Category Archives: comittment

Honor to Whom Honor

One of the things I am most thankful for in life is the influence of good people with whom I have come into contact over the years. We all understand, in one respect, no man is an island unto himself. We are influenced by the people we meet and the things we experience. At the risk of being too personal and missing some who should be named, I want to use this column over the next couple of weeks to make mention of the people that have influenced me over the years.

Before anyone else, of course, I must mention my family. My Mom and Dad have had the greatest impact on my life in shaping who I have become. It seems too obvious to say that I would not be who I am without them, but it is true. Though they did not obey the gospel until later in life, they were and are decent, moral people. They taught me the values that are found in the Bible because they were brought up that way by their parents, even though they themselves were not New Testament Christians then, in my formative years. My brother and sisters are also decent, moral people because of the influence of my parents. I know the statement is true “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6) because the Bible teaches it, but I have also seen it I action.

My siblings were and are also a great source of strength and comfort to me. I have been very blessed, indeed. Our family is close, very close. It saddens me to see families that are not close and homes that are broken. I will never understand these families going on television and airing their sometimes sick and demented feuds and problems before the world. That they are willing to do this betrays an underlying problem in their view of the family and life in general. Not only is it painful to see, but it is detrimental to our culture and society. The lack of recognition and respect for God’s design for the family is a disease eating away at our national health. The family is the second most basic unit of society and when it is undermined the nation will also fall. With the state of the family in our time as it is, it is no wonder that we are seeing an America in decline (Ps. 33:12; Prov. 14:34).

Another good influence on me has been the brethren in the congregation in which I grew up. Charles Hagerman had a profound influence on the direction I took doctrinally. He took me aside and took the time to introduce me to faithful and sound brethren and to explain doctrinal issues to me. He always gave me his periodicals, or books, when he was finished reading them. Vernon Johnson also influenced me greatly. Though he had a meeker approach than Charlie, his guidance was invaluable to me. I remember with great fondness and miss sorely the times when we three would meet at the building early, before anyone else had arrived, to discuss various issues of the day. Lindell Wells was an example to me in dealing with adversity. He had many problems not of his own creation but faced them with Christ-like dignity. When I first obeyed the gospel, Cliff Renner’s classes helped me to grow and brother Lynn’s perspective on life still means a lot to me. Of course, I can’t forget sitting at the feet of brother Larry Albritton, as he preached the gospel. His love of the word and his tireless Christian example are humbling.

These were the men, but there were also many ladies of the congregation who also had a profound impact on me. Sister Pearl Brinker’s knowledge of the Bible would put to shame the knowledge of many preachers that I know. She was an avid student of the God’s word and was always willing to teach the ladies’ class. Sister Hagerman was always willing to attend the nursery, not just to keep the children occupied playing games, but to teach them God’s word. I remember with great fondness visiting the three sisters, Carmen Greer, and Rosa and Annie Ruth Devault. Sister Greer would spend hours telling me of how the Lord’s church used to be and would reminisce of those days long since gone. She also loved to write Christian poetry. Sister Rosa DeVault devoted her life to taking care of her invalid sister. She was a very gentle woman and I loved to hear her sing. We would talk a long time about the Lord’s church and about the state of society. I am saddened that we can no longer talk but I hope one day to resume our discussions again. Edith Wells’ quiet, Christian example and her encouragement are always welcomed and appreciated. And I, of course, admire sister Albritton for her strength of character, love of the truth and children and support of her husband and family. Mike and Cindy have also been an encouragement to me as well as good friends.

There are many others I could mention. Tim and Tod Gilley, Brother Dalp, brother Fowler to name but a few more. These all have had the profoundest impact on me throughout the years. I hope in some small way, at least, that I can be a blessing to others in my example as others have been for me.

This post is personal, I realize, and may not mean much to anyone else. I apologize for this. But I want to honor those who have blessed me with their lives. Next week I want to mention those preachers who have had an influence on me.

Eric L. Padgett

Good Change, Bad Change

Change! Everything nowadays seems to change. I guess this has always been true. The leaves change, seasons change, fashion changes, individual people change, looks change, technology changes, tastes change, moods change, landscapes change, cities change. Even slick politicians promise us “Change!” The list could go on. But change for change’s sake is not a good thing in most instances. All change is not good. There are some things that should not change and that don’t change.

For instance, God does not change. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 90:2). Yes, people may change over time, because they are less than perfect. But God, being perfect, cannot change, lest He be less than perfect. Nor does Jesus Christ change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). It is good that God does not change because this provides stability for us in our lives and world.

