Some Things You Cannot Escape

Jarrod Jacobs 

                   In our society, we are used to people “getting away” with certain things. It seems that we have reared a society which thinks that we can escape certain sins by ignoring them and no one is the wiser. God says there are things we cannot escape in this life no matter how hard we try!

                   For example, we cannot escape the consequences of sin (Num. 32:23)! We cannot escape sin independently of Christ and His shed blood (Rom. 6:3-6; Acts 2:38, 22:16)! In addition to this, God compares physical sowing and reaping with spiritual sowing and reaping in Galatians 6:7-8. Be sure, there will be a “bitter harvest” awaiting us if we have sown a life of sin and have not been forgiven!

                   Neither can we escape death! As hard as men try, we cannot escape death (Heb. 9:27)! Death was something God promised as a physical consequence of Adam and Eve’s sin (Gen. 3:19) and it continues to this day. We will not escape death because it will be with us until the Lord returns (I Cor. 15:26)!

                   Finally, we cannot escape the Judgment. There is a Judgment Day coming in which all mankind will be judged by Christ (Acts 17:30-31; Jn. 5:22). Just like death, no one will escape this event (Ecc. 12:13-14; Matt. 25:31-46; II Cor. 5:10)!

                   Yes, some things we cannot escape! Yet, we can come through anything successfully when we are in Christ. Are you in Him? (Eph. 1:7-13; Gal. 3:26-27)

“Changing The Label Makes Sin More Dangerous”

                   “One of America’s great needs is to recognize sin for what it is. We are too prone to explain it away, or to soften its horrors.

                   “Wilbur Chapman tells of a distinguished minister who preached on sin, and one of the leading members came to talk to him in his study. He said to the preacher, “We don’t want you to talk so plainly about sin, because the more our boys and girls hear you talking about sin the more easily they will become sinners. Call sin a mistake if you will, but do not speak so plainly about it being just plain outright sin.”

                   “The preacher took down a small bottle from the shelf marked “POISON” and showed it to the visitor. It was a bottle of strychnine. He said, “I see what you want me to do. You want me to change the label. Now, suppose I took off this label marked ‘Poison’ on this bottle, and put on some mild label, such as ‘Oil of Anise,’ don’t you see what happens? The milder you make the label, the more dangerous you make the poison!”

                   “And so it is with sin. It is hideous and horrible and no amount of whitewashing will change the picture. It must be branded for what it really is if we are to escape its blighting devastation.”

                   Note: The article above was written by someone unknown to me. However, it makes a great point that we would do well to take to heart. (Rom. 6:23)                 – Jarrod Jacobs

“Defiling The Body”

Jarrod Jacobs 

            In the Bible, we read about how one may defile his body. Let us look at some things that defile us. We may be surprised at the ways that one may become defiled.

            First, my thoughts can defile me (Matt. 15:18-20)! If I think on sinful, evil things, they will defile me! This is because if I begin thinking about some sin, it is usually not long before I do that very thing! Evil, filthy thoughts can lead to me being lost in a devil’s Hell!

            Next, if we say things we shouldn’t, we can defile our bodies. James said, “the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell” (Jas. 3:6). The small tongue can defile a man if he does not have control of it! “Filthy communication” must be put away from us (Col. 3:8). Lying has no place in our lives, either (Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9; Rev. 21:8). Let us never forget that we what we say can condemn us to Hell just like our actions!

            Last, our actions can defile us! God has spoken plainly and given clear warning that defiling the body results in an eternity in Hell. Let us do all we can to keep ourselves pure in God’s sight (I Tim. 5:22; I Cor. 6:19).

Some Thoughts About Diotrephes

Jarrod Jacobs 

            Diotrephes is mentioned in only two verses in the entire Bible. Yet, what is said about him echoes to this present day. His life and actions stand as a warning to us in the 21^st century. The apostle John said, “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church” (III Jn. 9-10).

            After reading about Diotrephes and his actions, let us consider his life and make some applications to ourselves. 1) Diotrephes loved to have “preeminence” among folks. Yet, did we notice that there are only two verses in the entire Bible that even mention him? 2) In those two verses that mention him, he is referred to as a very wicked man. Think about it! 3) Jesus told His followers (and us today), “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matt. 23:12). We are warned about the dangers of pride in passages such as Proverbs 16:18, James 4:6, and many others. Let us examine our lives and see if pride is keeping us from doing what is right. Friend, is pride ruining you, or are you too proud to admit it?

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” John’s warning still rings true today. Fellowship with God and Christ comes as a result of “abiding” (living) within the confines of God’s word. God’s word stands, not as a barrier holding us back, but as a hedge of protection that keeps us safe from sin and evil. If we trespass (transgress) the boundaries and leave the Lord, we have not simply hurt ourselves, but have affected Heaven itself! This is because where we are going, God will not go with us (Isa. 59:1-2; I Jn. 1:5). Decide that the rest of our lives will be devoted to abiding in Christ’s doctrine. In so doing, we will have fellowship with God right now, and can look forward to an eternity with Him when this life is over!

- Jarrod Jacobs