Truth Magazine

By Billy Ashworth

Jeremiah, the “weeping prophet,” had warned Israel of a coming desolation because of her sins in turning away from the living God to serve heathen idols. While the prophet warned with tears flowing from his eyes and words of love and warning flowing from a broken heart, he felt the total rejection of not only himself, but of Jehovah also. Having warned the people in the book of Jeremiah, the prophet is found in the introduction to his book of Lamentations mourning over the once mighty city Jerusalem which now was reaping the bitter fruits of her rejection of God and His prophet.

As Jeremiah sat in the rubble of that once great city and observed the sacking of the city and the ravishing of her people, he cried out in his grief: “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?” (Lam. 1:12) I am sure that to Jeremiah it was incredible that these people who were once the people of God could be so calloused as they went their way without feeling any pain or regret for the fall of this once mighty city. What was wrong with these people?

The reason for the captivity of God’s people by a heathen monarch is found in the first part of chapter 1. “How does the city sit solitary, that was full of people! ” (Note: That is not a question; it is an exclamation.) He continues: “she that was great among the nations, and princess among provinces, how is she become tributary! . . . Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the Lord hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone unto captivity before the enemy. . . . Jerusalem hath grievously sinned” (Lam. 1:1, 5, 8a). Yes, Jerusalem ad forgotten God, sinning grievously, and reaping the bitter fruit of her own wickedness. Remember Paul’s solemn warning to the churches of Galatia: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but lie that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Gal. 6:7, 8). But the people of Jeremiah’s day, of Paul’s day, and the people of our day, did not/do not listen! Sinful man closes his eyes to the dangers that lie ahead because he wants to do whatever he wants to do! And he resents any faithful servant of God who dares to warn him of impending doom.

The writer of the book of Judges revealed a very important fact concerning how soon succeeding generations turn away from the religion of their fathers and turn away from God. “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers (the generation that followed Joshua, BA) and there arose another generation after them which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim: and they forsook the Lord God of their fathers . . . and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and provoked the Lord to anger” (Judg. 2:10-12). Think of it – only two generations removed from Joshua’s time, there arose a generation that knew not the Lord!

Alas, history repeats itself. Over and over, the people of God have apostatized from Him only two generations removed from faithful grandfathers and grandmothers. And, their attitudes have been as calloused as in the days of Jeremiah. I cry aloud today as Jeremiah did in his day to my brethren and fellow-Americans: “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?” I grieve at the sight of a generation that is only one generation removed from me; how many do not hold rigidly to the sound doctrine that is plainly set forth in God’s holy Word. The attitude of liberalism has set up in many professed Christians concerning purity of heart and life that is required of God as laid down in the New Testament. Why is this true? I hasten to add that I am no indicting all of the succeeding generation. But I am concerned about those who bold a “more liberal attitude” toward the supremely important things mentioned above.

The answer as to why it is that the “new generation” is being affected by liberalism is manifold. First, God’s people are always adversely affected by the people of the world around them. This happened to the Israelites who went after the “gods” of the heathen around them. Today, we live in one of the most affluent and worldly countries ever known. Yet we, as well as our children, live daily in grave danger of being contaminated by the world around us which has invented so many ways of seducing God’s people to the heathen “gods” of our day. The “gods” of gold, pleasure and modern technology have devastated a large portion of God’s people in our generation.

I love this great country (yes, still great) we call America. I thrill when the flag is waved and people sing the National Anthem and such songs as “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful.” But, will God continue to bless this great country of free people who e in a land that is becoming not so beautiful? Will e continue to be free when there has arisen a generation, some of whom do not appreciate the sacrifices of millions to give them a free country, some of whom fight to defend this freedom, some who would capitulate to a heathen aggressor because they become rotten in their lives and ideals?

TV miniseries, America, should shake up a bunch of complacent cowards who think that “it could not happen to us.” There are some naive Americans o refuse to look at the heathen country of Soviet Russia in the light of their own boasts that they will take erica without firing a shot, Every American should w the show America more than once. Although it fiction of America’s being in subjugation and servitude to the Communists of Russia only ten years from w, it surely gives any sober-minded, God-fearing, country-loving citizen of this great country food for bought and alarm. To those fellow-Americans who think “it could not happen to us” and who take personal freedom for granted, I ask: “Is it nothing to you hat daily this country is sinking into a quagmire of its own filthiness; that the horrible disease of AIDS, which s a disease usually resulting from immorality on the part of godless people who have tried to mock God, is rampant? It is nothing to you that the frantic attempts at fighting AIDS in this country are not aimed at the cause of the disease – i.e. sexual perversion – but at trying to find a cure? Is it nothing to you that the public school systems have been taken over by the Federal government and the Humanists are controlling what must be taught -organic evolution – and what must not be taught – the Genesis account of creation? The American Civil Liberties Union is an atheist front, having been formed by communists, whose goal is to eradicate the idea of God from the consciences of our children who are “the next generation.” The ACLU is the legal arm of the Humanists and together they control the Federal Judiciary which rules that “creationism” cannot be taught in public schools while the godless concept – evolution – will be taught as true science! Is it nothing to you all ye that pass by?

