“I Am Not Bothering Anyone!”

Jarrod Jacobs

Often we find folks who justify their sinful behavior by saying, “I am not bothering anyone.” This excuse may sound thoughtful, but it is not. In fact, it is quite selfish to justify sin by saying, “I am not bothering anyone.” When we go to the Bible and study the nature of sin, we learn that when we commit sin, any sin, we “bother” others!

Let us begin by noting that when we sin, we have “bothered” the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! Remember, sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2). Therefore, sin demands a sacrifice if we are to be reconciled to God (II Cor. 5:18-20). Friend, it is our sin that nailed Christ to the cross! Christ came to this world so that He could die (Jn. 18:37). From Genesis 3:15 to the end of the Bible, we see our Lord Christ as the sacrifice for our sins (Rev. 13:8)! At the same time, we read in the Bible about the degree of love possessed by God. He loves man so much that He gave His only begotten Son as the supreme sacrifice (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8; I Jn. 4:9-10). Finally, sin affected the Holy Spirit, for He inspired men to preach and to write about sin and salvation from every aspect (Jn. 16:8-13; II Pet. 1:20-21; etc.). Therefore, let us not say that when we sin, we are not “bothering” anyone! The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit will disagree with that statement!

The statement, “I am not bothering anyone” is a misnomer, for our sins often “bother” others! When we sin, our sins affect the lives of our parents (Prov. 10:1, 29:15). Though we may not always recognize it, it is the truth! Further, some sins will affect our spouses, and our children. This would include, but is not limited to, such sins as fornication, abuse, drunkenness, and similar sins (I Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21)! In addition to this, there are some sins (ex: theft, murder, lying, etc.) that can result in society (through taxes) paying for our housing and food for a time (i.e., prison)! Let this stand as more evidence that our sins “bother” others. At times, our sins can affect not only friends, but also strangers.

Yet, if it could be proven that there is not a sin which “bothers” Deity, nor any person on earth, remember that sin has an effect upon the one who has committed it! Sin is compared to a stain (Isa. 1:18), to disease (Isa. 1:5-6), to a heavy burden (Ps. 38:3-6), filth (II Pet. 2:21-22), and debt (Matt. 6:12-14). Sin will result in spiritual death (Jas. 1:15; Rom. 6:23)! Knowing that this is the case, who can believe that man can engage in sinful activities, but “bother no one”? It’s impossible!

The truth is that our sins have an effect upon Deity, upon self, and upon all mankind. “For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself” (Rom. 14:7). Let’s stop offering excuses for sin. Rather, let us admit our sin, repent of it, and live as God wants us to live (Acts 17:30; Jn. 14:15)! In so doing, we can have a positive effect upon ourselves and others, influencing folks for good and not evil (Matt. 5:16; Col. 3:17).

“Have You Not Read?”

Jarrod Jacobs

Within the pages of the New Testament, we find Jesus asking folks the question: “Have you not read?” This question was asked by the Lord on three separate occasions in the New Testament. On all three occasions, He asked this question in response to the Pharisees and Sadducees when they tried to trap Him in His words (Matt. 12:3, 5, 19:4, 22:31; Mk. 12:10, 26; Lk. 6:3).

I think it would be good for us to ask ourselves that same question. In light of the fact that we live in a free nation that grants all of its citizens an education; and in light of the fact that we have open and public access to the greatest book in the world, have we not read it, yet? The apostle Paul told Timothy, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (I Tim. 4:13). Could we say we are doing this? If we aren’t reading the Bible, what has been our excuse for not reading it? From Old to New Testaments, there is great emphasis placed upon the reading and studying of Scripture (Ex. 24:7; Deut. 17:19, 31:11; Josh. 8:34-35; Neh. 8:3, 8, 18; Eph. 3:4; Col. 4:16; Rev 1:3; etc.). Because such reading and studying is emphasized by God, it begs the question of whether or not we are obedient to the Lord’s will? How are we doing? Are we in the habit of a regular, systematic reading of God’s word? If not, why not? How can we claim any relationship with God at all if we are not even reading His word?

Why ought we spend time reading the Bible when we could be reading the newspaper, or a magazine, or other materials instead? Put simply, it is because when we read the Bible, we are allowing our minds to access the very words that were “breathed-out” (inspired) by God (II Tim. 3:16-17). These words are written with the express purpose of thoroughly furnishing us to every good work, giving us wisdom, and cleansing our way, to name just a few things the word can do (II Tim. 3:16-17; Ps. 119:98-100, 9, 11). No other work can make this claim and be telling the truth. In connection with this, when reading the Bible, we are allowed access to the very mind of God, because it is His revelation which has been “breathed-out” when we read the word (I Cor. 2:7-16; II Pet. 1:20-21)!

It is this same written word that is described as a sword (Eph. 6:18), and a fire, and a hammer (Jer. 23:29). In fact, when we study about the spiritual armor that Christians must wear (Eph. 6:13-18), we will find that every piece has a connection with the written word!

