DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS #2
By John Edwards

TREATMENT OF A DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER. Some things the individual with a developmental disorder can do:

Develop a regular and systematic method of Bible study. The word of God contains the spiritual nourishment that is vital to our growth and development. Peter penned, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2). Just as a well-balanced and nutritious diet is necessary to good physical health, continuous feedings on the word of God are essential to spiritual well-being. I urge you to be as the Bereans who “searched the scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11).

Set aside time each day for prayer and meditation. Paul admonished the Thessalonians, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). It’s been said, “Seven days without prayer makes one WEAK!” How long has it been since you talked to God? Meditation on spiritual things is also important as Timothy was instructed, “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all” (1 Tim. 4:15).

Associate with strong, mature children of God. Many times we don’t fully appreciate the impact our associations have upon us. Just as “evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Cor. 15:33), good companions can influence us in positive ways! The wise man declared, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Prov. 13:10). Seek out and spend time with Christians of maturity.

Participate in all activities and functions of the church. The apostle to the Hebrews commanded, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…” (Heb. 10:25). There’s just no way we can forsake the assembling and expect to develop properly! Bible classes, worship services, gospel meetings, men’s training classes, ladies’ Bible classes, soul winning classes, teacher training classes, leadership training classes, singings, home Bible studies and the like are all excellent opportunities for us to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).

Things we can do to help a brother or sister in God’s family with a developmental delay:

Pray. Prayer is both a privilege and duty of the Christian. Paul told the Ephesians, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Eph. 6:18). There is power in prayer as James said, “pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Jas. 5:16). Ever pray for a weak brother or sister?

Consider to provoke unto love and good Works. Hebrews 10:24 records, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” About the only person many seem to consider is self. A selfish spirit causes a lot of folks to neglect this provoking responsibility. There are those who have left their “first love” and need to be stirred to “do the first works” (Rev. 2:4-5). Have you considered these?

Exhort daily. It is written, “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13). To exhort is to make urgent appeal. Again it is written, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25). Find and exhort someone before day’s end!

Teach and visit regularly. Setting up a home study with a brother or sister on a series of lessons like “Be Strong In The Lord” may be of help. There’s nothing greater to “build you up” (Acts 20:32) than the word of God, right? Some may be helped as we express personal interest by a visit. “Let us go and visit our brethren and see how they do” (Acts 15:36).

None of us is beyond acquiring a developmental disorder. May each of us see the need for constant evaluations to ensure proper development. Having studied Developmental Disorders, it’s a good time to check up on ourselves. On a scale of 1 - 10, how’s your spiritual development? – The Terre Haute Speaker, May 1, 2022. 

THE LAW OF EXCLUSION
By John Edwards

The law of exclusion states: “The statement or command to do one thing only authorizes the doing of the thing specified. The doing of others is, in effect, forbidden.” We need to know this law and its proper application like the back of our hand.

“MAKE THEE AN ARK OF GOPHER WOOD.” When God told Noah, “Make thee an ark of gopher wood…” in Genesis 6:14, the command to make an ark authorized only the making of an ark. All other vessels were forbidden. When the Lord specified gopher wood, only gopher wood was authorized. The use of another wood was forbidden.

“PREACH THE GOSPEL.” The command to “Preach the gospel” in Mark 16:15 authorizes only the preaching of the gospel. Preaching traditions, human philosophy, speculations, and opinions is off limits.

“BURIED WITH HIM BY BAPTISM.” Paul wrote the Romans, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism” (Rom. 6:4). “Buried” authorizes only immersion for baptism. All other actions such as sprinkling and pouring are without divine authority.

“THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.” When we observe that the Lord’s supper was observed “Upon the first day of the week” in Acts 20:7, every other day is excluded.

“THE CUP AND THE BREAD.” The command to eat the bread and drink the cup in 1 Corinthians 11:23-28 only authorizes two elements in the Lord’s supper — the bread and the cup. All other elements like milk and cookies are eliminated.

“SINGING.” The “singing” command in Ephesians 5:19 authorizes only vocal music in the worship of the church. The use of mechanical instruments in worship is forbidden.

“THE BRETHREN.” The statement “send relief unto the brethren” in Acts 11:29 forbids the church to use the Lord’s money to relieve those who are not brethren.

A failure to know and apply the law of exclusion has opened the floodgate to religious error today! Let us learn to simply do what the Lord said do, without addition, subtraction or substitution!

 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (Col. 3:17). – The Terre Haute Speaker, May 1, 2022.