Beech Tree News Network

It came to my attention a while back that the #1 shoplifted book in America is the Bible! Just think of the irony of that fact!

It is ironic because many Bible passages tell us not to steal (Ex. 20:15; Lev. 19:11, 13; Deut. 5:19; Eph. 4:28). Imagine someone stealing a book that plainly states, “don’t steal anything.” Too, this same book says that someone who dies guilty of this sin will be lost in Hell (I Cor. 6:10)!

Think about it: A book saying, “don’t steal, and if you do, you endanger your eternal soul,” is stolen by people anyway! Thinking about this got me thinking about human nature in general. Is it not true that often the very things we are told not to do are the things we do (Rom. 7:15, 19)?

From the beginning, man has been tempted by Satan to contradict the will of God (Gen. 2:16-17, 3:1-6). Sadly, man contradicts God’s will more than he obeys (Rom. 3:23; Ecc. 7:29). This is not because he has no choice. In fact, due to man’s free moral agency, he has often chosen to sin and walk in his selfish way. In addition to being told not to steal, we are also told throughout Scripture:

Do not kill (Ex. 20:13; Rom. 13:9; I Jn. 3:15; Rev. 21:8). 

Do not lie (Ex. 20:16; Col. 3:9; Eph. 4:25; Rev. 21:8).

Do not lust (Matt. 5:28; Job 31:1; II Pet. 2:14-15).

Do not be lazy (II Thess. 3:10; Prov. 24:30-34).

Worship God only (Matt. 4:10; Jn. 4:24).

Be baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38, 8:35-38, 10:48).

Live faithfully (II Tim. 4:6-8; Rev. 2:10; I Cor. 15:58).

Treat others kindly (Eph. 4:32; I Cor. 13:4; Matt. 7:12; II Pet. 1:17).

Love God (Matt. 22:37; I Jn. 5:2-3).

Love our neighbors (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 22:39; Jas. 2:8; Gal. 5:14; Rom. 13:9).

After reading this list, perhaps we already know folks who blatantly contradict these commands, too. Maybe we are doing it! Why are we then surprised when we read of folks shoplifting a Bible? We may not be surprised that the Bible is the #1 shoplifted book in America, but may we be embarrassed that people have stooped so low (Ecc. 7:29).

Some might reason, “If a person stole a Bible, it might turn out good because he might then read that Bible and learn the truth.” The first thought that comes to mind is Paul’s statement where he denied the doctrine of: “Let us do evil, that good may come” (Rom. 3:8). He said it was “slanderously reported” that they taught a doctrine that has come to be known as “situation ethics.” In like manner, we must not justify wicked acts as Scriptural by trying to find some supposed “good” results.

More can be said, but the point is that we, as God’s creatures, have to decide to do what is right, and then continue daily to decide to do what is right (Jas. 1:27; Matt. 7:13-14; Lk. 9:23; etc.). When we decide that we will not do what the Lord says, then we are setting ourselves up for spiritual ruin and an eternity in a devil’s Hell if we do not repent (Lk. 13:3, 5). Let us repent of this sin (as well as all others) and turn to live for the Lord while we still have the time and opportunity to do so (II Cor. 6:2).

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You are invited to visit with the Caneyville Church of Christ. Times of services: Sun: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com.  

Tune in to our radio program on 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167.

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Jarrod Jacobs lives in Butler County and preaches with the Caneyville Church of Christ in Grayson County.