So, why read the Bible? How could we not? How can we deprive ourselves of the spiritual knowledge and strength that God has provided? Yet, it is done day by day by the masses of people on earth! (Hosea 4:6)

Friends, how are you answering this most important question? How regular and systematic are we in reading the Scriptures? If we are not doing this, then why not? What excuse do we think God will accept from us for not reading His word?

Christ Changes Us

Jarrod Jacobs

When reading about Christ, I am impressed with how Christ changes people’s lives. For example, when Christ chose twelve men to be His apostles, He told some: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19-21). He later would turn these fishermen into mountain-climbers (Matt. 17:1)! On another occasion, Jesus met a man possessed with devils, and changed him from one who “wore no clothes … had not lived in a house, but among the tombs …. he was … bound with chains and shackles; but he would break the bonds”, to someone who was “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind” (Lk. 8:27, 29, 35). In addition to this, we see that when Christ went to a funeral, He would raise the dead (Lk. 7:11-16; Mk. 5:41-42;  Jn. 11:43-44; etc.). There was a definite change in those folks!

We also see that people changed when they heard and obeyed the words of Christ. For example, we read that some Corinthians had been, “sexually immoral ... idolaters ... adulterers ... men who practice homosexuality ... thieves … greedy ... drunkards ... revilers, and swindlers” (I Cor. 6:9-10). What happened to them? They heard the gospel, believed it and obeyed it (Acts 18:1-8; I Cor. 6:11)! Christ changed them! In the book of Acts, we read about the conversion of the Ephesians (19:1-7). They were also changed, and what a change! They were changed from “dead” to “living” (Eph. 2:1)! Note the degree of the change in their lives: “You were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:12-13). What a change had taken place in their lives! This change was a result of the relationship they gained in Christ when they were baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 19:5; Gal. 3:27).

 “Change” is the very essence of repentance (A change of mind that results in a change of life)! Christ called for men to repent while He was on earth (Matt. 4:17; Lk. 13:3). Too, when the apostles took the gospel to the world, they demanded men repent of their sins (Acts 2:38, 3:19, 17:30,  19:19, 26:20). Regardless of their background, folks changed when they came in contact with the words of Christ.

It is no different today. If we will be Christ’s, we must change. He demands it! We must repent of our sins and be baptized in order to be saved (Acts 2:38). We must also continue to change and mold ourselves to the image of Christ. The apostle Paul taught: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed …” (Rom. 12:2).

 “Change” can be difficult. Yet, Christ changes us, and it is a change for the better! We will be better in many areas of life when we accept what the Lord has said and follow Him (Col. 3:17; I Pet. 4:11) instead of following our own ideas as to how best to run our lives. Will you allow Christ to change you?

The Control We Think We Have Is An Illusion

Jarrod Jacobs

                   Does this title surprise you? I hope not. If you do not believe that control in this life is an illusion, then I ask what control do you have when a tornado rolls through your neighborhood? What control do you have over the car that is in your lane and going to collide with you? Can we control a heartbeat? Who can stop the aging process in our bodies (Matt. 5:36)? Who can control another’s thoughts about them?

                   Friends, we have no control over matters in this life. The only control one has is the control over one’s own mind and attitude (Prov. 4:23)! This is why we need to think on godly and upright things (Phil. 4:8). This is why we need to fill our minds with godliness and truth (Eph. 3:4; Ps. 119:97). This is because by controlling our thoughts, we can control our actions and be blessed by God (Phil. 4:9; Matt. 7:21; Mk. 16:16).

                   Since “control” in our lives is an illusion, let us determine to turn to the One who truly has control, the God of Heaven. Let us be obedient to Him and follow Him daily (Matt. 10:38). God has control over this world, and we do not! His providence and patience has granted us the blessing of this day (II Pet. 3:9, 15; Rom. 2:4). Further, God’s control allows us the opportunity to hear the word of God, believe it, and be baptized so we can be saved (Mk. 16:16; Acts 18:8; etc.). Are we going to submit to the control of the Lord?

“Be Careful Little Eyes What You See …”

Jarrod Jacobs

                   Perhaps we do not think much about what is set before our eyes, but we need to think seriously about it. Job said he had made a covenant with his eyes in this regard (Job 31:1). David promised to “set no wicked thing before (his) eyes” (Ps. 101:3). When we read the New Testament, we see where Jesus warned, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:27-28).

                   Sadly, we live in a society that says you can “look, but do not touch.” Read again what the Bible says. Are we listening to God? For many years, TV shows, movies, and the like have broadcast wicked acts before us and called it “entertainment.” Does calling sin “entertainment” make it any less sin? Of course, not! John warned that Satan works to tempt us to sin through “the lust of the eyes” (I Jn. 2:15-17). Knowing that sin leads to our death (Jas. 1:14-15), let us understand the real danger, and follow what Christ has said (Matt. 5:28).

                   Our children need to have parents who are concerned about what they see. Our eyes take in all information and our brain must translate it. Let us help our children by teaching from the Bible the need for being careful about what they see. Let parents and grandparents model the right example before them!