Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

Continuing the points:

7. Becoming impatient
Galatians 5:7 says, "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?"
Galatians 6:9 says, " And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Men, it is very important in a relay race to stay the course. How much more important in the relay race of life. Passing on the baton of biblical values to our children takes time. And time takes patience. Unfortunately, not many of us men are blessed with patience.

Physical maturity is one thing. Educational maturity is another. However, character that is developed through teaching biblical values is worth all the patience and endurance we can provide.

8. Failure to make the most of every opportunity to teach our children right from wrong
Every day events which take place in all of our lives provide excellent opportunities to pass on biblical values. National and international events give parents great opportunities to teach righteous values. Every day problems and trials also give us opportunities to apply the principles and laws of the kingdom of God.

Not only should we use these opportunities to instruct our children, but also to pray that God will give us His answers to solve problems. To apply the principles and laws of the Kingdom of God in this way will mature us from being carnal Christians into spiritual Christians (1 Corinthians 3:1).

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, I would like to list some of the reasons why the major roles of parents are at an all time low, and why these reasons affect biblical ethics and values being passed on to the next generation.

1. Parenting is not an important role in the church.
Many churches fail to take these roles seriously enough to make Fatherhood and Motherhood a vital teaching of their church agenda.

2. Insufficient emphasis.
Giving lip service to the importance of parenting or an occasional encouraging mention is not enough. The Bible has much to say on this subject from the beginning to the end.

3. Ignorance

a) Ignorance on the subject by pastors who have not been trained themselves in this subject.
b) Ignorance as to the gravity of the problem. It is the main cause for the accelerating of the drug and sex culture, even in the church.
c) Ignorance on the doctrine of parenting in the Scriptures.
d) Ignorance that causes leadership in churches to think that parenting is a natural virtue and does not need further teaching.

IGNORANCE LEAVES THE DOCTRINE OF PARENTING TO THE CULTURE OF THE DAY!

To be continued. Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Genesis 18:17-19: "And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do: . . . For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment."

Men, one of the greatest problems that we have to overcome in the relay race of passing on the baton of biblical values to the next generation is summed up in the word "endurance." Do we have the endurance to see the task completed?

We must guard against softening our stand on the principles of truth. Sometimes I see politicians and businesses stand up against corruption, resulting in much opposition. How disappointing to later see them cave in because they do not have what it takes to endure the contradiction of the opposition. Hebrews 12:3 says, "For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

How sad to see state after state who have opposed the homosexual agenda for years now caving in. They did not have the endurance to pass on the baton of time-tested Christian Judeo ethics and values. Their surrender has resulted in state wide moral corruption, which in turn weakens other states to follow suit. This can be said of not only the homosexual agenda, but multitudes of other moral issues.

The fatherhood role of passing on the baton of godly values has suffered incredibility in so-called Christian America and the west. Because the biblical role of fatherhood, with all its responsibilities, has not been strongly taught as a major foundation stone in nation-building for many years, it has gradually succumbed to the corrupting attacks of the evil one.

This abdication of parental values and rights has led to the state becoming the legal parents of multitudes of our children. This is sadly the position we face more and more these days. I firmly believe that the biblical roles of both father and mother need to have far more attention in the teachings of the churches.

The church at large is not teaching important doctrine. Is it because of an over emphasis on other truths at the expense of this foundational truth? Or perhaps the mindset that godly parenting just happens naturally. Whatever the reason, true biblical parenting is at an all-time low and desperately needs to be revived. Somewhere along the line, fathers have dropped the ball and the opposite spiritual team to us has picked it up and is running away with it.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, I firmly believe in the importance of attending some type of church service on a regular basis. Whether it is a large church or a small home church is not the point. The point is that you, along with your family, are gathering together with other Christians to worship, be encouraged, exhorted, warned, and sharpened by the anointed preaching of God's Word.

Hebrews 10:25 says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

We must teach our children that we are not to be an exclusive island to ourselves, but rather that we have a responsibility to fellowship and worship with others. In this way we are accountable to one another.

