Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

Words We Need to Know To understand the Bible – and we can, of course – demands that we know the meaning of the words of the Bible. It is not unusual for men and women to read the Bible but not understand because a certain word is not common in our vocabulary on a day-to-day basis. This article is merely a study of words that must be understood if we are to know God’s will for us. For example, note these: “Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 Some of these words, while familiar to some, may be puzzling to others. This word study can help us to better comprehend God’s will for us today. REPENT This is a word defined by Webster as “ regret; to grieve for sin or crime; contrition.” While those words are part of it, it leaves the definition incomplete. That English word, repent, means much more than grief or contrition. When the Bible tells us about repentance we find that “godly sorrow”, grief and contrition are the emotions that lead us to repent. W. E. Vine, respected scholar of the original Greek language, says that to repent means: “..to change one’s mind or purpose, always, in the New Testament, involving a change for the better.” Modern man defines repentance as “I’m sorry,” but that’s only the beginning. Note what the Holy Spirit says in 2 Corinthians 7:10: “Godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation not to be regretted: but the sorrow of the world produces death.” We learn that to repent means more than being sorry for sin. We learn that being sorry can produce or cause repentance, but that there is more to “repent” than merely saying “I’m sorry.” When men came to John to be baptized, he told them they must bring proof, evidence “worthy of” repentance, Matthew 3:8. The lazy must get to work. The bank robber must stop robbing banks. The liar must tell the truth. The rapist and the adulterer must stop their sinful acts. Those in sinful relationships must abandon those relationships, whether they are marriage, hobby or profession. The stingy must give. Consider this as a simple but useful definition of repentance: “A change of mind, motivated by genuine sorrow, that leads to a change of life or direction.” FAITH Skeptics and agnostics enjoy playing games with this word, claiming that “Faith is believing something that no one in their right mind would ever believe.” It is a surprise to no one that atheism is the author of this “definition.” Superstition and gullibility are synonyms according to the doubters. Christians know that an idea needs more than mere acceptance to be true. We, of all people, must be rational thinkers. We must first examine all the evidence before reaching a conclusion that is valid. The common definition of superstition is “an unreasoning belief” of some phenomenon. Christians, however, are told not to be “unreasoning,” but “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,” 1 Peter 3:15. Faith is not a “leap in the dark” but a response to the facts. Having done so, one is capable of making a decision that is rational. That’s not superstition! It is true, biblical faith, Romans 10:17. SIN This word is clearly a Bible word, found over 400 times therein. But what is sin? 1 John 3:4 states: “Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law,” 1 John 3:4. Sin is violating, refusing to live in harmony with God’s law. It can be defined as “..doing what God forbids and/or refusing to do what God demands.” When we realize what sin is we recognize the fact that we are responsible to the law of Christ as revealed in the New Testament. In defining sin as transgression of law we must also conclude that a law of God exists. Romans 4:15 says: “…where there is no law, there is no transgression.” Each time we read the word “sin” in the Bible we are reminded that we are “under law to Christ,” as the Holy Spirit revealed in 1 Corinthians 9:21. BAPTISM To be a part of God’s Kingdom one must do what God says. Baptism is just one step leading to “remission of sins” as quoted earlier in Acts 2:38. Peter made it clear that sin existed in that Pentecost crowd, and when they asked how to be freed from their sins, he responded accordingly. Why baptism? Why be immersed in water to be forgiven of sin? The blood of Christ, the redemption price paid for us, flowed in His death. We contact that blood when we die to sin, are buried with Him in baptism and are raised to walk in “newness of life,” Romans 6:3-6. In so doing we are “calling on the name of the Lord,” and we obey the gospel, Acts 22:16 and 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. What wonderful gifts God gives those who obey Him, Hebrews 5:8-9! Carl B. Garner

“Now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:16

Can I Change? Have you ever been troubled by a sin or bad habit that keeps plaguing you? And maybe this problem has been dogging your spiritual footsteps, turning up now and again to harass and humiliate you. From anger to arrogance, from weakness to wallowing in self-pity; whatever the problem, you still have it and can’t seem to change it. Take heart. Remember that God is our strength, and He has made it possible for you to overcome the world through faith in Christ (I John 5:1-5; Philippians 4:13). Here are some practical suggestions to help you address any such recurring sin: Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God,” Hebrews 12:1-2. Call on God to help you. Read the Psalms, chapters 3-20. Commit yourself to ending your habitual sin. “Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold,” Luke 19:8. “I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their house,” Luke 16:4. Cancel programs, friends, objects, pastimes and things that lure you, tempt you and trigger your problem. Avoid them. “But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness,” 2 Timothy 2:16. “…having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 2 Timothy 3:5. Confide in a supportive brother or sister in Christ. “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much,” James 5:16. Concentrate on spiritual things. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God,” Colossians 3:1-3. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord,” Colossians 3:16. Care for others who may be caught in sin. Use kindness to extricate them and you will help comfort yourself. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ,” Galatians 6:1, 2. You can change. We can change. We must continue to change in order to become more Christ like. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord,” 2 Corinthians 3:18. Rick Laing