September, 2026 | THE BIBLE VIEW

The BIBLE VIEW #1065 — Being A Christian Example

In This Issue:
Be A Worthy Example
A Christian Home
An Encouraging Example
An Encouraging, Cleaned Example
Showing Hope and Love

Volume: 1065 September 28, 2026
Theme: Being A Christian Example

Be A Worthy Example
Bill Brinkworth

“Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.”
II Thess. 3:8-9

One very important task every Christian is responsible for is to be a good, Christian example (“ensample”) to others. Many do not read the Word of God for themselves, have not learned what God has for them to do, and rely more on a godly example than they should. It is dangerous to their spirituality to totally follow someone else, but it does happen.

For this reason, Paul the Apostle was very aware of eyes attuned to his behavior and actions. He wrote some important points to be “… an ensample unto you to follow …”. In II Thessalonians 3, he pointed some of them out:

That obedience and understanding of God’s Word would be seen in his life, and that God would get the glory. If we are a godly example for someone, God and His work should always get the glory, not us!
“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:” II Thes. 3:1
Keep your distance from others who are not doing right (“disorderly”), even if they are Christians (“brethren”). He defines “disorderly” in verse 11 as those who are lazy, not working, and those who are meddling in other people’s business (“busybodies”). Associating with those types of people may give others the impression that you are like the crowd you are with.
“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” II Thes. 3:6
Do not stop living and doing right. Others around you, even Christians, may act worldly, disobey God, or not be involved in reaching others for Christ, but that is no reason for you to abandon your post! Keep on keepin’ on, no matter what others are doing. Do not get tired of doing it alone.
“But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” II Thes. 3:13

It would be better for all if each Christian would faithfully read God’s Word and obey all that he is shown in its preserved pages, but not many do that. They often follow the actions and behavior of those they associate with. With this reality in mind, our responsibility to be a proper, godly “ensample” is thrust on us. Lead those who are watching or following your example down the right paths. There are eyes on your testimony — constantly!

“A godly, virtuous man shines the purity of his righteous life. He is a lighthouse set by the seaside, whereby both the mariners sail safely and avoid danger. But, he that lives in noted sins is a false lantern, which shipwrecks those that trust him and follow his example.” — Fellthan, 1668

A Christian Home
D. L. Moody

A godly house should be the best proof of true Christianity. It is not my church; it is my house that knows me best. It is not my pastor; it is my home-companion who can best judge me. It is the servant, the child, the wife, and the friend that can discern most of my real character.

A good man will improve his household. Rowland Hill once said he would not believe a man to be a true Christian if his wife, his children, the servants, and even the dog and cat, were not the better for it. That is being a good Christian.

If your household is not the better for your Christianity; if men cannot say, “This is a better house than others”, then be not deceived, ye have nothing of the grace of God. Let not your servant on leaving your employ, say, “Well, this is an odd sort of a Christian family. There was no prayer in the morning, and I saw there was no prayer at night. I was kept at their home all Sunday working. Once a fortnight, perhaps, I was allowed to go out in the afternoon, when there was nowhere for them to go so that I could hear a Gospel sermon. My master and mistress went to a place where, of course, they heard the blessed Gospel of God; as for me, I had to work.”

Surely, Christians should not act that way. Carry out your godliness in the heart of your own family.

An Encouraging Example
Bates, 1625-1699

Precepts instruct us what our duties are, but examples assure us they are possible. Examples resemble a clear stream wherein we may not only discover our spots and sins, but also be encouraged to wash and clean them.

When we see men like ourselves, who are united to frail flesh and in the same condition as us, but they overcome the most glorious and glittering temptations, we are encouraged in our spiritual warfare. We are encouraged that we too can get the victory over such temptations and sin.

“Men can ‘live’ long after they are dead. They can outlive their memory, and may be more enduring than any monument of brass or marble.

