Truth Magazine

By Jady Copeland

Paul wrote, “And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ” (Col. 1:28, NAS). Many translations put the word “complete” here as “perfect.” It means mature, complete, or full grown. The apostle said that in proclaiming Christ and “admonishing” and “teaching” each of them, that he would “present every man complete in Christ.” Paul was the agent in the hands of Christ and the “tool” was the gospel to make men perfect or complete, or mature. At the judgment, it is our desire to be what Christ would have us be. We constantly strive toward perfection.

As children are not expected to be full-grown (in body or mind); so is the new-born babe in Christ. But as we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, he wants us to “mature.” Some of the Hebrew Christians had not grown sufficiently (Heb. 5:12-14). They were still spiritual babes and had to have “milk” instead of “solid food.” But the solid food was for “mature” (full-grown) men who by reason of exercise were able to “discern good and evil.” “Exercise” is a term of the athletes in training. It was as if they were in a “practice game” to get ready for the real contest. The mature person not only must “know” the word of God, but he must be able to use it profitably.

Mature Christians must be constantly “adding” (2 Pet. 1:5-11). As the Christian starts with strong conviction, he then supplies or brings in besides these attributes which Peter mentions. But notice the “bottom line” – an entrance into the everlasting kingdom. From baptism until death we are constantly growing or “supplying” the many attributes or characteristics which a Christian needs to serve God, self and fellow man. Like the old alligators, the mature Christian never stops growing. Too often we see the elderly giving up, and quitting – quit growing, quit helping others, quit studying. Just when they should be able to use their great influence and maturity out of many years of study and experience to best advantage, they give up.

The mature Christian is not easily moved away from the gospel. While it is true the devil never sleeps (I Pet. 5:8-10), the Christian has matured to the point he knows what he wants, and he knows who he is. He is a child of God with his eyes set on the goal, and he knows that if he looks away he is likely to fall. Like a tight-rope walker, he never concentrates on the things below, or to the side, but keeps his eye on the goal and his attention on his objective. He realizes the devil is trying every “trick in the book” to distract him (knowing if he can, he can make him fall), but the mature Christian refuses to let things of the world attract his attention away from Christ. Too many Christians let sports, pleasure, money, family and business take so much of their attention and time, they have little time left for Christ and his work. You see Satan is clever enough to know that he does not need to get everyone to “quit the church” but if he can get them to put most of their attention elsewhere (even on the things of life that are not of themselves sinful) he knows that God will not accept such service (Matt. 6:33).

Let’s notice two groups who fall away as described in the parable of the sower.

First, those who fell away because of “tribulation or persecution” because of the word. Those in the “stony places” received the word with joy, but when objections came because of the word, they could not endure. Teachers need to prepare new converts for the inevitable – we will have rocks thrown because we became Christians. This idea that “everything in the life of a Christian is just peaches and cream” is just not so. “Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12) has to mean something. But some are not ready to suffer for his sake. It may not be death as some in the past have suffered, but it will not always be easy. In the next place the seed that fell among thorns represents those who heard, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choked it out. I do not understand this to mean that the “cares” of this life were of themselves sinful things. But some get so busy with the “business of living” that they fall away, or if they don’t quit entirely, they become unfruitful servants.

A mature Christian is not attracted by the things of this world. His interests lie in spiritual directions. Paul wrote, “If then ye were raised together with Christ seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:1-3). Occasionally I hear one speak of a godly person, “His whole life is wrapped up in God (or the church).” Well, why should it not be? All mature Christians’ lives are. If not, they are not growing as they should. When we get to the judgment, it will matter little who was president, or whether your favorite football team won on Saturday, or whether you had money in the bank. Paul continues, “When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory.” MacKnight comments, “principally on heavenly things, and not on empty perishing riches, honors, and pleasures of the earth” (MacKnight on the Epistles, Vol. 3, p. 549).

