A NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

VOLUME 1 NO. 36                                         OCTOBER 24, 2004

“DENYING SELF”

PART IV
BY STEVE NIEMEIER

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24).  Jesus told His disciples that if anyone wanted to follow Him they would have to deny themselves and take up their cross.  Last week we discussed the issue of denying self as it pertains to addressing our brother or sister who has committed a fault against us or us against them.  This week let us look at the passage of scripturein Luke 12:1-3; “...Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.  For there is nothing covered that will not re revealed, or hidden that will not be known.  Therefore, whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.”

Amazing how true this is!  How many times have you said something and then later on you had to “eat your words?”  Parents who have been fortunate in raising their children in the Lord and experiencing their adult children being faithful sometimes come across like everything they did in raising their children is just what everyone else should do.  Many times they end up “swallowing hard” when one of their adult children become unfaithful.  Careful consideration should be given in how we instruct young parents, more of what the LORD says and less of what WE say is needed today!  Every child is different, the hardest part of being a parent is learning what technique in raising (training) each child should be used.  Today, many children are abused physically and mentally because parents do not spend time getting to know their children and what are the best teaching tools for them.  While many parents with older children do not intend to come across with a “Pharisaical attitude” about how they raised their children, more often than not they do.  Let us be careful not to exhibit a “holier than thou” attitude when discussing raising children with young parents!

Elders, deacons, preachers and members make special note of what you say and how you say it.  Everything will be uncovered and many times when we say something in private it will not be long until it is public.  One of the greatest violations of trust occurs when someone tells something in “confidence” to get advice from a brother or sister only to have this confidence spoiled by a “hypocritical” brother or sister who did not keep their word.  Why is it that we would not exchange our soul for $5000.00 but can't wait to exchange it by being the first to tell something that we shouldn't?  It is not hard to see that the church of the Lord today is facing many challenges just as it did in the first century.  Hypocrisy was prevalent then and certainly is now.  Preachers have preached against fornication only to be a participant themselves.  Elders have been appointed to oversee a congregation and have turned into a Diotrephes.  Deacons nave been given duties to perform only to have these duties to remain undone.  Members in general occupy the pews and “play Christian” on Sunday's only to live like the world the rest of the week.

Why is it that we stand strong and state that we “hate” a hypocrite and then justify our hypocrisy and excuses?  Let us deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Jesus.  Our homes, schools, workplaces and local congregations would be better places if we all practiced what Jesus preached!