Collinsville-Troy CHURCH OF CHRIST

Transformed

-Cilfton Angel

To the church at Rome, Paul wrote: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom 12:1-2). "Transformed" in the Greek is "metamorphao," from which we get our word "metamorphosis". Our greatest illustration of physical metamorphosis is the caterpillar transformed to a butterfly. Using this physical illustration, let us make spiritual application.

After transformation, there is more maturity. "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Pet 2:2). "For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Heb 5:13-14).

After transformation, there is increased activity. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due sea-son we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (Gal 6:9-10). "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor 15:58).

After transformation, there is greater beauty. "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things" (Rom 10:15). "Christ … loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Eph 5:25-27). "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Rev 21:2).

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor 5:17). "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal 3:27).

-Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS.
-Article obtained from www.bulletingold.com

My Redeemer Lives

-Jason Wright

What do you know about the Redeemer? The song (#282 in our songbook) we sing tells us that He lives and that He gives eternal life. Who is this free gift for? Verse three says it has been given unto sinful men. Let's consider this idea that the Redeemer lives.

The Redeemer is Jesus Christ. We read of His death, burial, and resurrection in the gospels. He paid the price with His own body; He bought us back from sin and death. He reigns above and lives with God in Heaven (Eph. 1:20-21).

The word redeem simply means to buy back or to rescue from loss, a ransom. Notice Paul speaking to Jewish Christians in Galatians 3:13, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law (Old Testament), having become a curse for us (for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.) Reading on we find that anyone who has been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. It is in baptism (immersion) that our sins are washed away. Christ freed the Jews from the Old Law so they might live under the New Covenant. For the Gentiles, Christ has bought us back; He has freed us from sin if we obey. In Jesus, we are not cursed anymore.

Redemption points to the price that has been paid to set sinners free. Since all have sinned (Rom. 3:23) and the wages of that sin is death (Rom. 6:23), we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Eph. 1:7). Christ has paid the price with His blood for our salvation. Let that sink in! He has done all that He needs to do so that we have the opportunity to do what we need to do to be saved, and He asks us to tell others.

My Redeemer is eternal. Going back to Romans 6:23, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood (Heb. 7:24). Remember Acts 1? What had the apostles experienced? They saw Christ crucified. He died and was buried. Then, He resurrected. He had previously told them this would happen and commissioned them to tell the world. After Jesus ascends in Acts 1:9-11, the angels asked the apostles, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? There's work to do; a message to share; souls to save.

Who have you told about Jesus? With whom have you shared the gospel message? Who do you know who has not been redeemed? Who do you know who is still in their sins? What is your plan for saving them? They are counting on you to teach them. Will you?

The truth of the matter is most won't listen; most won't take advantage of the opportunity; but Christ has made salvation available to all. The many will not heed the gospel call (Matthew 22:14). There's only one way to find out who the Few are. Let the lost know that My Redeemer Lives!