Truth Magazine

By Randy Harshbarger

Brethren, by ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample” (Phil. 3:17). Taking to “heart Paul’s divine injunction to “mark” (“behold, watch, contemplate,” Vine, Vol. 3, p. 43), those faithful men who provide examples worthy of imitation, we use this opportunity to call attention to the life and work of James W. Adams. For fifty plus years, brother Adams has devoted his life and energies to the proclamation and defense of the Truth. His concern has ever been for the spiritual health and prosperity of God’s family. Such an example needs to be noted. Such I believe, will help encourage those who have lived during the same time and under some of the same circumstances as brother Adams; it will also help inspire younger preachers and younger Christians everywhere to press on faithfully in the Lord’s cause. Several years ago, Cecil Willis wrote an article, “Putting Old Preachers on the Shelf” (Truth Magazine, Vol. XVII, No. 5, pp. 3-6). Among other things, brother Willis pointed out the tendency of some brethren to reject certain preachers solely upon the basis of age. This in my judgment is a mistake. It is sad and alarming to hear some second and third generation preachers (and other Christians) deride and criticize those of the past. Faithful men who fought many battles for truth are rejected and their preaching is criticized as being out of date. With this attitude present in too many, I am afraid we are headed in the wrong direction. In brother Adams’ own words:

What churches of the Lord need is not technical experts to streamline their activities and oil the wheels of complicated organizational activity, but men thoroughly schooled in the gospel of Christ and dedicated to the salvation of the souls of eternity-bound men and women … Instead, give us more John the Baptists, schooled in the rude wilderness of study, prayer, and meditation, clothed in camel’s hair and eating locusts and wild honey, but animated by holy fire from off the altar of purity and truth (from Timberland Drive church of Christ bulletin, November 2, 1985).

Early Life

James Wallace Adams was born August 27, 1914, in Brawley, California. His parents were Felix A. and Mary Roberta (Mittie) Adams. In 1920 the family moved to Texas. Some of brother Adams’ ancestors were early settlers of Texas. His grandfather, R.L. Bates was a pioneer preacher of the gospel. Brother Adams graduated from high school at La Pryor, Texas (1931), and later attended Freed-Hardeman College, Henderson, Tennessee. Brother Adams obeyed the gospel in 1926. Being encouraged to preach by Walter Leamons, he preached his first sermon on December 31st, 1933. Dedicating himself to the Lord’s cause, he has never looked back. For over fifty years, James W. Adams has been preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ. When brother Adams started his life’s work, he preached for several churches in the Hill country of Texas (Menard, Brady), but he considers Vivian, Louisiana, as his first located work.

James W. Adams was married to Gertrude Leamons of Grapeland, Texas, on July 30th, 1936. Brother and sister Adams have three children’, two daughters and a son. Jimmie Nell McLemore and her family live in San Augustine, Texas. Patricia Spivey resides in Lufkin, and Robert L. Adams lives in Humble, Texas. With great pride (but pardonable!), brother and sister Adams speak of their children and grandchildren often (especially the grandchildren!).

Brother Adams has done local work in the following places: Temple, Longview, Beaumont (twice), San Antonio, Baytown, Nacogdoches (twice), Huntington, Center, Henderson, Terrell (all in Texas); Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Paducah, Kentucky; Selmer, Tennessee; and Senatobia, Mississippi. As you can see, brother Adams has been primarily a “Texas” preacher. Meeting work has carried him into some twenty-five states. In 1975, he and Foy Vinson made a preaching trip to Italy. For many years the Pruett and Lobit church in Baytown, where brother Adams preached in the early 1970s, has supported preachers in Italy and Sicily. Brother Adams continues his interest in the work in Italy.

Retiring from local work in 1983, brother and sister Adams moved back to Lufkin. They are members of the Timberland Drive church of Christ. Of course, brother Adams hasn’t really retired. He continues to teach a Bible class at Timberland Drive and preaches when needed. At the present time he is driving every Sunday to Broaddus, Texas, to preach for the church there. Timberland Drive has had a two-preacher arrangement for some years, in which a younger man can work with an older, mature preacher, thus gaining much needed experience and instruction. Brother Adams helps with this program. What a great benefit to those who can learn from him!

