Having
lost innocence and life in paradise, mankind must continue to choose good or
evil. Even young children are aware of this human trait. Consider, for example,
how at a young age even before accountability, a child will lie about breaking
a vase or marking on the wall. He is aware of the consequence of doing
something he should not. The sin which Adam and Eve committed did not pass on
to the human race, but each of the five consequences did; for we all continue
to experience the five stated limitations.
But Do We Also
Inherit Adam’s Sin?
The
consequence of an action does not necessarily indicate guilt for that action.
When a father commits a crime and is sentenced to prison, he, himself, enters
the prison and suffers the blame and confinement. His wife and children,
however, although not guilty themselves, suffer shame and humiliation. In a
similar circumstance and although not to be blamed themselves, the wife and
children of a shiftless drunkard often suffer want and hunger.
In
Romans 5 Paul makes several observations which confirm this premise. In verse
12 he explains, Whereby, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death
by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have
sinned. We must not understand Paul’s comment to indicate that we are
guilty of Adam’s sin, but rather that death is the consequence we
receive because of Adam’s sin. We do not inherit Adam’s sin. In the next verse
Paul explains, Sin is not imputed when there is no law. We are
guilty of sin because we have disobeyed God’s law; not because Adam did.
Verse
20 states, Moreover the law entered, that the offense may abound. It is
because of God’s law which expresses His will that we recognize our failure and
guilt. Then Paul added, But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound
God’s marvelous grace is provided that we through obedience to His will may
obtain freedom from our own guilt and attain the portals of glory.
In
1 John 1:10 these meaningful words are written, If we say we have not sinned,
we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. Note the wording very
carefully. John did not say we inherit Adam’s sin, but rather that we OURSELVES
have sinned. Having the “knowledge of good and evil,” we become responsible for
our actions and must stand in judgment before our Creator.
HARRY COBB
(Wedowee, AL)
IN TRIBUTE TO
BROTHER RAY McMANUS
Ray McManus
March 25, 1957 –
October 11, 2004
For the past eighteen years Brother Ray
McManus has faithfully and very effectively published THE HARVESTER. This
publication has continued to grow in circulation and has reached in a most
favorable way the lives of many. As the result of a terrible automobile
accident on October 6, however, he passed away from this present life and was
buried here at Wedowee on October 13. Words of encouragement, comfort, and hope
were spoken by Brethren Billy Prince and Wilbur Bass and by a co-worker, Jeff
Steading, who brought tears to all of our eyes.
At forty-seven years of age Brother Ray
and his family had served the Lord wherever his work as an electrical engineer
had called him: construction of the Alabama Power Company dam here on the
Tallapoosa River and with the same employer at Mobile, Gadsden, and Birmingham.
Eventually they settled in Randolph County, Alabama, where he served as teacher
and headmaster of a private school. He then moved on to work as an electrician
at North American Bus Industries. At each location Brother Ray and his family
were active and dedicated members of local congregations of the Lord’s church.
Brother Ray was well know for his quiet,
humble spirit, his commendable manner of life, and his conservative stand
regarding obedience to the Lord’s word and maintaining a Biblical pattern for
His church. He refrained from gossip and was always constructive in his
teaching and writings. Being well aware of the example and quality of lives
seen in his wife, Deborah, and his children, Rebekah and Ben, we had approached
Ray about becoming an elder at the Taylor’s Cross Roads congregation where they
normally assembled.
An overflow crowd at the memorial
service testified of Brother Ray’s reputation. His family has accepted his
passing with great courage and understanding and is determined to continue his
work with THE HARVESTER. He will also be sorely missed by the many
congregations and brethren with whom he labored, for as Jonathan said to David
regarding his absence, Thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be
empty (2 Samuel 20:18).
HARRY
COBB
(Wedowee, AL)
(Title taken March 2000 Harvester No. 171 “Home At
Last!” article written by Ray McManus)
…But while I speak physically about arriving “home,”
there is a spiritual application as well. As Christians we live on this earth
on a temporary basis. We are very similar to the Israelites who wandered in the
wilderness. This world will not be our final place of abode. It is not a
permanent rest stop. As long as we are alive, we will labor here for Christ.
