DOING GOOD AT THE WORKPLACE - By Al Diestelkamp (from THINK page 1)

...a servant or slave to obey his master, "in sincerity of heart, as to Christ" (Eph. 6:5-8), I would think we can reasonably infer that He expects the same of one who is an employee. When one serves his employer "as to the Lord, and not to men" (v.7), even drudgery can be rewarding.

Christians are admonished to "mind your own business, and to work with your own hands" (1 Thess. 4:11-12). The wisdom imparted to Solomon tells us that "The sleep of a laboring man is sweet" (Eccl. 5:12).

There are some employers that are unreasonable and harsh. Fortunately, unlike slavery, we have the righteous option of finding other work. Until we choose that option, the biblical principle calls for us to "be submissive...not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh" (1 Pet. 2:18).

One of the greatest points of contention between employees and employers is over wages. Jesus told some soldiers to "be content with your wages" (Lk. 3:14). This was right after He told tax collectors not to collect more than what was owed. Soldiers may have had opportunities to defraud people through intimidation and false accusations in order to supplement their incomes from bribes. What He was calling for was honesty. When a Christian's income is inadequate any attempts to increase his pay must be honest and without intimidation.

Just as employees should apply principles from biblical directives to servants, those who are employers ought to treat their employees with the same respect and care as masters were told to have toward their servants. The Bible endorses the concept that "the laborer is worthy of his wages" (1 Tim. 5:18). That is a mandate from God to all employers and those in management positions.

Though the Old Testament is not our law for today, several passages reveal God's unchanging attitude. God clearly expects wages to be paid on time (Lev. 19:13). He pronounced a woe on one who "uses his neighbor's service without wages and gives him nothing for his work" (Jer. 22:13), and judgment "against those who exploit wage earners" (Mal. 3:5). Employers should heed the warning, for "Indeed, the wages of the laborer...and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth" (Jas. 5:4).

Jesus said it best: "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them..." (Matt. 7:12). Ideally, this rule should be applied by both the worker and the employer, resolving all disputes. Certainly the Christian, whether an employee or employer, will be doing good if he acts accordingly.

AL DIESTELKAMP
P.O. Box 891, Cortland, Illinois 60112
Email: al@thinkonthesethings.com

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OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD THE LOST - By Rick Liggin (from THINK page 1)
I am so amazed at the attitude Jesus manifested toward those who were lost. On at least two different occasions, Jesus looked out over a multitude of lost people and yet He did not see them as rebellious, vile sinners, deserving of eternal damnation. That certainly may have been what they really were, but that definitely is not the way Jesus saw them! Instead, the text says that, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd" (Matt. 9:36; cf. Mk. 6:34). He saw them, not as despicable sinners who were getting their "just deserts," but as people weighed down with the heavy burden of sin; as folks who were beat up and scared; as frightened sheep without directionlost, hopelessly lost.

Now that's the way you and I ought to see sinners! We ought to feel compassion for them and be sympathetic toward their conditionbecause, after all, we too are sinners! Forgiven, yes, but sinners, none-the-less. And that compassion ought to move us to respond to them in exactly the same way Jesus did. He didn't back away from them in disgust or turn from them apathetically. Instead, "He began to teach them many things" (Mk. 6:34).

Man, how impressive is that! No scolding! No saying, "I told you so!" No beating them down further when they were already as low as it gets. Just teachinggiving them what they needed to lift them upout of their distress and out of their lost and undone condition. Folks, when you and I begin to see sinners the way Jesus did, maybe then we too will begin to teach. Maybe then, we too will hunger for lost souls and make diligent efforts to spread the message of salvation.

It is for this very reason that you and I need to adopt the same attitude that Jesus had toward sinners--not just because it's the right way to think--but also because it is the attitude that will help motivate us to greater evangelistic efforts (Matt. 28:18-20). And after all, isn't that why Jesus came to earth in the first place--"to seek and to save that which was lost" (cf. Lk. 19:10)? You know it is! And thank God He did, for without that attitudewithout His kind compassion and loving carewe would all still be losthopelessly lost!