As A Preacher and Writer Gospel Guardian

Others will look at the preaching and writing of James W. Adams in this special issue, but permit these few observations. Believing the printed page to be an effective medium for teaching vital truths of God’s word, brother Adams began writing for papers published by brethren in the mid 1930s. However, it was not until the mid 1940s that he stepped up his writing efforts. In fact it was at the insistence of Foy E. Wallace, Jr., that brother Adams began writing regularly for the Bible Banner, being being made an associate editor in 1947. While brother Adams has never sought controversy for its sake alone, neither has he ever turned away from any issue, when truth was at stake. Controversy has often been thrust upon him. Due to his keen intellect and diligent preparation he has addressed himself time and again, to live issues that have sought to destroy and harm the Lord’s church. Hence, his writings in The Bible Banner were of a controversial nature, dealing mainly with efforts of some to get the college into the budgets of churches, and premillennialism. Clear and precise in his writing (as in his preaching), brother Adams can get to the heart of a matter, and bring pertinent passages to bear on whatever subject he might be discussing.

Even now, brother Adams is working on a book dealing with hermeneutics. After many years of study, he is certainly able to write such a book. It will be a welcome addition to those who love the truth and desire to understand and apply it properly. Too, he is working on a devotional type book, that will contain short articles of an inspirational, reflective nature.

I have had the privilege of hearing brother Adams preach many times. I have many of his sermons on tape. After hearing him preach, you know you have heard a Bible-filled, true-to-life sermon. With little sympathy for watered down, soft-soap “sermonettes,” brother Adams is first and last a preacher of the gospel! His sermons are filled with Scripture after Scripture, properly used and applied. What an example to this generation of preachers!

A Personal Note

My friendship with brother Adams goes back some seventeen years. He performed the wedding ceremony when Marilyn and I got married. Since that time we have been in contact often. When I first started preaching (in Alto, Texas), brother Adams was living in Beaumont, but soon moved to Lufkin, and was editing The Gospel Guardian. I sought his advice and counsel many times. He was always willing to instruct, study with, and guide me in some decisions that had to be made, or some problems that often faced younger preachers. Bother Adam has always been willing to help younger men, just staring out as preachers, in spite of the immaturity displayed by some. For this I will ever be grateful.

James Adams is sometimes depicted as cold and aloof. Nothing could be further from the truth. He is a serious man, who carries himself with assurance and dignity. However, he appreciates the lighter side and good human as much as anyone. Of course, his humor is never coarse or out of place. And no, he doesn’t always wear a tie (but it would be alright if he did)! One day we went out fishing for catfish on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. It was time for lunch, I inquired about some soap to get the “stink bait” off my hands. Brother Adams replay was, “Go ahead and eat, and ask no question for conscience’s sake.” A man of the Book, even on the lake. I have heard brother Adams preach with great emotion, concerning the death of our Savior. With great tenderness I have heard him speak of days gone by, of former friends who have departed from the faith, and of fellow soldiers of the cross, who hand in hand fought valiantly in the Lord’s army. A few years ago, I listened for some three hours as he detailed the institutional controversy from beginning to present. It brings great pain to his heart to remember once faithful preachers who have turned away from the truth. All of this is my way of saying, that there is another side to James W. Adams that many perhaps have not seen. This is a shame.

I have been in brother and sister Adams’ home many times. I have always felt “at home” and have appreciated the warm hospitality extended to me. Sister Adams has ever been a source of strength and encouragement to brother Adams. This past July 30th, they celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. Their love for each other is strong and unspoken, but seen by all. Sister Adams has always encouraged me in my efforts to preach and I am thankful for her friendship and counsel.

