when Israel was destroying itself, rebelling
against the Will of God (Isa. 22:1-5).  False comfort promotes
sin and its ruin (Zech. 10:2).

     If we would have the comfort of God, we must be submiss-
ive to God.  If  we desire the comfort of the saints, we must
sanctify ourselves through obedience to the truth so that we
can have spiritual fellowship with the saints.  If we do not have the comfort 
of God, it is because we have denied oursel-
ves the privilege that is offered to all who will come in obedie-
nce to the Lord (Matt. 11:28-30).  We exhort all who seek the
comfort of God to obey the gospel of Christ in faith, repent-
ance, confession of faith, and baptism; and then to live as
obedient children of God, fully submissive to His instructions.
------------- Gilbert Alexander.
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