From the Pen of Paul. . .

Improper Attempts at Covering Sins (4)

In this final installment, we want to consider a couple of other ways that some use in an attempt to "cover" their sins instead of having them "covered" in the proper way.

Believing a thing to be right or not seeing anything wrong with it or sincerity will not cover our sins. Saul of Tarsus obviously believed he was right when persecuting Christ and the church (Acts 26:9-11; Gal. 1:13)—and none would doubt his sincerity.

The reason that many are unable to see anything wrong with something that is sinful is simply due to lack of diligent study! All of us must be careful that we do not form opinions or jump to conclusions about a matter when we have not made a thorough study of what the Scriptures teach on that subject. Far too many base their doctrine on misapplying one or two statements of Scripture. "I don't see anything wrong with it" is not proof of anything. It should be, "The Scriptures teach." The Scriptures, to do us any good, must be properly translated, properly interpreted or understood, and then they must have the proper application made. Unless all three of these are present, erroneous views and teachings will be had. Obviously, the Scriptures must be translated properly or else they are not the inspired Scriptures; if one misunderstands the teaching, then certainly error will surface; and, proper translation and proper understanding is fairly useless unless we make proper application of the things taught. The Devil, on the Mount of Temptation, quoted Scripture; but his application was faulty! The same is true of many who profess to be preachers today!

These three things are used to justify almost everything today, including: instrumental music in worship, social drinking, dancing, gambling, immodest dress, forsaking the assembly, etc. And, how many times have you heard someone say, "He is so sincere!" Often they are speaking of denominational preachers who are teaching false doctrine. The hard facts are that being sincere, while necessary, is not sufficient in determining right; and it certainly will not "cover" false teaching or false practice!

Being in the majority does not "cover" sin. God's people have NEVER been in the majority. The children of Israel were warned, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" (Exod. 23:2). And Jesus said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate, for wide is the gate, and broad in the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matt. 7:13-14).

And, if being in the majority determines right or wrong, we would have to ask, "The majority where?" Different religions, different sets of moral values, different teachings and even different "gods" are found in the "majority" depending upon where you are.

Oftentimes majorities are formed by rebelling against God or by rebelling against His leaders (Exod. 16:8; I Sam. 8:7). Today, we live in an age of rebellion; against government, against parents, against elders of the church. God has placed all of these in positions of leadership and majority rule cannot alter that and remove or "cover" sin.

Before we leave this point, let me also hasten to add that just being in the minority does not make one right either.

So, we are back where we started. None of these false attempts to "cover" or justify sin will do the job. Let's remind ourselves once more about the proper way to "cover" sin. The only proper way to "cover" sins are to have them forgiven. For the alien sinner, this necessitates that "ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin..." (Rom. 6:17-18). When those to whom Paul wrote these words had been "buried with Him by baptism into death" and raised to "walk in newness of life," their sins were "covered" (Rom. 6:4). And for the erring child of God, sins are "covered" when we repent of our sins, confess them and ask God, through prayer to forgive us. See I John 1:8-2:1; James 5:16, 19-20; Acts 8:22.

Are your sins "covered"? Or are you trying to "cover" your sins in an improper way? Eternity depends on it!
—Paul M. Wilmoth

From the Preacher's Viewpoint. . .

I Am A Disciple

I am part of a fellowship of the unashamed.
The die is cast.
I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made.
I'm a disciple of His.
I won't back down, slow down, let up, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed.
My present makes sense.
My future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living, sight-walking, small planning, smooth knees, tame vision, mundane talking, stingy giving, and dwarf goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.
I no longer have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.
I lean on His presence, live by faith, walk in patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven.
My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few.
My Guide is reliable.
My mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of my enemies, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up and preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till ALL know, work till He stops me.
And when He comes for His own, He'll have no problem recognizing me, for my light is shining bright and it is clear for all to see.
I AM A DISCIPLE.

—Selected

This material sets forth my feelings and convictions 100%, and I recommend it to every Christian. If we are going to be God's people, these things must be in our lives. The Christian life is not a little of this and a little of that, but a whole-hearted way of life. May God help all of us to have the elements of this article in our lives 100% if possible. Read it and meditate on it. Cut the article out and place it where you can see it daily. We say amen and amen.
—Malcolm L. Hill