When not in meetings or preaching elsewhere brother and sister Adams are at home at 1402 Robinwood Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75901. My prayer is for their continued good health and well being. While inadequate, I say thank you for your friendship, your life, your example.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 23, pp. 712-713
December 3, 1987

By Mike Willis

The concept of “total commitment” has become associated with the Crossroads movement. Although we oppose “total commitment” in its specialized meaning to refer to an unbiblical commitment to the Crossroads philosophy, we certainly do not want to oppose the total commitment taught by the word of God. We certainly are not opposed to total commitment, though we stand opposed to the Crossroads movement. As Christians, we must be totally committed to Christ.

The word “commitment” means “an agreement or pledge to do something in the future . . . the state of being obligated.” We understand the meaning of commitment in various areas of life. When I purchase an automobile or house, I commit myself to making monthly payments for a specified period of time. When I married Sandy, I made certain commitments to her. Even our teenagers understand commitment when they start “going” together. Jesus also demands a commitment if we intend to be his disciple.

The Commitment of Discipleship

Jesus taught men to count the cost of discipleship. Read this account of his conversation with three would-be disciples:

And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God (Lk. 9:5762).

I have often thought how I would have reacted had I met these three would-be disciples. Would I have been ready to take their confession and to baptize them into Christ, rejoicing in their decision to serve Jesus? Jesus paused to teach these disciples to count the cost of their decision. To be a disciple of Christ requires self-denial. Even as Jesus did not have a place to pillow his head, his disciple will have to deny himself of temporal pleasures. The kingdom of God must take precedence over everything else in one’s life – over his commitment to bury his father. The kingdom’s business is urgent, not even allowing one time to bid farewell to his friends.

One another occasion Jesus taught men to count the cost of discipleship saying,

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple (Lk. 14:26).

This verse teaches us that one’s obligation to Christ must be put ahead of his obligation to his parents, his spouse, his siblings, and even self-preservation. The man who puts his obligations to his parents, mate, children, siblings or self-preservation ahead of his obligations to Christ cannot be a disciple of Jesus Christ. No wonder Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt. 16:24).

Paul’s Example of Commitment

The apostle Paul understood commitment and applied it. On one occasion, he responded to his critics, mentioning what being a Christian had cost him. He described his sacrifices like this:

. . . in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches (2 Cor. 11:23-28).

The apostle endured innumerable sufferings for the Lord Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, he did not become discouraged, throw up his hands, and quit. Instead he wrote,

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body (2 Cor. 4:8-10).

He taught others the necessity of living for Christ.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not 1, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Gal. 2:20).

Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. . . . And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again (2 Cor. 5:9,15).

In the face of death, he wrote,

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

Truly, the apostle Paul understood commitment to Christ, as exemplified in his life.

The Devil’s Effort To Destroy Commitment to Christ

The Devil is trying to prevent a person from becoming a disciple of Christ. Many are deterred from becoming a Christian by false doctrine – doctrines which teach some way of salvation other than the gospel of Christ. The Devil tries to destroy the commitment of those who learn the truth, using various temptations. Many are lost to immorality’s temptation. However, most of our readers are more likely to be ensnared by the “cares of the world.” In the parable of the sower, Jesus described the seed which fell among thorns as the disciple who was choked by “cares and riches and pleasures of this life” (Lk. 8:14).

Many Christians become so involved in things not sinful in nature that they put them before their commitment to Christ. Paul referred to such men who “seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s” (Phil. 2:21). These are the “enemies of the cross . . . whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things” (Phil. 3:18-19). I have witnessed those who allowed temporal concerns and pleasures to choke out their devotion to Christ. They “glory” in that of which they should be ashamed. One tells of the bass he caught fishing on Sunday morning; another tells of the bowling score he made on Wednesday night; another tells of the enjoyment he got at a movie he saw during a meeting. These are the kinds of “enemies of the cross” Paul described in Philippians 3:18-19.

