It is hard to believe that I am now writing the final article of 2023. I want to thank you for reading these articles and for the encouragement I have received over the years.
It is an honor to write in service to my Lord and to glorify Him through this avenue.
I hope and pray you have a very wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!
As we close out 2023 and look forward to 2024, I want to ask you a question: What have these articles done for you? Have they been helpful? Have you been forced to challenge things? Have you opened up your Bible more?
In the following paragraphs, I want to ask two specific questions that will hopefully lead to a desire to obey God and live for Him if you are not already doing that.
Have These Articles Challenged Your Thinking?
First, have these articles challenged your long-held beliefs?
Thinking About Salvation.
Over the course of this year, we have discussed the topic of salvation. We have exposed the lie of the “sinner’s prayer,” dealt with the false doctrine of “faith only,” and have examined several other doctrinal matters.
Read More: What Does the Bible Say About Faith Only?
Why do you believe what you believe? Are your beliefs based on a “thus saith the Lord,” or do you have beliefs simply based on what you were taught by others and not your own personal study?
The Bible says that we are to "be diligent to present ourselves approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).
Perhaps you were taught that all you need to do to be saved is “ask Jesus into your heart” by saying what is commonly called the “sinner’s prayer.” Have you ever read that for yourself in the Bible? Is there ever a conversion in the New Testament when one “asked Jesus into their heart?”
The answer is NO!
What we do find is that in every conversion, one hears the Gospel, believes the Gospel, and obeys the Gospel by being baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (See our series on “Conversions in Acts”).
Thinking About Jesus’ Kingdom.
Maybe you have held the view that Jesus is coming back to reign and rule for 1,000 years in Jerusalem and set up an earthly kingdom. Once again, have you ever read that for yourself in the Bible?
Sure, the “thousand-year reign” is mentioned (Rev. 20:1-6), but nothing is said about Jesus literally reigning on earth, Jerusalem, or Palestine, the “rapture” (which never appears in the Scripture), the literal throne of David or saints in the twenty-first century!
In our series of articles on that subject, we noted the symbolic, figurative language used in the Book of Revelation and in that specific context.
Thinking About the Church.
On the other hand, maybe you have held the view that the “church of Christ is a denomination or a cult” and that “one church is as good as another.”
The Bible says that the church is the called out body of Christ; those called out of the world and into Christ by the Gospel (Acts 2:38-47; 2 Thess. 2:14).
Read More: 7 Ways the Church is Described in the New Testament
The Bible says there is one church (Eph. 1:2-23; 4:4; 5:22-32) and that Jesus is the Head of the church (Col. 1:18) which He purchased with His own blood (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28).
The church, by definition, is not a denomination and is certainly not a cult. The church is the body of Christ you read about in the New Testament, and according to the Scriptures, members of the Lord’s church are the people of God:
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Pet. 2:9-10).
Have These Articles Contradicted God’s Word?
Second and finally, have these articles contradicted the Word of God?
Please understand that I am human and I make mistakes. It is very possible that I can say or even write something that doesn’t add up, but dear reader, if what is written harmonizes with the Word of God, then it is right.
There is no power in the messenger, but there is great power in the message (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18-21; Heb. 4:12)!
If what I have said about salvation, the Judgment, the one church, or any other subject does not line up with what the Bible says, please reject it! However, if what we have presented through these articles has lined up and harmonized with what God says in His Word, please accept it and respond accordingly!
Once again, I thank you for reading these articles, and Lord willing, I will continue to write in 2024 and beyond.
I hope and pray that these articles will reach many souls and help lead them to the God of Heaven Who desires all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4).
May God bless you!
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
 | A guest post by
|
I was blessed to have been raised in the church of Christ and eventhough I wandered away from my faith and obedience to the Lord for a good portion of my adult life I, through through grace and repentance been brought back to worship in truth and spirit, fellowship and, an ever increasing faith in the Lord. Because I never really remember my first Baptism or why I even did it, on September 5th 2021, I obeyed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and was buried in the waters of Baptism. I knew as soon as I arose out of the water, something in me was different and it validated my decision to be re-baptized.
You're articles that I receive via email have edified me, educated me on where in the scriptures I can find important information to share with others. Although I am terrible at trying to evangelize as a Disciple of Christ I need to defend His inspired word accurately at all times. Thank you for writing these articles and backing up every one with scriptures. I look forward to reading more of your writings in 2024.
Your articles have made me do what I am supposed to do, search the scriptures and listen to the Holy Spirit. May God enrich you even the more with His Spirit and anointing for this New Year as you continue to carry out the mission He has given you. Happy New Year to you and your family.