How are We Remembered?

By Jesse LeMay

                Most of us have likely thought about how others will remember us after we leave this earth. Many in the world have the desire to be remembered for having fun and living life to the fullest. As Christians, hopefully we have a different set of things by which we hope to be remembered. What if others remembering us wasn’t just something that came post-mortem however?

In the introduction to Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians he said, “we give thanks to God always for all of you,” and twice he mentions what he and others remember about them (1:2-3). This remembrance is something that is ongoing, something which is taking place while they are still alive. Paul gives no less than ten areas worth remembering about these Christians.

First is their “work of faith” (1:3). Hard times come and remaining faithful can take work. In addition, as James tells us, true faith produces work.

Second is their “labor of love” (1:3). Putting others first takes effort and does not come easy.

Third is their “steadfastness of hope” (1:3). Despite sufferings and persecution, they never lost hope of eternal resurrection with Christ.

Fourth Paul says they became “imitators” of he, the other apostles, and most importantly of Christ (1:6).

Fifth is how they “received the word” with joy, despite all the affliction it brought (1:6). How do we receive the word?

Sixth is how they “became an example to all believers” (1:7). Is our example worth remembering and emulating?

Seventh is their evangelistic efforts which caused the “word of the Lord” to be “sounded forth,” and in “every place” their faith toward God had gone forth (1:8).

Eighth is the “reception” they gave Paul and the others (1:9). How do we receive others who visit our church?

Ninth is how they “turned to God from idols” (1:9). They completely left those vain idols behind. Have we put behind us that which is ungodly and turned wholly to God?

Tenth is their service to God. They didn’t just come to have faith in God, but to serve him, to give Him their lives.

Paul thanked God always for these Christians, and constantly remembered these aspects and efforts about them. Individually and collectively as the church, is our conduct worth remembering? How do others remember us?

                People have long thought about what their destinies might be. Some believe their destiny is fixed and nothing can be done to change it. Others view that they hold their destiny in their own hands. While God knows everything that will happen in our lives, we have free will to choose what to do or what not to do. One thing God has predetermined however, is His plan of redemption. In Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica, he wrote “For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (5:9). What a wonderful destiny for those belonging to the Lord! Since we know we have such a destiny, what should we do about it? Paul gives a long list of commands for Christians to apply to their lives because of their destiny.

No less than nine of those commands have to do with our interaction with one another as Christians. Among those are to “exhort,” “build up,” “be in peace,” “encourage,” “help” and “be patient” with one another. As partakers of the same destiny, everything we say and do should always be to aid each other, not hinder.

We are also told to “recognize” and “esteem very highly in love” those who “diligently labor” among us as leaders of the church. Being an elder is a major responsibility. They are tasked with protecting, overseeing, and shepherding God’s sheep, to help them reach the wonderful destiny that awaits them. As such, they will give an account to God for the work they do (Hebrews 13:17).

Our destiny of eternal salvation is offered to us through the Holy word of God; therefore, Paul says not to “despise” or reject the word, but to “examine everything.” We should also be those of “good” character, abstaining from all forms of “evil,” not quenching the “Spirit” by living a sanctified life.   

Because we know our destiny, Paul reminds us to “rejoice always,” “pray without ceasing,” and to do God’s will by giving “thanks” for everything. Life is hard and can be painful in many ways at times. However, if we focus on the fact that God has already supplanted our destiny through Christ, then we can rejoice, pray, and always give thanks to the Lord. Live life in confidence, knowing that “whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him!”