RICK LIGGIN
315 Almond Drive, Washington, Illinois 61571
Email: rcliggin@gmail.com

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BLINDERS NEEDED - By Andy Diestelkamp (from THINK page 1)
In a world where camisoles are worn as outerwear, the subjects of modesty, propriety, shamefastness, discretion, and chastity all sound kind of old-fashioned. Many have forgotten that the original and primary function of clothing is to cover one's nakedness (Gen. 3:7-11, 21), not to accentuate it. Yet much of the clothing being produced, pushed, and purchased for public viewing is designed to emphasize, enhance, and increase one's sex appeal.

Clothing is a means of communication. Garments which expose the breasts show more than mammary glands. The wearing of these garments reveals attitudes that range from naive to flaunting to seductive, regarding a part of the body whose erogenous (sexually stimulating) nature is well attested to in Scripture (Prov. 5:19; Song of Sol. 1:13, 4:5, 7:3,7,8; Ezek. 23:3,21; Hos. 2:2). Conversely, the modestly adorned woman communicates meekness, respect, and good works (1 Tim. 2:9,10; 1 Pet. 3:2-4) and will be noticed and appreciated by honorable men.

Come on, ladies and sisters in Christ, teach the younger women (your daughters first and foremost) to be discreet and chaste (Titus 2:5); and lead them by example. Communicate propriety, godliness, and purity in your adornment. Your brothers in Christ would appreciate the help in the battle between flesh and spirit.

ANDY DIESTELKAMP
323 E. Indiana Ave., Pontiac, Illinois 61764
Email: adiestel@verizon.net

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WHAT COLOR IS THE CHURCH? - By Karl Diestelkamp (from THINK page 1)

In the first century there were churches among the Jewish population of Judea (1 Thess. 2:14) and Gentile churches (Rom. 16:4). However, no church was begun to segregate Jews from Gentiles or vice versa. When Peter and other Jewish Christians separated themselves from Gentile Christians, Paul said, "they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel" (Gal. 2:11-14). For this action Paul said Peter stood condemned, so he "resisted him to the face." "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all" (Rom. 10:11-13). Christ has only one church!

Language differences may mean that a congregation, made up of those who know and speak only Swahili, may have to make use of a translator/interpreter to teach and then to edify a convert who knows only Yoruba--using any scriptural means available. "Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Cor. 14:26). Such differences involve the ability to communicate and understand and edify one another, and have nothing to do with skin color.

Those redeemed by the blood of Christ are "of every tribe [kindred], and tongue, and people, and nation" (Rev. 5:9). For anyone to promote a "white church," a "black church" (or any "color" church) concept, drives a wedge into the spiritural body of Christ just a surely as that Roman soldier drove his spear into the physical body of our Savior as it hung upon the cross. Some brethren have bought into this political/religious propaganda.

I, for one, repudiate the idea as ungodly, unscriptural and divisive and it is my conviction that it can only exist where churches are dominated by bigoted, dictator preachers and teachers who keep people in ignorance, by not preaching "the whole counsel of God" (Ac. 20:27).

Will heaven be segregated into "white heaven" -- "black heaven," etc., and if not, then why the church?

KARL DIESTELKAMP
8311 - 27th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53143
Email: kdiestel@execpc.com

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BETTER ATTITUDES - By Leslie Diestelkamp (from THINK page 1)

3. When our brethren do stray and stumble, we must be ready and even eager to forgive. Instead of waiting for them to falter again, forgive now. Instead of becoming "gospel detectives," to search for every fault, we should teach and lead, hope and pray that they will be strong and true. Jesus said that if we do not forgive others, the heavenly Father will not forgive us (Matt. 6:15).

4. Paul summed it up for us. He said, "If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:1,2).

God has promised to forgive those who have stumbled and who then repent (1 Jn.1:9). And when God has forgiven, He will not remember that sin against a person again. And if God forgives and forgets, should we not do the same? If our attitude toward our brother is motivated by genuine love for him as well as our love for truth, we will not fail to forgive him, and we will refuse to hold a grudge against him.
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This article first appeared in THINK
Vol. 9, No. 2, dated March-April, 1978