In Ephesians 2:4-6 Paul tells us that "God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us (made us alive) TOGETHER WITH CHRIST." But we are not only together in Christ, but together with one another. "And hath RAISED US UP TOGETHER, and made us SIT TOGETHER in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." As believers, we are together with one another in our plural togetherness in Christ Jesus. If we stay at home on our own with our children, how will they learn their responsibility to love, fellowship, and care for their fellow believers with whom they share such a blessed inheritance in Christ?

It seems a tragedy to me that having this amazing grace to be crucified, buried, raised, and seated together with Christ Jesus, yet we are still so carnal that we shun and resist our togetherness with one another here on this earth. Shame on us.

The body of Christ has many members and as with our own bodies, we need every one of them (1 Corinthians 12:12-20). How can we exhort, edify, and encourage one another when we won't even worship the Lord with one another?

The assembling of ourselves together is definitely more than having people come over to our house for fellowship. The Lord, through the apostles, set up the New Testament church with apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors/teachers. These men are also called elders, and alongside these men are deacons. The Lord has a purpose in establishing His church this way, and we had better not forsake it. If we do, we do so to our own peril.

By this means we then have assistance in passing on the baton of biblical values to the next generation. However, as fathers, we must not in any way pass our own responsibilities as fathers to the church.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Proverbs 15:18 (HSCB): "A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict, but a man slow to anger calms strife." As we raise our children, it is important for us fathers to teach them how to be peacemakers and not strife-stirrers. We do this by example of course.

Because children are immature and are susceptible to foolishness, we fathers and mothers must learn the art of being peacemakers. We all know that this is not a once in a while thing but is a ministry that has to be exercised daily. A parent who does not have their own anger under control cannot settle a dispute successfully. A firm, but at the same time, calm spirit can quickly settle the hostility between siblings.

Even strife between adults cannot be settled when one party is angry, or both parties have never been taught how to take control over anger in their spirits. Whenever we sense anger rising in ourselves, we must immediately go to prayer and seek the Lord to give us the strength to keep it in check, or we will quickly become unrighteous. What may begin righteously, if not watched closely, may soon become unrighteous, especially in the case of anger or those who do not know how to control their anger.

The most important aspect of parenting children is to teach them how to deal with their anger from an early age. Being "slow to anger" is one of God's attributes and a godly virtue of those who seek to be conformed to His image.

Our God is a God who is "ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, SLOW TO ANGER, and of great kindness" (Nehemiah 9:17).

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, SLOW TO ANGER, and plenteous in mercy" (Psalm 103:8).

"Turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, SLOW TO ANGER, and of great kindness" (Joel 2:13).

"The Lord is SLOW TO ANGER, and great in power" (Nahum 1:3).

The Word speaks to us in James 1:19, 20: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, SLOW TO WRATH: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."

In the Wild West, a man was famous if he could draw his pistol like a streak of lightning, although he could shoot more accurately if he could calm himself down. However, as far as anger goes, it is better to both be slow on the draw and also keep your spirit calm at all times.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Proverbs 15:1: "A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger."

Men, if we do not want our children to be angry with us because we have spoken hurtful and grievous words to them, we must learn how to control our own spirits. Proverbs 16:32 says, "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." And Proverbs 19:11 (NKJB) says, "A man's discretion makes him slow to anger."

Surely, none of us fathers want to be remembered after we are dead and gone as being angry fathers. Even when the behavior of our children deserves a sharp rebuke, we must keep our own spirits under close reign. Speaking words of discipline and correction goes further to bring about the desired results when spoken with a soft and appealing tone. Anger, even righteous anger, can quickly get out of control and become unrighteous if it is not guarded carefully.

In times of strife, we must also remember that "a soft answer turns away anger." This does not mean that we should in anyway compromise the truth. But truth is received better when served with a little honey. Slamming down people's throats your hard-line opinions does little to bring about change for good.