God’s word does not change. Heaven and earth will pass away before God’s word ever changes (Matt. 2:35) and even then there is not a chance of it changing because it, too, is perfect. “The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever” (Psalm 12:6,7). The law of the Lord is perfect and therefore does not change (Psalm 19:7). Truth does not change.

Morality and right and wrong do not change. Some people think that what was moral in the first century is no longer moral, that there is no objective, moral standard of right and wrong. But since God provides the standard through His word of what is right and wrong, and since neither God nor His word changes, then moralty and right and wrong do not change. What was morally wrong two thousand years ago, even six thousand years ago, is still wrong today and will always be wrong. The Psalmist declared, “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth” (Psalm 119:142; cf. Psalm 119:60).

Furthermore, the Lord’s church does not change. The same church that was established by the Lord on the first Pentecost after the Lord’s resurrection (Acts 2; Matt. 16:16-19) is the very same church which will be translated into heaven without spot or blemish (Eph. 5:27). There are many who try to change her, who try to lower her standards, who try to make something of her she was never intended to be, but the Lord’s church remains the same because the gates of hell cannot prevail against her (Matt. 16:19).

All these things do not change. Some men want to change them, some men try to change them, but God’s will resists those feeble attempts. Those who try to change them, however, who try to add to or take away from them, will meet with unwelcomed and unbearable reprisal (Rev. 22:18,19).

What does need to change is the heart of man. The heart of every man needs to be set free from an evil conscience (Heb. 10:22). Men want life their own way on their own terms, but the way of man is not in himself (Jer. 10:23). It is man that left God and, thus, needs to be reconciled unto Him, not the other way around (II Cor. 5:19ff). This is good change, when men turn back to God. We need more of this kind of change.

Eric L. Padgett

Are you such a man as the Lord can use?

Athletes who compete in important contests like the Olympics train many years to qualify themselves just for a chance to be victorious. Doctors spend many hours in school and training so that they can be as prepared for their work as possible. Some men love their country so much that they are willing to lay down their lives in its service. The founding fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to forge a nation founded on liberty. These people and many others like them, at least the ones that are successful, share certain common traits: passion, dedication, commitment, and zeal, to name a few things. They are worthy of notice and praise.

Yet, while we consider their accomplishments and victories impressive and worthy of praise, when held up against the importance of the gospel they all ring so very hollow. The doctor may save a precious human life, but the gospel saves a incomparably valuable soul. A soldier may defeat a temporal foe and bring about temporary peace, but the gospel brings about eternal peace with God and the defeat of both the enemy of man and God. The Olympian may win a gold medal but the gospel’s victory heralds in an incorruptible crown that fades not away. The difference between the two is so vast as not to be subject to description.

As Christians, we have so much for which to strive, so much is at stake, and yet so often we offer so little, we sacrifice so very little for it. When I consider the Herculean efforts of men like Noah, who spent decade upon decade of his life laboring to build the ark, to fulfill God’s will in the face of blistering ridicule; when I think of men like Abram, who left his homeland to go to a land he had never before seen and was willing to offer up to God the most precious things of his life; when I think of the prophets who, through the sorest of persecutions, often leading to their tragic death, nevertheless spoke with boldness the word of God; when I think of the apostles, especially the great apostle Paul, who gave up all that he had accomplished in life to bring the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world only to be persecuted, imprisoned and martyred; when I think of these great men I am impressed deeply with their strong conviction and unwavering faith and am caused to blush in shame that my own meager efforts are so trifling small, so ineffectual, so weak.

God wants men to serve Him who have strong convictions, men who will not bend with every false wind of doctrine that blows across the land, men who will not fold under the slightest pressure of opposition, men who stand in the gap, men who stand on the Lords’ side no matter what may be the consequence. While other men fold and fall behind because of trials, whether small or great, God wants men who stand firm, resolved and unmoved. God wants men of courage and conviction.

Do you believe the Lord’s promises? Do you trust Him? Are you willing to sacrifice all, to leave nothing behind? If you know a thing is right, if you know it is God’s will, then stand up and be counted. Grow in the knowledge of His will then stand up and speak out! Do not waiver. You have no assurance that you will not be ridiculed. You have no assurance that you will not suffer at the hands of men less convicted. You have no assurance that you will not suffer loss. You have no assurance that it will be at all easy. Indeed, you can rest assured that when you stand unmoved for the Lord you will face opposition of the most serious kind. You will be tested. Count on it.

But the Cause is unquestionably worth it. The stakes could be no higher. The need for men whose character is tempered enough to do the job is clear.

Are you such a man as the Lord can use?