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[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1<\/strong> page.]<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Have you ever known someone who was unpredictable?\u00a0 You never know what they will say, where they will go, what they will do. You would not dare depend on them for anything of importance. Some people are completely unpredictable in disposition. Today they may be all smiles, but tomorrow they may be spitefully cold.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Isn\u2019t it a joy to be around someone who is predictable? They live according to a pattern. They are level in disposition. Even when they are carrying a burden, they radiate warmth and friendliness. Their deep and abiding convictions allow you to know where they will stand and what they will say. They are people you can depend on.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Our Lord was such a person. He was trained to be predictable and dependable by Joseph and Mary. His parents \u201cwent every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover\u201d (Luke 2:41). As often as the sabbath day came, He could be found in the synagogue, worshipping God, \u201cas His custom was\u201d (Luke 22:39).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The body of Christ limps along when it could be running because so many members are unpredictable, undependable, unfaithful. Some families have to decide from week to week whether to assemble for Bible school and worship on the Lord\u2019s day. No one can really tell in advance if they will be there or not. Some members give their money the same way. If they are in a good \u201cmood\u201d they give $10.00, but if they didn\u2019t like the sermon (\u201ctoo long, or short, or hard, or soft), they may give little or nothing. Thank God for those who purpose to give a generous amount before they reach the assembly and who give it predictably and faithfully. They keep the work going.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And what about those who will not take a stand for truth and righteousness when the pressure comes (or even when there is no pressure)? Such are described by Paul as \u201ccarried about with every wind of doctrine\u201d (Eph. 4:14). The only predictable thing about some brethren I’ve known through the years is that they are unpredictable. Let us become purposed, dependable, and predictable people in all of the noble qualities of the gospel. Isn\u2019t this the aim of Paul\u2019s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 15:58: \u201cWherefore my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [Note:<\/strong> I wrote this article for and it was published in The Edifier, <\/em>weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, December 17, 1981, of which I was editor.]<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 0[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Have you ever known someone who was unpredictable?\u00a0 You never know what they will say, where they will go, what they will do. You would not dare depend on…<\/p>\n