Men, every day we are influencing our children for good or for bad. Every day we are involved with the great work of passing the baton on to the next generation. We must daily pray that we will do an excellent job of imparting biblical values to the next generation.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

I wrote in my last post about cathedralling or showcasing the truth. We also need to ask ourselves the question: why do most people visit cathedrals these days? I myself have visited many cathedrals in many countries, mainly to admire the architecture and also to see if any still have any real sense of the presence of God. I usually came away admiring the architecture only.

We endanger the truth by embellishing it with oratory and beautiful religious surroundings. Doctoral divinity degrees coupled with man made ordinations can often likewise endanger the truth. People get taken up with the showcase rather than the Word of God.

Isaiah 66:1, 2: "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine handmade, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word."

God still asks us fathers of today the same question He asked Israel of old: "Where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?" Religious aesthetics may appeal to the spiritually carnal mind of men, but God looks for contrite and humble men who tremble at His Word, men who fear to offend Him. The showcase and the cathedral appeal to the religiously carnal nature of men, but God is not at all impressed with these things.

God is not looking for clever minds and intellects to showcase His truth. He is not looking for fancy upbeat styles, nor even the old fashioned ways. He is simply looking for men and women, fathers and mothers who are repentant (contrite) and humble and who fear His word enough to LIVE IT OUT THROUGH THEIR LIVES.

Can we admire the Word and yet not live it? Yes, we can. Can we shout the Word, quote the Word, pray the Word, and do all manner of religious activities with God's Word, but still not live it? Yes.

God is looking for people (living stones) who will live the Word. As fathers we must make certain that God's Word is alive in us and then we will be able to pass the baton on to the next generation.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Speaking the truth is important, but living the truth is even more important. One of the most damaging things about passing on the baton of biblical values from one generation to the next is the failure of fathers to live up to these values in their personal every day lives.

Mental assent to truth is , I believe, one of the most dangerous enemies of truth. Truth has many enemies but the most subtle of all is mental assent for it mentally holds truth in high regard but fails to implement it into one's own life.

Throughout the centuries Christianity has built show cases around truth, e.g. the big, ornate cathedrals throughout the European empire and the more modern ones of the new world. It is like putting our most valuable plates or family heirlooms on display in valuable fancy cabinets. But the cathedral is not the truth. The priesthood's clothing is not the truth, no matter how beautiful it is. The real truth is found only in the Bible which hopefully is still somewhere inside the massive show case.

The truth is best displayed by those who not only know the truth, but live the truth. Unless fathers live the truth from their hearts they will never be able to pass its values and virtues on to the next generation.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, while the main burden of homeschooling weighs mainly on the mother, I believe it is very important for the father to provide every assistance possible. The father must encourage his wife daily for the effort and sacrifice she makes. This effort should not be taken for granted. As fathers, we should not fail to . . .

1. Daily show interest in what the children are learning and accomplishing.
2. Help the children to understand things they find difficult to understand.
3. Step up to the plate if any of the children have a behavioral problem or need correction. Don't leave it only to your wife.
4. Help your wife in searching for the right curriculums for your particular children.
5. Join up with a homeschool support group in your area if you feel your wife needs more encouragement.
6. Be careful about running your children to every extracurricular activity they want to be involved in. This creates a very hectic lifestyle for the mother, especially if there is a larger family.
7. Make time for your wife so she can discuss with you the things that concern her about the children's learning. And pray for her every day as she faces this great task.

I believe that all true believers should take their children out of the public education system. We still have some godly teachers who are trying to hold up the light, but on the whole, children are now being taught from a humanist/liberal base and more and more the gay agenda is being including, plus classes on Islam. Children hang out for many hours every day in the company of peers who are usually a negative influence upon their lives.

Do we have a clear purpose for their education? If so, we will want them to receive a godly education.

Last night I was talking to my daughter-in-law and asked her what was her biggest reason for homeschooling. She replied that she did not want to be robbed of the time she would miss with her children, which adds up to thousands of hours. Over the course of their life at school, children will be away from their home for about three years of their life (that's apart from college). And this in the most formative years of their life!

