Truth Magazine

By Bill H. Reeves

While preaching in El Salvador I found the following New Year’s resolution attached to the door of Mercedes Hernandez, daughter of Joaquin Hernandez who preaches in Central America. The paper was written by his daughter for her benefit alone, a few minutes after greeting the New Year. She went to her room, wrote her thoughts on the paper and fixed it to the door. She did not know anyone else would see it. I was impressed by it and asked her to let me have a copy of it to share with others. Her example may inspire the rest of us to greater zeal in the Lord’s kingdom.

January 1, 1988. 12:15 a.m. This year I desire, if the Lord wills:

1. To study in order to learn.

2. To persist in useful things.

3. To forget things which are not pleasant.

4. To smile more and be more pleasant among those about me.

5. To be punctual and constant.

6. To be better toward Said and Yasser (her two little brothers, BHR).

7. To do all things whole-heartedly and with love toward the Lord.

What I have written I propose in my heart, asking the Lord that I might fulfill it.

I desire, oh Lord, that you permit me to accomplish it in accordance with your divine will, and when I feel weakness in me I ask you to accompany me.

But above all I supplicate thee to be with me and accompany me always, Lord of heaven and earth.

Permit me to read the Holy Bible and to pray every day.

Pray: many times daily.

Read: one or more hours daily.

Blessed be thou Lord Jesus. Be with my brothers. In your great love. Amen.

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 6, p. 171
March 17, 1988

By Larry Houchen

Top of the news reports and newspaper front page news recently have been the immorality of Jimmy Swaggart. Mr. Swaggart bases his multi-million dollar ministries in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is associated with the Assemblies of God organization the same group affiliation as that of Jim and Tammy Bakker. Sin is sin in the sight of God, but the fact is that some sins and one’s influential position have deeper and more lingering consequences. A preacher is not above immorality or any other kinds of sins, but he is expected, as any other Christian, to conduct himself in a godly manner. The apostle Paul said to Timothy, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Tim. 4:12). These are some lessons which we should learn from this and similar incidents.

Someone once said, “There is no honor among thieves.” About one year ago, the Jim Bakker-PTL scandal came to public awareness. Jimmy Swaggart was one of several who “blew the whistle” on Bakker. In the midst of the scandal, Swaggart portrayed himself as a “knight in shining armor” destined to cleanup the whole unfortunate situation. Jimmy Swaggart was seen by the public as being genuine and a dedicated servant of God. Mr. Swaggart was also instrumental in exposing a Mr. Gorman (also an Assemblies of God preacher) for immoral misconduct an act which would lead to Swaggart’s own demise. Mr. Gorman subsequently “turned the tables” on this would-be champion of morality and photographed Swaggart entering a motel room with a prostitute. Jesus, on the occasion of the scribes and Pharisees bringing a woman who had been caught in adultery, said, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). Jimmy Swaggart obviously should have concentrated on preaching the gospel of Christ rather than on “throwing stones.”

Jimmy Swaggart sinned. Can he obtain forgiveness from God? Surely he can, just as any alien sinner can do (cf. Acts 2:38). Is he truly penitent? Only God can know his heart, however, the Bible does teach, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:1516a). If Mr. Swaggart reacts as Jim Bakker did in attempting to keep his PTL Ministry, we will see him preaching again in a relatively short time if he has anything at all to do with it. An injured conscience, not to mention common sense, would dictate allowing a reasonable amount of time to pass before ever attempting to preach again. If the Lord’s cause is foremost in Mr. Swaggart’s mind, he will forego both ego and a huge salary to retreat to the background for a reasonable length of time. We will just have to wait and see if Mr. Swaggart is truly thinking of the Lord’s cause or his multimillion dollar organization. Either way, the answer will eventually most likely be quite clear.

Both the Bakker and Swaggart incidents should impress us with the fact that our faith must rest in God and not in man. The Hebrew writer wrote, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay said every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Heb. 12:1-2a). Our earthly heroes have “feet of clay,” sooner or later they will disappoint us, but “Jesus is the same yesterday, and today, yes, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

Christians take no pleasure in finding out that someone has sinned. It is, however, still true, “for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted” (Lk. 18:14).

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 7, pp. 193, 215
April 7, 1988

By Lanny Parish

All problems that we are confronted with spiritually, I believe the New Testament reveals their solution, directly or in principle (2 Pet. 1:3). The statement which is the title to this article is no exception! I know of no one who will deny that the church of Christ is not growing (as it should). There must be a reason or reasons. I believe the New Testament reveals at least two of these which I present for your consideration:

The first is preachers. Over the past few years, I have observed the “work” habits of a number of brothers in Christ who are receiving “full-time” wages and are presumed to be doing “full-time” work as ministers of the gospel of Christ. But, in many instances I have noticed first hand (and have also been told of others), that some preachers who are supposed to be “full-time” are not performing their duties “full-time” (2 Tim. 4:5).

