“Quality Or Quantity?”

Jarrod Jacobs

                   A while back, I heard the story of an 18 year-old girl who had a very rare, incurable form of cancer. She had fought it, but was told there was basically no hope of a cure. She decided to stop all treatments, medicate for pain management, and wait for death.

                   It was a sad story, but one thing she maintained was that she wanted to “enjoy life.” She said she wanted a “quality life,” rather than, in her words, “just exist.” We might expect such talk from an 81 year-old, but not from an 18 year-old. She said she wanted “joy,” and “happiness,” and knew that endless doctor’s appointments would not provide it.

                   After hearing this girl’s story, I couldn’t help but think, “I hope she is a Christian.” And, “If she cannot look forward to a home in Heaven, then all the traveling she gets to do, and the ‘joy’ she thinks she has will be hollow.” There is a lesson for us in this. Regardless of our life-span, true quality of life is based upon whether or not we are a child of God (Acts 2:38). Solomon said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecc. 12:13). One day, all of us will face death (Heb. 9:27). When this happens, the most important question will be, “Did I die as a Christian?” Since no one has a lease on life (Jas. 4:14), this decision needs to be made today (II Cor. 6:2; Mk. 16:16)! Our relationship with God, not long years on earth, is what brings true quality to our lives!

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” God’s Scripture does something no other written work does. It “thoroughly” equips for, not many or most, but “all good works!” This is accomplished through the Scriptures that teach us God’s will (“doctrine”), shows us when we are wrong (“reproof”), teaches us what to do to get right (“correction”), and what to do to stay right (“instruction in righteousness”)! Make no mistake: If what we are doing is not authorized of God, it is not a good work! Have you obeyed God’s inspired word?

- Jarrod Jacobs

“Ignorance Of The Law Is No Excuse”

Jarrod Jacobs

            Thomas Jefferson made the statement above, but this sentiment had its beginnings with God. Some have the mistaken notion that if someone is doing wrong, but does not know it is wrong, then God will excuse that behavior because “his heart was in the right place,” etc. This is not so. God demands that all men read and understand His word (Eph. 3:4). Paul wrote, “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). Thus, we learn three things: 1) It is a command of God to be wise. 2) The only way to gain that wisdom is to read God’s word. 3) Since God has commanded this, I have no excuse if I am ignorant of God’s will.

            Consider the following: If one drives over the speed limit and is pulled over, do you think the police officer will overlook this simply because the driver didn’t know what the speed limit was? Of course, not! Why then do people think that God will simply overlook sin and ignorance in their lives? “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). God’s longsuffering has allowed us to live to this present time (II Pet. 3:9; Rom. 2:4). Why not take advantage of your opportunity to learn and obey God’s will today, so that you will not be ignorant (II Cor. 6:2; Matt. 7:24-27)?

“Lying”

Jarrod Jacobs

            In a world that expects us to lie, take note of what God says about lying. God condemns lying in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament we read, “Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt” (Ps. 31:18). David also prayed that God would consume those who sinned by lying and cursing with their mouth (Ps. 59:12). Proverbs 6:17 reveals that God hates a “lying tongue.” Solomon said, “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but those that act faithfully are his delight” (Prov. 12:22). The righteous man will hate lying (Prov. 13:5). Jeremiah says that “lying words” are words which “cannot profit” (Jer. 7:8).

            Looking to the New Testament, we learn the Christian must put away, “lying” and “speak the truth with his neighbor” (Eph. 4:25). In Colossians 3:9, the apostle Paul says to “lie not.” Could a Scripture be any plainer than this? We read in Acts 5 of Ananias and Sapphira who lied to God (Acts 5:1-11). As a result of their lying to God, they were struck dead (v. 3-5, 10)!! Jesus said, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8).

            Could there be any plainer language? What else needs to be said to get people to understand that God demands honesty? Let us be forsake dishonesty and be honest people!

“Our Associations”

Jarrod Jacobs

            George Washington was quoted as saying, “Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.” Besides being the first president, and the “father of our country,” George Washington obviously was a man well-acquainted with the Scriptures. Why do I say this? I say this because he understood it was better to be alone than to be associated with bad company. The apostle Paul put it this way: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals’” (I Cor. 15:33). On another occasion, he reminded the Corinthians, “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” (I Cor. 5:6). Solomon said, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20).

            Friends, with whom are we associated? Do we associate ourselves with those who encourage us in our pursuit of Heaven, or with those who wish to drag us down to their level? Read Psalm 1:1-2 and see that the “blessed man” is the one who avoids the evil companions and evil associations of this world. The blessed man is the one who acts as the “salt of the earth” and allows his “light” to “shine” in this dark world (Matt. 5:13-16). Yes, influence and associations are powerful things. Let us make sure we are associating with people who are godly and upright. Let us be the kind of people worthy of others’ association.