Truth Magazine

By Don Willis

The Montgomery County, Texas local newspapers revealed in early November that over 500 acres of land in the western section of this county and Grimes County had been purchased and would be set aside for a Nudist Colony. This shame goes against the conviction of all God-fearing people. Lack of morality is a curse to any generation.

Adam and Eve were the world’s first nudists. The Garden of Eden was a wonderful surrounding of all things moral and upright . . . until sin entered the world. Through temptation, the devil encouraged Eve to sin. Adam participated, and God was displeased. “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Gen. 3:21).

With the rise of idolatry, sin began to remove the clothing of women. Idol temples were served with a priestess of fornication. During the Roman era, public baths were used, and sin became rampart. This contributed to the fall of the Roman empire. In parts of the world even today, public toilets are bisexual. This does not conform to our morals, and we detest such.

Yes, we are shocked to see a public nudist colony so near to our homes. France may have its nudist beaches, and even some nudism might be found by the uncivilized in America; but not near my home!

However, I challenge any of you to go near the public beaches in America today or even to the local swimming pool in your neighborhood. You see, slowly our children have been accepting nudism, and many parents said nothing about it.

A little history: My father’s philosophy toward swimming was that his children ought not to get into the water until they learned how to swim. Occasionally, we boys would slip off to the creek, and swim in our cut-off overalls. The public swimming pool was beginning to become popular then, and one-piece swimming suits were the fashion. Then some brave soul cut the middle out, and along came two-piece swim suits. The brazen would begin to roll down the top of their swim suit, and bingo: the bikini. I recall the shorts and halter craze. Some females would roll their shorts up (after they left home). But the accepted swimming attire, and even the public attire of many, is quite bizarre in contrast to that of a few years ago.

The bikini is accepted by the public as normal attire in public. Even today, the string has been accepted. Just a few years ago, the G-strap (or string) was worn at the burlesque or brothel, but everyone knew this belonged to the immoral individual. Now, some public areas boast of their topless entertainments. Now, are we still shocked?

The apostle Paul commanded, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety” (1 Tim. 2:9). Women are to wear modest clothing. This is clothing that indicates the relation of the heart. Clothing should manifest that one is a child of God. Shamefacedness was once defined to me as the “ability to blush.” “In like manner also” connects with verse 8 where Paul told men to “pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” Morality is enforced upon all of God’s people, men or women. There is no God-approved double standard Parents: Our children may not know any better, but we do. Parents have the charge to bring those children up in the chastening and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). Women, reach over and feel to determine that the man has warm skin and feel to see if there is a pulse. If any sign of life appears, beach apparel will affect them in an ungodly sort of way . . . and you know that. Parents desire that their children be accepted and therefore lose that godly reason that will limit improper activity.

I am responsible for the instruction of my children, and for their outward activity while they live at my house, and receive my support. Stand up for that which is right, and cannot be wrong.

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 3, pp. 65, 87
February 4, 1988

By Wayne S. Walker

A few years ago there was a newspaper article in which several leading scientists were asked to discuss whether the forbidden fruit of Genesis chapters two and three was really an apple or not, since apples do not generally grow in the part of the middle east where it is believed the Garden of Eden was located. A couple of these so-called experts even said that we would probably have to check the Hebrew and Greek translations of the Bible to see exactly what was meant by the word “apple” to be absolutely sure. (For those who wish to check the accuracy of this, the story is found on page 3 of the July 7, 1974, Sunday edition of the Chicago Tribune. The author was Derrick Blakely and his title was, “Apricots in Eden? Experts Take a Bite.”)

However, all of this discussion was a manifestation of ignorance because the Bible does not even claim that Adam and Eve ate an apple. It just calls it a fruit. “Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die (Gen. 2:15-17, NKJV). Our purpose in this article is not to determine the kind of fruit that God forbade Adam and Eve to eat, but to look at this text and see what lessons can be learned from it.

