The Italian Memorandum

“…the flaming arrows of the evil one”

(Ephesians 6:16, NEB)

While we compose this article, Leonard Elmore’s novel, Kill Shot, is being made into a major motion picture in the university town of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. As the title imports, death is a major theme of this production. But, apart from the entertainment industry, death occupies a significant place in human history. Turning the pages of the Holy Scriptures but twice, we are immediately confronted with death–death in the garden and death in the field (Romans 5:12; Genesis 4:8). Kill-shots, the Bible declares, have their origin in “evil,” and through “the evil one”(1 John 3:12).

It appears that there is Satanic objective in the universe. And, that objective is to cause man to sin; and, from this sin to bring death (James 1:15; 5:19-20). This matter of Satanic objective is a consistent theme throughout the Bible (Matthew 13:19; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:9). Luther wrote in one of his holy hymns, “For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and pow’r are great And armed with cruel hate” (A Mighty Fortress). D. Edmond Hiebert refers to Satan as, “the grand adversary of God and man” (The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, 755).

Yes, the Devil wants a kill-shot. It is for this reason that one should be concerned with the diabolical objective of the Devil. Satan seeks an opening now. His time is limited, and your time is limited. While arrows fly, take “the shield of faith” (Ephesians 6:16; 1 Peter 1:5), for he seeks a kill-shot today.

-Robert M. Housby

(Prologue to 2006)

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”

(Romans 12:21)

A major movie box-office this year is, “The Chronicles of Narnia”, by C. S. Lewis. The story tells of four British children, displaced by the war: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. In the movie, the children engage in a conflict of good and evil. The white witch sends a winter into the land of Narnia. The snow may appear serene, but in its beauty there is great deception.

It is written in Romans 12:21: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” This simple statement expresses what Christians are to do with their lives. It is always germane to being a Christian to “fight the good fight of the faith”(1 Tim. 6:12). The churches of Christ must be commended for their posture against evil. It will not always gain the plaudits of our peers, or be politically-correct, but righteousness must always be right and can never be wrong. Good must take the fight to Evil.

1. Reject any plan of salvation which is a different gospel (Gal. 1:6-9).

2. Take the fight to evil (Eph. 6:10-20).

3. Don’t stop now! Realize that good is always right (Gal. 6:9; 1 Cor, 15:58).

PLAN NOW TO SERVE THE LORD IN THE NEW YEAR WITH ALL
YOUR MIGHT, AS NEVER BEFORE (Ecclesiatstes 9:10; Matt. 22:37-38).

-Robert M. Housby