Written by Jesse LeMay

 Light in a Dark World

By Jesse LeMay

                Perth, Western Australia became known worldwide as the “City of Lights” when U.S astronaut John Glenn told the world he had seen the city’s lights during his historic orbit around the earth on February 20^th, 1962. To acknowledge the historic mission of the first American orbiting the globe, the citizens of Perth turned on their lights for Glenn to see all the way from space. In commemoration of that important event in history, Glenn made the same trip 36 years later and once again the people of Perth responded. Commenting on the action, the late astronaut said, “This time I could see the ground again, and it looked to me as though the lights of Perth and Rockingham were even more vivid than they had been back 36 years before in 1962, so it was a great view and once again we were happy to be able to say hello to the people of Perth on that dark side of the earth as I was going around” (watoday.com.au). No doubt the city had grown with more lights to shine, and the people wanted them to be seen.

                During His Sermon on the Mount Jesus said that as Christians we are “the light of the world,” a proverbial “city” set on a hill which “cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). Notice that He didn’t say we are to “be a” light, but that we “are the” light of the world. Just as the lights of Perth shone in the darkness, we as Christians are the light in a dark world. Our Lord would go on to command us to “Shine” our light in such a way that brings glory to God through our good works (5:16). Perth was brighter the second time because of the growth of the city. Likewise, as we grow as individual Christians, and as the church grows, the light of Christ should continue to shine brighter and brighter in us.

                In order for others to see God’s light we have to shine it. By helping those in need, by loving others, by applying the principles in the “beatitudes,” we provide the opportunity for those in the dark world to say “hello” to the Lord. Let us always be striving for our Christian light to become more and more vivid every day. May the church of Christ forever be the light in a world of darkness.

Why Do You Believe?

By Jesse LeMay

Why do you believe in Christ? Has anyone ever asked you that question? Have you ever personally thought about it? Does it even matter if we know why, and can tell others the reason for our faith? Knowing why we believe is crucial. Christianity is not a blind faith. Furthermore, being able to share such evidence with others is something we are called to do as Christians. Preparation plays a major role in our daily “walk” as members of the body of Christ. In what way though does this preparation manifest itself?

            Peter, an apostle of the Lord, knew the value and importance of being prepared. He said, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, …” (1 Peter 3:15). The apostle knew that there would be skeptics and doubters that Christians would encounter. This is no different today than it was in the first century. It is our responsibility as Christians to “always” be “ready to make a defense to everyone who asks” about our beliefs. To tell others why we have that confident expectation of eternal life with God. So, how do we prepare ourselves? By making it a priority to know the Scriptures. If we aren’t prepared, we can’t give a “defense.” Spend more time truly studying (not just reading) God’s word. As we learn and grow, our confidence and readiness will grow also.

            Equally as important as Peter’s instruction to be ready to make a defense, is the last part of the same verse. He ends by saying, “yet with gentleness and reverence.” This is something that all Christians must remember when defending their faith. Our goal is not to prove wrong the one with doubt, but to help bring them to an understanding of the truth of God’s word. We must remember that their eternal soul is at stake, as was ours when we came to accept and obey the truth of the gospel. So, let us always be prepared to defend the Holy Scriptures in which we have placed our eternal hope. When others ask, “Why do you believe?” may we know with certainty the answer to be given.

A Closely “Knotted” Family

By Jesse LeMay

                My wife and I recently attended the wedding of a young Christian couple in Oklahoma. One neat thing they did during the ceremony was tie together three cords, which symbolized the strength that a “cord of three” has (Eccl. 4:12). A marriage that is knotted together with three strands, husband, wife, and God, is not easily broken. If God is put at the center of the marriage covenant, chances of life-long unity greatly increase. Such a concept applies to the whole of the family structure as well.

                In Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus he described the bond that should tie the family together. It starts with the husband and father. He is to love his wife “just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (5:25). Jesus displayed unconditional and sacrificial love for His church. As a father, he is not to “provoke” his children to anger, “but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (6:4). The goal of any parent should be to teach them about Christ and His will for them.

                Next, Paul says that just as the church is subject to Christ, wives are to be “subject” to their husbands in everything “as to the Lord” (5:22-24). The church is part of the body of Christ, and so too is the wife part of the husband. However, just as Christ is the head of the church, the husband is the head of the family according to God’s design.