When preachers accept “full-time” wages it is expected and required that the “laborer be worthy of his hire.” Yet, many preachers in this category (“full-time”) spend few hours per week in diligent study of God’s Word which is evidenced in their class teaching and their sermons. One can not teach what he does not know – and he cannot know what he has not learned (2 Tim. 2:15). Perhaps this is one reason preachers are no bolder than they are in their preaching and personal work; their faith and conviction has not matured as a result of not properly utilizing their time (1 Tim. 4:13,15,16).

Some preachers abuse their “full-time” status by spending too much time on the golf course, fishing, drinking coffee, just plain gossiping, too much time away from the local work for whatever reason, etc. There is no way that I know that any person in any endeavor, spiritual or secular, can do an effective job unless he is diligent, devoted and consistent in his efforts. Preachers are no exception (2 Tim. 4:2)! How many nonmembers have we as preachers talked within the past year? How do we know it won’t do any good? How many denominational preachers have we as preachers tried to discuss the Bible with? How do we know it won’t do any good? Have we met everyone in our neighborhood? How many “liberal-minded” brethren have we tried to study with? Preacher brothers, we need to ask ourselves these questions and consider our answers!

When preachers assume the responsibility of “full-time” work, they do so by choice and, therefore, incur the weight and privilege of the obligations of a minister outlined in the New Testament which is primarily to preach the gospel! Preachers of all people, know these things and brethren should know them and require the same as God’s Word does.

If all preachers will “put their hands to the plow” (Lk. 9:62) and earnestly and diligently “fulfill thy ministry” we will see the church grow as it should! God’s Word hasn’t lost any of its power (Rom. 1:16)! I thank God for those brethren who are faithfully and diligently discharging their duty as a gospel preacher and I pray that the rest will begin. So, preachers who are not fulfilling their ministry as the New Testament reveals is one reason the church is not growing as it should. (I’ll not address the obvious and understood fact that preachers deserve and are expected to take time off to relax and enjoy wholesome recreation just like anyone else.)

The second reason the New Testament reveals that the church is not growing as it should is members. It is easy for us all to get the “pass-the-buck” syndrome (Gen. 3:12-13) when things are not progressing as we think they should. We need to possess the honest, honorable character of “the-buck-stops-here” and take the initiative to perform accordingly.

It seems to be the programmed nature of some members to want to blame the preacher for the church not growing as it should, and for some preachers to reciprocate with the favor of blaming the members. Surely, brethren we realize, even if both sides are wrong – that two wrongs don’t make a right (Gal. 6:7)!

I am acutely aware, having preached “full-time” for a number of years, that some members feel it is their duty to bemoan not only preachers and other members but, the work in general. Also, I have experienced the same with preachers (Acts 10:34; Rom. 14:12).

Members who are not happy and grateful for the privilege of being who they are and what they are (God’s child) seldom radiate the blessedness they are missing. And as result, those they come in contact with perceive their’disposition and attitude and have no intention of being permanently associated with such, which can mean they won’t even consider the church (Matt. 5:16).

When folks see members of the church of Christ conduct the affairs of their life in an un-Christ like manner and are unfaithful and don’t “practice-what-they-preach,” is it any wonder the church of Christ is not growing as it should? I hope you and I will consider and realize that there is no “passing-the-buck” before our Lord.

These two classes of people – preachers and members – are two of the determining factors in whether the church grows as it should! You and I are one or the other or both! My prayer is that we each realize our individual role in life as God’s child and will conduct ourselves accordingly so the result will be the church growing as it should.

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 6, pp. 161, 183
March 17, 1988

By Ken Weliever

After the children of Israel were freed from Egyptian bondage and delivered from Pharaoh’s army, they began their journey toward Mt. Sinai. In the wilderness God provided food, water and protection. When they arrived at Sinai, they received the law that would govern them as a nation and the pattern for the tabernacle regulating their worship. After being numbered and organized, they were now ready to enter the land of promise.

However, it seems that the people originated the idea to search the land (Deut. 1:20-23). God agreed to it and told them to “spy out the land” and see how the people lived, how strong they were, and what the land looked like. After forty days, the spies returned and admitted Canaan was a wonderful land, but expressed doubt they could conquer these strong people. Two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, objected and said, “we are well able” to take the land. However, the majority prevailed and Israel wandered in the wilderness another 38 years while an entire generation died.

This account from Numbers 13 and 14 should be very familiar to most readers. But the question is: What do we learn from it? Concerning the problems of Israel Paul wrote: “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Cor. 10:11). Regarding our approach to studying the Old Testament Paul also penned: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). So what example is set for us in this account? What admonitions do we receive? What lessons do we learn from the twelve spies?