“Their example may prove to be like the circles that rise around a sinking stone. The waves it makes grow wider and wider, embracing a larger and larger sphere, until it dies in gentle wavelets on a distant beach. Likewise, your example can also reach a distant time. Take care, then, how you live now.” — Guthrie

An Encouraging, Cleaned Example
Talmage

A child, coming from a filthy home, was taught at school to wash his face. He went home so much improved in appearance that his mother washed her face. When the father of the household came home, and saw the improvement in domestic appearances, he washed his face also.

The visiting neighbors also saw the change and tried the same experiment, until the whole street was purified; and the next street copied their example. Soon, the whole city felt the result of one school-boy washing his face.

This tale illustrates what may happen if the world stopped its sin and pollution. A person with grace on his happy face, Christian cheerfulness in his heart, and consistency in his behavior is a sermon that many will see and will impact so many lives. Your godly Christian behavior and attitude will make a difference.

“The flower blossom cannot tell what happens to its fragrance. Neither can any man tell what becomes of his influence and example.” — Unknown

Showing Hope and Love
Deb McCoy

Recognizing hope in unexpected places,
Displaying courage and character that shines forth on our faces.
Joy unrestrained in heartfelt authenticity,
Facing challenges without sinking to fleshly complicity.

Persevering by faith against all odds,
Battling exhaustion through the lenses of facades.
’Tis grace that is unleashed from Heaven above,
Telling the story of our Father’s great love.

Beyond the most painful chapters in each of our lives,
We are met by the mercies of God as our hearts He revives.
This pathway of hope strengthens our testimony in the Lord.
Growth and vitality permeate our hearts and minds as we lift up His Sword.

Our commitment to God will reveal our willingness to obey,
May we always be mindful that salvation was costly as on Calvary’s cross He did pay.
Whatever your circumstances Christ is your truest and most loving friend,
Hope is assured as you receive God’s favor and victoriously run the race to the end.

“One watch kept on time is good to set the time of others. On the other hand, if one is not on time, it will be a poor example for others to set their time by. Christian, be careful by whom you set your ‘time’.” — E. Cook

The BIBLEVIEW #1064 — Zeal

In This Issue:
The Empty, Front-row Seats
Impatient Zeal
True Zeal
Why We Should Be Zealous
Zeal Without Knowledge
A False Zeal

Volume: 1064 September 14, 2026
Theme: Zeal

The Empty, Front-row Seats
Bill Brinkworth

“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescents to Galatia, Titus unto Dalamatia. 11 Only Luke is with me…” II Timothy 4:10-11

After I was saved in 1979, I was excited about going to church, especially after finding the church I felt God wanted me to join. I was very shy, so like many, I sat towards the back of the church.

I listened intently and learned a lot. Attending church was like sitting at a table and eating a steak dinner. I was fed spiritually, and I did not want to miss a meal.

However, something changed where I sat. One Sunday, as the preacher began to preach, the woman sitting next to me reached under the pew and pulled out a good-sized paper bag. She opened the distracting, noisy bag, pulled out her lunch, and opened a Thermos and poured herself a hot cup of coffee.

Between eating her sandwich, loudly slurping her java, and crunching on a crispy apple, I was so distracted that I got little from the much-wanted message from God. I was determined that I would not be robbed of hearing the message God had for me again, so after that service, I changed where I sat. Whenever the seat was available, I sat in the first row. I did not want to miss a word God had given the preacher to deliver to me.

While sitting on the first row, I observed something very encouraging. Many others, mostly new converts, would also get serious about wanting to hear God’s message, and they soon sat in the front row. Many sat next to me. I got friendly with many of them, and even went on Thursday night, church-wide visitation with some of them. They also fervently wanted to obey and do something for the Lord.

However, their love for the service and hearing God’s Word changed. They no longer commented on how it was a great service and how God spoke to their heart about a matter in their life. Soon they had all kinds of excuses for not wanting to join me in the visitation ministry.

It was not long before they started missing services, and soon they stopped coming to church completely. I visited them at their houses to encourage them to come back, but ultimately their seat next to me in the front row remained empty.

