Truth Magazine

By Lewis Willis

In all the controversies that have raged in religion, we in Churches of Christ have urged the solution to be the inspired Word of God. We have noted passages which tell us how the Scriptures came and what they are designed to do in establishing man’s fellowship with God and retaining it. We have cited passages like 1 Corinthians 2:9-13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3 and 2 John 9-11 to show the function of the Scriptures in leading us to God’s approval. Sectarians have charged our position to be nothing more than our “interpretation” of these passages. Even so, brethren have been of one voice in declaring this truth.

Unfortunately, through the years we have seen many controversies arise within the Church. Many debates, both public and private, have been waged in efforts to resolve these differences between brethren. Both sides of each issues have stood so solidly that division has resulted. The confusion has arisen because some have introduced into the life and action of the church things for which there is no New Testament authority. When Scriptures have been introduced which are violated by the innovation, the cry is made that the opposition which we have raised is but our “interpretation” of these passages. Those who have opposed unauthorized innovations have been of one voice, as with regard to the errors of sectarianism.

However, in recent years some brethren have come along who deplore this state of division among those who have stood together in the past. It is as though they have suddenly discovered division to be wrong. They knowingly or unknowingly ignore the face that brethren have been crying out against division for years. While the efforts to unite brethren are praiseworthy, the appeal for unity is but are statement of the division. But, a new twist has been added to this modern appeal for unity. These late-arriving reformers have accepted the position that all of these divisions are but matters of “interpretation” or opinion. They have, furthermore, concluded that there are bodies of essential and non-essential techings that have been overlooked in the heat of controversy. Some have gone so far as to distinguish between “gospel” and “doctrine,” insisting that if we are right regarding “gospel,” being right about “doctrine” is not all that important. Today it is not uncommon to hear every divisive issue among brethren over the last 150 years classified as “non-essential doctrine” which should never have been allowed to disrupt the fellowship of God’s people. Their position is that things like the instrument, missionary society, premillennialism, orphan’s homes, Herald of Truth, fellowship halls, etc., were all elevated to brotherhood misunderstanding due to imperfect knowledge respecting the passages that became the focus of these controversies. In the view of the modern “unity advocate,” those who introduced all of these things into the affairs of the church were nothing more than “well-meaning” brethren whose efforts should have been applauded, rather than condemned. Without exception, those who have opposed these unauthorized and unscriptural doctrines and practices are viewed as arrogrant, ungodly “know-it-alls” who caused the divisions.

I suppose it will come as no surprise that the “unity advocates” know just the Scriptures which will correct the “horrible mess” which those of us who have opposed unscriptural innovations have caused. They are fully persuaded that these “issues” should be totally ignored in the interest of unity at any cost. Books, journals, tracts and articles are being written telling us just exactly where we need to “straighten up and fly right.” The arguments are “profound,” especially to those who make them. But I have noticed something rather interesting in their writings which I think brethren should consider.

They cite passage after New Testament passage to prove that brethren are to be united, that they are to love one another, that patience, forebearance and understanding are to characterize our every word and act. We know this is so, because the New Testament teaches as much. They labor to show scriptural evidence that everyone must understand the truth about the person of Christ and must obey the 96gospel” in order to be in fellowship with God. In their dissertations, every soul must obey the Gospel or he is lost, and, all of these who have observed the essentials must be united or they stand condemned. How do we know this is so? Because the Scriptures say so! Everyone, it is argued, can understand this.

But when we start studying about instrumental music, missionary and benevolent societies, premillennialism, etc., we are dealing with a completely new set of rules. The New Testament Scriptures which are so easily understood by all with regard to the person of Christ, faith, repentance, confession and baptism, suddenly become complicated, unclear and subject to dozens of different renderings which makes unity impossible.

I was just thinkin, why do you suppose these men are persuaded it is possible for us all to understand the “gospel” alike, but it is impossible for us to understand the “doctrine” alike? It seems to me if the Scriptures can be understood regarding unity and love, they can be understood with regard to singing, the sufficiency of the church to fulfill its mission without adding human institutions, the limit of the authority of elders, etc. How can a preacher keep a straight face when he stands to speak on unity, quoting understandable Scripture and then argue that that same Scripture cannot be understood with reference to the issues over which brethren have divided? One would think there is a distinct possibility that those who fail to see through their little mental exercise are unable to see because they don’t want to see. The next time you are approached by one of these fellows, why not ask him why John 17:20-21 is so much more easily understood than Ephesians 5:19 or 1 Peter 5:2? However, get ready to witness some hermeneutical gymnastics. To us common folks that word means “the science of interpretation and explanation.” They will do whatever is necessary to get where they want to go!

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 16, p. 490
August 20, 1987

By Tommy Hagewood

Brethren, let’s fight the good fight of faith, as Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:12: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hath professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

Brethren, let’s fight with the “whole armor of God. ” “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13:12). “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:11-13).

Brethren, let’s fight together as fellow soldiers (Phil. 2:25; Phile. 1:2).

Brethren, let’s fight to cast “down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,” and to bring “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

Brethren, let’s fight to the finish.” “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).