Churches Suffer From Lack of Commitment

All across America, the Lord’s churches are being destroyed by lack of commitment. One evidence of this is the lack of attendance at the regular worship services, gospel meetings (at home and in the area), number not reading their Bibles, and many other things. Members excuse themselves from worship to attend school functions, business matters, recreational activities, and to rest. How can I look my Savior in the eye and tell him that I have placed my commitment to him above father, mother, mate, children, siblings, and even life itself, knowing that I excuse myself from worship to attend ball games, school activities, and business functions? To even suggest that being a faithful Christian requires that we “deny” ourselves some of these activities raises eyebrows among the membership.

Preachers need to be alert to their temptations regarding commitment to Christ. A preacher might be tempted to close his eyes to problems within the congregation because dealing with them might jeopardize his job and require a move. Here are some sermons which need to be taught because of the immorality in our society: divorce and remarriage, social drinking, mixed swimming and other forms of immodest dress, dancing, gambling (lottery tickets and all other forms), etc. Are we preachers willing to boldly proclaim what the Bible teaches on this subject, even though preaching on these subjects might alienate influential members where we worship? Is preaching a commitment to a job or a commitment to Christ’? Preaching a good “positive” sermon on love and grace might “win friends and influence people,” but will I fulfill my commitment to Christ without addressing these sins?

The Cost of Lack of Commitment

The lack of commitment which we witness among churches is costly to the Lord’s work – not so much in a financial way (although this too reflects commitment) – as in many other areas. We will pay the price for lack of commitment in these ways:

1. Worship services will be lifeless. Uncommitted people have no enthusiasm in their worship. The songs, prayers, and sermons of uncommitted people are lifeless rituals, easily detected by visitors.

2. The church will have poor attendance. The difference in attendance between Sunday morning and other services during the week will be distinct and growing greater.

3. The church will have few conversions. Whereas the early church baptized people regularly, a church filled with Christians who place the Lord’s work low on their list of priorities will convert few people.

4. The children of Christians will be lost to Christ. The children of uncommitted members will perceive the lack of commitment of their parents and frequently will decide not to waste their time going through the motions of worship. (One should not generalize to say that every unfaithful child was raised by an uncommitted parent.)

5. The church dies. As the membership grows old, members die, and few conversions occur, eventually the churches cease to exist.

Perhaps others can think of other consequences of an uncommitted membership, but these seem apparent to me. Those in the church who are upset by half-converted Christians are good seed-bed for Crossroads brethren. They sense something is wrong and sometimes fall for the Crossroads philosophy of commitment to a prayer-partner system rather than restoring New Testament commitment to Christ. Unless we can rekindle the first love of half-committed Christians, our lack of commitment portends sad days for the Lord’s people. May the Lord help us to awaken those sleeping Christians so that they may join in the work which Christ committed to us.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 23, pp. 706, 726-727
December 3, 1987

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: What is the difference, if any, between envy and jealousy?

Reply: Envy is resentment or displeasure in the heart because of the good fortune or blessings enjoyed by another. It is listed as a sin in the New Testament, being associated with such sins as murder (Rom. 1:29). It is declared to be a “work of the flesh” and Paul adds, “that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:21). Envy is condemned in Titus 3:3 where Paul mentions it as characteristic of those in the world before they obeyed Christ. Envy was the reason Jesus Christ was delivered up to be crucified. Even Pilate himself recognized it as the reason (Matt. 27:18; Mk. 15: 10). So, we can see that envy is a very heinous sin.

The word “envy” is translated from the Greek word phthonos and is considered to be always evil, unless James 4:5 would be the exception. Some interpret the verse to mean “God’s intense love for man causes him to be ‘envious’ for man’s friendship” (Baker’s Dictionary of Christians Ethics, p. 213). But this interpretation is doubtful. The human spirit is probably meant here, rather than the Holy Spirit.

The word “jealousy” is from the Greek word zelos. Thayer defines the word from two different standpoints. First “zeal, ardor in embracing, pursuing, defending anything” and second, “an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy” (Greek-English Lexicon, p. 271). So, unlike envy, jealousy may be used in good sense as well as in a bad sense.

