The Edifier

West Allen Church of Christ

The Edifier Index

Yes or No

Greg King, Shelbyville, IN

"These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes (Psa 50:21)."

Several years ago the slogan, "Just say no!", was all around us. We heard it on TV commercials and on radio stations across the country. This slogan was on billboards and bumper stickers in an attempt to encourage young people to say "NO" to drugs, This effort was very good and had some effect.

One study suggested that "NO" is one of the most useful words in the English language but one of the least used. No man’s character is bigger than his ability to say "NO." Jesus’ character was without flaw, but He could unmistakably and clearly say "NO" as is evident in Matthew chapter four. We find in Judges chapter sixteen the story of Samson. As long as he was able to say "NO" and refuse to divulge his secret of strength, he was fine. When he stopped saying "NO," he lost his strength. After Adam and Eve said " Yes" to wrong, they were ashamed and hid themselves from God.

In Titus 2:11-12: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age." We must and should say "NO" to all unrighteousness. We must say "NO" to ourselves (Matt 16:24), to falsehoods (1 Tim 4:7), and to the world (2 Pet 2:10).

While there are things we must say "NO" to, there are things we must say "YES" to as well. We must without a doubt say "YES" to Jesus Christ; for if we deny Him, He will deny us. We must be willing to say "YES" to Him and His word because Christ saves those who obey Him (Heb 5:9). Only those who are obedient can enter into Heaven (Rev 22:14). If our answer is "YES then we must put God first in our lives and live our lives according to the scriptures. If our answer is "NO," then the Lord’s vengeance will be upon us (2 Thess 1:8-9).

"For All Eternity"

"Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see! O, Thou who changest not, abide with me."

How the words of this grand old hymn have sustained and comforted us in many a dark and lonely hour. For God does abide with all the faithful.

When many a heart is heavy with dread forebodings of fear, when many an eye is dimmed with anguished tears of sorrow, when all the world seems drear and desolate God is still there. And even our tears can sometimes serve to wash away the things that have hid Him, and show us His ever present nearness and compassion.

All our petty ambitions and earthly hopes may crumble into nothingness; the toil and tears and love of a lifetime may be sacrificed in one terrible moment by the swift and irrevocable scythe of death.

But God is still there.

For all eternity He abides. "Neither death nor life nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God."

If the days of our years be few and full of trouble, or if they be long and peaceful, God is with us to the end! Earthly friends may forget and forsake; but God never forgets and never forsakes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.