Gospel News — Mar-May 2012

We Must Love One Another

Bro Emmanuel & Sis Caroline Joumer
(Bulimbo, Kenya)

The epistles Paul wrote to the Thessalonians were both touching and educative. He mentioned that brothers and sisters loved each other in their daily lives. Paul commended them that their "love had increased greatly" (1 Thes:3), and so their work went on easily with this love. But despite this love, they had troubles. The ruling authorities at the time abhorred the gospel, and the power of the Almighty was needed because of the persecution. The brothers and sisters persevered in spite of the troubles (v4). God Himself will pay back trouble to those who give it. These troubles will continue until the Son of Man comes, when he will bring relief.

Paul went on teaching them to keep on praying. Some of them had questions about when the Son of Man would come, but Paul urged to keep on praying because the day of his coming is not known. Jesus gave us signs to look out for when he will come. People who do not listen to the truth, perish. We can be saved by listening to the truth. What then is truth? There is life in Jesus Christ. Jesus is truth (Rom 5:17; 1 John 5:12; John 3:16; 14:6).

Finally, Paul finished his letters by giving thanks and praise to the brothers and sisters of Thessalonica, who listened to the gospel and spread it throughout the surrounding area. He tells them to stand firm in support of the good news they had received (2 Thess 2:15). We look forward to receiving eternal encouragement and good hope from Jesus our Lord and God the Father.

19

The Power of the Tongue

Bro Adriano Wanjala (Nyange, Kenya)

The tongue is a small organ found in man and woman. It has good and bad effects. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those that love it shall eat the fruits" (Prov 18:21) - meaning that those who love life through the tongue should utter what is right and will live well, but those who love death and fail to maintain their tongue, shall die. Blessings and curses all come from the tongue, thus bringing life or death respectively.

"Even a fool, when he holdeth his tongue, is counted as wise, and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding" (Prov 17:28). Therefore it is always best to keep quiet so as to be counted wise, instead of making a noise and expose our foolishness to other people.

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth what is good and an evil man brings what is bad" (Luke 6:45). Therefore if you talk, many people can understand what type of person you are; if you keep quiet you give someone a hard time to get to know you, so beware!

"What man is he that desireth life and loveth many days? Therefore keep your tongue from evil and your lips also from evil" (Ps 3:12-13). "Therefore whoever wants everlasting life should keep the tongue away from evil and his lips from speaking deceit" (1 Peter 3:10), therefore keep the tongue away from lies and he/she shall live long. "If any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain" (James 1:26). Therefore as true Christians we ought to take care of our tongues.