Brethren, let’s fight together the good fight of faith to the very end.

 

Let’s Not Fight!

 

Brethren, let’s not fight among ourselves! “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not” (James 4:1,2).

Brethren, let’s not bite and devour each other! “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another” (Gal 5:13-15,26).

Brethren, let’s not fight as members of warring groups! “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1 Cor. 3:3)

Brethren, let’s not fight in the law courts of our land! “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? No, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? (1 Cor. 6:1-9a)

Brethren, let’s not fight over matters of opinion! Paul emphasized how destructive and sinful this is in passages like I Corinthians 8 and Romans 14.

Brethren, let’s not fight over words to no profit f Paul warns against this sin in 2 Timothy 2:14.

Brethren, let’s not fight among ourselves so that we all die and go to torment (cf. Gal. 5:19-26; Phil. 2:1-4). If we refuse to get along here, we will be together in eternity – in hell!

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 16, p. 493
August 20, 1987

By Bill Robinson, Jr.

An esteemed friend, who is neither cynical or grumpy, astutely observes that most folks (including many Christians) are more interested in having a pep rally than they are in having sound preaching when it comes to gospel meetings. Looking at the titles in a religious book store these days one soon learns that my friend’s perception may not be all that blurred.

I have read a good number of books by popular authors of the so-called positive mental attitude (PMA) philosophy. Some of the material is good but I seldom if ever recommend it because a vast majority of it leaves the impression one can manipulate God through prayer or one can think himself into spirituality by positive thinking. Furthermore, a lot of what I read is nothing more than an attempt to deify man and humanize God (Rom. 1:20-22).

Frankly, I am a little alarmed when brethren start quoting Swindoll, Wiersbe and other popular denominational writers of our day more than the Bible. Furthermore, it is disturbing to think that some brethren would miss an assembling of the church in order to hear a Zig Ziglar, Norman Vincent Peale or Charles Swindoll seminar. In fact it is down right disgusting to hear some brethren talk in such glowing terms and accolades about how such blatant false teachers as Ziglar, Wiersbe, Swindoll, Peale, etc. are motivational; especially, when they look down their noses at good faithful, godly men who for the pure love of truth have sacrificed to preach and defend it.

Answer for yourself brethren, do the Wiersbes, Swindolls, Ziglars and Peales of this world fit the class of men Paul was talking about when he wrote, “Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample”? Or do they fit in the category of those who “are the enemy of the cross of Christ: whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things” (Phil. 3:17-19)?

If we fail to live by the principle that nothing but the preaching of the gospel will save men from their sins then we are sure to die by it (Rom. 1:16)! It was the preaching of the gospel which brought the church into existence in the First Century (Acts 2:16-47). It was by the preaching of the word that obedient penitent believers were added unto the Lord in the First Century (Acts 11:22ff). Furthermore, it was through the preaching of the gospel in the First Century that men surrendered their will to the Lord being baptized for the remission of sins and went on their way rejoicing (Acts 8:26-38; 16:30-34). The meaning of the cross of Christ and His glorious resurrection provided the motivation – such a message was presented “not with excellency of speech or of wisdom” (1 Cor. 2:1).

Brethren, it is high time we got more emotional over the message instead of the messenger! When, and if, we do then we will be motivated to properly imitate those men whom the apostle encouraged – namely, those who love the message and who have willingly sacrificed to preach and defend it as it is “the power of God.” We do not need pep rallies to psyche us up about the religion of Christ – we need commitment to get involved in the religion of Christ, reviving in our hearts a genuine love for plain gospel preaching!

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 16, p. 494
August 20, 1987

By Raymond E. Harris

Man’s interest in wisdom dates back to Adam and Eve. The serpent used the promise of wisdom to tempt Eve. In Genesis 3:5-6, the serpent urged Eve to eat the forbidden fruit by promising: “Then your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” As Eve pondered the situation, she determined that the fruit of the tree was “to be desired to make one wise.” And they both ate thereof.

However, we must hasten to draw a clear distinction between wisdom and education. Obviously both a parrot and a fool can be educated. Webster, tells us that “wisdom” is “the ability to judge soundly and deal shrewdly with facts.” In other words wisdom is the good sound “common sense” to use our knowledge and ability in the best possible way.

In the New Testament, in James 3:13, it is written: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” In that verse, James stresses that it is wise to be “good. ” That is obviously true at all levels.

1. The “good,” well-behaved child will be blessed by the good will of parents.

2. The “good,” well-behaved student will be blessed by the good will of teachers.

3. The “good,” well-behaved Christian will be blessed by the good will of God.

And conversely the Bible warns, “The way of the transgressor is hard” (Prov. 13:15).

Also, it is to be noted that in James 3:13 wisdom is coupled with meekness. Surely we would all have to agree with such a declaration. The arrogant, high-minded, conceited person may be very intelligent but seldom displays much real wisdom. Rather, we would suggest that even the most brilliant, are counted wise when they are humbled by how little we humans really know and understand.

