Bulletin Articles: Full Article for Record Number 1014
Scheme Less And Study More
by Larry Ray Hafley
Our title was the advice of C.M. Pullias, a noted preacher and writer for the Gospel Advocate. His counsel, given many, many years ago, is much needed today. Said he:
"Many schemes have been laid and plans formulated by men to carry on the work of the Lord. If people would scheme less and study the word more, plan less and obey God more, conditions spiritually would improve. What the New Testament teaches is not so difficult to understand, but men are vain enough to think they can improve on it. We hear of suppers, parties, and programs to raise money for the Lord. Just at the time when the sectarian world has failed in its claptrap methods of religious work and worship...shall the church of Christ take up their schemes and lose her greatest opportunity? Churches are building fine meetinghouses and equipping them like hotels. Here they meet, not for worship, but to eat and have a social time. None of these things tend to spirituality. These things, perhaps, may hold the timeservers and pleasure lovers, but will not promote the spirituality of the church" (Life and Works of Charles Mitchell Pullias, p. 68).
Brother Pullias was right. In every segment of our obedience and service to the Lord, we need to "scheme less and study more". In every aspect of the work and worship of the church, we need to "scheme less and study more."
The New Testament system of faith is simple. The "ordinances" which were "delivered" to us are easy to obey (Cf. 1 Cor. 11:2, 23-26). It is only when men scheme more and study less that they run into trouble. Whether we speak of salvation by grace through faith, and the essential elements of water baptism, or the worship of God in spirit and in truth, the basic principles of the doctrine of Christ are not hard to comprehend and carry out-"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). In that certain knowledge and assured confidence, let us serve our God "with reverence and godly fear," forsaking all that is of human origin and clinging to every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord. (Heb. 12:28). In short, "scheme less and study more."