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, in my humble opinion, be it worth what it may, homeschooled children are in general more advanced in many ways than their counterparts in the state education system. Even in SAT exams it appears that in general, homeschool students do better, especially if they have been provided with a top notch curriculum. In many other important areas they are preserved from the negatives of the state system. To name a few . . .

1. FOOLISNESS AND DISTRACTIONS IN THE OVER-CROWDED CLASSROOM
This can often result in hindered and impaired learning. The smaller the student class, the easier to get attention and accomplishment,.

2. THE SUBTLE IMMERSION OF LIBERAL/HUMANISTIC AGENDA
They are taught evolution which questions the validity of the Bible and therefore questions the existence of God. The intrusion of liberal morality influences students to alternative lifestyles.

3. THE INFLUENCE OF UNGODLY TEACHERS
There are still many godly teachers in the state system, but there are also many who live lifestyles that are contradictory to the faith of the student's parents, or even the student. Even if they are excellent teachers on the subject matter, they cannot help but pass on to their students a worldly influence or ungodly impression which is counterproductive to growth in godliness.

4. THE NEGATIVE INFLUENCE OF NON-CHRISTIAN AND WORLDLY PEERS.
This becomes a stronger influence on the student than the parents. Who do you think should have the most powerful influence over your children?

5. THE INABILITY OF STATE SCHOOL CHILDREN TO RELATE TO ADULTS
This is the result of the class room "same age" mentality. As a twelve year old, Jesus spent time with the "doctors of the law, both hearing them and asking them questions" (Luke 2:42-47). As wise parents we need to encourage our children to be more involved with the wisdom of the wise and older ones.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

In my mind, Family Devotions is one of the most important things that parents can do for their children. As priests of our home, we men must give this matter our fullest attention. All godly values are mentioned many times all through the Scriptures and the more we acquaint ourselves and our families with these values, the better equipped we will be to face all the battles and tests of life.

I have discovered that in most Christian families there is a tremendous lack of knowledge of the Scriptures. Most Christian families who attend church regularly have a very surface knowledge of the Scriptures, usually what they have picked up by the once a week half hour pastor's sermon. This is not enough to get them through unscathed from even the minor battles and temptations of life, let alone the big ones.

David the psalmist said in Psalm 119:105: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path," Men, without the daily instruction of God's Word, both we and our families will have very little light for our daily path. And we will have no lamp to guide our feet. The truth simply put is plain and simple. Little of God's Word means little light and we are bound to stumble without it. Daily Devotions provides the family with daily light.

How would we survive without natural light in this natural world? How can we survive without spiritual light that emanates from God's Word in the spiritual world? Obviously, the more of the God's Word we absorb into our hearts and minds, the greater our family survival will be for both worlds--natural and spiritual.

Men, we must wake up to the truth before it is too late. Many family ships are sinking at this time. There is more than enough power in God's Word to prevent this from happening.

Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, in order to pass the baton on to the next generation we must not show favoritism (respect of persons). In other words, we have an equal responsibility to all our children. Favors we do for one we must do for all.

It is not a good thing for a child to grow up believing that others in the family are more special to their parents than they are. The apostle John, who leaned on Jesus' breast at the Last Supper refers to himself four times as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23, 25; 26:2; and 21:20). He appears to have a special place in his relationship with Jesus. Some children, by virtue of their own personality, can also, like the apostle John, endear themselves to their parents more than other members of the family. This is not wrong.

However, wise parents will be careful not to create jealousy within their family by showing more favoritism to one more than the others. Favoritism can be manifested by disciplining others harsher than the most endearing one, by buying gifts for one more than others, or by showing more interest openly to one than the others.

As parents we must avoid as much as possible to cause offences or give any sense of rejection to any one of our children. All our children must know that we are not a respecter of persons, especially when it comes to judgment. All our children must know that they are equally loved.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

The Catholic church has stated: Give me a child for the first five years of his life and he will be mine forever." And again: "Give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man." Unfortunately, the majority of Protestant churches have not had the same mindset, but instead have opted to commit their children to the more risky mindset of the secular state system of education.

