HERE IN THE REAL WORLD

Probably every American, if not every person in the world, was touched by the events at Newtown, Ct. The senseless taking of those innocent young lives has left its mark on all of us. And, it should be no surprise that the call for stronger gun control laws have all ready gone out. The problem is that we already have the strongest law possible: Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13).  Yet, I am not surprised in the slightest that the children were murdered. After all we have become a country apart from God; why should his laws be followed? There are 3,500 to 3,700 babies murdered everyday with the full consent of the mother as we defend Rowe vs. Wade.

Our problem is not a problem of needing more/stronger laws, our problem is God. Our country is no longer a country of morals and love for neighbor, but a country of love of self.  We live in a world where God is out and sin is in. Of course it is hard to teach morals in school, the very place where years ago God was kicked out for good behavior years ago. Yet, as we have stamped God out of every facet of society we act with shock and surprise that such atrocities happen.

The solution to our problems is not in congress. It is not to be found in red or blue state leaders. The solution to this problem lies no farther away than our own hearts. America’s heart has been hardened against God. He has been removed from everywhere except the private home and the churches. The solution comes when America turns back to God and allows morals to come back into society.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y’all!

Bobby Cohoon

Minister, Belvidere-Ryland Church of Christ

North Carolina, USA
bobby@bobbycohoon.com

No one can deny that America has just gone through the most negative election cycle in recent memory, if not in its short history as a nation. It seemed early on that the motto was, “If we can change the way they think about a certain candidate we can change the way they behave.”  In other words, if candidate A can paint candidate B as something of an undesirable character candidate A can change their behavior in the voting booth. Backus and Chapian (1980) wrote, “The constant repeating of misbeliefs is what sustains the perpetual angry resentment” (p.51).  Do people really buy into such negativity or do they “fact check” and make informed decisions?

America is now a country in which there is some question about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (physical, security, love, purpose, self-actualization). Maslow suggests that people will not be motivated to meet the higher needs until the lower ones are met. If that is the case, in a country like America where unemployment is up drastically and wages are down, could the people suffering in this economy be influenced by negative advertising? The answer is a resounding yes.

If people who are out of work and struggling hear candidate A paint candidate B as one who will not help them, and as a matter of fact he is one who will put them more in chains, this will influence their beliefs. Crabb (1977) writes, “Each of us has been programmed in his or her unconscious mind to believe that happiness, worth, joy—all the good things of life – depend upon something other than God” (91). And, in America that something else is the Government.

If group 1 is a group that is struggling in the current world, their thinking will probably be something less than positive. If that is complicated by candidate A saying that candidate B cares nothing for group 1, the negative thought pattern is reinforced. And, if candidate A continues the negative stimuli candidate B becomes ingrained as an undesirable candidate. Even if the negative attacks make people view candidate A in an unfavorable way he may lose some votes, but he has painted the negative picture of candidate B and that image sticks.

While it is true that we cannot change people—no matter how negative candidate A gets anyone listening always has the choice to believe or not believe, to check facts, or any number of things—we do influence their thinking. Paul said “Let your speech always be with grace” (Colossians 4:6). Ours is not to make ourselves look better than the other person at the risk of tearing the other person to shreds. While we use self talk to help ourselves we allow what comes out of the mouth to tear others down.

It has to at all times be remembered that Jesus said, “It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man” (Matthew 15:11). While we use our self talk to build ourselves up (and that self talk has to be biblical) we have to remember that when our self talks it should not degrade others. We are what we think. And, what we say does influence others, whether what we say is true or not.

If you are in the area stop by and see us at the Belvidere-Ryland Church of Christ.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y’all!

Bobby Cohoon

Minister, Belvidere-Ryland Church of Christ

North Carolina, USA
bobby@bobbycohoon.com

 According to ideas of many God puts individual rulers in place. If that is in fact true, what is the use in voting? Of course those who hold to such opinions appeal to Romans 13. While Moo  asserts that the paragraph as a whole is “coherent and well-organized argument about … the need for submission to governing authorities,”[1] Cotrell better sums it up saying, “Indeed, this passage presents the clearest biblical teaching concerning the divine origin and God-intended purpose of human government.”[2] One of the problems lies in the interpretation of Jesus.  While it is readily admitted that Jesus was both God and man (100% of each), it is not so readily admitted that as 100% man he was just that: Man! While it is admitted that Jesus was there to usher in the Kingdom of God, few want to admit that there was political ramifications involved.

If God has thus ordained each individual leader, each time ANYONE enters a voting booth and cast a ballot against the leader that God is ordaining they are in essence casting a ballot against the rule of God. Not knowing the outcome of an election, if 2 Christians go to vote and one votes in favor of candidate “A” and the other for candidate “B” one has by logic cast a ballot against the will of God.

Cotrell writes that, “God is the one who has established human government and decreed its purpose.”[3] Yet, as Cotrell rightly points out, he has not prescribed any one particular form.[4] So the same God who ordained Torah, also put into place dictatorships and the American presidency: The God who put into place the Levites also put into place dictatorships and the presidency. Thus many argue (unsuccessfully) that the God who put Aaron in place also put Hitler and Reagan and Obama into their appointed positions. If that is the case then man no longer has free will. Man is simply part of the Ruy Lopez in the mind of God.

