Topic(s): Christian Life, Moral Issues, Sin

World Magazine (May 19, 2001) stated, “This year’s prom season is causing turmoil at schools across America: Dancing has become so sexually explicit that some officials call it sex with clothes on and many want it stopped.”

Statistically, some of the worst things that happen to teenagers happen on prom night, graduation night, and homecoming night: pregnancy, drunk driving, car accidents, rape, and more. Jesus said, “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit” (Matthew 7:17).

One expressed it this way: “Dancing is a vertical expression of a horizontal desire.” Pure and undefiled religion is to keep oneself unspotted from the world (James 1:27) and that whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, we are to do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Certainly, we do not remain unspotted nor is God glorified through modern dance.

We must not be a stumbling block (1 Corinthians 8:11-13; 10:32). We should be the light of the world and people ought to look to us for direction (Matthew 5:16). There is an old saying, that goes like this: “Dancing feet and praying knees do not grow on the same pair of legs.” The bump and grind of the modern dance should not be a part of our lives. Stand strong and do not cave into the pressures of the world. Modern dancing is sinful and should be avoided (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; Romans 12:1,2; 1 John 2:15-17; et al).

—adapted, Denny Wilson, Odessa, Texas

Vegetarians Who Like Sausage

Topic(s): Sin

Are you interested in being a vegetarian, but concerned that you might not be able to adjust? Not to worry … you can become a flexitarian As vegetarianism gains in popularity and increases its market niche, a variation has developed. The flexitarian is a person who eats primarily vegetables, but also indulges occasionally with meat. The designation fits people like 28-year-old Christy Pugh, who says, “I usually eat vegetarian. But I really like sausage.” Christy says, “Sometimes I feel like I’m a bad vegetarian, that I’m not strict enough or good enough. I really like vegetarian food, but I’m just not 100 percent committed.” — “Are You a 'Flexitarian?" MSNBC.com (3-16-04)

Sounds like some who want to be a “Christian” but not if they have to “deny themselves” an occasional dip into sin (Matthew 16:24).

Must A Person Do Something in Order to Be Saved?

Topic(s): Denominationalism, Salvation

During the 1938 Hardemen-Bogard Debate, Mr. Ben Bogard, a Missionary Baptist preacher, made this statement: “I am going to maintain that there is no act at all that any man in the Old Testament time or the New ever had to perform in order to be saved. Salvation is received by faith, and faith is the only thing you can do without doing anything” [p. 93]. We often hear similar sentiments expressed today. What about it?

Mr. Bogard’s teaching about salvation is contradictory in two ways. First, it is self-contradictory. He said that faith is the only thing you can “DO” without “DOing anything” (emphasis mine, rdc). So, which is it? Is faith counted as “doing,” or “not doing?” Second, Mr. Bogard’s teaching contradicts the Bible when he says that there is nothing a person must do in order to be saved. In response to the inquiry, “What must I do to be saved,” God’s messengers did not say, “There is nothing that you can or must do.” No, they commanded the inquirer to believe (Acts 16:30-31). Thus, believing was something that a person must do. In Acts 2:38 we read another response to the question of what one must do. What is it? To repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. What are both of those? Actions that man must take. They are required conditions of obtaining God’s favor.

If the Lord Jesus said that one must “do” the Father’s will in order to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21), should we not be willing to take His word for it?! If God set up a scheme for our salvation that includes man’s faithful adherence to His word, doing, or obeying, then let us humbly accept it.  —Roger Campbell

Secret Sin

Topic(s): Humor

My friend’s father is a locksmith in a resort town. Once he saw a group of beach goers park near his shop and dump trash from their car on his property. As soon as they were out of sight, the locksmith picked the lock on their car door, put the garbage back inside and relocked the car.   —Author Unknown

“. . . A merry heart doeth good . . .” —Proverbs 7:22

Little Things

Topic(s): Encouragement

Little things make a world of a difference. In 1848 someone had the bright idea of building a suspension bridge across Niagra. It was a good idea. It would save miles of travel and solve many problems. However, nobody was sure how to get the first cable across the chasm.

Somebody had an idea: “Let’s offer a ten dollar prize to the first kid that can fly a kite from one side to the other.” When the sophisticated engineers heard the plan they scoffed. But in 1848 history had the last laugh. A young boy by the name of Homan Walsh flew his kite from one side to the other. His kite string was tied to a larger string and pulled across. The larger string was attached to a small rope, which was attached to a larger rope. Eventually, the ropes turned into steel cables until finally the strong steel cable that began the construction was strung across Niagra.  What began with a small kite string eventually became the supporting cable of a suspension bridge that nobody thought was possible; and Homan Walsh received his ten dollars.

Amazing things can happen in our spiritual lives if we will allow the little things to add up. Don’t ever give up because something failed or did not produce the results you anticipated. Keep working, and eventually you will accomplish something greater than you had ever imagined. —Jason Hart

“For who hath despised the day of small things . . .” —Zechariah 4:10