On the positive side, God is a jealous God (Ex. 20:5; see also Ex. 34:14; 39:25; Zech. 1: 14; etc.). Elijah said: “I have been jealous for the Lora God of hosts” (1 Kgs. 19:10). When Jesus cleansed the temple, the disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for thy house shall eat me up” (Jn. 2:17), a quotation from David (Psa. 69:9). Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:2). It is obvious that the word in this sense is good. It is related to “zeal.”

On the negative side, Webster defines the word “jealous” as “hostility toward a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage” (Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, p. 647). In this sense it is a selfish disposition which can easily turn itself into hatred. It was jealousy that caused the brothers of Joseph to sell him (Gen. 37:1 If); it was jealousy that prompted Saul to hunt David like an animal. When the women of Israel sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Sam. 18:7), Saul became jealous.

The Jews at Antioch were filled with jealousy when they saw the multitudes assembled to hear Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:45). Thus jealousy, in a bad sense, and envy are closely related. Both are listed as “works of the flesh” (Gal. 5:19-21).

“Envy” and “jealousy” are to be distinguished because they are not used interchangeably. They come from two different Greek words. Jealousy, in its proper use, can produce an admirable devotion to what is pure and holy. A husband’s jealousy for his wife, or vice versa, and Paul’s spiritual jealousy for his Corinthian brethren, as we have seen, are examples. Envy is always evil. We may also think of envy as being the more passive disposition and jealousy as the more antagonistic and aggressive. Cain’s hostility was prompted by jealousy which led him to slay his brother Abel (1 Jn. 3:13). Neither envy nor jealousy, in its evil sense, should occupy the heart of the Christian.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 23, p. 710
December 3, 1987

By H.E. Phillips

Introduction

One of the greatest problems facing the church today is that of absenteeism. There are church members present at the Sunday morning worship hour who are not present Sunday night, Wednesday night or for the Bible study period on Sunday morning. There must be some reason for this deficiency in attendance. This author believes it is because due emphasis has not been placed on the importance of attending all services of the church in order to be faithful to the Lord. In some cases encouragement is given to this fault by endorsement to those in the church who hold prominent positions. It makes no difference who is guilty, the sin is the same. “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. 10:25). This is connected to “wilful sinning” (v. 26).

The effect of absenteeism on the preaching of the gospel to the outside world is greater than most of us realize. We cannot expect to convert people to Christ when our lives speak against his religion. The empty seats on Sunday night and at the mid-week services speak loud against the power of God to save. It is the earnest hope of this writer that this little booklet will do much to call attention of the reader to the seriousness of being unfaithful in attendance to services of the church. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).

Must I Attend Every Service of the Church?

Mysteries confuse us mightily! Of all mysteries, the behavior of men and women purchased by the blood of Christ is the greatest. If any people on earth should rejoice on the Lord’s day to attend public worship and service to God, the Lord’s people – Christians – should. Yet, apparently, they are the ones most indifferent. It is an open sin, as will be shown on the following pages, to neglect the opportunities and blessings afforded in all services of the church of our Lord.

Absenteeism is a term that well defines the conduct of many church members. Various excuses have been offered by those who are guilty of this sin; many not worth a mention, while others sound so “reasonable” as to require attention here.

Absenteeism falls into four well defined classes: (1) The physically handicapped. (2) The vacationers or visitors. (3) The business people. (4) The pleasure seekers. A few words on each of these should be sufficient.

1. The physically handicapped include those who are ill, feeble or stranded. Only those who are so ill that they are unable to carry on the other necessities of life, such as business, play, housework, etc., are released from the responsibility of worship to God. Many have a chronic illness which might be called “Sunday morningitis.” This illness comes on the patient about 9:30 a.m. on Sunday only, and lasts until about 12:00 noon. Then it reoccurs about 6:30 p.m. on the same day and lasts for about two hours. Again on Wednesday about 6:30 p.m. the same illness comes on the patient again, and lasts about two hours. At no other time does the patient suffer. This kind of illness does not excuse one from service to God. The illness that will keep one from work, play, etc. will hinder him from public worship to God, and only that kind of illness.

