Truth Magazine

By Irven Lee

It is amazing how many hours some parents of young children give to the world promoted by some denominational church that is tied in with the social gospel movement. There are the gatherings on Sunday and midweek, and in addition to them there is choir practice one night, all those arts and crafts for VBS, and then on Saturday night several dozen children of various ages will be by to eat one part of that continuing meal which will be supplemented at several other homes before it is over at bedtime, and those children who play in the church league must be coached, and who will take those classes to Opryland or Six Flags?

Parents may become so involved in such “church work” that they will not have time for Bible study at home or to bring their children up “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Children need their parents for more things than just to play with them. The family life building or the fellowship hall may interfere much with those duties the Lord assigned. Food, fun, and frolic may take the place of that which edifies.

Some of these denominations may have some zealous members who spend much time visiting in homes to recruit new members. They make special effort to get these people to say they believe in Jesus and then join the church and attend the class parties. These new converts are not taught much before or after they are baptized. Emotionalism, fun, and much socializing may cover the whole plan. All this actually gets people satisfied outside of Christ. It makes them happy with themselves without their obeying the gospel or learning the right way of the Lord.

Repentance, honesty, acceptable worship, modesty, and complete obedience are not the same as emotionalism, excitement, and parties. The Lord loved the church and gave himself up for it. He will not accept a social club as a substitute for it. Zeal without knowledge is not enough to please God (Rom. 10:1-3).

As the social gospel becomes more exciting and more widely accepted there is less and less emphasis on clean speech and moral purity. The social drink which leads to addiction and the social dance, mixed bathing, and vulgar speech, which lead to fornication and divorce, are tolerated. Such churches do much for the “singles.” They plan retreats for them and trips to ski resorts and other vacation spots. America’s moral standards have been lowered as the fellowship hall has become more important. Each one who dies is “preached into heaven” regardless of how he behaved in life.

“One church is as good as another” has become the creed that forms the basis for unity among the denominations. Their preachers can work together in their ministerial associations. Young men who go to the seminaries are taught to believe nothing in particular. The Bible becomes “a book” rather than “the book,” and all are taught to believe that each person has a right to his own opinions, as if Christ has no authority. The one thing that all are expected to combat is the idea that the Bible gives us all things that pertain to live and godliness and that Christ has all authority in his church.

Churches which can join together in their Billy Graham type of religious campaigns, and their give-away programs at Christmas, and in their sunrise services on Easter morning may not search the Scriptures daily for the will of the Lord. Whatever they like must be acceptable to God, and whatever others like must be just as good. Will there ever be another great awakening and movement back to the Bible?

Evolution takes the place of creation in the minds of most of those who are trained in seminaries. The miracles are questioned, hell is denied, and heaven just becomes a beautiful word to use in funeral services. Separation into two groups at a final judgment is ignored. These educated infidels may preach, but they are working for what they regard as rights, better housing, government give-away programs, etc., for a better here and now rather than “pie in the sky by and by.”

There is much talk of rights of the sex perverts – gay rights, etc. – as alternate life styles that should be recognized by all. There are pressures to permit two men to marry, adopt children, and be active in church work. Sodom was destroyed by the Lord for such sins, but there may be American cities with as many sodomites as Sodom had. What is wrong today? Is there such a thing as sin? The humanists, who are very powerful in many religious movements, deny that there is any such thing as sin.

“For to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace … .. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” These statements from Romans 8 are true as are all the teachings of God. His will is for our good always. (Read Deut. 6:24; Mark 10:28-30; 1 Tim. 4:8.)

There may be few in the narrow way that leads unto life, but they all should contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 3). The gospel is still God’s power unto salvation. The word is sharp and active. There have been periods of ungodliness and unbelief before followed by zealous returns to righteousness. The cry of the day is for workers who are not ashamed of the gospel and the righteousness it reveals.

Denominationalism is certainly not a picture of a kingdom with law and order. It is confusion without a recognized authority. It is as sheep without a shepherd, or is it goats without a goatsherd? The Lord will not accept fun and frolic as a substitute for worship, nor will he accept zeal in the family life building as a substitute for presenting one’s body as a living sacrifice to God. We should all emphasize the duty to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. There is a time to laugh but not as a church “work.”

