[Biblemat] A) GOD HAS SPOKEN

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Saturday morn-
ing to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.  Here is an
article from my files:

GOD HAS SPOKEN

       Worldly gain might be obtained at the cost of spiritual loss.
Jesus said, "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole
world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in excha-
nge for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26).  Silversmiths at Ephesus made
gain by promoting and encouraging idol worship (Acts 19:24-41)
Saul of Tarsus gained much prestige among the Jews by his fer-
vor in being a Pharisee and persecuting the saints; but when he
had become a Christian, he said, "But what things were gain to
me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  But indeed I also count
all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, 
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ..." (Phil. 3:3-11).  Simon 
the erstwhile sorcerer, gained great fame in Samaria,
claiming to be someone great; but he had to give it all up in order to become 
a follower of Christ (Acts 8:9-24).

       If Joseph Smith and Brigham Young had told people the truth of the 
gospel and had added nothing to it, and if they had
faithfully followed the teaching of the New Testament, there 
would have been great gain for them in Christ, but loss of the 
worldly acclaim that their followers give them today.  If the tele-
vangelists and professed miracle workers of current fame would
tell people the truth, disavow their claims of supernatural power,
and humbly follow Jesus' teaching, they would lose their great
empires of wealth and fame, but they could gain Christ by obey-
ing Him.  If preachers tell people the truth about adultery, homo-
sexuality, materialism, profanity, the Christian's relationship to 
the world, the church of Christ and its purpose and work, God's plan of 
salvation, the authority of Christ, and the reality of heav-
en and hell, many of them will lose their pulpits, and many others will lose 
popularity and prestige among men.  But think
of the souls that can be saved, the broken lives mended, and the
satisfaction of a clear conscience and the assurance of hope.
"Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Tim. 6:6).  Do we
esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures
of Egypt?        -------------- Gilbert Alexander.   </HTML>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080816/01cf1967/attachment-0001.html