The feeble are those who have reached the age or have such weak bodies that they cannot go anywhere. If one is not too feeble to go to ball games, parties, visiting, etc., he is not too feeble to go to church. His duty is to be there, and he sins if he isn’t.

The stranded are those who are unable to attend church services for reasons they cannot help. Floods, earthquakes, fires, such weather that would keep one from work, school or play; imprisonment (for the cause of Christ, which is unlikely in this land and day), the care for one who is really ill: one who must depend upon you, and then arrangements should be made so that you could attend one service on the Lord’s day. These hindrances would keep one from one or more of the services of the church.

2. There are many who select the Lord’s day to go visiting or take short vacations. In some cases it may be the only time one could go visit relatives or friends, but to do so at the expense of public worship to God is certainly sinful. If you must go visiting on Sunday, be sure to attend worship. Christ does not mean much to the person who will go visiting and neglect his worship to God.

3. Business keeps many from public worship one or more times each week. The greed for money drives thousands to hell each week. Any man or woman who puts his business ahead of his duty to God is in a bad way. He is just too busy to go to heaven. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). This means just what it says. When one selects his business before his duty to God, he might as well mark this passage out of the Bible; he doesn’t really believe it. Some day you will die, then what will your business mean to you? It is a reflection upon the intelligence of men to excuse one from any service of the church by saying “He was just too busy to come.” Any business, as such, that interferes with public worship to God is too much business.

4. Pleasure seekers include the greater portion of absentees from the services of the church. Many do not have enough love, knowledge, faith and care, to attend to their duties as Christians, thus filling the atmosphere of the church with lukewarmness. Everything that appeals to the lusts of the flesh, or the comfort of the body, entices the pleasure seeker to absent himself from one or more of the worship services of the church. There is not a reasonable excuse under the sun that can be offered by this class of people for their sin. Condemnation hangs over their heads. The wages of sin will take its toll on this class of absenteeism.

Man has three separate obligations: (1) to himself; (2) to his fellow man; (3) to his God. Futile is his attempt to escape either of these three. We want to turn our attention now to an examination of each in order as given above. But first a few remarks.

Most people have the strange idea that it doesn’t make any different whether or not they attend any service of the church other than the service on Lord’s day morning. Many have offered excuses for this idea, varying in extremes, but when the facts are presented we see the utter fallacy of every one of them.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). In all religious matters the word of God is the standard for proving all things. Whatsoever can be proved by the word of God is good for all to do. What is not proved by the word of God is not a matter of faith, and sinful if practiced religiously (Rom. 14:23). We must hold fast to all that is proved good.

We do many things by habit. The forming of habits is good if the habits themselves are good, but to form habits that are at variance with the will of God is a dangerous thing.

Much of the failure to attend service Sunday night or Wednesday night is due to habits formed by church members. When we learn that any habit is wrong, we should immediately give it up. Some say: “I am out of the habit of going to church other than on Sunday morning. That is the reason I do not come.” But does that excuse you? Will that make it all right because you have formed a habit of not attending services? Certainly not! Would that be said about an immoral sin? Would you say a person is all right because he has formed the habit of stealing? Why no. If that is the only excuse you have to offer, never use it again. Be more consistent.

Christianity is a reasonable religion. Peter says: “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:15). Paul writes the Romans: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1). We, therefore, are obligated to show the reasons for attending all services of the church.

Again, Christianity is a religion of “do” and “do not.” It commands and forbids through divine principles set forth in the New Testament. The warnings are given to all who add or take from the Book. Inasmuch as Christianity is positive and negative, and inasmuch as God is no respecter of persons, we conclude that we are obligated alike to the same standard. If one Christian does right in attending all services, then it follows that it is right for all Christians to attend all services. But if it is wrong for-one member of the church to fail to attend all services of the church, it is wrong for all. The word, of God speaks to all alike. Another thought on this before we pass on. We will all be judged by the same standard on the judgment day. What one is required to do, all are required to do. This, of course, is gauged by the ability of the individual. We all have the same responsibility in service.

To Be Continued

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 22, pp. 686-687
November 19, 1987