Good Counsel

Thousands of years ago a young Chinese emperor called upon his family's most trusted advisor, Confucius. "Oh, learned counselor," said the emperor, "you have advised my father and grandfather. What is the single most important advice you can give me to rule my country?"

Confucius replied, "The first thing you must do is to define the problem."

Tom Moore has written: “Many unhappy people cannot put their finger on what is really causing their distress. Many unfulfilled people cannot even tell you what it would take to satisfy them. Many have no clear idea or conception what their real needs, real desires, and real priorities are. And because they have never defined the problem or clarified their goals, they spend a lifetime anxiously wandering with very little to show for the pilgrimage.” *

Whether it is ruling a country or seeking to govern our own lives correctly, it is good counsel to “first define the problem.”

The Scriptures reveal that man’s biggest problem is SIN.  The "symptoms" may be: frustration, confusion, anxiety, and broken relationships, but the "root problem"  is SIN.  The greatest tragedy of sin is that it separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) and His will for our lives.

Having defined the problem (sin), we need a SOLUTION.  That Solution is JESUS CHRIST, the Son of God!  Through Jesus, we have forgiveness of sin: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).  Through Jesus, we have a pattern for life: “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

Jesus solves our sin problem when we; based upon our faith (Acts 16:30-31), 
turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38; 22:16).  He continues to cleanse us from sin as we continue to follow Him faithfully (1 John 1:7).

What’s the key to governing our lives properly?  “First, define the problem.”  That’s good counsel!  “Then, we must trust and obey Jesus.”  That’s the GREATEST counsel of all!

Will YOU turn to Him in trusting obedience?

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

* Tom Moore, “From the Preacher’s PC.”  North Main Church of Christ, 823 N. Main Street, Malvern, AR 72104.  www.malvernchurchofchrist.com

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