We all know that the secular public education asks no questions of the teachers' religious beliefs or even of their moral beliefs. As a result we have allowed the most impressionable years of our children's lives to be handed over to who knows who? And to be taught who knows what? As a result we have children with a desire to serve Jesus in their hearts, but their heads are crammed full of humanism and liberalism.

These days, parents are indeed fortunate if any of their children spiritually survive the godless influence both inside and outside the classroom.

THE FOUR COMPROMISES
When Moses wanted to release the children of Israel from the Egyptian bondage Pharaoh sought to get Moses to agree to four different compromises.

1. STAY IN THE LAND (Exodus 8:25-27).
In other words, stay within the boundaries of the Egyptian system. Moses would not give in to this compromise but stated: :We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the Lord our God, as he shall command us." God requires a "THREE DAY GAP."

2. STAY CLOSE TO THE BORDER ((Exodus 8:28).
Pharaoh said, "Ye shall not go very far away." The enemy wants us to stay close to his territory so we can be tempted back in again. But Moses would not give in to anything less than the "THREE DAY GAP"

3. ONLY THE MEN CAN GO (Exodus 10:8-11).
Pharaoh would not allow the whole family to go. But Moses said, "We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go." Today many parents are leaving their children in the Egyptian system. They may be Christian in spirit, but their are Egyptian in their mindset.

4. LEAVE YOUR FLOCKS AND HERDS (Exodus 10:24-26).
This would mean leaving their businesses and all their provision in Egypt. But Moses replied, "Our cattle also shall go with us; THERE SHALL NOT A HOOF BE LEFT BEHIND: for thereof must we take to serve the Lord our God."

At that time Egypt was one of the most advanced civilizations of the world and Moses could have been tempted. He had been brought up in Pharaoh's household and experienced the best education Egypt could offer. But the godly teaching of his mother in his early years (perhaps for his first five years) was instilled into his heart as well as the lessons he learned in the wilderness looking after his father-in-law's sheep. His convictions would not allow him to yield to Pharaoh's compromises. He knew that God wanted His people to place the minimum of a "THREE DAY GAP" between them and Egypt.

Sadly, we 21st century Christians have still not learned the lesson for both ourselves and our children. God wants a "THREE DAY GAP" between us and the world.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

1 Timothy 3:15 says, "And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. " Men, it is never too early to acquaint our children with the Scriptures.

There are wise and intelligent parents as far as this world is concerned who educate their children in all manner of subjects. Some have their children speaking several languages by the time they are five - ten years old. Some educate their children to be well acquainted with the powerful, mind-developing game of chess, and the list goes on. The brain of a child is well able to absorb very naturally subjects that later on in years would be far more difficult.

O how blessed above all things it is for children to have parents who sacrifice their time and make every effort to educate their children in the holy Scriptures from an early age. Some parents even begin this ministry to their babies while they are still in the womb. Remember how the baby, John the Baptist, leaped for joy in his mother's womb at the sound of Mary's salutation (Luke 1:41, 44).

How sad it is that in many Christian homes the Word of God is hardly ever mentioned. It takes more than a Sunday school lesson once per week to accomplish this in a child. It was important in the Old Testament to use every opportunity throughout every day of the child's life to teach them thoroughly. We need to remind ourselves again of Deuteronomy 6:6-9: "And these words, which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them DILIGENTLY unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be a frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."

We have drifted so far from this all important education for our children. How deceived we have been to put so much emphasis on secular education and sciences and yet blinded to the greatest and most important education of all. Secular education is, without doubt, above all else in America while the Bible and prayer are out of our schools.

The above Scripture is the order of the day and wise parents will take notice and pay heed. Unfortunately, this passage is foreign to the way we think of education in this 21st century. However, more than ever, the world needs children who are saturated with God's Word throughout every day of their lives. This should not be done in a legalistic way, but in a positive, encouraging, joyful, and loving atmosphere.