I. God gave man a job to do. Adam was put into the Garden of Eden and told “to tend and keep it.” God despises idleness. Of the slothful man he said, “So your poverty will come like a prowler, And your want like an armed man” (Prov. 24:34). One of our own proverbs is that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop and idle hands are the devil’s tools. God has always required man to work in the physical realm. “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need” (Eph. 4:28). God has given his people a spiritual work to keep them busy. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). When you sing the grand old gospel song, “I Want to Be a Worker for the Lord,” do you really mean it?

II. God gave man provisions to live. God said to Adam, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat.” God also provides for us. He is the source of every good and perfect gift. It is him who “gives to all life, breath, and all things,” and it is in him that “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:25-28). God provides for all our physical needs. While preaching in Lystra, Paul said of God, “Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). May we ever be thankful for these wonderful material blessings. But God has also provided for all our spiritual needs in Christ. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

III. God gave man a commandment to keep. His specific words to Adam were, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat.” In every age, God has revealed his commandments to mankind. The Psalmist wrote, “You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me” (Psa. 119:98). One of the purposes of these commandment is to try or test man’s faith whether he would obey or not. Moses told the Israelites, “And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not” (Deut. 8:2). It is by keeping his commandments that we show our love for God. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 Jn. 5:3). To say that we “love God” and then refuse or fail to obey his commandments is to lie.

IV. God gave man a threat of punishment to motivate him. Adam heard God say, “For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Law without punishment is, in fact, no law. “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecc. 8:11). One of the major problems with the laws of our nation is that punishment is not sure and swift. This has resulted in the skyrocketing of our crime rate. Most people recognize the need for occasional punishment in the home. “He who spares the rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly” (Prov. 13:24). In order for children to learn the difference between right and wrong, wrong behavior must be punished. In the spiritual realm, the reward of heaven would mean relatively little without the contrasting punishment of hell. Only when the wicked go away into everlasting punishment and the righteous into eternal life will justice finally be perfected (see Matt. 25:3141).

Conclusion

Adam and Eve had enough to do in the garden that they really did not have time to stand idly around thinking about the forbidden fruit. They had plenty of other fruit to eat so that they did not even need it. Furthermore, God commanded them not to eat of it and promised punishment if they did. However, in spite of all this, Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. And God did punish them. God has given us everything we need to get from earth to heaven. “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3). But if we do not do his work and keep his commandments, we shall also be punished – eternally. Yet, because Jesus died for us, we can escape the punishment of our sins and receive God’s eternal reward by giving our lives to him in obedience to his will. If you are not a Christian, or are unfaithful, will you not consider your spiritual condition and come to Christ for his blessings?

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 2, pp. 44-45
January 21, 1988

By Frank Walton

The spiritually-charged David was optimistic and enthused in his living relationship with the living God. “But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them. . . . For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You surround him as with a shield” (Psa. 5:11-12, NKJV). He wasn’t psyched up with super self-confidence, but he could “strengthen himself in the Lord” (1 Sam. 30:6) because he had great God-confidence. “The Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me” (Psa. 3:5b-6). He could count on his God to help in time of need. “Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved” (Psa. 16:8b). Instead of faith in faith, he had faith in Jehovah, who is the source of all power. “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I trust; my shield and . . . my stronghold” (Psa. 18:2). He didn’t need a humanly devised PMA pep talk, for his positive faith exuded active trust in doing great things by his God. “For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. It is God who arms me with strength. . . He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places. . . . Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great” (Psa. 18:29, 32a, 33, 35b). His God was able! He had never sponsored a losing cause. We can have this joyous exuberance and optimistic faith in serving God. Our efforts can count for something worthwhile.

“And I searched for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no ,one” (Ezek. 22:30, NASB). One of the leaders during Ezekiel’s day could have made a difference in Judah. God needed someone to rise to the occasion and help stem the tide of moral decay. If I were alive back then, would I have stood in the gap? Would you?

Sound Familiar?

