Bulletin Articles: Full Article for Record Number 1033
Meeting’s Over–Now What?
by Larry Ray Hafley
Our meeting is over. Now what? Will we revert back to being our old selves, or will we be transformed by applying the things we have learned? (I thank God for those of you who can remain largely as you were and who will not be harmed thereby. Your sound faith and mature wisdom in Christ are an encouragement to the rest of us.)
We heard about how to live soberly, righteously, and godly in Christ (Titus 2:11-14). We learned how to conduct ourselves before a watching world. We saw that we need to be better husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, children, and Christians. We know the will of God concerning our dress. Despite what we heard, will we continue to dress immodestly? Will our bodies be displayed like a billboard for immorality, or will we let our manner of life be "as it becometh the gospel of Christ" (Phil. 1:27)? Yes, the meeting’s over. Now what?
We saw that the Bible is the word of God. It was not originated and created by men. They are not the source of it (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21). Being assured of that, knowing that it is the living word of the living God, will we read it more often? Will we heed it? Will we be led by it? Will we be guided by its judgments even when they conflict with our own will? Because we know that the Bible is the word of God, will we give diligence to make application of it do our lives? Will we study it with greater reverence and respect? Yes, the meeting’s over. Now what?
Some of you who have not obeyed the gospel are without excuse before God. You know the truth. Deep down, I believe you know what you should do. You know you should drop all your excuses and obey the gospel. You are allowing yourself to invent impediments to your soul. As such, you are your own worst enemy. You are the only real obstacle to your being saved from your sins. You know that and are only deceiving yourself if you deny it. As they say, "the ball is in your court." Yes, the meeting’s over. Now what?
We heard about liberal trends that are among us. We were shocked by the documented evidence of an evolving, developing apostasy that is closer to us than we would like to believe. Despite the evidence, will we continue to deny there is a problem? Will we criticize and condemn men like brother Osborne who expose the errors and remain supportive of those who open the doors of error? Will we charge that the real troublemakers are those who identify the errors, or will we join with them in earnestly contending for the faith (Jude 3)? Yes, the meeting’s over. Now what?
Some of us are on the bubble. What we are, and what we are to become may well be determined in the coming days and weeks to come. We have no excuses now. We were at the meeting. We heard the great lessons. We felt the force of truth. We acknowledged (inwardly, at least) its conviction of our sins. For a brief moment, we resolved to act and to repent and obey, but, now, like a New Year’s resolution, is our initial resolve growing weak? Do not let it! Your eternal destination, whether heaven or hell, hangs in the balance. Act and apply what you heard, what you learned. No one can do it for you. The determination you make will result in either your salvation or damnation. Yes, the meeting’s over. Now what?