This world is so secular and worldly that it will take a very special generation of people who are truly born again, who have a solid grounding in the Scriptures, and who are filled with the Spirit of God to turn it around. Parents schooling their children in God's Word is needed more than any other type of religious training.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, I believe that the truth on the matter of judging others in Matthew 7:1 is more in the area of not being a fault-finder of others except ourselves. It does not mean that in the love of God for sinners that we cannot stand against corruption, lies, and false standards. It does not mean that we cannot influence sinners away from their immoral lifestyles. If that was the case, how do we interpret the following Scripture?

Psalm 94:16: "Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?" Should we keep quiet and say nothing against the Islamic terrorist militants who are shooting, beheading, and shedding innocent blood in many nations throughout the world, including our own nation?

Should we be silent and not stand up against the shedding of the blood of over 50 million unborn babies in our nation who were alive in their mothers' wombs?

Should we be silent and not stand up against the murderers and serial killers who snuff out the lives of our fellow citizens every day in America? Should we be silent and not speak out against the immorality and the industries promoting it? It is polluting the very souls of our nation.

Should we not speak up against political liberalism and hatred toward conservative groups and individuals who are being targeted by government agencies such as the IRS, CPS and liberal court judges?

Yes, a thousand times yes. We must speak up and do what we can to halt the spread of evil anywhere it raises its godless head. It amazes me that whenever someone speaks up against evil how many so-called, secular, brain-washed Christians (who are opposed to speaking out against anything that might be interpreted as judging) quickly jump on their soap boxes and try to shout down the voice that is raised up against evil. They are hypocrites for they are doing themselves what they declare they are opposed to. Yes, they themselves judge and condemn with lots of venom. You had better believe it.

Fathers, we must teach our children to make righteous judgments. We must teach our children what it means to speak up and stand up for godly values,. We must also teach them how to condemn evil and speak out against it in a compassionate and godly way. We must not allow our government, professors of education, or even compromising church leaders or celebrities (no matter how famous) overrule or undermine standing up for godly values.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Question: Is all judgment, condemnation, and criticism wrong? Men, we often hear people who are soft on wrongdoing state that they believe that all judging is wrong and that we should not be at all critical or condemn others who do wrong. These people usually quote the passage from Jesus' Sermon the Mount, Matthew 7:1: "Judge not, that ye be not judged."

This Scripture has to be interpreted in the light of what all Scripture has to say on the subject of judging. What the Bible says from Genesis to Revelation is the best interpreter of the subject matter. In Luke 12:56, 57 it says, "Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?" Jesus makes it obvious that we should judge between good and evil. In John 7:24 Jesus said: "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."

In John 8:26 Jesus says, "I have many things to say and to judge of you."

1 Corinthians 5:11 says, "I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railed, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? . . . Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." Read the whole passage in verses 7-13. How could they do this without judging?

1 Corinthians 6:1-4 is also an important passage to read on this subject. It is obvious that what Jesus was teaching in Matthew 7:1 was that people should not be what James teaches in James 3:14-17: "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." This means that any man or woman appointed to a position of court judge would not be permitted to judge if you took Matthew 7:1 in a general sense.

As fathers and mothers, we are meant to be responsible parents in judging wrong doing. It would be scripturally wrong for parents not to discipline their children for doing wrong. (Hebrews 12:8, 9).

Homosexuals do not believe that Christians should judge them as wrongdoers. Adulterers believe the same. Although it is not politically correct to make judgments in the work place or even many churches these days, we ought to obey God rather than man.

After Peter and John were commanded "not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus," they answered: "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heart" (Acts 45:18-20).

We better get used to making righteous judgments now.

Men, this is a most important subject all our families need to be taught so they will not be deceived.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Isaiah 5:20, 21 says, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!"

