SUNDAY EDITORIAL

1 Corn 13:4
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

The love of God, and of our neighbour for God's sake, is patient toward, all men. It, suffers all the weakness, ignorance, errors, and infirmities of the children of God; all the malice and wickedness of the children of the world: and all this, not only for a time, but to the end. And in every step toward overcoming evil with good, it is kind, soft, mild, benign. It inspires the sufferer at once with the most amiable sweetness, and the most fervent and tender affection. Love acteth not rashly - Does not hastily condemn any one; never passes a severe sentence on a slight or sudden view of things. Nor does it ever act or behave in a violent, headstrong, or precipitate manner. Is not puffed up - Yea, humbles the soul to the dust.

Some of the effects of charity are stated, that we may know whether we have this grace; and that if we have not, we may not rest till we have it. This love is a clear proof of regeneration, and is a touchstone of our professed faith in Christ. In this beautiful description of the nature and effects of love, it is meant to show the Corinthians that their conduct had, in many respects, been a contrast to it. Charity is an utter enemy to selfishness; it does not desire or seek its own praise, or honour, or profit, or pleasure. Not that charity destroys all regard to ourselves, or that the charitable man should neglect himself and all his interests. But charity never seeks its own to the hurt of others, or to neglect others. It ever prefers the welfare of others to its private advantage. How good-natured and amiable is Christian charity! How excellent would Christianity appear to the world, if those who profess it were more under this Divine principle, and paid due regard to the command on which its blessed Author laid the chief stress! Let us ask whether this Divine love dwells in our hearts. Has this principle guided us into becoming behaviour to all men? Are we willing to lay aside selfish objects and aims? Here is a call to watchfulness, diligence, and prayer.

Col 2:18
Let no man beguile (rob) you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

One feature of the heresy against which Paul warned them was angel worship. Angel worship, the worship of saints, dead or living, of pope, or any created thing, is forbidden. Worship God, said the angel before whom John bowed (Re 19:10). Church history states that at a later period Michael the archangel was worshiped.

Out of pretended humility, they worshipped angels, as not daring to apply immediately to God. Yet this really sprung from their being puffed up: (the constant forerunner of a fall, Prov 16:18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.) so far was it from being an instance of true humility.

It looked like humility to apply to angels, as if men were conscious of their unworthiness to speak directly to God. But it is not warrantable; it is taking that honour which is due to Christ only, and giving it to a creature. There really was pride in this seeming humility. Those who worship angels, disclaim Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man. It is an insult to Christ, who is the Head of the church, to use any intercessors but him. When men let go their hold of Christ, they catch at what will stand them in no stead. The body of Christ is a growing body. And true believers cannot live in the fashions of the world. True wisdom is, to keep close to the appointments of the gospel; in entire subjection to Christ, who is the only Head of his church. The whole tended, in a wrong manner, to satisfy the carnal mind, by gratifying self-will, self-wisdom, self-righteousness, and contempt of others. The things being such as carry not with them so much as the show of wisdom; or so faint a show that they do the soul no good, and provide not for the satisfying of the flesh. Remembering the passing nature of earthly things, let us seek to glorify God in the use of them.

So today while you were in Church, did you look around at the people and wonder if they had any major illness that you don't know anything about. Were you afraid they may breathe on you? Did you like the way they were dressed? Are you thinking about calling the Preacher and having him go ask these people who don't meet your approval to leave the church? Or not to let this one or that one take part in any of the Church programs? Have you called your friends to gossip about all these people? Oh my, how in the world did you hear what the Preacher was saying?

But then I suppose some may feel that they already know all there is to know and don't need to learn any more. Then we wonder why Christians looked so bad in the sight of others. We are so busy looking at every one else that we forget that we are really the ones that need to hear and learn. Were you so busy thinking about how bad others are dressed and being too proud of all of your fine garments to remember that it isn't the outward appearances that we should be concerned about?

Where in the Bible does it say that these people need yours, mine or anyone else's approval in order to get into the Circle of Christ. Instead of wondering and looking down on others or even being concerned about health issues why don't we try thinking on the only issue that is really important, THE WORD OF GOD.

Let's start remembering that the only one we should be looking at is OURSELVES. They have what God wants them to have at this time, just as you or I do as well. One final thought, look at Prov 16:18, it plainly states "pride goes before destruction...haughty spirit before a fall." Destruction and a fall will surely happen, it may be at the death that the fall into the pit occurs or maybe even in our life time, only God knows when it will happen.

Let us get over all the worldly cares and concerns and focus on the World God has promised each of us who apply His words to OUR lives.

God's Blessings to each of you,
rECj/LJG