Musick-al Notes

 Musick-al note # 203  

            We are told in 1 Corinthians 15:40-54 that there will be a resurrection of the dead, however the new life will not be flesh and blood but a heavenly body.  What we are now is like seed and the new growth of each plant is different from each seed.  God has designed each plant that comes from the sowing of seed, so God has designed each new plant from each person after that person dies on earth.  What will we look like?  The apostle John said, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:2).  One can only surmise about what each person will look like, however it will not matter because Christians shall be like Jesus for we shall see Him as He is.  In eternity, Christians will have a spiritual body as God has planned.  God did not say what it would look like but God is a spirit, Christ is a spirit, Christians will be spirits.

            The question is often asked, “Will we know one another?”  I can only answer that it appears that we will because Moses was told by the Lord God that He was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. These separate individuals were living and known by the Lord.

On the mount of transfiguration, Jesus spoke to Moses and Elijah about his coming death (Matthew 17:4, Luke 9:31), known by Jesus as they appeared.  They were not flesh and blood but still in bodies (spirits?) distinct and known.  Jesus said that the redeemed will sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in heaven (Matthew 8:11). The redeemed will know them and be known by them.  It only follows that the redeemed will know each other as well.

            Many questions can be asked in regard to the above about which I cannot answer. Such as, “will I miss my friends, my family or those I know if they are not there?”  “How can I be happy if my mother, father, child or mate is not there?”  To such questions, I have no information about such, however I can relate that John said, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain for they will pass away.” (Revelation 21:4).  We must believe and follow Jesus to be with Him in eternity.  The time will come and the redeemed will be separated from the unbelieving, the rebellious, the disobedient and the lost.

                Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 202         

          How often we deceive ourselves into thinking that our conduct is pleasing to God because we are able to exonerate ourselves as we observe others in the faith.  This comparing self with ourselves is not wise.  We must “look into the perfect law of liberty” as a mirror to know self as we are.  A close introspection is needed by us all at times, that we know ourselves as God knows us.  God is not mocked, we cannot deceive Him, let us not deceive ourselves either.

          One may be approved by his fellow man as to his life, his words, his travels, his recreation or any other phase of his life, but this is not the most important thing for man.  Approval of God is the most important thing for man to achieve for we will all meet God in righteous judgment.  Nothing will be hidden from Him for “all things are naked and opened into the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” Hebrews 4:13.  We then cannot give an excuse to man concerning our spiritual obligations and be right with God for He truly knows.  God has revealed His will to mankind through His Son, Jesus and we are without excuse for our failure to obey Him.  If we cover our disobedience, laxity, lethargy and indifference toward the Lord’s work by a multitude of activity in other matters, we may find ourselves pleasing to man yet be very displeasing to the Lord.

          What you do with your time is really none of my business, but what you do with your time will determine your true relationship to the Lord God.  Be sure to remember that whatever you do, or wherever you go, the Lord knows everything about you.  Be fair to yourself by being righteous in life, you will be prepared to meet God. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

                   Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 201

         Paul in the Book of Romans gives us some insight into the matter of obedience to God.  Note that in 1:16, “the Gospel of Christ is the power of God to save”.  In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul declared that the ‘gospel’ is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus according to the Scriptures. To ‘obey the Gospel’ is believe and reenact Jesus death, burial and resurrection – one must die to sin, be immersed and raised to life again.  Romans 6:17-18 states ‘that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you are committed and having  been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness’. Obedience to the Gospel of Christ is the line of demarcation that separates a person from sinful living to a free life in Christ.  Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”  God expects those who obey Christ Jesus to live a “new” life. He has been changed from a servant of Satan to become a servant of Christ and a Child of God (Galatians 3:26-27).  The change includes everything and every relationship that a man has ever known.  All things become new.  All relationships are new.  No longer seeking to satisfy self, a Christians seeks to please Christ.  A Christian does not use people for selfish pleasure but seeks to draw them to Christ, the Lord.  Every aspect of one’s life must now center in the One who saved him/her from sin.  Before obedience, all one could expect in eternity was the fires of hell, but now, after obedience to Christ, one can anticipate and expect to receive the fellowship of God, the Son, and all the saints of all ages as well as to enjoy the blessings and beauty of heaven.  A person who really obeys Christ is really changed!

           Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 200      

         In our day of decreasing money values, much time is expended to investigate the true value or real worth of an item before it is purchased.  Then a great deal of effort and time is spent in giving proper maintenance and maximum utilization of the product to obtain the optimum service from it.  This is true whether we speak of clothing, household items, automobiles, buildings, land or a hundred other things.  We want our money’s worth!

         Strange then, isn’t it, that when we speak of life’s most important aspect (religion), man seemingly doesn’t care whether he gets his money’s worth or not.  We spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for a building and then will not use it half the time or only when we feel just right.  Sometimes these facilities are provided by our ancestors and we are not concerned enough to attend and even fail to give proper maintenance and upkeep.  We don’t get our money’s worth from it.

         We make sure a preacher is hired.  At today’s prices, this no small expense.  The church usually expects him to preach both morning and evening as well as teach classes.  Yet when you attend only half the time or less, you just aren’t getting your money’s worth.  It’s like buying a car, providing the necessary fuel to go to town and then letting someone else use the car while you walk. You obviously aren’t getting your money’s worth.

         We provide opportunities to study together from God’s word, often buy materials and expend the energies of dozens of teachers but you do not take advantage of all this.  Your contributions help buy the building, pay the preacher, provide necessary materials, provide a multitude of opportunities to benefit yourself, your family and your friends and yet if you do not capitalize on these things, you aren’t getting your money’s worth.

         Do you think that God ever thinks along these lines?  After centuries of teaching, leading and forgiving men’s sin, only to have mankind turn to idols and worthless pursuits as the Old Testament proclaims.  God has sent His Son, Jesus into the world to give direction and save man.  Jesus gave his own life on the Cross of Calvary to ransom all men from the penalty of sin (1 Timothy 2:6).  That penalty was death (Ezekiel 18:4). Was it worth it to God? The answer is YES if you are obedient to the gospel of Christ and are faithful until death.

            Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 199                

         Many issues are facing the church today.  Years ago, those who taught doctrines contrary to the truth would leave the body of Christ, taking with them such supporters as would listen and build groups after their persuasion.  Today, however, such teachers are willing to hide their true identity while staying within the framework of the church in order to persuade more and more to follow their leading.  It is an awesome task to distinguish the true from the false because of the smoothness with which these teachers work and the naïve-ness of the brethren.  We tend to think the best of people.  We give the benefit of the doubt whenever possible.  One might say it is an excellent field in which to promote error.

         The question is: “How can I distinguish or how can I be sure that what is taught is truth?  Every Christian should listen with awareness whether those things are actually in the Scriptures or not. The Bereans searched the Scriptures in checking Paul’s preaching (Acts 17:11).  John exhorted us to “try the spirits, whether they are of god, for many false prophets are among the people” (1 John 4:1).  Peter also admonished the teachers to be true, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11).  But, someone says, they do quote scripture and how shall I know they are handling them as they should?  One thing that is of help to men in this matter is to question if whether the doctrine is reasonable or not. God is a reasonable God and has given man a reasonable book to guide us (John 20:31-32), so any resulting doctrines will also be reasonable and expects man to follow truth (John 8:32, John 17:2-3).  If a teaching takes too much explaining, too much construction, too much interpretation, too much exposition and too much rationalization – beware!  Our God is able to reveal His will to man in simple, reasonable statements which need no interpretation, just believe and obey them to the saving of your soul.  It is unreasonable to think that God would reveal His Word, intending to deceive those to whom He loves and wishes to save.  The apostles were told by Jesus himself that they would know all truth and would be able to teach it to His followers (John 16:13-15). Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and the only way to get to heaven (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). We should follow him openly and faithfully, believing the Word and obeying Him.

               Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 198             

            I am not sure what is expected in response to this question.  I will try to give a scriptural answer to the best of my ability.  Simply, the Christian life is a life which a follower of Jesus Christ tries to live in this world.  It is a life dedicated to Him who saves from sin.  It is a sanctified life, set apart from sin that one might serve God.  Christians are called saints in the Bible.  The term Christ means ‘The Anointed One’ as the anointed by the Lord God set apart to bring salvation to all men (Titus 2:11-14).  Following Christ then is being ‘anointed’ with salvation and thus we are ‘anointed ones’ or Christ-ones – Christians.

