750 Heflin Ave. E. ~ Birmingham, AL 35214
205 - 798 - 4721
"The Churches
of Christ
Salute You"
Romans 16:16
| HOME |
| About Hillview |
| Bible-Based Articles |
| Especially for Women |
| Links |
| Questions & Answers |
| Map to Hillview |
| Study the Bible |
| Contact Us |
| Join Mailing List |
| ELDERS |
| Alvie Tate John Key Elvis Townley |
| DEACONS |
| Guy Echols Ken McMickin |
| MINISTERS |
| Billy Joe Watson |
Matthew 28:18-20
Mark 16:15-16
Acts 2:38
1 Peter 3:21
Christian Growth Demands
|
Christian Growth Demands How We THINK
“Meditate on these things.” Philippians_4:8 If so, we will become even better
Christians and our light will shine for the Master. As the saying goes,
“actions speak louder than words.” Your thoughts will become your words
and your words will become
Noble or Honest Things:
The word was originally used in relation to the gods, and to the things
that pertained to them, as being worthy of honor - As applied to people,
it commonly means grave, dignified, worthy of veneration or regard. in
the New Testament. The word, therefore, does not express precisely what
the word “honest” does with us, as confined to business transactions,
but rather has reference to what was regarded as worthy of reputation or
honor; what there was in the customs of society, in the respect due to
age and rank, deserving respect or esteem. It includes what is right in
the transaction of business, society, when they did not violate
conscience or interfere with the law of God; compare 1Tim_3:7.
Just Things:
The things which are right between man and man. A Christian should be
just in all his dealings. It is indispensable that the Christian
manifest uncorrupted integrity in his dealings with others.
Pure or Chaste Things:
in thought, in feeling, and in the conversation
between the sexes 1Timothy_5:2. While others may not practice these
restraints, we shouldn’t be surprised
that they quickly point out the absence of
them in the life of a Christian. Consequently your good influence is
tarnished and they will mock you. If not to your face, behind your back
and you may never know.
Lovely Things:
A Christian should not be sour, crabby, or irritable in his temper -
almost nothing tends so much to injure the cause of religion as a temper
always chafed; a brow morose and stern; an eye that is severe and
unkind, and a disposition to find fault with everything. A sour and
crabby temper in a professor of religion will undo all the good that he
attempts to do.
Things of Good Report: That is,
whatsoever is truly reputable in the world at large. There are actions
which all people agree in commending and which in all ages and countries
are regarded as virtues: Courtesy, urbanity, kindness, respect for
parents, and purity between brothers and sisters, are among those
virtues. The Christian should be a pattern and an example in them all.
His usefulness depends much more on the cultivation of these virtues
than is commonly supposed.
Things of Virtue:
If there is anything truly virtuous. Paul did not suppose that he had
given a full catalogue of the virtues which he would have them
cultivate. He adds that if there was anything else that had the nature
of true virtue in it, they should be careful to cultivate that also. The
Christian should be a pattern and an example of every virtue.
Conclusion:
Paul is cautioning us not only be careful of our actions but our
thoughts as well because we will become what we think about. Phil._4:8-9
He concludes that if we do these things, the God of peace will be with
you. Do you want God’s peace to be yours?
There are numerous scriptures warning us to guard
our heart. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the
issues of life.”
(Prov._4:23) This is only one of many. Brethren, give diligence to
make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you
shall never fall” 2Peter_ “Having escaped the corruption
that is in the world through lust” 1Peter_1:4 -7 The world is full of corruption. It is the design of
the Christian plan of redemption to deliver us from that, and to make us
holy And add to your faith virtue or moral excellence. As
God’s people, we must set the example of morals for the world to see.
Matthew_5:13-14 We are to add "to virtue
knowledge; knowledge of God and of the way of salvation through the
Redeemer. A knowledge which only comes through much study. (See: 2Timothy_ Then add "to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." We are not to be satisfied with one virtue, or one class of virtues.
Christian growth is not an option; it is a requirement of all God’s people.
|
Birmingham, Alabama 35214