Have you ever been discouraged because you thought your efforts didn’t make Much difference in the overall scheme of things. When we think we’re spinning our wheels, with little to show for our work, we think, “Why bother? What good does it do to try?” Some of you have tried once or twice to lead singing or prayer, to give an invitation, teach class or talk to a lost person and seemingly made a mess of it. Embarrassed, you might resign yourself to failure. “I can’t” slams the door on trying to learn to do better and go on in making a difference in the Lord’s work. If at first you don’t succeed, you’re about average, so try, try again! Look at Jesus’ first sermon in the synagogue and how they ran him away (Lk. 4:28-30). Instead of saying, “I can’t,” say instead, “Up until now, I haven’t been able to do this, but I am willing to learn.” Sometimes temporary failures teaches us the things we need to know to make progress.

Others might be discouraged, swamped in a sea of apathy, worldliness, contention or pessimism among members of the church. You might think, “Why go on? What difference will it make?” Or you might have visited several unfaithful brethren who showed no interest in the Lord and were quite hostile because you cared enough to visit. You probably feel just like the brother who had a seemingly good prospect suddenly lose interest in studying the Bible. As our heart sinks, we wonder, “How could they care so little for their soul? Isn’t anyone interested in the gospel?” There’s an unbelieving spouse who makes life for the believer so miserable that they’re tempted to cry out, “I can’t go on!” A preacher spends hours in visiting, preparing lessons, teaching and preaching, but is frustrated by a lack of visible results from preaching his heart out. Sitting at home alone late Sunday night, he wonders, “Is something wrong with me? It all seems to make so little difference, no matter how hard I try.” We all have pondered upon our purpose, if we really made a difference.

A “Faith Lift”

“Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other” (Isa. 45:22). Our mighty, awesome God is able to make a difference between defeat and victory. “Yours, 0 Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, 0 Lord and You are exalted as head over all. . . . And you reign over all. In your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all” (1 Chron. 29:11-12). Our God has the power if we have the faith, for we cannot out-believe the great I AM. Our faith increases as we increase the focus on the object of our faith. Such is the beginning point of all spiritual achievement (Heb. 11:6). Wonder of wonders, he is on our side (Heb. 13:6). With him there are no insignificant lives, no little people. He specializes in the people-changing business. “For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones'” (Isa. 57:15). He has not left us to struggle alone. “‘Am I a God who is near,’ declares the Lord, ‘and not a God far off?'” (Jer. 23:23, NASB)

God made us for himself and his glory (Isa. 43:7), so that we might come to serve and know him and then enjoy him forever. He makes no mistakes, nor did he put us here to fail or wallow in self-pity. He took the dust of the ground, made Adam, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. This living being was a man, the height of God’s creation. “What is man that You are mindful of him?” (Psa. 8:4) On a sermon tape, I heard Paul Earnhart observe how we excuse some mess we’ve made by saying, “Oh, I’m only human.” But as David beholds the wonders of creation, he marvels at man as the zenith of creation. Made in God’s spiritual likeness, to be human is to be truly remarkable. The Son of God shows us the way of obedience, to become a new and better person day by day, “raised to walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). We have vast potential, with the God-given power to think, to choose, to act and become all God designed us to be (Eph. 2:10). We’re not shoddy material. We sin and fall short of his glory when our faith fails (Lk. 22:32). But by nourishing our faith, we don’t have to be the way we are, but can be a changed and better person, enabled by great faith in God to do great things for Him. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20). Do we believe this? Within the will of God, what earthshattering things would we attempt for him if we really believed he would not fail us? “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31) Who dares to fight against us if God is fighting for us? Christians are never losers, but we are the super conquerors in life and eternity, led in triumph as we follow Jesus (Rom. 8:37; 2 Cor. 2:14).

How You Can Start Making A Difference

Read in the Bible about the daring lives of those who did not trust in themselves to do tremendous things, but had trusting faith in God to do his will through them. Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Amos, Daniel, Esther, Jeremiah, Nehemiah and the apostles are part of the roll call of glory. They were people like us, with problems and fears to face. But by faith, each one made a difference in his generation, amid a faithless world. They encourage us to carry on. “God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Heb. 11:40).