            The word “saint” in the Bible is from the Greek word “hagios” which means “one set apart”.  It refers to EVERY Christian, for every Christian has been called and set apart for the work and service of God.  He is “sanctified”. (See 1 Corinthians 1:2). The Roman Catholic idea of someone being a “saint” who has been especially called and named by their leaders, and one who has died and gone on somewhere is not found in the Bible.  The practice of having ANY dead person pray for you is not in the Bible.  Of course all saints in the Bible sense should pray for each other (James 5:2), but that means that if I am a Christian, I am a saint, and I should pray for you.  And if you are a Christian, you are a saint, and should pray for me.

            SANCTIFICATION has a basic meaning of “separation” and, in the Bible relates to that which is separated from ordinary things to be used for a sacred purpose.  It is used of times, places, things and people. The idea of some denominational groups that sanctification means “total sinlessness” is not supported by the Bible.  When the Bible speaks of God as being “holy” (the root word is the same as “sanctified”), it refers to His being separated from all evil.  When man is sanctified, he is separated from the world and worldly things and his life is therefore dedicated to God.  Of course, if he is thus “positionally” sanctified, he should live apart from sin, but when Paul wrote to those “saints” in Corinth, who were “sanctified” or holy, in the sense that they had been separated from sin in their obedience to the gospel, he pointed out that they were not living sinless lives, and needed to repent.  The Christian life is the striving to live a sinless life in the world.  Since all sin (1 John 1:7-10), the Christian will repent and ask forgiveness for all sin that is committed.

            Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 197             

          Children in families do become unhappy and we overlook it to a degree for they often think only of themselves and are not satisfied when someone else gets attention or receives a blessing from parents of someone else.  We just call it a mark of immaturity and try to teach them to be more mature.  Sometimes adults become unhappy because they feel they are being used by others and not receiving the respect they should.  Whatever the particular case, unhappiness usually comes because of our egocentric attitude toward life and people.

          We find unhappiness within the Lord’s church and the cause is the same as above.  Christians, however, should not allow their lives to be ruled by egoism.  The very premise upon which one becomes a Christian demands self-denial (Matthew 16:24). One cannot follow Christ and his own selfish will at the same time.  To try to do so will result in being disturbed and unhappy.  We ought to mature in Christ so that we live and work for Him in His kingdom.  We ought to set aside the desires of our selfish will so that Christ will truly reign within and direct our lives in doing good works. If the preacher or elders do not act in ways we think they should, do we take offense and quit working and serving? Do we demand (selfishly) that certain changes come about and become unhappy when they fail to come?  Sometimes we won’t even voice our disapproval to those with whom we disagree, yet murmur and complain to others causing discord and dissatisfaction among the body of Christ. “It won’t do any good!” we cry, yet have never tried or if we have. it has been a long time ago. We are to be members one of another and our love is to abound toward one another above all things.  Will we carry a grudge to use as an excuse for inaction or will we act like mature Christians?  Are we are living in danger of eternal loss because of such selfishness?  What is to be gained by continuing a selfish course?  What loss will we sustain if we go to judgment separated from our brethren?

            Let our love be genuine and be like Christ.

                Gordon Musick

 Musick-al note # 196         

             If you really desire eternal life, the only book one needs to study is the Bible, especially the New Testament and urge you to study it carefully and follow it alone.  This means not only to learn about Jesus but to learn how to obey Him, how to worship Him and what name one must wear to be pleasing to Him.  We have need of no more than this.  The study booklets we sent were designed to help you understand the Word of God and nothing more. You need no more than God’s Word to please God.  Let us, therefore, understand some qualities or characteristics of the Bible which make it impossible to properly use other books as our standard or authority.  The Bible is complete and all sufficient (2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Pet. 1:3, Rev. 22:18-19) It does not make errors. Since it is God’s Word, and God does not lie (Heb. 6:18, John 10:35), it is clear that there are no errors in the original text of the Bible.  Itis inspired. This means it is “God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The men who wrote it were guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21, John 14:26). It is therefore authoritative. Men must not take from or add to the word (Deut.4:2, Rev.28:18-19, 2 John 9-11). Men must not pervert the word (Gal.1:6-9).