                Lastly, Paul tells the children to “obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” (6:1). Children increasingly grow more independent the older they get. They may even show a bit of defiance. Nevertheless, God expects them to be obedient to the ones who are caring for them and trying to “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

                Such principles are not always easy to put into practice. However, did you notice the common thread in all three? It is the Lord! With Christ being that bond which ties the marriage and family together, it is possible. Interestingly, the more that each of these is done, the more we are “filled up in Spirit” (5:18)! Implementing God’s will in the family means we are ever strengthening that knot.

Single and Devoted

By Jesse LeMay

                From the very beginning God knew that it “is not good for man to be alone” and so He created Eve to be a helper (Genesis 2:18). Marriage should be just that; husband and wife helping one another be faithful and holy in their service to bring glory to God. While marriage is a beautiful and mutually assisting union from God, that does not mean that being single is a bad thing. Sadly, many people paint a dreary picture of being single. In fact, there are some aspects of the unmarried life which can actually be of more benefit. Most believe the Apostle Paul was part of the single crowd. Knowing God’s design and purpose of marriage, he wrote on the topic several times; however, he also wrote about the positives of being single in his first letter to the church in Corinth.

                In addressing an apparent question the Christians there had about marriage, Paul would go on to say that the unmarried person is “free from concern” of pleasing one’s spouse, and in turn is “concerned about the things of the Lord” (7:32-34). Marriage is wonderful and should be a bond which is concerned with serving God and helping the other get to heaven. However, being married requires time and effort to be put into caring for the other person. Being single means freedom from those duties, thus allowing the Christian to focus on their “undistracted devotion to the Lord” (7:35).

                Both the single and married life can be equally glorifying to God. If you are looking for a spouse, choose one you believe will help you in your Christian walk, knowing that marriage is a life-long commitment (7:39). Meanwhile, utilize the chances you have to serve God with eagerness and an “undistracted devotion.” Spend more time in studying God’s word. Search for ways to volunteer your time and talents for the Lord. Look for opportunities to fellowship with other Christians, married and single alike. Maybe even talk to others about forming a singles group, where unmarried adults of all ages can meet and spend time together. God said it was not good for man to be “alone,” but he did not say “single.” As part of the Lord’s body you are never alone. Whether married or single, we should all be “concerned about the things of the Lord.”

Leading with Humility

By Jesse LeMay

                Those who strive to be an example and lead the way for others can at times find themselves not knowing exactly what to do. This is true for those who lead in the business world, in their homes, in their faithful and godly conduct, and certainly in the church. Pressure, expectations, and unforeseen events can mount causing one to feel overwhelmed. Such potential stress may cause a person not to want to be a leader in the first place. Furthermore, if one is already trying to lead the way for others, these and other factors might create a desire to give up, to stop being a leader. If one has never felt this way, then they are most likely too prideful to recognize the weight of their responsibility. Thus, humility is a quality that is necessary in good leadership.

                It could be argued that perhaps Abraham Lincoln faced the greatest challenge and responsibility of any other President this country has ever had. His job was to lead this nation during a time when opposing factions battled daily to tear it apart. There were no doubt times when the task seemed impossible, and improbable at best. One of those times came after the Union Army suffered another terrible loss at the Second Battle of Bull Run in August of 1862. Shortly thereafter, President Lincoln, in his humbleness, stated: “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for that day” (586, The American Patriots Bible). Lincoln recognized that the knowledge and abilities of men were not enough. He had the humility to know that something greater was needed, and that something was God.

                President Lincoln was not only humble in knowing that he needed to turn to God, but also in understanding the importance of his role of leading other people. Many lives were in his hands, as well as the state of our country. His actions displayed that he knew that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 3:6). Being a leader of any kind can be a lot to deal with at times. However, if he or she possesses humility, trusts in God, and puts the needs of others first, then no task is too big to overcome.