One Nation Under God

By Clifton Angel     What if you could live in a nation whose foundation was built upon God? What if you could live in a nation whose primary leader was completely submissive to God?  What if you could live in a nation whose laws were always truly good and right? What if you could live in a nation whose justice system was entirely up-right? What if you could live in a nation whose good citizens always looked to God? A nation whose education system relied on the Bible? A nation where life was sacred? A nation where the leaders truly sought the best for the citizens? A nation that cared most about things Biblical, instead of things political? As much as this may seem like a fantasy, it is actually a reality.     Peter wrote these words to members of the body of Christ: "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). Figuratively, the Lord's church is a nation, which must shine as a line to all physical nations. Paul said, "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye  may be blameless and harmless, the sons  of God, without  rebuke,  in  the  midst  of a  crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:14–15).     The Psalmist proclaimed, "Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah, The people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance" (Psalm 33:12, ASV). Peter said  it this way, concerning  the  church, "Blessed be  the  God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his  abundant  mercy  hath  begotten  us  again  unto  a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  To  an  inheritance  incorruptible,  and  undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:3–4).     If you are in Christ's kingdom (Acts 2:37–47; Colossians 1:13)—an holy nation—you are in: (1) A nation whose foundation is built upon God! (2) A nation whose primary leader is completely submissive to God (Jesus)! (3) A nation whose laws are always truly good and right! (4) A nation whose justice system is entirely upright! (5) A nation whose good citizens always look to God! (6) A nation whose education system relies on the Bible! (7) A nation where life is sacred! (8) A nation where the leaders truly seek the best for the citizens! (9) A nation that cares most about things Biblical, instead of things political!      Are you in the church that belongs to Christ—the one nation that is willingly under God?

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

The Merciful-1

By Clifton Angel     Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). In other words, “Blessed are they which give forgiveness, for they shall receive forgiveness.” It is much easier to preach than it is to practice. In our series on this subject, let us consider the Biblical examples of Jonah, Saul, and Jesus.     God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach to them. However, Jonah tried to flee to Tarshish (Nineveh was much closer than Tarshish; it is amazing the lengths we will go to avoid forgiving another). We can easily shame Jonah, but if we are honest, we are more like him than we would like to admit. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria. The Assyrians were the world power of the time, a9 Jonah did not want to go preach to them. Therefore, when God commanded him to preach to Nineveh, he sought to flee in the opposite direction.     A great storm arose, and eventually, by his request, Jonah was cast out of the ship. I believe this was another attempt to escape the responsibility God placed on him.     At this point, he was ready to die instead of having to face the responsibility of preaching to the ungodly, Gentile barbarians of Nineveh. God had other plans. He prepared a great fish that swallowed Jonah. Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days, and it was there that he acknowledged his wrongdoing, repented, and sought God’s help. The fish expelled him onto dry land, and Jonah did as God had commanded him to do. He preached, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4). “So the people of Nineveh believed God” (Jonah 3:5).     “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry” (Jonah 4:1). “And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil” (Jonah 4:2). Job was so enraged with disgust for other sinful people, and so unmerciful to their sins, that he wanted God to take his life (Jonah 4:3).     Our natural and societal inclination would be the same toward anyone considered morally depraved and disgusting in our eyes. However, Jesus has shown us a better way: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

The Merciful-2

By Clifton Angel

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). We have considered the unmerciful example of Jonah. Next, let us consider the great mercy shown to Saul of Tarsus.      When Stephen was stoned to death, “the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul” (Acts 7:58). Saul was a Pharisee that led the charge of persecuting the early church (Acts 8:1). “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling [dragging, CA] men and women committed them to prison” (Acts 8:3). “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest” (Acts 9:1). In the same chapter, it is revealed that Jesus appeared to Saul, rebuked him for resisting the work of God, and how that Saul as converted to Christ.     Later, he would go by the name of Paul and often referred to his former life. “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. And I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women” (Acts 22:3–4). Later, he said, “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities” (Acts 26:9–11). In a letter to Timothy, he wrote, “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:13–15).     Paul was baptized to wash away his sins (Acts 9:18; 22:16); yet, the disciples were afraid of him. (Acts 9:26). I suppose many of us would react the same. “But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27).      Jesus led the charge of seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10). Barnabas followed Jesus in showing great mercy to the chiefest of sinners. Will we show the same mercy to others?     - Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

The Merciful-3

By Clifton Angel

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). It has been over a month since we last studied the subject, but in parts one and two, we considered the unmerciful example of Jonah and the great mercy shown to Saul of Tarsus.     Perhaps, the greatest blessing on earth is forgiveness. Isaiah prophesied, “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save” (Isaiah 59:1). Paul wrote of “the breadth, and length, and depth, and height ... of the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:18).     Will you take a moment and read Philippians 2:1-8? Who is writing this? It is the same man that was dragging Christian mothers and fathers to undeserved punishments and deaths. But now he is “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20). “For I determined not to know anything among you save Christ Jesus, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).     This is all made possible by Jesus. He was in the highest position. He was in the presence of glory beyond the beauty of the imagination of man. Yet, He gave up that position, lived the life of a man, suffered beguile, rejection, physical abuse, verbal abuse, torture, and persecution from the very ones He created. He gave Himself to die the death of a criminal when He had committed no crime. When He could have called the host of Heaven to destroy mankind, He hang there in pain, agony, and thirst and cried, “Father, forgive them.”     There is no greater being than God. There is no greater Man than Jesus the Christ. There is no greater place than Heaven. There is no greater reward than to be able live there. Therefore, there is no greater blessing on earth than forgiveness!     How forgiving are we? Are we like unmerciful Jonah who was sickened to see the unrighteous repent and be forgiven? Are we like the unmerciful servant of Matthew 18:21–35, whose debt was remitted which he could never repay, yet he would not show mercy to a coworker that owed him very little? Or, are we like Paul, who recognized the greatness of his sin, the greatness of God’s mercy, and continually labored to make sure that others could receive forgiveness, also. He said, “I am debtor ... I am ready to preach the gospel to you ... I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one” (Romans 1:14–16).   - Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/

Hunger and Thirst

By Clifton Angel

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Hunger and thirst are natural desires that are common, controlling, and driving. Every person understands the physical desire for food and drink. However, we may not realize our need for spiritual nourishment.     Many are spiritually malnourished while believing they are perfectly healthy. Jesus said it this way: “Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger” (Luke 6:25). We need to properly feed our spiritual hunger. "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger” (John 6:35). We need to properly quench our thirst. To the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus said: “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst” (John 4:13–14). In another place, He said, “He that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). And again, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37–38).     For those who have tasted of the Bread of Life and the living water of Jesus, we must beware that we can still ruin our spiritual appetite. We can do so by not reading and studying God’s Word as we ought. Let us study (2 Timothy 2:15) that we might “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). We can ruin our appetite by not attending every possible service of the Lord’s church. “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another” (Hebrews 10:24, 25). We can ruin our spiritual appetite by not praying like we should. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We can ruin our spiritual appetite by being overcome with the things of this world. John wrote, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). We can ruin our appetite by being engaged in sin. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1).     “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Righteousness is the state of being right and doing right, according to God (Matthew 6:33; Romans 1:16–17). Are you hungering and thirsting after righteousness?   - Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/