This is a good question and needs to be considered seriously. Consider these points.

One must be old enough to know/realize what sin is. "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). This is speaking of God's law, the Scriptures.

One must be old enough to know the difference between heaven and hell--right from wrong. "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal" (Matthew 25:46).

One must be old enough to know that he/she has sinned and stands in need of forgiveness. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). "There is none righteous, no not one" (Rom. 3:10).

One must be old enough to know the consequences and penalty of sin. "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2). "The soul that sinneth, it shall die...." (Ezekiel 18:20). One must be able to feel the guilt and penalty of sin. They must feel the desperate need of forgiveness.

One must be old enough to understand and comprehend the significance of the cross of Christ. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). Christ's shed blood is the means of forgiveness.

One must be old enough to understand and comply with the plan of salvation. Hear (Rom. 10:17), believe (Heb. 11:6), repent (Acts 2:38), confess (Rom. 10:10), be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16).

One must be old enough to understand and comply with living a righteous life after obeying the Gospel. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11-12).

No exact age can be given for everyone because all mature at different levels. It is generally thought by many, however, that somewhere around age 12 is the time at which one is mature enough to have the mental capacity to comprehend. Jesus was twelve when he was about his father's business.

--Garland M. Robinson

Las Vegas, Nevada is known as the city that never grows dark because of the abundance of neon lights. But one day those lights and all others in this world will never shine again! There is a light, however, that will never grow dim nor be extinguished. Most people today are putting their faith in artificial light that man has created. It beckons and many follow it to wherever it leads.

Jesus said, "...I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12). We live in a society where "the powers that be" think they are the "light of the world." They revel in their worldly wisdom and take great pride in human power and praise indecent and ungodly behavior. When the devil's glitter and glamour no longer shines, all who follow him will find themselves in utter darkness.

This world has plenty of "lights" that folks become blinded to. Some are blinded by the "light of science" and foolishly accept every theory that comes from the mind of man. These theories may contradict the Bible as does the theory of evolution but this is the bright light of world renowned scientists.

Others are blinded by the "light of philosophy" that comes from some supposedly brilliant minds. It seems to matter not that for centuries philosophers have been contradicting one another! Christ does not contradict Himself and is consistent with His teaching, yet people prefer to choose fallible man over infallible God.

Some are blinded by the "light of psychology" that rationalizes why man's sins aren't really sins after all. The sin of adultery is called "an innocent affair." The sin of homosexuality is an "alternate lifestyle." A drunkard or dope addict has a "disease." Can you imagine one knowingly swallowing malaria or injecting himself with cancer? Psychology has attempted to make sin a figment of one's imagination while really leading folks in a dark abyss. Christ, the light of the world is rejected, while people fraternize with a world wallowing in spiritual darkness.

It should not surprise us that most folks stand in opposition to God. Jesus again warned, "If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you" (John 15:18-19). Christians will never be popular with the world! Perhaps this is the reason some have no desire to be a Christian. They love the world too much to let go!

This world in which we live will one day be burned up (2 Peter 3:10). What then? It is no wonder that John warns, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (1 John 2:15-17).

Christ pleads with His followers to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" (Matt. 5:13-16). The reason why people do not obey the Gospel and live Christian lives is no mystery. Christ stated it well in saying, "And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved" (John 3:19-20). May we choose to follow the light that will never grow dim!

Marvin L. Weir, Rowlett, TX

We've been missing you lately. We're not talking about those who were sick or out of town, but rather about those of you who are neglecting the feeding of your soul and are backsliding into a worldly lifestyle. Can we assume that you no longer wish to be a member of Christ's church? Should we remove your name from the church roll? Is it wrong of us to think of you as unfaithful, backsliding, negligent, worldly, delinquent members of the body of Christ? What more would you have to do or not to do in order to quit the church?

You must find it easy to let any and everything take precedence over what should be your first priority--commitment to the Lord and His church.

Of course, if you're looking for excuses, Satan is at your service. His list is endless: "I'm too tired," "I have a headache," "I had to work late and would have had to come in my work clothes," "I'm just too busy," "The kids had homework, a ball game, a meeting, a school activity, etc.," "Company came," "I had a prior commitment," "One family member was sick so the whole family had to stay home," "The weather was bad," "It's too hard to get everyone up and ready to go by 10:00." "I don't like the teacher, or the subject, or the preacher, or the members, etc.," ad infinitum, and we might say, ad nauseam as well (see Rev. 3:16).

No, we're not saying that God expects us to be at services when we really are unable, but we do believe that He is not nearly so gullible as our excuses make Him out to be. We don't let any of the above excuses keep us from going to work, to school, to the lake, to the golf course or shopping. They don't keep us from eating, sleeping, watching TV, or doing anything else we really want to do. And they shouldn't keep us from attending any of the services of the Lord's church either, but they do!

So, we are forced to conclude that the real excuse is that you really don't care about things spiritual, or as the old saying goes, "You do what you want to do." Missing brother or sister, when you come to grips with the real problem, we hope and pray that your attitude will change and that you will repent of your unfaithfulness and once again bear fruit for the Master so that you can honestly wear the name "Christian" (Matt. 3:8).

"The knowledge of the truth" is that God expects you to be at every service if you are able. When you fail to do that, you not only do so to the detriment of your own soul, but you also hurt the church. You discourage the other members who are present; you discourage the teachers, the preacher, and the elders. You hurt the potential influence of the church upon visitors, and most of all you grieve the Spirit of God by "trampling under foot His Son" (Heb. 10:29).

So then, have we become your enemies by telling you the truth (Gal. 4:16)? We hope not, because we are not your foe. It is our love for you that causes us to bring this matter once more to your attention, our love for your souls that will be lost eternally in that "certain fearful expectation of judgement," unless you repent now, before it is everlastingly too late.

In Christian love,

Bob Patterson,Supulpa, OK

SYMPATHY is extended to Grace & Jimmy Brawner on the passing of Mary Dexter. Sister Dexter passed away Sunday, April 29^th.

SYMPATHY is extended to Chuck Hill and family on the death of his sister, Laura Best.

S.T.O.P. LECTURESHIP: July 22-26, Traditions of Men - Vain Religion.

Just over two months away!

GOSPEL MEETING: Iuka Church of Christ with V. P. Black preaching. May 6 - 9.

FOOD ITEM: Garbage Bags - 39 gallon

SHUT-INS: Pauline Irvin, Nellie Wallace, Annie Nauman, Faye Jackson, Clydie Morrow, Frances Massengill, Doug Kimbrough, Sula Perry, Harry Prater, Lucille Leatherwood, Clara North.

MAY BIRTHDAYS: Stephanie Jones 1^st, Tom Wade 2^nd, Kyle Hilliard 5^th, Garland Robinson 11^th, Jewel Mullins 14^th, Helen Latch 15^th, Elizabeth Hill 17^th, Glenda McGee 20^th, Trina McAfee 23^rd, Helen Prater 28^th, Frances Ward 28^th, Angie Tharp 30^th.