What Comes To Your Mind?

March 2013 – Grace & Truth Magazine

What Comes To Your Mind?

This magazine issue, and a few more, were prepared by Larry Ondrejack before his retirement. Thanks to his hard work, I am able to simply enjoy reading the articles and write an introductory column.

While doing so for this edition, my thoughts became filled with Bible verses and songs. Some verses were spoken by Jesus: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6 NASB) and “I always do the things that are pleasing to Him” (Jn. 8:29). The apostle Paul wrote “for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible ... all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16). Among others, the hymn “He’s Everything To Me,” written by Ralph Carmichael, was also brought to mind:

In the stars His handiwork I see,
On the wind He speaks with majesty,
Though He ruleth over land and sea, What is that to me?

This question should influence our response to the practical application of the Feature articles. These in James pose a serious challenge to what comes out of our mouths: “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue ... this man’s religion is worthless” (1:26) and “if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well” (3:2). Does what we say and do show the relationship we have with Jesus Christ? John wrote that “if we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 Jn. 1:6-7).

Those of us who have put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ should be showing forth the glory of God, just as the stars of heaven, by what we say and do – whether during times alone, with the family, in ministry, or in dangerous situations. Now, if you are one who has not accepted God’s forgiveness, we urge you to respond to the great love of God found in that famous verse, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

These are just some things that came to my mind. Yet, we are all different and the Lord works with us as individuals. So I ask as you read these articles: What comes from the Lord to your mind?

By Paul Alberts