A Wise Man Receives Counsel

As man craves to be wise, it seems he often plays the fool. Mother Eve played the fool when she for a moment questioned the integrity of God and proceeded to eat the “forbidden fruit.” Likewise, it is anything but wise to live a life of disobedience, evil and wickedness. Truly, “The way of the transgressor is hard.”

But, just who is a wise man? We suggest that a wise man is one who hearkens to counsel. In the long ago, Solomon wrote, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise” (Prov. 12:15). Hence, most of us have observed that no one can tell a fool anything! Also, the Scriptures caution that we need to be wise in selecting our counsel. You will remember that David said, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly” (Psa. 1:1).

Indeed, it is sad when the egotistic and self-centered are so foolish as to try to direct their own steps (Jer. 10:23) or turn to the ungodly for advice.

1. It is indeed a wise man who will turn to the word of God and allow the Almighty to lead him to the green pastures and still waters of life.

2. It is a wise Christian (elder, preacher, church member) who continues through life with an open mind and an objectivity that allows him to ever learn and grow, so long as he lives out the days of his life.

Conversely, it is indeed a fool who is so presumptuous that he develops an all knowing, self-righteous attitude that causes him to close his eyes, stop his ears and harden his heart against all that would challenge his personal prejudices.

A Wise Man Guards His Tongue

Regarding wise men Solomon said, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise” (Prov. 10: 19). The same writer continues in the same vein as he further explains, “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”

Then in the New Testament, in James 1:19-20, it is written: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

It is sad that foolish mankind has generally so abused the blessing of speech. Of all creation, only mankind has the mental and physical capability to speak and clearly and distinctly communicate. One would think that we would be grateful recipients of this blessing and use our ability to speak, to educate, praise, commend and encourage one another. Such are the words of the wise!

However, it is obvious that many ungratefully and foolishly use their lips to curse, gossip, blaspheme, rail and lie! Beware those who spew forth nasty words, filthy stories, flattery and deceit. Truly, “. . he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile” (1 Pet. 3:10).

The Master has warned, “. . . by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matt. 12:37).

A Wise Man Flees From Evil

Did you ever hear someone you considered “wise” say, perhaps in jest, “I’ll try anything once.” Really, the remark is the height of foolishness. A moment’s reflection is all that is necessary to realize that the remark portrays anything but wisdom. Who really wants to try murder, bank robbery, rape, cancer, blindness or Hell?

In fact, we would like to stress that the “wise” are those who fear and depart from evil. The writers of the Bible go to great lengths to impress their readers with the awfulness of sin. All sin is primarily against God. And so, everyone must answer to God for his. sins.

To short sighted man, sin seems to offer so much, when in fact the reverse is true. “The way of the transgressor is hard.” The Apostle Peter warned, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Seeing then that all these things will be dissolved, what manner of person ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Pet. 3:10-11).

Long ago Solomon wrote, “A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil” (Prov. 14:16). And David added, “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Psa. 1:5-6).

Who is a wise man? The wise, realize the wages of sin is death (spiritual separation from God) and flee evil!

A Wise Man Is Prepared

A wise person is a prepared person. We propose to sustain the foregoing proposition by considering one main passage of Scripture.

Matthew 7:24-27: “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock, and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these sayings of mine, and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” (NKJV).

In this passage it is obvious that Jesus is talking about more than the building of literal houses. His main concern is whether or not people will hear and heed his teaching.

The Master knew the storms, floods and winds of life would beat upon every generation of mankind. He knew that only the wise – the prepared would be able to survive. Also, he knew that it is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps. Hence, the only way to be prepared for the onslaughts of life is to build on the Lord Jesus Christ.

The wise know that trials, disappointments, tragedies and despairs will stalk them sooner or later. Therefore, the wise will hear and heed the commandments and doctrines of Jesus. Those who become Christians, must commit their very lives and souls to Jesus. Those who day by day strive to be at peace with God, their fellow man and themselves will find the ways of life much simpler to navigate.

Truly it is a wise man who puts his trust in Jesus and prepares himself for the struggles of life by donning the whole armor of God.

A Wise Man Obeys God

As we consider the characteristics of the wise, we address ourselves to the most important of all. We are convinced that the one who is truly wise will hear and obey the Lord.

In James 1:22, the inspired man wrote: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” From the foregoing verse it is obvious that knowing the word of God is not sufficient. One may be well versed in the Scriptures and still refuse to do the will of God. An awareness of the contents of the Bible does not automatically bring forgiveness and salvation.

Obviously one must know the will of God before he can do the will of God; but, the doing is as vital as knowing.

In Hebrews 5:9 it is written: “And having been perfected, he (Jesus, REH) became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” From this passage we see that the bottom line to going to heaven depends upon personal submission and obedience to Jesus. We must:

1. Believe that Jesus is God’s son (John 3:18).

2. Repent (turn from, quit) of our sins (Lk. 13:3; Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30).

3. Confess that Jesus is God’s Son (Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10).

4. Be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5).

The Master warned: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).

And, the wise man of old put it well when he wrote: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccl. 12:13).

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 16, pp. 488-489
August 20, 1987