Their mission is not complete. We stand at a unique time on the stage of human history with a once in a lifetime opportunity to act in the drama of human redemption and destiny. There are more people alive today than have ever existed in all of history. Each one will spend eternity somewhere. We can make a difference in the lives of the people around us. God is calling all Christians for an all-out attempt to work in the urgent harvest of souls (Matt. 9:37-38). Can the Lord count on you to develop yourself into a soul-winner? No greater issue faces us today. The eternal destiny of billions is at stake. Only you can develop and use your ability; that’s an awesome responsibility! Jesus talked to thousands of people to get to those who were willing to respond. So must we be going out to seek and save the lost (Lk. 19:10). If we don’t, who will?

For us to make a difference, we need to learn to tap the power of prayer, crying out, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Lk. 11:1). By ourselves, our puny efforts and plans will accomplish little. But on our knees, our prayers can enlist the greater power of Providence. Little faith produces little praying. Prayer makes a difference, as it brings down blessings, wisdom and opens the door for the word (Mk. 11:22-24; Jn. 14:13-14; Jas. 1:5; 2 Cor. 1:11; Col. 4:3). Since prayer moves the hand that moves the world, a righteous person can cause a commotion when he knocks on heaven’s gate (Jas. 5:16). Be righteous and pray, for it gets God’s undivided attention (I Pet. 3:12)! Nothing is outside prayer’s reach, if it’s first within God’s will.

To build yourself up in the holy faith, commit yourself to regular, systematic Bible study. It’s food for the soul, like a spiritual vitamin. Who would go several days without eating? But how much more important that you feed your soul, which needs to be nourished for eternity? “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jer. 15:16). Knowledge breeds confident faith (Rom. 10:17). Dig into the riches of God’s word and it will make a difference in your life. Soon, you’ll be able to make a difference in the Lord’s service. For a clear, readable and overall accurate translation, I recommend either the New American Standard or the New King James Version.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:9). We need not be bogged down in excuses or defeated by circumstances. Today is as bright as the promises of God (2 Cor. 1:20). We are his co-laborers, so we need to build an optimistic, constructive attitude that we can make a difference. God sees and knows the struggles we face. But he is on our side and he is greater than any challenge we face. Keep your eye on the Lord, and by faith we can make a difference.

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 2, pp. 52-53
January 21, 1988

By Dennis C. Abernathy

The study of the Holy Spirit is not something so dark and mysterious and incapable of being understood that we must take some blind leap in the dark.

How does the Holy Spirit work in conversion and sanctification? Does he work directly and without means, or does he work by means of the word of God? The question is not:”Did the Holy Spirit work directly during the time the revelation (the word of God) was being given?” but, “now that revelation has been completed, does he work through the word and only through the word in conversion (the alien sinner) and sanctification (the Christian)?”

Simply stated, the Bible teaches that whatever the Holy Spirit does today in either conversion or sanctification, he does it by means, not directly, and the means used by the Spirit is the word of God!

Name anything you choose that the Holy Spirit does today, and the word is the means for doing it! For example, does the Holy Spirit convert the sinner? The Word is the means (Psa. 19:7). Does the Holy Spirit edify? The Word is the means (Acts 20:32). This point cannot be overemphasized.

Much misunderstanding comes when we confuse passages that deal with the “miraculous” operation of the Spirit, when the Word was being revealed and confirmed, and apply these passages to the time when the revelation is complete and in written form. It is vital to remember that at one time there was no written revelation. The Spirit revealed the Word directly to the apostles and others who had received miraculous (spiritual) gifts. It is a fatal mistake to read passages that belong to that period of time and equate them, with the time after revelation had been completely revealed and confirmed. This appears obvious since we now (today)have a complete written revelation (Jude 3; 2 Pet. 13; Eph.3:1-4).

It is difficult for us today to think in terms of a time when there was no complete written revelation. But be assured that when passages that have to do with that preceding period are confused with the time afterwards when revelation was completed, it results in a complete misunderstanding of the work of the Holy Spirit in conversion and sanctification.