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 18, pp. 547-548
September 17, 1987

By Edward O. Bragwell, Jr.

As we look out into the world that we live in, we see many things that are not right. We are distraught over the wicked behavior that we observe around us day to day (cf. 2 Pet. 2:8). Because of this, it is easy for us to desperately seek some way to change the conditions that we observe to make this world a better place to live in and a better place in which to bring up our children. Therefore, the question that we so many times find ourselves pondering is just how can we go about accomplishing this task? I think in answering this question, however, we need to be careful about the kind of solutions we propose.

Just how does one go about making the world a better place and solving the problems that exist among its people? What kind of steps must we take? How do we change the world?

Not Through Political Reform

Many have the idea that the world’s problems can all be solved through political reform and the proper kind of government. We are told that if we just have the right kind of government, then we won’t have anything to worry about. I see many of my brethren caught up in this kind of thinking. They get all wrapped up in all kinds of political crusades that are designed to change our society into a more “God-fearing,” “moral” society. They seem to think that if you reform the government that it will solve all of the problems of evil and immorality that we see about us.

Indeed it is sad to see the condition that our government is in. But is it really the mission and responsibility of Christians to see that our government acts in a certain way? I hear people talk of the Constitution of the United States as a “God-given document.” It is believed therefore that the reason we are in so much trouble is because the country has gotten away from the principles of that document and therefore from the God fearing nation desired by the founding fathers. Is this really true? I always thought that the constitution was written by men. When I read about these men, I find that many of them did not believe in the God I believe in and that some were as immoral and corrupt as any of the politicians today. While the constitution of the United States is a wonderful document, it is not a divine decree and certainly not inspired of God. It is funny how many Christians will get all up in arms when people do not remain true to the constitution or make attacks on it, but will sit by and say little when an attack is made on the Bible, a document that is truly “God given” (2 Tim. 3:16). Now don’t get me wrong. I am proud to be an American. I know of no other country that I would rather sojourn in than these United States. I respect the constitution. I don’t know another earthly document that I would rather be governed by. However, I will not elevate it to a position that it does not deserve.

Is it the mission of Christians to make sure the government that they live under is “moral” and to do all that they can to change it if it is corrupt? Now I may be missing something somewhere, but when I read the New Testament, I read of Christians living under one of the most corrupt governments that has ever existed on this earth. However, I don’t remember ever reading where Christians were ever instructed by the apostles or any other inspired teacher what they were to do to change that situation. I don’t ever remember reading where they were instructed to band together and petition the government for this reform or that reform. I don’t remember much said about the government that they lived under except that they were to submit to it (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-17). If ever there was a corrupt government that needed reform, it was the Roman government. Yet I see very little said about how the early Christians were to go about reforming it.

Now I am not saying that it is wrong to do what we can to change things through whatever means are available to us, but when we get so caught up in our political crusades that we forget what our real mission is, then something is wrong. Remember, whatever political reform we might be able to instigate is only of value in this present age. It might make this world a better place to live in now, but will not matter beyond the grave. Let’s remember where our real citizenship is (Phil. 3:20). It always bothers me to see Christians spending more time and energy trying to convince those about them of the need for supporting some amendment or candidate than trying to convince them of the need for obedience to the gospel of Christ.

Not Through Social Reform

Many also think that the way to really change things in this world is through high power social programs. Therefore, many commit themselves to various social crusades. We hear much today about African relief and world hunger programs. Many devote much time to various social agencies, inner city missions, soup kitchen programs, etc. This is not only true in the secular portion of our society, but much more so in the religious portion. The social gospel has taken root in almost every denomination in this country. Churches are believed by many to be nothing more than social relief agencies. To many that should be the primary mission of all churches. It is believed that a church is not doing what it is supposed to do if it does not minister to the “whole man.”

