Christians Only Suffer For Jesus' Sake, Part 7

Issue #185 of Today's Issues from a Biblical Perspective with Bishop Dr. William L. McCoy, D.D., Th.D.

Age Beseeches Youth (Continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “Age Beseeches Youth” - if you remember, Jesus gave us a parable (see Luke 15:11-32) of a certain man who had two sons. It is important to note that it was the younger son who asked for the “portion of goods” that would one day become his. He did not immediately leave home and try his own wings, but a few days after his request was granted, he made an ill-advised decision to leave. Because of his inexperience, he had not yet learned how to have proper self-control. The “younger son” soon lost “all he had in riotous (reckless) living” in a “far country”. Soon, he was in want and without a friend. His friends had all turned from him as rats desert a sinking ship. When he could no longer entertain them on the lavish scale to which they had become accustomed, they proved that they were no friends at all. Beloved, just think - if someone had been there to guide him, he would never have made such a regretful mistake in his judgment of character. His sad experience teaches us that we in the Church who are more mature in age should not idly sit by and watch the younger saints wreck their lives with mistakes that experience has taught us to avoid. If we do nothing, Beloved, we are committing the sin of omission - neglecting to warn our “young” spiritual family-members about snares and traps that can harm them, or failing to give them wise counsel that can help them.

Precious Ones, the excuse that some offer today is that “these young people have too much pride - you can’t tell them anything, Pastor!” However, Beloved, remember that the younger brother’s pride sustained him only for a while. When he found himself thinking of eating the food set aside for pigs, he came to himself and clearly saw the error of his ways. His experience had a successful outcome, but in many instances, regrets may come too late. All of this can be avoided by unselfish sharing of wisdom from the “aged” to the “younger” children of God.

There will be more on this subject next Sunday.

I love you all SO very much.

In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

The Possibility of Failure (Part 1)

Beloved, I feel inspired by the Holy Spirit to write to you today from a new theme, “The Possibility of Failure”. We are taught by the apostle Paul that “if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the Spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). Beloved, it is an established fact that a man can be preserved faultless. According to the Book of Jude, Jesus Christ is the One “that is able...to present you faultless” (Jude 1:24). This, however, is conditional. As the apostle Peter put it, “if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (II Peter 1:10). In this chapter, the words “these things” referred to the seven attributes that one should add to his faith. Beloved, these attributes are not accomplished overnight, but rather, they are stepping stones for which we must strive. As we attain them one by one, we are reaching for the ultimate in Christian living, which is charity - the perfect life in Christ Jesus. Until we have attained that goal, we need help from our Lord and Savior.

Precious Ones, the psalmist asked the question (Psalm 19:12), “Who can understand his errors?” He then followed his rhetorical question by saying, “cleanse thou me from secret faults” (Psalm 19:12). Therefore, Beloved, it is obvious that we may not always be aware of our faults until they overtake us. When this happens, there is a need for restoration to our former faultless standing. When we realize that we have failed, we need answers to motivate us to change that failure into success. Failure is universal, and the only way that we will never fail is if we never attempt anything! However, faults must be kept under control. Paul expressed both the reality of and the solution to failure in these words, “if (we) live after the flesh, (we) shall die; but if (we) through the spirit do mortify (kill) the deeds of the body, (we) shall live” (Romans 8:13). Therefore, Beloved, we must always be on the alert, otherwise we will fall into temptation. However, if our hope is in Christ who never failed, then through Him, we don’t have to fail.

I will write more on this subject next week.

I love you all SO very much!
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy