Casting Pearls Before Swine
“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matthew 7:6). Jesus made this statement in His great Sermon on the Mount. But what does this verse mean?
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus taught His disciples to be kind, courteous, loving and compassionate to others. However, He also taught that His disciples are to be good stewards of their time and of the Gospel. When Jesus made this statement about casting pearls before swine, He was using language that illustrates the importance of stewardship.
Think for a moment about one of the most precious possessions you have. It may be a piece of jewelry, an heirloom of the family, or some other treasured item. Now imagine taking that item and tossing it into a pen full of hogs. Would the hogs place the same value on your cherished possession as you do? No, rather than esteeming your treasured item, the hogs would trample it in the mud. Hogs simply do not recognize the high value of precious or sacred things.
When Jesus spoke of pearls, He was speaking of that which people highly esteem. There is something, however, that is more precious than pearls—that is, the Gospel of Christ. Jesus knew that there would be some people who would be so carnally-minded they would not appreciate the riches of the Gospel. Some have made up their minds that they will not believe and obey Christ. To expend time and resources in offering God’s Word to such people would be like offering “pearls to swine.” There comes a time when proper stewardship demands that we “shake the dust off our feet” and move on to hearts which are more receptive to the Gospel (cf. Acts 13:49-51).
Christ’s followers must never use the “pearls-and-swine-teaching” as an excuse not to help or to teach others. Jesus instructed His disciples to “preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Nevertheless, this is the same Jesus who also warned about allowing hogs to trample precious pearls. It is not always easy to distinguish between those who truly are interested in doing God’s will and those who are not. Therefore, God’s people should pray for wisdom in making such distinctions.
The Need for an Objective Standard of Authority
A standard is “a rule or principle that is used as a basis for judgment.” We recognize the need for a standard of authority in many areas of life. In playing sports, there are rules which players must honor in order for a game to be organized. Without such rules there would be chaos. In the school system, there are rules which teachers and students must honor in order for students to learn. A school with no standard of authority could not function properly and would cease to be of benefit to society. We can see the need for authority regarding the laws which prohibit criminal activity. Imagine living in a city where there were no laws against robbery, murder, rape, or any other crime. Criminal and immoral activity would abound, and life would be very difficult for those who want a good quality of life. We can all see the need for standards of authority in these areas.
However, when it comes to spiritual matters, some are not willing to abide by an objective standard of authority. A standard that is “objective” is one that is not influenced by feelings or opinions; rather, an objective standard is based upon facts. The only true objective standard in spiritual things is the Word of God, the Bible (II Timothy 3:16-17; John 12:48; Acts 17:11; Psalm 119:105).
Nevertheless, when someone asks a religious question, it is common for people to start chiming in with their own personal opinions—“Well I think,” “I heard,” “Someone said,” “My preacher said,” “My parents believe,” “My church teaches,” “I’ve always believed”—these are all common ways that people respond to religious questions.
The problem with such responses is that they are based upon what people say rather than upon what God has said in His Word. When we are discussing spiritual matters, would it not be best for us to say, “The Bible teaches…,” and then give the book, chapter, and verse showing where the Bible teaches the thing under consideration?
The only way we can be sure that our religious beliefs are true is by honoring God’s Word as the objective standard of authority. On the Day of Judgment, our feelings, opinions, traditions, or ideas will not serve as the basis for Judgment. Rather, we will be judged by God’s Word (John 12:48). Let us therefore study and follow His Word, so that we can be saved eternally!
Three Keys to Happiness for 2013
The New Year is now well under way. Hopefully, it has been and will continue to be a happy New Year for you. Our attitudes, however, have a great impact on our happiness. We cannot always change our circumstances, but we can change our attitudes. The following are three keys you can use throughout the year to help you keep a positive attitude.
The first key is “Accept.” While beginning a new year, we are reminded that another year has passed. The past year may have presented some challenges or changes which have been hard for you to accept. You may have lost a job, experienced financial problems, or lost a loved-one. You may have wasted time worrying about things which never happened, and now you regret that you wasted precious time. You may have failed morally and engaged in sinful behavior that has damaged your reputation, your self-esteem, and has embarrassed you.
I suppose we could all think of some things we would like to change about the past year, but that simply is not possible. The past is gone forever. Whatever losses, failures, or changes we experienced, we must now learn to accept. Paul wrote, “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). Paul did not live in the past; neither should we. Some things we must accept. “The Serenity Prayer” reminds us: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
The next key is “Adjust.” If within the past year, you did fail, experience losses, or go through a major change, what are some areas in which you need to adjust your life? Do you need to give up a sinful habit? Do you want to be a better spouse? Do you want to learn more about God and His will for your life? Then, why not write down some specific, realistic goals and begin working to achieve them? God desires His people to grow: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). The New Year has so much potential for growth and positive change.
The third key is “Appreciate.” Yesterday is gone; tomorrow is not yet here; but we do have today. It will only be “today” for a short time, so let’s make the most of it and appreciate it. Each day is a new beginning with great potential. The psalmist wrote, “Teach us to number our days” (Psalm 90:12). In other words, make the most of each day. Today is the first day of the rest of your life! That makes today special!
Remember the three keys: Accept, Adjust, and Appreciate!
Standing The Truth On Its Head
There is no jewel more precious to God’s people than the jewel of truth. Jesus defined truth, as God’s Word: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). He also stated that the truth makes men free (John 8:32). These verses show the great value of truth. Therefore, we should “buy the truth and sell it not” (Prov.23:23).
Why Sinners Need to be Born Again
On the occasion of John 3, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again” (verse 7). I am confident that nearly everyone who tries to follow the Bible would agree that being born again is not optional. Jesus said that the new birth is a “must.” But there are different views concerning why sinners need to be born again.