Now, I certainly believe that we as Christians need to be doing all that we can to help relieve the hunger and sufferings of our fellow man (Gal. 6:10; Jas. 2:14-16). But if we make that our primary goal, we have missed the boat. We must be more concerned with getting something to the people of the world that they have greater need of – the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even if we were able to relieve all men of their hunger and suffering and failed to teach them the gospel we would have done them no lasting good. We would have just made things better for them in this present world while they wait for destruction.

Also, as Christians there is nothing wrong with our helping all who we can on an individual basis, but we need to recognize that the general relief of all the needy of the world is not the obligation of the church and it must not assume that work. If the church wishes to do so, we must be ready to produce the authority for us to engage in such work. While such authority does not exist, many try to justify such actions by saying that since Jesus fed the hungry and healed the sick, then his church certainly can do the same. It is argued that the church ought to carry out the same mission on earth that Jesus carried out while he was on earth. But think about it. What was Jesus’ mission on earth? Was it to feed the hungry? If it was, then he failed. Many still went hungry in his day. If that was his mission then he certainly would have had the power to accomplish it and hunger would have been completely eradicated while he was ministering here on earth. The same thing goes for disease. But that was not his mission when he came to the earth. His mission was to save, men from sin (Matt. 1:21; Luke 19: 10). He did accomplish this mission by making salvation available to all men (John 3:16).

Through Spiritual Reform

So the only way that we can really change the world is by changing the spiritual status of men. We might change one’s political or moral status for the better and still not save his soul. We might change one’s social or economic status for the better and still not save his soul. What real service have you done anyone, if you do not change his spiritual status? What real service have you done for the world? What real change have you made?

As we have already said, Jesus changed the world. He made real changes by making salvation available to all men. He did not bring about political or social reforms, but he brought about a significant spiritual reform in the lives of all that accepted him. Oh, some came to him at times and tried to use him as a means of political or social reform, but he refused to be so used (John 6:15; 18:36).

The apostles and early Christians changed the world (Acts 17:6). They did so by preaching the gospel and converting sinners (Acts 8:4; Rom. 1:16). They did it by carrying out the great commission (Mark 16:15,16; Matt. 28:18-20).

We, too, can really change the world in the same way. Do we spend most of our time and energy in political programs or in taking the gospel to others? Are we more concerned with getting food and other material things to the people of the world or getting the gospel to them? If all men received and followed the gospel of Jesus Christ, there would be no problem with political oppression, social unrest, world hunger, etc. We must realize that we can’t change people from the outside in, but from the inside out. Preach the gospel to the world and let it bear its fruit. That is how to really change the world.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 18, pp. 554-555
September 17, 1987

By Randy Reynolds

“Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and besides, I will not let Israel go” (Ex. 5:2). Pharaoh’s question would soon be answered in the chapters to follow. However the question that he presented is a good one. I’m quite confident that if more knew the answer to his question, if they knew the Lord, that they would be more and more concerned with serving him.

Job’s friend Zophar asked: “Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty?” (Job 11:7) The apostle Paul said: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and unfathomable his ways! ” (Rom. 11:33)

Our God whom we serve is not confined to the material limitations of time, matter, and space. Jesus himself spoke of God as a “Spirit” (Jn. 4:24), and then informs us that 46a spirit does not have flesh and bones” (Lk. 24:39). Moses had reminded the children of Israel that they “saw no form” when God appeared to them at Horeb, and there warned them against making “a graven image of any figure” (Deut. 4:12,15-19). The second of the 10 commandments forbade 46graven images” (Deut. 5:8-10) since God is a non-corporeal personal being.

Yet realistically the question remains, “who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?”

Our God whom we serve is:

– Eternal

– Immutable

– Omnipotent

– Omnipresent

– Omniscient

The apostle Paul actually made many of these observations in his lesson while on Mars Hill (cf. Acts 17:22-29).

Eternal: Jesus informed the Jews that He is eternal in the Gospel of John by stating, “before Abraham was born, I AM” Qn. 8:58). When Moses was receiving his instructions to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt he asked, “what is His name?” (Ex. 3:13) “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, I AM has sent me to you” (Ex. 3:14). And the Psalmist said, “Lord, Thou has been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born, Or thou didst give birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God” (Psa. 90:1,2).