Men, how screwed up and dumbed down have we become when even our government will not man up and call sinful, evil, violence what it is--terrorism! Have we become so soft that we can no longer plainly call Islamic slayings and beheadings of innocent people evil?

The reasoning behind all this spineless, political culturalism that our universities and politicians are dishing out to us is that we must not use language that would offend anyone. They would have us call it "work place violence" or "street violence" instead of "lone wolf terrorism." You must never link this violent terrorism to Islam. It just may offend Islamics. But the truth of the matter is that Islam does give birth to acts of violence. If that isn't bad enough, it also gives birth to evil beheadings and slayings of innocent people.

Men are hung by their ankles on assembly chains high enough so that when their throats are slashed their blood can be collected, bottled, and used to initiate new recruits. Wives and daughters of these innocent victims are raped and sold into slavery. This can be all seen on live U-tube. Men, our agnostic, atheistic professors and their disciples in politics want us to believe that there is a good reason for all this behavior. We just need to be more tolerant and understanding.

Men, the time has come when we must resist such dumbing down of our sensibilities towards such barbaric acts of terrorism and call it for what it is. Islam has thousands of schools called "madrassa" where they teach this evil.

If we men do not teach our children to hate all evil, the world today will quickly teach them to make excuses for it.

Yes, of course we as Christians must love all people, but we must never love their sin or try to make excuses for it.
We must be tolerant of others, but never tolerant of evil.
We must never be afraid to call murder what it is.
We must never be afraid to call abortion what it is.
We must never be afraid to call homosexuality what the Bible says it is.
We must never be afraid to call all moral perversion what it really is--sin which needs to be judged and repented of.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Men, keep your anger under control. Do not allow it to overcome your love for the person that is making you angry. Anger is not an evil thing if kept under control, but quick anger must not reign in your life. Do not allow it to destroy the Christ-likeness in you in any way.

Jesus Himself became angry when He found the people selling merchandise and creating a market place in the temple. It was a grievous offence against the holy purpose of the temple, which as Jesus explained, was primarily for worship and prayer (Matthew 21:12, 13). Righteous indignation is a powerful motivation to get things done, but anger did not rule Jesus. Immediately the temple was cleansed His love flowed to heal the blind and the lame and the children filled the temple praising God (Matthew 21:14-16). This is a great lesson for us. His love and zeal for God's house never stopped flowing even when He got angry.

Men, when anger gets out of control anything can happen. It is often far worse than what caused the anger in the first place. Self control is one of the nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22, 23.

Anger is actually a negative mood and no Christian has the right to control people by his or her negative moods. Do not make excuses for using the "silent treatment" or the "loud treatment" in order to control your family or friends.

Do not try to control your family or anyone with impolite interjections that are rude and embarrassing to your family and friends. Instead, pray and ask God to help you keep cool, calm, and collected. Ask God to give you wisdom.

"The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace" (James 3:17, 18).

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Those who seek to live righteous lives before their families and fellowmen do not help the cause of Christ by being overly serious or having a "stiff upper lip." "Holier than thou" attitudes that cause others to feel condemned and worthless turn people away from Christ.

Happy, rejoicing, and glad-hearted fathers are a great advertisement for Christ Jesus. The next generation will gladly receive the baton of biblical values from fathers who daily display the joy of the Lord. Stern, fault-finding, critical people are very difficult to live with, even if they go to church regularly. Christians who rarely smile look as though they have been "baptized in lemon juice" as someone has said. People who think that holiness is best displayed on a straight face that would crack if it smiled have completely misunderstood true holiness.

Holiness is a state only made possible through the blood of Christ. It is a heart that grieves over sin but greatly rejoices of God's grace, mercy, and goodness.

Men, just as a diamond is best displayed on a beautiful, shining ring, even so God's principles, laws, and values are best displayed on the countenances of Christians whose faces shine. When Stephen "full of faith and power" spoke about Jesus it tells us that "all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel." What do our family and others say about our faces?

Men, you can be a dedicated Christian and still keep a genuine smile on your face.

Keep smiling.

Colin Campbell