(Prison Ministry, continued from page 3)

When the choice is between one form of error and another or several forms of error, there is no real choice. This is the kind of choice most prisoners have until someone, somehow comes to them and carefully presents the scriptural truth to them. Then and only then can an honest choice be made.

Clem Cole
Vacaville, Ca.
Taken from "Christ Prison Ministry" (1982)

(Suicide, continued from page 8)

"To Himself" (Romans 14:7).

Fifth, suicide violates the principle of self-esteem that is so clearly enjoined in a multitude of Bible passages. When Paul admonishes that a man {person} should not “think of himself more highly than he ought to think” (Romans 12:3), he certainly implied a proper level of self-worth. Jesus taught: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39); further, the Scriptures suggest that “love does no harm to a neighbor” (Romans 13:10). Would not a consideration of these two verses in concert lead to the conclusion that one should place a proper value upon his life? When Paul exhorts a man to love his wife as “his own body” (Ephesians 5:28) there is the presumption of a legitimate respect for one’s body.

In a world that is increasingly filled with a variety of pressures, the suicide rate will likely continue at its near epidemic pace. Christians need to be prepared to deal kindly with those who are driven to depths of despair. The following are some of the elements of counsel that we might give to those who seem frustrated with living. (a) We must forcefully teach the truth that we are creatures of God; there is, therefore, real purpose in living. (b) We need to point out that the depressing conditions of human existence are the result of sin (either directly or indirectly), but that Christ came to deal with the problem of evil. Through Jesus and His redemptive plan, we can be free from the guilt of all past wrongs (Acts 2:38), and we can learn to deal with situations that we cannot change (Philippians 4:13). (c) We must emphasize that the relationship of being “in Christ” can provide a sense of tranquility and joy that makes life a wonderfully thrilling experience (cf. Philippians 4:4-7). Life is worth living; we have the message of hope for the world!

Wayne Jackson
Stockton, Ca.

(A Beautiful Bride, continued from page 5)

you will get inside. This refutes the common idea that practically everyone dies and goes to heaven.

The Father wants everyone to come to the wedding. He wants everyone to be part of the Bride, preparing him or herself in the way that He and His Son desire. If that is offensive, then create your own spiritual bride, your own heaven, your own earth for the preparations. But someone says, that cannot be done. Then we have no other choice but to take things His way.

In Matthew 25, Jesus again used a wedding to illustrate the Kingdom, “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept” (Mat. 25:1-5).

Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. Jesus continued “And at midnight a cry was heard: Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him! Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. But the wise answered, saying, No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves” (Mat. 25:6-9).

It was their personal responsibility. Yet they expected to get in on someone else's preparation. “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us! But he answered and said, Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you” (Mat. 25:10-12).

They procrastinated, neglecting to prepare themselves, but they wanted an exception. The time of grace and mercy is now, not then. “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Mat. 25:13).

We know the wedding is coming, but we have not been told the time. The only proper thing to do is to be prepared, arraying yourself now with righteous deeds. Jesus will do anything for His Bride. Will His Bride do anything for Him?

Don Ruhl
Klamath Falls, OR.