I miss those friends, but most of all I miss seeing others get excited about their salvation and being eager to serve the Lord. Paul, in II Tim. 4, experienced the same feelings when Demas, and possibly others, no longer “sat in the front row” with him, so to speak. I am sure he was grieved to see that the temporary things of this world had a greater meaning to Demas than obeying and serving the Lord. Although forsaken by Demas and others, Paul continued and was greatly used of God.

Have you been discouraged that another Christian is not serving the Lord as he used to? Do not be. Encourage them if you can. Pray for them, but keep “sitting in the front row.” I’m still there, and I saved you a seat.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Impatient Zeal
John Bate

Some Christians are very earnest to do good, but they are impatient. They ask for results. They search for results. They make themselves unhappy and sometimes obtrusive as they wait to see the fruit of what they have done.

I am reminded of a boy who wanted a little wheat field in one corner of his father’s garden. The first morning came, but nothing appeared to have grown. The second day came, and still no growth showed.

His patience was worn so thin that he took his knife, and later a rake, to scratch the earth to see if the seed was growing. His impatience retarded, and even killed, some germinating seeds, rather than helping their growth. If he patiently waited after sowing the kernels, he would have seen blades of wheat in the proper time.

So it is with many Christians. Let them be zealously affected to do good, and patiently wait for results. Their impatience will slow success more than it helps it.

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalms 27:14

True Zeal
Cudworth

Let us take heed we do not call it zeal for God and His Gospel when it is nothing else but our own tempestuous and stormy passion. True zeal is a sweet heavenly, and gentle flame, which makes us active for God, but always within the sphere of love. It never calls for fire from Heaven to consume those that differ a little from us in their understandings. It is like that kind of lightning, which philosophers speak of, that melts the sword within, but burns not the scabbard. Righteous zeal strives to save the soul, but hurts not the body.

Why We Should be Zealous
John Bate

It is the desire of Christ for us.
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14 Also: Rev. 3:19.
Because Christ was zealous.
It shows Christ’s love in our hearts.
It was shown in the lives of the apostles and other Christians. Read also: Acts 22:3.
Personal advantages can be derived from it.
The good it may accomplish will help others and spread the truths of God’s Word.

Zeal Without Knowledge
John Bate

Zeal without knowledge of God’s Word is like a sword without a hilt to wield it by. It is also like a high-bred horse without a bridle to guide it, and like an uncontained fire.

Zeal without knowledge speaks without thinking, acts without planning, seeks to accomplish a good end without thinking how to start it properly. It often does one thing when it should have done another. It is often boasting, vain, self-righteous, and stubborn. It seeks to establish its own righteousness, rather than submitting to the righteousness of God.

“You want to do something marvelous for the Lord? Wonderful! Pray about it, faithfully study and search the Scriptures, and let God guide you in the direction He desires for you.” — Author Unknown

A False Zeal
Bonnar, 1871

A false zeal in religion is always, in one respect or other, a misdirected zeal, or a zeal not according to knowledge. It is a zeal seeking some false end, or, while proposing to itself a good end, seeking its promotion in some unauthorized way.

Jehu had a good zeal, which he called zeal for the Lord of Hosts. His fault was not that he was too zealous, but that his zeal was directed to his own advancement.

The Jews, in the days of Christ, had a zeal for God, but it was so misdirected as to fire them with a frenzy to destroy the Son of God and extinguish the Light of the world.

There are countless examples of false zeal now at work; but in all cases, they sin not by excess, but by misdirection. Some are flaming with a zeal to spread some of the corruptions of a weakened Christianity, and to carry men away from Christianity’s great truths. Some are equally zealous to build up a sect or a party on other foundations than those which God has laid in Zion; and that which taints their zeal is the purpose to which they employ it, and not any excessive fervor of their zeal itself.

“Blind zeal can only do harm.” — Lichtwer

The BIBLE VIEW #1063 — A Secure Salvation

In This Issue:
If One Could Get Unsaved …
How Can I Know I Am Saved?
Eternally Secure?
So, You Want Proof

Volume: 1063 September 14, 2026
Theme: A Secure Salvation

If One Could Get Unsaved …
Bill Brinkworth

The Bible clearly teaches that when one is saved, one cannot lose their salvation. No one certainly deserves such a wonderful gift as eternal life. Still, God gives salvation to those who trust Christ’s payment was enough for their sins.

