In the broad scope of the choices of life we find many details that are optional. You might, or you might not, according to your particular inclination to the option awaiting your choice.

Yet within each optional issue are various details that are not optional. If you do not choose to wash your greasy hands before you eat, you must swallow the dirt that smudges the sandwich that touched your hands. That must is not optional.

Likewise we can relate to the "must" of the many options God offers to us. He has, because of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, promised to forgive anyone of the guilt of any sin. Yes, God has promised, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." That is a wonderful option indeed.

Yet, within this and many other options God had offered there are some "musts". When the apostle Peter was speaking about forgiveness he said of Jesus Christ, "There is none other name under heaven whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). To benefit from God's offer of salvation there are no other
options.

Yet many assume that if a person is sincere in their belief, God will accept that as good enough. The many options presented by the religions of the world are all assumed to be able to bring their devotees home to God's presence. But these thoughts reveal a serious confusion about God's "musts" within our options.

Seek to discover the reality of our musts within our spiritual options. The Bible has them all there; at our option -- but as a must.

-- Tom Bender,
Kippen, ON

cmcopublications.org

October 2009 Edition

Click above email link to request to be placed on the mailing list for the paper copy of The Messenger. Subscriptions are free. There is no obligation.

A while ago, while installing some equipment at a place of business, some rather heavy lifting was required. One of the employees who the business assigned to help with that part, voiced some expletives during the process, but then quickly apologised with an "excuse my French."

Most of us have been taught since childhood, that there are good words, and there are bad words. And in general, society has given recognition to this principle. Swearing is not considered to be in good taste, and most people recognize that there are certain words which are understood to be "foul" and unbecoming to use.

However, according to a recent wire services news report, it appears that some researchers at England's Keele University have "discovered" that "volunteers withstood pain longer when they resorted to distasteful invective." And the implication is that giving vent to foul-mouthed profanity is "good for you."

Well, pardon me, but I question a premise which attempts to justify conduct that in general is understood to be morally defining and socially reprehensible.

Beside the social implications and expectations, we also turn to the Scriptures, and find that there is indeed a deeper issue at stake in regard to our speech. What comes out of the mouth, God's Word tells us, is indicative of what is in the heart.

"The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things" (Proverbs 15:28). Even though that was written many years ago, it still sounds much like what is the experience of men today.

Wise people cleanse their hearts by God's grace -- and they also pay attention to their words. They think before they speak, and they recognize that their words have potential for blessing to their hearers -- or definitely otherwise -- if what is spoken is vengeful invective coming from a wicked heart.

Never think that our words are neutral.

In fact, our words will follow us beyond the grave.
Jesus said, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" Matthew 12:35-37).

As human beings we are created Imago Dei -- in the image of God. And to me, the fact that people still apologize for using profanity is an indication of this very truth. God has placed a certain understanding of right and wrong within us, and the inner conscience bears witness.

To speak and to communicate is one of the greatest gifts we can enjoy. The challenge is to use this gift well.

Mervin Brubacher,
Barwick, ON

The Impact of Our Words