Out Of The "Dark Ages"

At the nearby Home Depot, a young man-early twenties-was loading building material onto my truck. I extended an invitation to attend worship services with us. His eyes brightened when I mentioned, "church of Christ," and he enthusiastically exclaimed that he, too, was a member of the church of Christ. During the short conversation, I learned that he was from west Texas and had recently moved to the Houston area to attend college. He volunteered that his home congregation was different from many other congregations in that they looked at doctrinal matters with a more open approach, and that he wanted to find a similar congregation here. That piqued my interest and in answer to my questions, this young man said that "back home," they had come "out of the dark ages" and no longer thought "they were the only denomination going to heaven." As he was completing his job, our conversation was cut short, but I did give him my phone number and ask if we could study the Bible. He promised to visit, but I've not seen him yet.

From this short episode, we can draw several lessons. First, we must be ever vigilant for opportunities to teach the truth. The old fisherman's question, "You gonna cut bait or fish?" might be applied here. After all the talk about efforts to convert the lost dies down, after all the planning is done, teaching others still involves personal action on my part and yours. Opportunities do not come whistling along each day-they are made! Seize them! They are all around you. Do not be timid and do not neglect the golden moments that are placed on your plate every morning. Too soon, they will be gone. "Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph 5:15-16).

Secondly, never roll your eyes at the preaching of truth, and do not mutter, "wish they'd talk about something else"-even though you've heard it before. There are always new generations that need to hear the same great, old gospel truths. Paul commanded, "and the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" ( 2 Tim. 2:2). Perhaps this young man is the product of a congregation that once told its preachers, "Don't preach against fellowship with denominations-we don't have that problem here." They do now. Human memory is fleeting at best, and even the most fundamental teachings deserve repetition and emphasis on a regular basis (2 Peter 1:13-15).

Lastly, our children are not glued to their home towns, nor their "home" congregations. They eventually grow up, test their wings, and leave the nest. This young man is out on his own, without a solid Bible foundation. Somebody-maybe lots of "somebodys"-failed to impart the truth that leads to heaven to a precious soul. Timothy knew from childhood the scriptures which make one "wise unto salvation" (2 Tim.3:15) but this young man does not. Let every parent who remains in an increasingly liberal, spineless, stand-for-nothing, Bible-compromising, error-breeding, sin-loving, congregation-one that marches persistently toward hell while refusing the truth-explain in 20 years what good that did for their children. Moreover, let them face judgement and have to admit, "I thought I'd try to stick it out at congregation 'X' but I lost my children in the process."

The tragedy of it all is seen in a young man who thinks he has come out of the "dark ages" into the light of day but, in truth, he was walking a poorly lit path to perdition. It could have, it should have been different.

Lynn Parker

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