 This means that when we study it and understand it properly, it will tell man everything he needs to know about ultimate reality, how to gain peace of mind and meet the difficulties, temptations and stresses of life, how to improve the society in which we live by reforming the members of that society, and what is man’s normal spiritual condition (lost) and how to remedy that condition (be saved).  Then it is sufficient to show men how to live a faithful Christian life after he has been saved from his sin.  It shows all that God requires for man to live in love, purity, humility, sacrificially and in submission to God’s will.  Thus, the Bible makes clear that ONLY THE BIBLE is needed to show a man how to obey the gospel and become a CHRISTIAN. The Gospel–“the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) was preached in the first century.  If the “faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) and “all things that pertain to live and Godliness” (2 Peter 1:3) were sufficient then, they are sufficient now!  There is only one way to eternal salvation – in Christ (Acts 4:12, Hebrews 5:9).

     Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 195                       

         As little children we might not care about fairness.  One has a box of candy – another has none but the child with the candy doesn’t care whether the other has any or not.  One may have plenty of food and a warm home while the playmate does not.  He is really unconcerned about the other, yet play with him each day at school.

        This same childishness and unconcern is seen among Christians because they have never matured in Christ Jesus.  Having been Christians for years, such Christians are blind to another’s needs.  We may excuse one another concerning our deeds but such excuses will never alter the fact that we are really unconcerned about our fellowman.  Is it fair for us to have the glorious gospel of Christ and never share it with others?  We may excuse ourselves by saying that preaching belongs to preachers and I’m not a preacher, but does that excuse us from Matthew 28:18-20?  We have freely received of the Lord, shall we not freely give also (Matthew 10:8)?  Is it fair for us who have been blessed so bountifully by the Lord, to shut up our hearts of compassion from those not so fortunate?  Are we who are rich and drive good cars, only to buy other newer cars, more land and bigger barns (Luke 12:18-20)?  Isn’t part of the new life in Christ to open our eyes, see the unfortunate and help such in time of need?  Of course it is. Jesus was and is interested in fairness.  He has given much and expect our best in return.  Let us give of our lives, our time, our energy and our abilities that those in need can be blessed by our serving Christ Jesus.

                Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 194               

          Do we trust the God for our foundation to receive eternal life?  This nation and the world have many differing religions and differing church groups, each vying for the people around them.  There are many missionaries for these groups with differing tactics, teachings and beliefs, each declaring that they are true, correct and lead to heaven.  The question is, “How can so many differing teachings, contradicting each other and contradicting the Bible be true and all lead to heaven? Surely this is not what God intended is it?  Undoubtedly, He did not issue conflicting teachings since one truth cannot be opposed to another truth.       

           We ought to be able to open the Bible and see the church of our Lord as He gave it to the world.  We have the pattern He gave in the final authority in religion – the Bible.   It shows no confession of faith but Christ as Lord; no greater change of life than repentance of all sins; no entrance requirement but baptism into Christ; no standard of daily living but love; no name to follow but Christ; no discipline but His Word; no creed but His book, no restrictions but to follow His Word.  NOW, can you prove what you believe and practice by reading it in the Bible?  If not, it MUST be of men (Matthew 15:8-9, Colossians 2:20-22). 

            If our lives and worship is not of faith, our lives are empty and our worship Is vain (having no worth) (Matthew 15:9). Faith comes from hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17) and follows that Word (Hebrews 11:1-40) note verse 6.  We must walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), for by faith, we are God’s children (Galatians 3:26), and by faith Christ dwells in our hearts (Ephesians 3:17).  Examine yourself whether you are in the faith of Christ (2 Corinthians 13:5) for there is only ONE FAITH (Ephesians 4:5).  Obey the Gospel of Christ, which is God’s power to save your soul (Romans 1:16) and the Lord will add you to His body, the church (Acts 2:47, Galatians 3:26-27, Ephesians 1:22-23). Be faithful to do His will throughout life (Matthew 7:21-27, Revelation 2:10) and He will give you a crown of life (2 Timothy 4:8, James 1:12) and keep you from the wrath of God (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10).  At the end of time, at the judgment, he will deliver you to God for eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:24).

            Gordon Musick