A mature Christian is not easily offended.- He is not prone to feel mistreated, neglected or left out. He is not looking for something for which to take offense. He will hasten to correct sin not only in himself (Matt. 5:23) but also in others (Matt. 18:15-17). If he does not get his way about incidentals, he will not be offended. He is not selfish about unimportant things and if brethren don’t like his way of doing things, he will work as hard to do it their way . . . as long as it is in harmony with the word. He is not childish about these matters, but is a “man.” “Brethren, do not be children in understanding, however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature” (1 Cor. 14:20, NKJ). Too many congregations have those who (in the absence of elders) want their way about everything, and if they don’t get it, they pout and rob God of the service they could otherwise give him. And such an attitude is a form of selfishness and selfishness has no-place in the kingdom of God. Furthermore a mature Christian will receive correction with grace and profit. “Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge but he that hateth reproof is brutish” (Prov. 12:1). The King James has “instruction” here, but the idea is discipline, or correction. He will not refuse the constructive criticism which is given in the proper manner, but will, regardless of who gives it, give it serious consideration. In my personal judgment, we have far too many gospel preachers who are “know-it-alls” and refuse to even consider another’s viewpoint. Of course it sometimes hurts one’s pride to know he can learn from others, because it may make him feel inferior. But the man does not live who has learned it all, and often good information and correction comes from the most unsuspecting sources. “Give instruction to a wise man and he will yet be wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (Prov. 9:9). An open mind is a learning mind.

A mature Christian is dependable. Paul could depend on Timothy (Phil. 2:19-20). “Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say” (Phile. 21). A Christian is dependable in speech. When he says something, one can depend on his words as being honest, and when he makes promises, he will keep them. To do less is dishonest. He must be dependable in his work. When I taught school, I learned to call on the busiest student in class if I really wanted the work done. The student who said “I don’t have time” was never busy . . . at least about worthwhile things. Elders soon learn which brethren are dependable. What a waste of talent when we have capable brethren who are so lax in their attitude and work that the Lord can’t depend on them for anything good! Deacons have to be proven. Near my home during World War II, there was a “proving ground.” They tested various weapons before shipping them into the war. In a sense God is testing us today in our faith.

There are many other marks of maturity, but these will give us food for thought. Am I growing? Re-read 2 Peter 1:5-11 and see how mature you are. A child that never develops physically is a pitiful sight; a Christian that is no larger than when he “came up out of the water” is much worse. “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.”

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 20, pp. 622-623
October 20, 1988

By Larry Ray Hafley

I am thankful that I live in a country where one is free to make a movie like The Last Temptation Of Christ. I regret, though, that I live in a country where anyone would want to do so. No, I have not seen the movie. No, I do not intend to do so. And, yes, I am aware of what the Bible says about answering a thing before you hear it. But this is not a review of that movie.

According to the media, the film presents Jesus as uncertain about his mission and ministry. If that report is true, nothing could be further from the truth. No man was ever more sure and certain about himself than was the Son of God. He was the master of every situation, the winner of every confrontation. He spoke and taught with boldness. He never wavered, never hesitated, never skirted an issue, never dodged a question. But what is greater than that is the fact that his directness, his frankness, never entangled him in greater difficulties. I might act decisively and speak positively in all cases, but at times my plunging head-long into hard questions gets me into more trouble than I am able to get out of. Not so with the Lord. When he answered questions that were deliberately designed to bait him into an intemperate utterance, he never made matters worse. Rather, “And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions” (Matt. 22:46).

One may not believe or agree with Jesus’ testimony about himself, but there is never the slightest doubt of the Savior’s assurance and confidence.

Certain In His Person

Jesus was conscious and confident of who he was. He declared himself to be greater than the temple, greater than Jonah, greater than Solomon (Matt. 12:6,41,42). He said he existed before Abraham (Jn. 8:58). He said he came from heaven and that he was not of this world as men are (Jn. 6:62; 8:23).