As an example of this, denominational preachers use John 14, 15, and 16 to support the direct leading of the Holy, Spirit, which was to the apostles and had to do with the revealing and confirming of the gospel. They apply these passages to preachers today, thus, confusing a period when, there was no complete written revelation with a period when revelation is completed and confirmed. The same thing results when we take passages which were written to Christians who had miraculous gifts during this preceding period of time and apply them to Christians today who do not have miraculous gifts, but do have the complete written revelation! This is vital to our understanding of this subject.

Most in the denominational world and many in the Lord’s church are influenced by Calvinism. The system of Calvinism is at the bottom of the teaching of the direct operation of the Holy Spirit on the sinner in conversion. This false system of doctrine says that the Holy Spirit may use the Word in conversion, but that he must operate directly and in addition to the Word in conversion. It is easy to see that what you have with this false concept is the Word of God . . . plus! To understand what Calvinism teaches on this point I recommend that one read the Campbell-Rice Debate. Specifically read pages 626,628,630,633 and 649. In his attempt to try to answer Campbell’s arguments that if the Holy Spirit operated directly, it would involve a miracle in conversion, read Rice’s remarks on pages 658 and 702. Mr. Rice then gives us his conclusion by saying: “How the Spirit operates on the heart in conversion and sanctification, I profess not to understand.”

In summary, Calvinism says that the Word of God is used in conversion, but there is an influence of the Spirit distinct from the Word of God and in addition to the Word that is necessary to conversion. This system also claims that the Spirit works in connection and in conjunction with the Word of God in sanctification (the life of the Christian), but also there is a direct and distinct influence (in the life of the Christian) just as there is in conversion (the alien sinner). It is maintained that this influence of the Spirit in addition to the Word is not a miracle, but in order to try and defend this inconsistent position, Calvinists “plain (?) that the operation as mysterious and invisible!

It is plain that the Bible teaches the Holy Spirit works through the Word on the heart of the alien sinner as well as in the life of Christian. But now, there are brethren who have adopted the old Calvinistic concept that the Holy Spirit influences the Christian in some direct invisible, and mysterious way! To illustrate this point, one preacher said (this can be documented): “I do not believe the Holy Spirit operates only through the Word of God in the life of a Christian.” He then summarized as follows: “(a) the Spirit through the Word (Eph.,6:17); (b) the Spirit operates only through the Word in conversion and conviction of sinners (there are no Christians where the Word has not gone); (c) however, the Holy Spirit actually dwells in Christians (Rom.8:9). If He does nothing as the indwelling Spirit,- there is no advantage in having Him in us.”

There you have it, beloved. I am asking for scriptural proof (1 Thess. 5:21) that the Spirit operates on the alien sinner only through the Word, but the Spirit operates on or in the Christian in addition to the word! Also, I am interested in hearing an explanation of how the Spirit operates and what he does in the life of the Christian, apart from the word! I anticipate the same response that the Calvinists give; i.e., the what and the how is mysterious and invisible and we must take it by faith because the Bible affirms it.

Beloved, we need to practice what we preach. We teach people that the Word of God is complete and all-sufficient (2 Tim. 3:16-17). But I say to you, if the Holy Spirit is influencing and doing things for the Christian separate and apart from, or, in addition to, the Word of God, it is just to that degree that the Word of God is incomplete and insufficient. We teach the truth concerning the conversion of the alien and then deny that very truth when we teach the Spirit is doing things for the Christian independent of the Word, through some personal indwelling. If I am wrong here, I beg to be corrected.

I am afraid that too many have read and studied too long and have drunk too deeply from the writings of Calvinism and find themselves refuting this false doctrine on the one hand and embracing it on the other. I suggest that every preacher (especially young preachers) read the Campbell-Rice Debate and the Nashville Debate (Moody-Harding). These will be enlightening as far as this study is concerned.

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 2, pp. 46-47
January 21, 1988