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Just a Finger of Influence
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
We all heard the old saying, “do as I say and not like I do,” but the apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians is saying follow what I do, as I follow what Christ did. Paul’s desire for these Christians was not for them to follow his philosophical ideology, but rather follow Christ. Paul not only preached Christ, but he led such a life so as the people around him would imitate Christ. Christ was Paul’s example and model in all things. Paul denied himself, just as Christ denied Himself. Paul showed no prejudice between Jew and Gentile, just as Christ showed no prejudice between Jew and Gentile. If Paul could influence these Christians to follow him as he followed Christ then Paul was actually influencing them to follow Christ.
Believers are not only to be a witness to the world, but also an encouragement within the Church so that other believers would follow Christ through their example. For someone to have influence it must first come by example. Is it not true that actions speak louder than words?
There was a man who worked in a steel mill who was a rough gambler. One day as hot molten iron was being poured from a furnace, he gathered a group of men and bet each one of them ten dollars that he could take his finger and whip it rapidly through the inch-thick stream of fiery glowing iron. They all covered his bet. He stooped down and took up a handful of the powdery dust from the floor and used it to dry all the oil from his finger. Coating his finger with this dry dust, he thrust it at the liquid iron and caused sparks to fly in many directions with no harm. Another workman watched from a distance, and he went to another place in the mill where a similar stream of iron was flowing. He also bet a group of men that he could whip his finger through the molten metal without harm. As he whipped his finger through the stream of hot liquid metal, he did not know the secret of removing the body oil from his finger with dust. They took this man to the first-aid station where a surgeon removed his entire finger. The first man’s influence caused the loss of his co-workers finger.
As Christians within the body of Christ, we can either be an influence for good or for ill. Oh how important it is for Christians to imitate Christ! When we do, we have in mind the welfare of our fellow believers to influence them unto “love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). So when we follow Christ, we are influencing others to be like Christ. There is no better example! – (Published in the Marshal County Tribune)
David C. Hale, pastor
New Life Community Church
Lewisburg, TN 37091
What makes Jesus different from any other religious leader?
Have you ever heard this religious statement? “It really doesn’t matter what you believe just as long as you are sincere in what you believe”. Somehow the majority of people believe that all the religions of the world are all kissing cousins and we all just need to get along and be tolerant. Of coarse, “we’re all just trying to get to the same place.” Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Mormonism, and the Watch Tower Society are sincere and committed religions. But when their own teachings are compared with the Holy Bible, it becomes evident they are victims of deception when it comes to God, salvation, and the person of Jesus Christ. One may say, why use the Bible to examine these other religions? Good question, but these other religions are the ones who incorporate or pull out Biblical principles and apply it to their religion. Therefore lest us use the Bible properly, as the objective standard, and honestly answer our question beyond the religious façade of these major religions and be consistent with the scriptures.
First, understand that the Holy Bible clearly teaches that Jesus IS NOT just a religious leader, but rather He is God our Savior who came in the flesh to be the sacrifice for mans sin. For example read the witness of Jesus being God.
John 10:32-33
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
John 20:26-29
26 …then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Jude 25
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Understand that the Christian faith holds to the historical and Biblical fact that the literal body of Jesus was crucified, rose from the dead, and that He is now alive (Revelation 1:18; Acts 1:1-3). All other “religious leaders” are dead and in their grave, but their teachings are not! These religious teachings deny either the person of Jesus Christ or the work of Jesus Christ. For example read how the Jews deny the literal resurrection of the body of Jesus.
“…behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.” Matt 28:11-15
Even though the Jews, the enemies of Jesus, denied His resurrection, they accept His crucifixion as a historical fact. Yet, Islam cannot have Jesus to be crucified or resurrected. The reason is because that implies divinity, trinity, substitution, sacrifice for sin, victory over sin, and therefore that results into worship for Jesus alone as the Messiah (or Christ). Read for example what the Muslims teach about this historical event in the Koran.
“And because of their disbelief and of their speaking against Mary a great slander; (156) And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah’s messenger – they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain. (157)” Sura 4:156,157 (Koran)
These religions also deny that Jesus is the ETERNAL “Son of God.” Instead, they believe that Jesus was either a messenger or that He was a created being and then called to be a Son of God, and not “the Word” of God that “was made flesh” John 1:14. For example, compare the Koran and the Book of Mormon.
“O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not “Three” – Cease! (it is) better for you! – Allah is only One God. Far is it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender. (171)” Sura 4:171 (Koran)
“And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son.” Mosiah 15:2 (Book of Mormon)
The Mormon passage is very subtle, but deceptive. Jesus is not called the Son of God because He dwelt in the flesh, He was already the Son of God made flesh, which teaches is eternality. Read the claims of the Holy Bible.
Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…”
John 1:1,2,14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
1 Timothy 3:16
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Titus 2:13
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Most of these religions recognize and “honor” Jesus simply as a prophet and/or a messenger, but if Jesus were a prophet, he would be “faithful” and not “lie” (Proverbs 14:5). If Jesus were a messenger he would be a “true witness” who “delivers souls” (Proverbs 14:25). Who did Jesus say that He was? “I and my Father are ONE.” (John 10:30).
In short, all other “religious leaders” will show you a way, teach some truth, and point you to life, but Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God, is the only ONE who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6). Other religious leaders instruct you about eternal life, but Jesus Christ is the only ONE who said, “I am the resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25). In fact, all the religions of the world believe that salvation from sin (or suffering) can be obtained and maintained only by the good works we do. The Christian faith is the only “religion” that believes salvation is not in what we do or don’t do, but rather what God through His Son Jesus Christ has done for us. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Who is Jesus Christ? John wrote: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). Be reasonable! Come to the Lord Jesus Christ and you will find “rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28,29).
REASONS 4 BELIEVING 