However, God has made this special promise: a rest in heaven awaits all those
who will be saved. By faith we will enter that rest (Heb. 4) and God will see
to it that promise is fulfilled just as he kept his word about the Promised
Land for Abraham’s descendants. At times heaven may look like a million miles
away or even a million years away, but Christians, one day we will all come
“home” at last! RAY
McMANUS
For 18
years and 10 months Ray McManus published THE HARVESTER free to those who
wished to receive it. Ray was involved in a terrible automobile accident on
Wednesday, October 6th. He left this world on Monday October 11th.
Raymond
Anthony McManus began THE HARVESTER in January 1986. Working diligently and
faithfully, Ray would rarely be seen without a pencil and paper to write his
notes and observations for a future article or sermon. He made many sacrifices
in order to be with his family, to work on THE HARVESTER or to prepare a
sermon. He edited and distributed THE HARVESTER largely on his own. The only
physical assistance he received was from his family helping with a very small
portion of folding and stamping.
Ray was
quiet, forgiving, and a very humble man. He would do his best to feature articles
of other men rather than himself, because he wanted neither to receive all
credit nor draw attention to himself. When we looked at the titles of some of
the articles he had written, it seemed as if he knew what his future held.
Titles such as “Life Is Short!”, “Home At Last!”, and the very first issue of
THE HARVESTER, “Prepared To Die?” are a few examples. As it mentions in the
above excerpt from “Home At Last!” he understood things in this life are
temporary, including our homes on earth. Instead, it is that permanent home in
Heaven for which we should strive. Ray knew not to be like the rich young ruler
(Matthew 19:16-24) but to lay up his treasures in heaven.
Even
though we have suffered a tremendous loss, THE HARVESTER will continue to be
published by Ray’s son Ben along with local brethren. This undertaking is made
easier because Ray was very organized and extremely detailed. Continue to send
in address changes, addresses of those wanting to be added to the mailing list,
articles, and any feedback. Please pray for the family and the many people
helping to continue the work Ray began on THE HARVESTER.
BEN
MCMANUS
(Woodland,
AL)
SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES
1.
Who was Cushi’s famous son?
2.
Where did the angel in chapter 10 of Revelation place his right foot?
3.
When God told Abraham that Sarah would have a son, and they questioned it
because of their age, what did God say in response?
4.
To whom does 1 Peter 3 say women who trust in God are subject?
5.
Where does he who ignores correction lead others?
ANSWERS NEXT MONTH . . .
and
remember last month’s questions?
1.
What name did the Lord give to Solomon? JEDIDIAH (2 Sam. 12:25)
2.
How many men from each tribe did Joshua appoint to a map-making committee?
THREE (Josh. 18:4)
3.
What was the emotional response of the disciples when Jesus said one of them
would betray Him? SORROWFUL (Mark 14:19)
4.
In the book of Revelation, those who were spared from the tribulation had their
robes washed in what to make them white? BLOOD OF THE LAMB (Rev. 7:14)
5.
What was the test of unfaithfulness for wives as found in Numbers 5? THE TEST
OF BITTER WATER (Num. 5:18)
GOSPEL MEETINGS
DATES PLACE & TIME SPEAKER
Nov. New Bethel Church James McDonald
5 – 7 Cullman, AL (Woodbury, TN)
Nov. Barnes Church James
McDonald
10 – 12 near Livingston, TN (Woodbury, TN)
Nov. Lizella Church Harry Cobb
12 – 14 Lizella, GA (Wedowee, AL)
Nov. Dowell Chill Church Bill Prince
12 – 14 Columbus, IN (Oxford, AL)
Nov. Oak Grove Church James McDonald
15 – 19 near Liberty, KY (Woodbury, TN)
Nov. Southside Church Harry Cobb
21 – 28 Springtown, Texas (Wedowee, AL)
Dec.
Napoleon Church Brad Prince
3
– 5 Woodland, AL (Wedowee, AL)
Chad
Prince
(Oxford,
AL)
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THE HARVESTER is a monthly
publication intended to encourage all men everywhere to become laborers into
God’s harvest (Luke 10:2). This paper is mailed free of charge to anyone who
wishes to receive it. Please submit name, address, and all correspondence to:
The Harvester
141 County Road 474
Woodland, AL 36280
Phone: (256) 449-9221
Email:
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