Many, however, think they can lose their salvation. Logically, this does not make sense, and that idea is also not biblical. If one really could lose his salvation, it would mean that:

Jesus did not die for all your sins. We know Jesus did die for all our sins: the sins of our great, great grandfather, our sins, and our great grandchildren’s. The iniquities Christ paid on the cross were for all our trespasses; including the sins we did before we were saved, the ones that we have committed today, and the ones we will commit next year — all sins! God’s Word says:
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;” I Corinthians 15:3
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Jesus’ payment for sins was not enough for the sins we did today. If one thinks he can lose his salvation, then he implies that Jesus’ payment on the cross was not sufficient payment. God’s Word says:
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” I Peter 2:24
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9
“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:25

His death was in vain. If one believes that Jesus’ death alone was not enough to save him, then His death on the cross was unnecessary and for naught! However, the Bible says: Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” II Timothy 1:9

They are doing something to keep their salvation. Opinions of this nature usually follow with thoughts of doing good things to earn or keep their salvation. Salvation is a gift; it cannot be earned. God’s Word says:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” Ephesians 2:8-9

God is a liar! If one thinks he can lose his salvation, then he is proving that he does not believe what God’s Word says about receiving eternal salvation. He would be implying God is a liar. Perish the thought. It is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18). God’s Word says:
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29

“We are saved by Jesus’ doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.”
— Lester

How Can I Know I Am Saved?
Bill Brinkworth

A person can surely know if he is saved. If he has done what the Scripture says to receive salvation through trusting in Christ’s death for his sins as the only way to Heaven, he will see changes in his life. He will see new things happen in his life. Here is an examination of some of those new things:

A NEW belief
I John 5:10 “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

A NEW interest in God’s people
I John 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” The “brethren” are other “saved” people.

A NEW Master
John 10:25 “Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

A NEW Life
II Cor. 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” The new life will include things that you never thought you would do. You will also find you no longer have a desire to do many of the wrong things you used to do, or even have a conviction against doing them.

A NEW Trust
II Timothy 1:12 “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

A NEW fruit — NEW interests
Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” When the Spirit of God indwells us, there are some things He wants done in our lives and around us. These changes that we allow Him to do in us and with us, are proofs of our salvation.

“Human nature’s way of salvation is, “Do, do, do.” God’s way of salvation is, “Done! Done! It is all done.” You have but to rely by faith on the atonement that Christ accomplished on the cross.” — Spurgeon

Eternally Secure?
J. B. Hall, www.liferayministries.com

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

Are we eternally secure? Once we are saved, must we then hold on to our salvation? Must we endure to the end to really be saved? According to the verse above, when we are saved, God seals us with the Holy Spirit, preserving us.

While some believe we must persevere, Scripture teaches that we are preserved. The responsibility of our keeping then falls to God, not to us, not even to God-assisted self-effort. Dr. Tony Evans explains that the error in thinking we must keep ourselves is that we receive salvation by faith and then turn to our works or some other experience for assurance. In other words, we trust God to save us, but depend upon ourselves to keep us.

If you are saved, rest under the seal of God’s secure keeping.

So, You Want Proof?
D. L. Moody

Now, I find many people who want evidence that they have accepted the Son of God. My friends, if you want any evidence, take God’s Word for it. You cannot find better evidence than that.

When the angel Gabriel came down and told Zachariah he should have a son, Zachariah wanted a further token than the angel’s word. He asked Gabriel for it, and the angel answered, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of the Lord.” He had never been doubted, and he thundered out that to Zachariah. Still Zachariah wanted a further token, and Gabriel said, “You shall have a token; you shall be dumb till your son shall be given you.”

“What we mean by salvation is this: deliverance from the love of sin, rescue from the habit of sin, and setting one free from the desire to sin.”
— Spurgeon