So does one submit to the governing authorities? As Christians we are to submit to God (James 4:7). Jesus himself said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other (Matthew 6:24). It brings to mind Jesus’ story of “rendering unto Caesar.” In Mark 12:12 there is a plot being set to trap Jesus. It has to be remembered that the Caesars thought of themselves as gods. The question then was  posed to Jesus, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” In true rhetoric of the time Jesus answers the question with a question: Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” , “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” It is in Jesus next words where most say Jesus is advocating paying taxes and supporting the government: Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”  Yet, is it really taxes to a government that Jesus is advocating? Or, could it be that he is telling them to choose where their allegiance lies?

If one is a Christian then he rightly understands that everything he has belongs to God. So, if a Christian renders unto God the things that are God’s what is left to render unto Caesar? Nothing. As long as Governments are reflecting godly principles we should support them. But, just because the office is ordained by God does not mean the man who sits in the office even knows the name.

To interpret the verse as God putting each individual leader into office one has wrestle with the following propositions::

1. God ordained Hitler and thus the murder of millions of Jews.
2. God is ordaining the murders of innocent men, women, and children in Syria.
3. If God has ordained all leaders, does America (or any other country) have the right to remove a God ordained leader … such as Bin Laden or Saddam Hussein?

So, who would Jesus vote for? He would vote for whoever is going to fulfill the purpose of governing bodies. “The ultimate goal or purpose of Government is a positive one, i.e., to protect the rights of the citizens. This positive task is described in 13:4, ‘he is God’s servant to do good.’ It is stated in more detail in 1 Timothy 2:2, which says we should pray for the governing authorities ti the end ‘that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.’ The ultimate purpose of government is to make this possible.”[5]

To most people he was not even noticed as he stood in the dark. His dark weathered skin not showing up even with the distant lights. But, the cracked red lips that have been in the weather for years stood out. Most passersby didn’t notice him at all, nor had they for the years he had been there. Some noticed and saw the scum of the earth. They saw a no count lazy homeless black man if they saw anything at all. But I saw something different. I saw the cracked lips of someone in need. I saw the savior sitting at the well needing a drink of water.

To a good many people we are may be the first and only Jesus they have ever seen. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth to follow his example (1 Corinthians 11:1). Paul had lived a life among them that they were to follow. A life that they were to imitate. He lived the kind of life that when they saw Paul they might be seeing a reflection of Jesus. After all Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). The example then was that we should be Christ like. How can we be Christ like, how can we be Christians and see our brothers in need and walk by not noticing them? A helping hand, a touch or even just a moment of conversation can open these people in need up to the Gospel of the Lord. To them we are representatives of the Risen Savior. To us they are the same Risen Savior!

Jesus was asked, “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink” (Matthew 25:37)? And, Jesus replied, “The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). We serve Christ by serving those around us in need. Maybe they are in our neighborhoods. Maybe they are in other towns Maybe they are in other countries. There are people all around us that need our help. And, when we serve them we serve the Risen Savior. Just as we represent Christ to them, they represent Christ to them. As we serve each other we serve Christ.

We are the first Christ that many people see. In turn, when we serve them they are the Risen Savior that we serve: they represent Christ to us. When we look at the needed and they look at us Jesus looks in a mirror. Today as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ we need to look around and see Christ all around us and be prepared to represent Him to others. Jesus is grown now; he can feed himself. Are you willing to be His spoon?

There are many ministries around that help the poor and the homeless. One such near me is PIN Ministries. Look in your area and maybe you can give Jesus a bite to eat.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y’all!

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
bobby@bobbycohoon.com

I live in what was once a small county: everyone pretty much knew everyone. That has changed somewhat in the last few years as more and more people have moved in. And it seems that as more have moved in the social degree of the county has dropped off some. People don’t seem to know their neighbors as much as they did in years past. The world has become fast paced. When people get off of work they have time to eat then run somewhere else; Often times the are eating on the run. They make time for everything imaginable. But guess what the one thing they rarely make time for is: The commission of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). In this world of networking we have the “go” down to a fine art. Yet, too often we neglect the only command in the Great Commission of Matthew: Make Disciples! We are great in our comfort zones. Meeting for an hour on Sunday is always done. We may meet for a small group Bible study with a group full of believers. But, what do we do to make disciples?

In our neighborhoods and the general areas that we travel daily there are plenty of people who don’t know the one true and living God. Sadly we don’t have time in our busy lives to share that message. We pass them daily. We may even take a minute to speak to them. Yet, we never seem to turn the conversation to Jesus. If they are poor we may even make a charitable donation or give some old clothes to try and alleviate their living conditions. And, that is great, but it is not what we are called to do: We are called to make disciples.

We network daily and nightly on the internet, not just with our city, but with the world. Maybe we become involved in e-mail chess. Maybe we are interacting with others trying to learn, or even trying to teach, about our favorite sport or pastime. We enter chat rooms and e-groups with people from all over the world. In the course of a day’s time we go from the city to the world. And remember Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8b). We are to be witnesses to our city and to the world. And, yet in our cities and to the ends of the earth we can’t seem to find time to work Christ into the conversation.

Every day we go from the city to the world. And, sadly while we are there we fail to mention the one who made the cities and the world. Is today the day you take Christ to the city and to the world?

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Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y’all!

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
bobby@bobbycohoon.com