Those claims make him either a liar, a lunatic or the Lord. But regardless of your conclusion, Jesus was not uncertain about himself. He did not deny that he was greater than Jacob (Jn. 4:12). He did not retreat when he was charged with making himself equal with God (Jn. 5:18). In fact, he claimed equality with the Father in action, power, judgment, honor and reconciliation (Jn. 5:19-26). Men may fabricate a weak, uncertain Savior, but their creation is not akin to the “author of eternal salvation,” Jesus the Christ.

Certain In His Purpose

Jesus knew what he was to do, and he never swerved from the accomplishing of his mission and ministry of mercy. “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Lk. 5:32). “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk. 19:10). “I came not to judge the world, but to save the world” (Jn. 12:47). A few days before the agony of the cross, he said, “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour; but for this cause came I unto this hour” (Jn. 12:27). Jesus knew. Jesus never doubted. Jesus never questioned why he came to this earth. He was always aware, always certain.

No soldier wants to follow a general who is uncertain. No patient wants to allow a surgeon to operate if the doctor is uncertain. No football team wants to be led by a tentative coach or quarterback. Angelic armies and heavenly hosts are led by the certain Savior, the captain of our salvation. He did not quiver; he did not shiver in fear or doubt of his ultimate purpose. We can, therefore, follow him in battle against spiritual wickedness, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against the imps of the hadean realm. Finally, when our feet enter the chilly waters of Jordan, we may confidently say with David of old, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; they rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psa. 23:4).

Certain In His Power

Jesus never hesitated when power and authority were needed. When the disciples awoke him during a storm at sea, he rebuked them for their lack of faith and immediately calmed the wind and the sea (Matt. 8:23-27). When he was challenged regarding his authority to forgive sins, he responded with power and silenced his critics (Matt. 9:2-8). These are not the actions of a man who is uncertain about his power and authority.

When questioned about issues and events beyond the knowledge of men, Jesus responded with insight and Scripture (Matt. 22:23-33). He did not have to say, “Well, I think, ” or “My opinion is,” or “Perhaps, it will be,” or “Probably, it will be like this.” No, he never resorted to conjecture. Jesus did not simply offer “a reasonable hypothesis.” He simply told how it would be. As a result, “The people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matt. 7:28,29).

Jesus spoke of his death (Matt. 16:21; 17:22,23). If someone kills me, my efforts are over, but Jesus did not convey the idea that his death would be the end. In conjunction with the prophecy of Isaiah (Isa. 53:10-12), Jesus knew that his death was his greatest victory and the defeat of the devil’s kingdom of darkness (Lk. 24:19-27; 2 Tim. 1: 10; Heb. 2:14,15). He, was certain of his power over death, hell and the grave.

Therefore, do not believe men who would corrupt the person, purpose and power of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Do not allow the devil to deceive you about the Divine certainty and the eternal verity of the Son of God. Men of self-doubt and personal skepticism do not say, “I am the light of the world,” or, “I am the bread of life,” or “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” So, you can serve the certain Savior, the resolute Redeemer, with boldness and confidence. Let no man deceive you by falsely portraying a Jesus of weakness and fear. It is a lie of the devil. You can be certain of that, too.

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 20, pp. 624, 631
October 20, 1988

By Mike Willis

By faith Mom, when he was come to years, refund to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures In Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who Is invisible (Hell. 11:24-27).

“Joseph came a slave in Egypt, and rose from the prison-house to a place next the throne; Moses was adopted into the royal family in infancy, and had a place next the throne, but was driven from this into exile. Joseph was tried in the furnace of affliction, and thus prepared to enjoy prosperity; Moses was tried in the more perilous environment of high prosperity, and thus prepared to endure affliction” (Isaac Errett, Evenings With The Bible, Vol. 1, p. 167).

One of the Old Testament heroes of faith is Moses. Esteemed as the lawgiver of the Old Testament, he became the antitype of the Messiah (Deut. 18:15-19). The faith of Moses was demonstrated by his decision to renounce his association with the Egyptians in order to be a deliverer of his people, the enslaved Israelites.

