Just For The Taste Of It

Neal Pollard

An old soft-drink slogan used the words in the above caption.  The idea was that, despite it being a diet drink, people drank it for the taste.  Whether or not consumers in those days liked the taste of this drink, the slogan was catchy and memorable.  

Regarding sin, many have sacrificed their marriages, their parental influence, and their influence just for the taste of it.  It was unfulfilling and brought unanticipated misery, but "in the moment" it seemed worthwhile.  "Forbidden fruit" may taste good going down, but it leaves a bitter after taste.

Some search long and hard for "living water" just for the taste of it.  They have found the road of sin unsatisfying and they are searching.  They long for purpose, peace, and purity.  Thank God for those who, in searching, have found the way.  Many are dying to know Him, and many are dying without having known Him.  Often, those who come to Christ, rather than being raised in the church, seem to find that "water" tastes sweeter.  They knew the feeling of spiritual thirst and the satisfaction of having it slaked.

Some study God's word just for the taste of it.  David said, "How sweet are Your words to my taste!" (Ps. 119:103).  Can some of His Word be "hard to swallow"?  Absolutely!  But, His word does us good (Micah 2:7).  

Some trust in God's goodness just for the taste of it.  Again, in the Psalms, we read, "O taste and see that the Lord is good" (34:8).  How many of us have repeatedly experienced God's deliverance, even when such seemed unlikely?  His providential care is something tangible, its evidence strewn before our pathway if we will look carefully.

For what do you have a taste?  Is it for something wholesome and healthy, or is it for that which is harmful to you?  Make all your pursuits and actions tasteful!

Swallowed By A Sinkhole

Neal Pollard

I sat in unbelief as Fox News reported about the death of Jeff Bush, a 36-year-old who was asleep in his Seffner, Florida, house on March 1st when a sinkhole opened up and swallowed him.  The instability of the site was so dangerous that the sinkhole became his tomb, as workers could not retrieve him.  Family was distraught and in disbelief.

What a tragic, unexpected circumstance!  You lie down not knowing that you will not arise in the morning.  You are taken in such dramatic fashion.  Along with my feelings of sympathy for a grief-stricken family, my mind went to a couple of biblical accounts.  I thought of Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their households, swallowed up by the earth in Numbers 16.  The difference in that instance is that, incredibly, the earth closed over them.  But, whether miraculously or naturally, such events clearly demonstrate the unmatched power of God. Then, I thought of Jesus' words about the Galileans killed by Pilate and the eighteen people killed by the tower of Siloam in Luke 13.  That passage would implicitly say that, even in Mr. Bush was a depraved, wicked sinner, he was in no worse a condition than anyone who needs to repent (3,5).

But, I suppose the thing that dominated my thoughts most of all was how fragile life can be and how unexpectedly death can come.  Some day, Judgment will come.  Scripture describes that instantaneous moment as coming in the blink of an eye, as a thief in the night (cf. 1 Th. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10; 1 Cor. 15:52).  Whether in our lifetime or not, one day many on earth will be awakened from sleep by the second coming.  In that moment, it will have to be an utter and final realization for the lost that it is too late.  For the impenitent and unbaptized or for the unfaithful Christian, they may call out but to no avail.  They will have made their decision (cf. 2 Th. 1:7-9).  

I cannot imagine too many things on earth more unexpected than waking up to one's end like Mr. Bush.  However, I can think of at least one thing which has yet to occur.  Let us make sure we are ready for it!

The Real Definition of “Marriage”

The Supreme Court justices are meeting to decide on the definition of marriage.  They are ruling specifically if two homosexual people can legally marry in the state of California.  However, the impact of this decision could ripple far wider than California.  If the justices choose to do so, they could eliminate every law and restriction on gay marriage throughout our nation (FoxNews.com).

Maybe this is pessimistic, but if the Supreme Court does not change the definition to legalize gay marriage this time around, it will only be a matter of time before homosexuals can marry in every state in America.  The reason this is the case is simply because the push for homosexual marriage is worldwide, not just in the United States.  Eleven countries have already legalized same sex marriage (Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, and Sweden).  Laws allowing gay marriage have been proposed, are pending, or have already passed in at least one legislative house in Andorra, Columbia, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Nepal, New Zealand, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay.  In the United States, nine states have already legalized gay marriage (Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Maine, Maryland, and Washington).  For these reasons, the United States and many other countries will likely change the definition of marriage and legalize same-sex matrimony in the near future.

Even though this may be eminent, there is one extremely important point to remember and it is this: It doesn’t matter what any man, any judge, any state, and any country says about the definition of marriage, God has already given the real definition of marriage and it will not change.  The real definition God gives for marriage is this, “a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:31).  In other words, God designed marriage to be exclusively for a man and a woman.  But if this isn’t clear enough, then let’s consider some other biblical proofs:

• God gave Adam a woman (Eve) to be “a helper suitable for him,” because clearly no other creature, even another man, was fitting for this role (Genesis 2:18, 21-24).  Verse 24 tells us the role God was referring to was marriage.
• The only marriages found in Scripture were between men and women (Genesis 7:7; 11:29; 24:67; 29:28; Exodus 4:20; 1 Corinthians 7:2; and many, many other examples). 
• The only marriage advice given in the Bible is for the relationship between husbands and wives (Proverbs 12:4; 18:22; 31:10-31; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Peter 3:1; etc).
• The only instruction on divorce is for husbands and wives (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11; etc).
• Not even one approved homosexual relationship, or even one piece of advice specifically for homosexuals, can be found in Scripture.  In fact, the Bible clearly and adamantly condemns homosexuality (Genesis 19; Leviticus 18:22, 29; 20:13; Romans 1:26-28; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:9-10; 2 Peter 2:6-8; Jude 5-7; etc).
• The human body is only physically compatible with the opposite gender, making homosexuality abnormal.  Scripture also identifies homosexuality as unnatural (Romans 1:26-27).  Homosexual relationships cannot produce children and have been proven to shorten the lifespan and spread certain diseases (LifeSiteNews.com; Time).
• Scripture even reveals that people are not born as homosexuals and can change if they choose (1 Corinthians 10:13; 6:9-11, “such were some of you”).