Two Attitudes

The outlook of the ten spies was not very bright. Their report was one of gloom. They could only see the problems instead of the possibilities, the giants instead of God and defeat instead of victory. The inspired writer called it “an evil report” (13:32). Their attitude could certainly be called negative.

On the other hand, Caleb and Joshua, were very optimistic. Their report was one of hope. They saw the possibilities instead of the problems, God instead of giants, and victory instead of defeat. God said Caleb “had a different spirit” (14:24). Yes, it was different from the ten spies because it was positive instead of negative.

Today, in the world and in the church, we still have these two groups of people. Some can see the good in people, opportunities to spread the gospel and the disposition that says “we are able.” While there are others who can only see the bad in people, the flaw in any idea and say “we are not able.”

Traits of the Ten Spies

Let us look a little closer into this negative attitude of the ten spies and see what traits composed their character.

(1) Doubt. They said, “We are not able” (13:31). Doubt caused them to question their resources to take the land, as well as their God who was leading them.

(2) Self-depreciation. “We are in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight” (13:33). They saw themselves as teeny, tiny, little grasshoppers about to be squashed by the big, bad giants.

(3) Fear. Joshua indicates in 14:9 that they were afraid. Fear naturally follows doubt and self-depreciation. Fear then will paralyze one and keep him from acting.

(4) Critical spirit. When people become negative and inactive, they turn to criticizing others who want to move forward. The whole congregation was influenced by these terrible ten to murmur and complain against God’s leaders, Moses and Aaron (14:1-2).

(5) Rebellion. The preceding attitudes contributed to the spirit of rebellion against God. They said, “Let us make a captain and return to Egypt” (14:4). Can you imagine being on the brink of the promised land, and then wanting to return to the land of slavery?

(6) Ingratitude. Implied is also a spirit that was not thankful for their blessings. They failed to appreciate all that God had done for them in the two years after leaving Egypt.

(7) Unbelief. All of these negative traits can be summed up in one word – unbelief. The writer of Hebrews 3:18-19 says that unbelief kept them from entering Canaan.

Brethren, doesn’t it scare you to death to look at this list and see so many of these negatives in the church today attitudes that hold us back, that divide our ranks, that cause us to wander in the wilderness of sin and keep us from entering the land of promise. Several years ago James P. Needham wrote a very fine article that described negativism this way: “There is no place in the Christian’s life for negativism, yet this is the persistent attitude of many. It constantly talks down the great work of God. It is a prophet of doom, gloom and boom! It says nothing is useful or beneficial, no, not gospel meetings, Bible classes, etc., etc. Everything proposed is a waste of time, effort, and especially money! That’s the most important. Negativism is not realistic, but materialistic. Negativism is an elephant on the road to progress; a millstone around the neck of usefulness; a cancer of the mind of its advocate; and ice pack on the fervor of the faithful. It sees thorns on the rose bush, never the roses on the thorn bush. Its parent is little faith, its child is discouragement, its grandchild is cantankerousness and its first cousin is stubbornness!”

Caleb and Joshua

These two men were “different.” They had a different disposition, a different focus on life, and a different attitude toward God and his work. What were some of the attributes of their attitudes?

(1) Faith. They said, “We are well able to overcome” (13:30). They believed in themselves, in their fellow Israelites and most importantly in their God.

(2) Confidence. Concerning the Canaanites Joshua said, “The people are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us” (14:9). They had the confidence in the outcome of this undertaking, because they knew they were doing the will of God.

(3) Courage. Joshua said, “fear them not” (14:9). He was not afraid of the giants, the walled cities or the strength of the people.

(4) Action. Caleb said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it” (13:30). Positive people say, “Let’s go and do it now!”

(5) Thankfulness. They understood the land was a gift from God, a blessing due to his delight in them (14:7-8). True appreciation for one’s blessings will lead to action and obedience.

Today, as we face the giant problems of sin, suffering or sickness in our personal lives or the apathy, indifference and cowardice in the lives of our brethren, we need the positive traits of faith, confidence, and courage, coupled with action and an appreciation of God’s blessings to lead us on to victory.

Conclusion

Numbers 3:32 tells us there were 603,550 men of war. Of that number only two, Caleb and Joshua, entered into Canaan. 603,548 fell in the wilderness. Jesus said only a “few” will enter and walk the strait and narrow way leading to life, while many will walk the broad way leading to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). Will you and I decide to develop the disposition like God’s two heroes of old? Or will we be like those shameful spies who brought back the negative report? Don’t be a whiner! Be a winner for God!

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 6, pp. 163-164
March 17, 1988