The Italian Memorandum

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”

(1 John 1:8-10, ESV)

The church phone number and the Wood & Huston Bank phone number are similar. In fact, it happens regularly, once or twice a week and sometimes even twice a day, that the church building gets calls intended for the Wood & Huston Bank. When these misdialed calls come into the office, the person on the other end often appears involved in the ego-defense mechanism of denial (a conscious or preconscious distortion of reality). The following is a typical interview: “Hello, Church of Christ, may I help you?” “Wood & Huston Bank?” “No, this is the church of Christ office.” “This isn’t Wood & Huston Bank?” “No, sorry.” “Well, that’s the number I dialed.” “They’re very close.” “Well, okay, if you say so.”

If denial is relevant when it comes to such trivial things as misdialed numbers, how much more applicable when it comes to being true to who we are as sinners. John 1:8-10 addresses this tendency to distort the reality of sin. Notice two distinct types of denial here: (1) Denial of sin as a potential concept (1:8), and (2) Denial of actual sin in one’s personal life.

Sin is being challenged on many levels today. Rather than accept personal responsibility for one’s own sins—other areas are being blamed instead. But, to deny the reality of sin, either in concept and/or behavior, is to deceive oneself, implicate God as a liar, and fail to acquire forgiveness and cleansing. Confess your sins, therefore (1 John 1:9).

-Robert M. Housby

The coffin of Wanda Horowitz was recently vandalized, likely by morbid treasure hunters. Modern generations may not recognize the name of Wanda Horowitz. She was the wife of the accomplished piano maestro, Vladamir Horowitz. Horowitz was born in Kiev, Russia and immigrated to the United States during World War II. Horowitz met his wife through his associations with the Italian conductor and composer Tuscanini. Wanda Horowitz was, in fact, formerly Wanda Tuscanini. She belonged to two of the most renowned musicologists that ever lived, her father and her husband. The criminals are at large as of our last information. Whether they found what they were looking for, or hoping to acquire by their dishonorable deed, we would not know. One thing, which we do know–that which is written on our hearts cannot be taken from us. Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20).

The Irish James Joyce once wrote, “When I die Dublin will be written in my heart.” Joyce seems to have understood the truth that, not even death itself can erase what is written on our heart. The early Christians were, themselves, reminded of this heart writing, “…I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God…”
(Hebrews 8:10).

We may wonder what was written on the hearts of Vladamir and Wanda Horowitz, or Tuscanini, but that is a matter now sealed for eternity. But, we may ask, when the seal of our own heart shall be broken, what will be found in the blank—“When I die ______ will be written in my heart.”

So, what is your Dublin?

-Robert M. Housby

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in Psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ”

(Ephesians 5:18-21)

The challenge of Ephesians 5:18 is—“be filled with the Spirit…” Paul, here, uses the imperative mood (Be filled!). This is intriguing because the Ephesians were already sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13); which took place when they heard the gospel, believed the gospel, and were baptized (Eph. 1:13b; 5:26). This may account for why Christians sometimes go through periods of apathy. It very well may be that these non-productive periods of spiritual disinterest—whether regarding church attendance, daily devotionals, or, basic outreach beyond themselves—simply happens as a direct result of spiritual emptiness. We do know this, Paul firmly said, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30). If this is Paul’s negative criticism to the Ephesians, his positive direction which he desires for them is expressed in 3:16,19—“…to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being…that you may be filled with all the fullness of God…”

Concerning the challenge of Ephesians 5:18, we may say with certainty: that God wants his people filled; that he wants them filled internally; and, that he desires this to be Spiritual in content. His challenge and your response!?

-Robert M. Housby

(A Cape Church of Christ Sunday Morning Series in March)

Sunday Morning March 5       “Now is the Favorable Time”
                             (Introduction to 2 Corinthians 6)

Sunday Morning March 12      “Why Is ‘Now’ the Favorable Time’?”
                             (Motivation of 2 Corinthians 6:1-2)

Sunday Morning March 1       “Now is ‘the Favorable Time’ for What?”
                             (Basis for a Redemptive View of Time- 2 Corinthians Ch. 5)

Sunday Morning March 26      This Now-ness and You
                             (Living with a Strong Sense of Contemporaneity)

Sunday  Morning April 2      Lessons Learnt in the Crucible of Time
                             (Bringing Relevance to Reality)

“I’m excited about our evangelistic prospects for the future in the Cape congregation. Now is the favorable time. Does anyone doubt this?

–Robert M. Housby