Moses’ Birth and Early Life

Four hundred years before Moses’ birth, the children of Israel had moved to Egypt under the protection of Joseph in order to survive the famine. God was working in his providence to protect the Israelites from assimilation into the Canaanite culture and religion (see Gen. 38 for a picture of the threat to the nation). Consequently, the Israelites moved to Egypt where they were isolated in Goshen, protected geographically from assimilation into Egyptian culture; as shepherds they were held in abomination by the Egyptians (Gen. 43:32; 46:34), protecting them from social intermingling with the Egyptians. Isolated to themselves, the Israelites were allowed to grow and develop into a nation without being assimilated into the culture of the people among whom they lived.

After a period of time, a new dynasty arose in Egypt which reduced the Israelites to slavery. They were fearful that the numerous Israelites might join the enemies of Egypt should a war occur; consequently, steps were taken to reduce the reproduction of the Israelites. The Pharaoh commanded the midwives of the Hebrews to slay any male babies which should be born. The midwives feared God more than modern abortionists, so they refused to slay the male babies (Exod. 1: 17). When Pharaoh saw this attempt to reduce the reproduction of the Israelites fad, he issued a decree requiring the Israelites themselves to cast every male child into the river (Exod. 1:22).

Moses was born while this decree was in effect. For three months, his mother hid him in disobedience to the Pharaoh’s decree because she perceived that he was a goodly child (Exod. 2:2). When Moses was three months old, his mother Jochebed put him in an “ark” (perhaps in remembrance of the deliverance of Noah) and set him afloat on the river near the place where the Pharaoh’s daughter bathed. His sister Miriam hid and watched to see what would occur.

When Pharaoh’s daughter came to bathe, she spotted the basket and had one of her attendants bring it to her. When she opened the basket, Moses cried; she had compassion on him. She realized that he was a Hebrew baby and knew what had happened. Miriam approached the Pharaoh’s daughter and asked, I ‘Shall I so and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?” (Exod. 2:7) Pharaoh’s daughter consented and she brought Moses’ mother. Pharaoh’s daughter then agreed to pay Moses’ mother wages to raise her own child. Moses was raised by his mother Jochebed probably until he was weaned at which time he was taken to Pharaoh’s daughter and became her son. She named him Moses because she drew him out of the river.

Moses’ Choice

When Moses was forty years old, he made a choice to renounce his ties with the Egyptian people and become identified with Israel. The decision reached fruition when he saw an Egyptian beating an Israelite slave. After Moses saw that no one was watching, he killed the Egyptian, thinking his own people would perceive that he was ready, willing, and anxious to deliver his people from Egyptian bondage (Acts 7:25). Without a call from God, Moses was ready to take the role of deliverer upon himself. Isaac Effett commented, “When God has a great work for men to do, he takes time to prepare them for it. Moses thought himself ready at forty; and most young Americans would be insulted if it were insinuated that they could not be ready at half that age’, (Evenings With The Bible, Vol. I, p. 165). Forty more years passed before God appeared to Moses commanding him to deliver his people from Egyptian bondage.

Two days later he saw two Israelites fighting and tried to separate them, rebuking the one wh6 did wrong. He replied, “Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? Intendest thou to kill me as thou killedst the Egyptian?” (Exod. 2:14) Moses realized his own people rejected him as a deliverer and that Pharoah would punish him with death for his crime. Consequently, he fled the country.

Moses’ Choice Was Costly

When one comes to a fork in the road, a choice of which road to take must be made. Indecision cannot be a choice; the result is as disastrous spiritually as it is physically when someone straddles the median rather than turning right or left. In making his choice to stand with his people, Moses gave up political and social position. He went from “son of Pharoah’s daughter” to “slave.” Wars have been fought by men seeking to gain what Moses voluntarily renounced. He gave up the pleasures of sin and the treasures of Egypt. Clovis Chappell remarked, “Here is a man facing a road that he knows will lead him to suffering, to agony, to disappointment, to battle and conflict and tears. Yet, with his eyes wide open, he makes the choice” (Sermons On Old Testament Characters, pp. 74-75).