Immutable (unchanging): In this great attribute of God we build our trust and have tremendous confidence. This can be done because we know his promises are true. Our Christian hope is based on Divine Word, and that Divine Word has been given to us by an oath (cf. Heb. 6:9-20).

Man is unpredictable because he changes his mind from time to time. But our God is unchanging, “For I the Lord, do not change” (Mal. 3:6). And James states that with our Father in Heaven, “there is no variation, or shifting shadow” (James 1:17).

Omnipotent (almighty): The word omni comes from the Latin word omnis which means all. Thus our God is all powerful.

In Jeremiah’s prayer he said, “Ali Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by Thine outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee” (Jer. 32:17). After he had finished praying the Lord said to him, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jer. 32:27)

The Hebrew name for God Almighty was El Shaddai and this name seemed to be the usual name for God in the days of the Patriarchs. To Abraham, Isaac, and Job God was known as the “Almighty” (cf. Gen. 17:1; 28:3; 35:11).

Omnipresent (everywhere): The apostle Paul said, “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:13).

In 11:4, the Psalmist stated, “Heaven is the throne of God” and in 1 Kings 8:30 we are told that Heaven is “His dwelling place.” If this be correct, then how can God be everywhere? Consider with me these Old Testament examples for a clue to our answer. . .

(1) Exodus 3:2,4

(2) Exodus 14:30; Isaiah 63:9

(3) Exodus 13:21; 14:19

Now answer these questions:

(1) Was God in the bush?

(2) Did the Lord save Israel from the hand of the Egyptians?

(3) Did the Lord go before the children of Israel in a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night?

I believe you would have to answer “Yes” to all 3 questions, simply because that’s what the Bible says. But you would also have to conclude that God used an angel to do all three while He yet remained in Heaven, “His dwelling place.”

Thus in Jeremiah we find, “Am I a God who is near,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far off?” Can a man hide himself in hiding places, So I do not see Him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill the Heavens and the earth?” declares the Lord (Jer. 23:23-24).

Omniscient (all knowing): Our God is a “God of all knowledge” (1 Sam. 2:3). “He knoweth all things” (1 Jn. 3:20). His knowledge is as infinite as his great power; he knows our hearts (Acts 1:24) and our needs (Matt. 6:8). According to Mark 13:32, He even knows what Jesus and the angels do not know.

There is a God, He is alive In Him we live, and we survive; From dust our God, created man, He is our God, the great I AM.

The apostle Paul said, “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (Rom. 13:1). These my friend are the Divine Attributes of our God, the One we worship and adore.

Based upon so many Bible truths it doesn’t seem possible for one “once enlightened” to go back to the ways of Satan. After all, the God of Heaven even controls his (Satan’s) powers. Sadly enough however, it happens everyday.

But you don’t have to allow that to happen to you. Pay close attention to his word and learn to love him with all of our heart, all of your soul, with all of your strength and with all of your mind (cf. Lk. 10:27). When this was stated to the children of Israel, the Lord told them, “These words shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up” (Deut. 6:4-7).

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 17, pp. 532-533
September 3, 1987

By Irven Lee

There are those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Our Savior said such people are blessed (Matt. 5:6). There have always been those whose ears are dull of hearing, and whose eyes are closed (Matt. 13:12-16; Acts 28:26-27; Isa. 6:9,10). We have ears to hear, and we certainly need to hear the gospel. Each of the seven letters to the seven churches of Asia as recorded in chapters two and three of Revelation included this statement: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”A zealous and faithful Christian is very encouraged when he finds one as willing and eager to hear as was the Ethiopian treasurer (Acts 8:26-39). It is very discouraging to find one who is not at all interested in the gospel. For one to be taught of God he must be willing to learn. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation, and faith comes by hearing this heavenly message (Rom. 1:16; 10:17). A living, active faith must be in the heart or one cannot please God (Heb. 11:6; James 2:14-26). When men of God first carried the word to the Roman world, the people divided themselves into two groups. “The multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles” (Acts 14:4; John 7:43). In which group would you have found your place?

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 17, p. 533
September 3, 1987