Three Reasonable Resolutions For 2004

We Have Been Asked to bring together “Tidings” editorials which have appeared over the past 16 years in a more permanent form In the process of reviewing and selecting for such a book, we noted the following which appeared in January, 1995, and which is appropriate for this time of year

As disciples of the Lord Jesus, we are committed to full-time service on a year-round basis When we realize we are falling short in a given area, we cannot put off reformation until the first of the year Immediate action is needed For this reason, New Year’s resolutions are not prominently mentioned among us in regard to spiritual matters

Yet we should not entirely let pass this opportunity to evaluate ourselves and perhaps resolve to do better With this in mind, we propose what we feel are three reasonable resolutions

To Preach the Truth

people rarely come to an understanding of the Truth on their own. In almost every case, they come to it by someone who already knows the gospel and explains it to them.

Perhaps we feel direct angelic witness or the personal presence of the Lord Jesus or some dramatic divine action would be more effective. Whatever we may feel, the divinely ordained approach in this present era is preaching. Thus it is said, “How will they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14).

While we may feel our own circumstances limit our opportunities in this regard, each one of us is called to “show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (I Pet. 2:9). Accordingly, each one of us should seek out opportunities to preach the Truth.

To give a weekly interested friends’ class

For years, in trying to discipline ourselves to preach, we have resolved to, on average, give one interested friends’ class a week. We submit that such a resolve is worth considering. It’s not as hard as one might think when we count as interested friends our unbaptized children, grandchildren and young people.

On this basis, Sunday School teachers and youth circle counselors automatically give a regular interested friends’ class. Furthermore, every parent has the opportunity to give several such classes a week to his/her children. With this resolution in mind, family readings are done to teach the children the truth. In fact, that should already be the objective, as we cannot assume our children will learn the gospel by osmosis. They need to be saved through “preaching” like anybody else. Grandmothers, aunts and anyone who can organize Bible readings with children has the same opportunity to give an interested friends’ class.

If one has such an objective, one is continually looking for opportunities to fulfill it. If a period of weeks occurs where the resolution is going unfulfilled, one starts looking around for contacts to follow up or children to instruct.

We therefore submit that a helpful resolution would be to preach the truth and, specifically, to average giving one interested friends’ class per week.

To Be Useful Members

“Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you; for he is very useful in serving me” (II Tim. 4:11 RSV). At one point, John Mark was a trainee with Barnabas and Paul, destined for a very prominent place in the ecciesial world. That plan did not go as expected; ultimately, however, Mark became very useful. He may not have been given the same leadership responsibility as Titus or Timothy, but the community doesn’t need everybody to be a Titus.

The Lord Jesus was obviously a leader and the apostles were leaders in training, but working as a supporting cast were “many others who ministered unto him of their substance” (Lk. 8:3). There was thus a group of people who, while not being in the forefront, were useful to the ministry.

To be useful in the ecclesial community

In the community today, we see people who are very useful. The sisters who bring refreshments for between meeting and Sunday School, the brother who takes care of the ecclesial lawn, those who regularly remember to send cards of friendship and sympathy.

Hopefully, we are already useful members; if we are not, let us resolve to be so. Such a commitment can make a dramatic change in one’s attitude toward the community. Rather than thinking in terms of what brethren are doing for us, we start looking for ways to be of use to others. Furthermore, such a resolution will cause us to inventory our abilities to see what can be applied in the community. Musical skill is an obvious one, knowledge of sound systems, graphic design, typing, teaching, cooking, sewing, being a loving listener, handyman skills and other abilities can be applied as we make ourselves useful ecclesial members.

To Attend the Bible Class

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…and so much the more as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:24,25).

We rightly apply this exhortation to the memorial service. But should it be applied only to that meeting? Especially in light of the words “so much the more as ye see the day approaching?” It is understood that sometimes one cannot make a midweek class because of family, school and work obligations. But it should not be viewed as a wholly optional event.

Some will say they don’t get anything out of the class. That probably means they haven’t put anything into it; they haven’t prepared in advance or haven’t listened carefully or asked questions. And perhaps we can claim we give far more than we receive in terms of Bible knowledge. That may be true for awhile, but, because of the ebb and flow of life, there will, no doubt, come a time when we badly need the spiritual nourishment the class supplies. Furthermore, there is more than gaining Bible knowledge associated with attending the Bible class. It is a social event as well; a time for the ecclesial family to be together, an oasis from the daily association with the world. One brother describes the Bible class as the ecclesial thermometer. A poorly attended, unenthusiastic class speaks of a sick ecclesia, while good attendance, lively discussion and warm conversation indicates spiritual health.

Perhaps our own Bible class needs some revitalization in format or study content. In our own experience, such changes can usually be worked out if one is personally enthusiastic and regular in attendance.