“Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.” (1 John 2.10, ESV)¹

_______________________________

¹In the immediate context, John wrote, “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes” (1 John 2.9-11, ESV)

How is there no cause for stumbling? If we love our brethren we will not stumble over bitterness, malice, haughtiness, hate, revenge, jealousy, envy, strife, anger, grudges, etc. Instead, we will love, seek peace, seek the best for others, strive not to provoke one another, show patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness to each other, etc.

Are you tired of living in a world full of hated and anger? Let the Franklin Drive church demonstrate to you exactly what love and peace is. Visit with us and contact Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905 if you’re interested in learning more about God’s will for your life.

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.” (John 11.28-29, ESV)¹

____________________________________

¹Speaking of His sheep (disciples), Jesus gives all a beautiful promise – “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish” and “no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand”. Too often people claim that this means that His disciples cannot be lost.

The first problem is that this belief is built on a system of beliefs that state that the child of God cannot be lost (often referred to as once saved always saved), and the second problem is that this belief requires those who accept it to overlook the context of the verse in question and deny clear passages that teach a Christian can lose his salvation (see Gal. 5.4; James 5.19-20; Heb. 3.13; 2 Peter 2.20-22, etc.). Additioanlly, one has to overlook the fact that salvation and remaining saved is conditional. 

For example, prior to giving this promise, Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 11.28, ESV). This implies that His disciples choose to “hear” and “follow”. To hear Jesus is to listen to all that He teaches and to follow Jesus is to obey all that He commands. Many people listen and yet do not follow (refuse to obey). The promise of eternal life does not apply to them. Many people claim to follow and yet do not listen (claim to have a relationship with Christ and yet live immoral lives). For example, Jesus said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6.46, ESV). The promise of eternal life does not apply to them.

Therefore, for all who listen and follow, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.”

If you’re interested in learning more about God’s will, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4.2, ESV)¹

_____________________________________

¹There are many things we are to be watchful for. For example, we are to be on alert concerning the devil and his ways (1 Peter 5.8), the coming of the Lord (1 Thess. 5.6), and in our preaching and teaching (2 Tim. 4.5 "watchful" NKJV). The apostles warned that this world, anxiety, sin, etc. would be a distraction to our focus on heavenly things. Therefore, it is vital that we keep our hearts pure, our minds filled with Christ and His word, and eyes fixed on the hope of heaven.

Besides the things mentioned above, God wants us to be watchful in prayer coupled with thanksgiving. It is obvious that prayer is an important role in our daily lives as Christians. It is one way to show our trust in God and to keep ourselves anxiety-free and spiritually focused. However, this raises the question: "If our prayer is not coupled with thanksgiving to God for all that He has done, can we really stay focused and alert as we should?"

Paul taught that once man began to suppress the truth, that man did not see fit to honor God and thank Him (Rom. 1.18-23). While this passage speaks about those who have sinned and ultimately rejected God, it shows the progression of those who enjoy God's blessings and yet do not see fit to continually thank Him for them. Remember when Jesus healed ten lepers and only one returned to thank Him (Luke 17.11-19)? Ingratitude is an indicator of an ungodly attitude! Let us make sure that we are the one that returns to praise God and we do so as we are diligent and watchful in prayer!

If you're interested in learning more about being sober-minded, spiritually alert, and thankful in prayer to God, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matt. 10.37, ESV)¹

______________________________

¹Jesus demands preeminence in the lives of His disciples. Sometimes this can be very hard when it comes to our immediate family. In fact, there are many examples of where people have faced opposition from mother, father, son, daughter, etc. because they want to serve Jesus.

Occasionally this writer will study with someone who needs to obey the gospel and yet they choose not to because such would cause issues between them and their family. Who do they love more? Perhaps our extended family is planning a special trip or a family day that would require us to miss worship. We have a decision to make. Who do we love more? At times our families may invite us to visit sinful settings with them. We have a decision to make. Who do we love more? Sometimes our family may ask us to go see an inappropriate movie with them. We have a decision to make. Who do we love more?

While we have responsibilities to our families, followers of Jesus have responsibilities first and foremost to Him. The temptation to satisfy mom or dad can be very appealing; especially when our relationship becomes uncomfortable with them because we expose and oppose their sin. Unfortunately, some family members threaten loss of relationship or even inheritance. These things are sad, but such are the consequences of one who decides to be faithful to Christ (see 2 Tim. 3.12).

No wonder Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt. 10.34-39).

Are you interested in learning more about being a disciple of Christ? Let us help you! E-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

“For, as it is written, ‘The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.’” (Romans 2.24, ESV).

_______________________________

To blaspheme the name of God is “to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, … to be evil spoken of, reviled, railed at” ("G987 - blasphēmeō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (KJV)." Blue Letter Bible. Web. 17 Mar, 2017. <https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G987&t=KJV>.)

It is no secret that some professed Christians continue to live like the rest of the world. When Christians live in sin, they bring shame upon God’s name. Peter instructs us to be holy as our Father is holy (1 Peter 1.15-16). Anything less than that and His name is blasphemed among unbelievers - because of us. How can we possibly bring anyone to Christ if they can clearly see our hypocrisy?

If you’re interested in learning more about serving God and keeping your conduct pure among outsiders (1 Peter 2.11-12), please e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.