How Moses Made His Choice

The external circumstances under which Moses lived did not contribute to his choice. His surroundings were hostile; the affluence of the court did not contribute toward his uiaking the right choice. Everything visible on the Hebrew side was forbidding. Nevertheless, he made the right choice.

Moses made the right choice because he had a clear eye for distinguishing right and wrong. He knew the limitations in joy which the pleasures of sin can produce (Heb. 11:25 – “for a season”). He had a keen eye for the real value of things. He looked beyond the temporary joy of immediate gratification of sensual pleasures to see the eternal happiness of service to God. He was willing to experience suffering for the time being in order to take hold of the eternal reward (Heb. 12:2).

The Outcome of His Decision

Because of his choice, Moses received the reward of a Christ-like character. He did not allow his moral character to dissipate by participating in the sins common to men of his age. Instead, he renounced sin and worked to develop moral character. Because of his choice, Moses rendered a great service to his people Israel and became known as the great deliverer of his people. No name of an Israelite leader exceeds that of Moses until Christ Jesus. Because of his choice, Moses received the reward of heaven as exemplified by the comments made in Hebrews 11:24-25 and his appearance with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration. Isaac Errett spoke the truth when he wrote, “Standing by Moses in Egypt, his choice may seem to be foolish and absurd; but standing by the glorified Moses, on the Mount of Transfiguration, we know that his choice was the only wise one” (op. cit., p. 165).

Conclusion

Moses is not the only man to face a fork in the road of his life, to be requried to choose whether to stand with God or with Satan. The same choice is faced by every man. From the example of Moses’ choice, let us be reminded to look beyond the temporary pleasures which sin can provide to the eternal reward of righteous living.

Moses recognized, as does every man, that sin produces some pleasure. There is sensual gratification in adultery and fornication, stealing, revenge, etc. but that gratification is short-lived. The time of the enjoyment of the pleasures of sin will end, if not during life, then certainly at death. What is left then is reaping the harvest of having shown to the flesh – eternal damnation, separated from the presence of God and in torment forever. There is no temporary pleasure which sin can produce which is worth what it costs! Moses saw that and I esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.” Moses had 20/20 vision. Do you?

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 21, pp. 642, 661
November 3, 1988

By Wayne Greeson

And, behold, a certain member of the Bible class spoke up, and tempted him, saying, “Preacher, must I attend all assemblies of the church to inherit eternal life?” The preacher said unto him, “What is written in the Bible? How readest thou?” And he answering said, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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. 10:24-25).

And the preacher said unto him, “Thou hast answered right: this do, obey God and thou shalt live.” But the member, willing to justify himself, said unto the preacher, “And does this include Sunday and Wednesday night?”

And the preacher answering said, “A certain man went down from Nashville to Atlanta, and it being a Wednesday night, he began to seek out a church with which he could gather, fellowship and study. And as he had no transportation, he began to call certain ones for a ride to Bible study. And by chance he called a certain elder of a near by church: and when the elder heard his request, he apologized and explained that his children had a school function that night and he himself would not be going to Bible study. And likewise a preacher of another church, when he was called, listened and heard him, and excused himself as the church there stopped having a midweek Bible study.

But as the saddened Christian was on the verge of despair, he called a certain church and got hold of lowly member cleaning the building. And as the lowly member listened, he knew right where the traveling Christian was staying. And when he heard him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bought him dinner, pouring him coffee and ice water, and set him in his own car, and brought him to the Wednesday night Bible study and introduced him to all the other members present.

And on the morrow, when the traveling Christian departed, the lowly member took some time out to take the Christian to breakfast, and gave him a hearty farewell, and said unto him, “Take care of thyself; and whenever thou come back, I will come again and I will be glad to pick thee up.”

And then the preacher said, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, truly provoked unto love and to good works and exhorted him that visited from another city?” And the member said, “He that shewed mercy on him, picked him up and took him to Bible study.” Then said the preacher unto him, “Go, and do thou likewise” (see Luke 10:25-37 and Heb. 10:24-25).

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 20, p. 628
October 20, 1988