Our culture is changing.  Nevertheless, even if the United States and every country in the world legalize gay marriage, it will not change the actual definition of marriage.  The Lord God is specific and clear that the only approved marriage is between a man and a woman.

Singing With The Understanding: "We Have Heard The Joyful Sound"

Neal Pollard

The King James Version has long been a beloved, trusted translation of scripture.  Its influence is also still seen and heard in our teaching, preaching, prayers, and songs, with the melodic, Elizabethan English.  The song "We Have Heard The Joyful Sound" is but one example of the influence of this grand old version upon songs we still sing today.  Priscilla Owens wrote this song at the tail end of the "Great Awakening," a time when the industrial age and inventions for efficiency were being created, and a time when our nation, from Manifest Destiny to various reforms and emerging from the ravages of the Civil War, was greatly optimistic.  Churches not only felt that jubilation, but felt that such privileges meant heightened responsibility.  Though times seem bleaker overall today, Christians still enjoy unmatched privileges and are faced with as great a responsibility. Consider the lyrics.

The first verse proclaims the fact of salvation, urging the worshipper to tell others. "Spread the tidings all around" is an exhortation to share the gospel, the glad tidings of good things.  "Bear the news" means to take it, and we are urged to take it up the mountains and across the ocean--wherever we can.  Why? The Lord has commanded it.

The second verse begins with a word we seldom use: "Waft." Again, "Praise For The Lord" helps us with a glossary entry at the bottom, showing us it means "propel."  Again, the call is to take the gospel to not only our neighborhoods, but to foreign lands. The impact of evangelism is shown in hyperbole and personification, that even islands and caves will reverberate their joy of the taught word. The Jubilee (Lev. 25) was the year of a new beginning.  It seems the songwriter is referring to the new life brought by the gospel, and those who obey it enjoy the greatest new beginning of all.

The third verse speaks of the circumstances in which the gospel must go.  It must be shared in time of war, when times are sad, and when we struggle with personal problems.  No matter the adversity, the cause for rejoicing remains: "Jesus saves!"

Finally, the fourth verse may well be an allusion to Psalm 68, or at least a call to do as God did in the long ago in showing His might and power (see Psalm 68:33 in the KJV).  This last stanza is the most urgent call to fulfill the Great Commission. Speak the word which will cause mankind to rejoice. Tell it everywhere.  Let everyone know the reason for the hope that is in us: "Jesus saves!"

The entire song makes me think of Psalm 107:2: "Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary." 

Forbidden From Saying the Word “Bingo”

Austin Whaley thought his little stunt would be funny.  He walked into a local bingo hall and shouted, “Bingo!”  Many of the patrons and elderly women present did not appreciate the teen’s hubbub and ballyhoo.  Unfortunately for Austin, there was also an off duty security detail present who cited him for disorderly conduct (KETV).

A month later Whaley came before a judge who passed a rather unusual sentencing, “Do not say the word 'bingo' for six months” (ibid).  If Austin does not comply with the punishment, he could be facing 90 days in prison and a $250 fine.  If he obeys, the charges will be dropped.  While this situation was silly and mostly harmless, in some people’s minds Austin crossed the line with his joke.  Some people, especially those in the bingo hall, didn’t find his actions funny or amusing at all.

Most people enjoy laughing and joking around, but sometimes we can take it too far.  Ephesians 5:4 says, “and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”  Colossians 3:8 instructs, “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.”

The question is, what do some of these terms mean?  Should we never joke?  When can having fun and joking around go too far?  Let’s briefly define what these Bible terms mean.

• Filthy Talk: This is language that is crass, crude, and obscene.  Examples of this kind of speech include cursing, inappropriate sexual talk, and crude humor.
• Silly Talk: This is language that is foolish and moronic.  This is the kind of joking and unbridled speaking one would expect from a drunk or a fool.  This also includes those who are wise in their own eyes and reject wisdom.
• Coarse Jesting:  This is off color humor and inappropriate jokes.  This would include jokes about immoral activities (sex, drinking, drugs, etc), racist jokes, and any other type of joking that is vulgar and crude.
• Slander:  This is using words to damage someone’s reputation and character.  Examples of this include gossip, telling lies about someone, and saying things that defame and hurt someone (even if joking).
• Abusive Speech: This is speech that hurts, demeans, and discourages others.  Some examples included put downs, insults, sharp comebacks, angry words, and speech that humiliates.

We must be very careful with the words we use (Ephesians 4:29).  As a rule of thumb, if something we say demeans or insults someone, involves bad words, uses inappropriate sexual talk, or includes off color jokes, then we are crossing the line (even if we’re just joking).  There’s nothing wrong with good-natured jokes and having a good time, but we must be careful not to take it too far.  Let’s never allow the words and jokes we say damage our reputation and character as Christians (Matthew 26:74).