While I love this great country in which we live and enjoy civil freedom, I love the kingdom of God more and value my citizenship in it far more than the earthly one. For thirty-four years I have been preaching the I ‘gospel of the kingdom” (Mt. 4:23) as it is revealed in the gospel of Christ, God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16). 1 have engaged in the battle over human institutionalism which resulted in the apostasy of the majority of God’s people. We saved a remnant of God’s people from apostasy, but now we find these people in far too many places engaged in worldliness, bitter fightings among themselves, condemning any preacher who dares call their ungodly lives and practices in question. Many no longer want plain, powerful gospel preaching, preferring “smooth words and fair speeches” from timeserving “preachers” who love themselves more than the souls of men.

As I look around and observe the current status of churches of Christ, and the shameful actions of many individual members plus the ungodly activities of the saints collectively (church action), I feel as Jeremiah did in the long ago. I want to cry out, “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?” While it is good to have a “positive approach” to all matters, including spiritual things, we need to get our heads out of the clouds and come down to reality. There are many things going on that are destroying the churches’ influence for good, plus destroying the hope of heaven for many, if not all, members of those churches.

What can we do? The only answer I can think of is Paul’s instruction to Timothy: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). And to the church at Corinth Paul wrote: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13). And finally, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim. 4:16).

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 10, pp. 308-309
May 21, 1987

By Gil Holt

I would like to relate a true story that illustrates God’s plan at work. I only recently learned of the details that are involved. Some 60 years ago there were two ladies who were members of the Lord’s church in Athens, AL. These two ladies took an interest in a young girl, by the name of Mary Sue Bailey. They began to invite her to go to worship with them. Upon doing so, she began to learn. As she learned she made application to her life. She obeyed the gospel. Mary Sue began, then, to work on her parents. They began to attend the worship services and were eventually converted. Mary Sue had six sisters and one brother. Each one obeyed the gospel. Mary Sue met and married a young Baptist man by the name of Roy C. Hargrove. She led her husband to the Lord. Mary Sue and Roy had four children, three girls and one son. Each obeyed the gospel. Each has companions that are members of the Lord’s church. Roy was an elder at the time of his death. Most of Roy and Mary Sue’s grandchildren are members of the Lord’s church. Some of them are now married. Those who are, have believing companions. Some of the grandchildren have not yet reached the age of accountability.

I know that, no doubt, other such stories could be told, but this one is of special significance to me. The little girl that was converted through the efforts of the two older ladies was not known by me as Mary Sue, but Mama Mace. She was my grandmother.

What compelled these two Christian ladies to take such an interest in this little girl? There was obviously very little such a young girl could do to benefit them. Were they looking at what she was then, or, perhaps, imagining what she could be? She was not from a wealthy family. It was a family that was well liked and respected, but not wealthy. It was not, then, a selfish motivation that drove them to do this thing. Why did they take such an interest? It’s very simple. They were Christians and it is the business of a Christian to be concerned for the souls of men. These two fine Christian ladies put the Lord’s plan to work. The young girl that was converted put the Lord’s plan to work, as did her parents, her husband, her children and on it goes. Look at the good that was done, the souls that were affected by the interest taken in one little girl.

These two ladies took the instruction to Timothy, not merely as something one preacher told another preacher to do, but they applied it to themselves. “Till I come, give attendance to reading to exhortation, to doctrine. . . Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine: continue in them for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim. 4:13, 15, 16). “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). These two ladies recognized, as did Paul, that as children of the most high God they were “debtor” (Rom. 1:12, 15) to take the gospel, the message of salvation, to whosoever will. They being unashamed of the gospel, recognized it to be God’s power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16).

I shudder to think of what my circumstance might be had these ladies offered the same excuses we hear so often today, and had not tried to reach this one little girl. These ladies did not dwell on what they could not do, but recognized what they could do, and did it (read Mt. 25:14-30). Rather than dwelling on the fact that some will not obey the gospel, let us take courage in the fact that some will listen and obey.

By the way, the two ladies have passed from this life as has the little girl, however, their works do live after them. What better epitaph could be written?

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 10, p. 294
May 21, 1987

By Edward O. Bragwell, Sr.

He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord (Proverbs 17:15 NKJV).

The balance demanded of the Lord – neither justifying the wicked nor condemning the just – is not always easy to maintain. This is especially so in our dealings with religious people, even our own brethren. Easy or not, it is a balance for which Christians must strive. The ability to strike that balance comes through study, growth, and spiritual exercise (cf. Heb. 5:14). Through these, one learns to look at things more as the Lord does – seeing good as good and evil as evil.

Brethren constantly damage the Lord’s cause by neither understanding nor striving for this balance. The disposition of many finds a way to condemn others regardless of the good that is in them, while the temperament of others is to justify brethren regardless to the wickedness that is in them. Still others are apt to do both.

I hear praise for individuals because “they never see any evil in anyone.” One gets the impression that this must be the greatest of all virtues. It is really? Could it be that backbiting and gossip have caused many of us to flop to the opposite extreme?

Justifying the wicked is not the greatest trait that one can develop. One does not have to be a super-critic who condemns even the just; nor does one have to a super-conciliator who finds a way to justify even the wicked.

Preachers can be found without such balance in their preaching and dealing with their fellow man. They may have developed one extreme or the other by misunderstanding the “whole counsel of God.” They may have succumbed to the constant pressure to preach the gospel in a way that reflects the prevailing mood of those who support them. If the supporters tend to justify the wicked, then so does the preaching. If the supporters tend to condemn the just, then so does the preaching. Regardless of how either extreme comes about, the church is hurt when the preaching it receives and/or supports is turned predominately in either direction.

One aspect of the overall problem may be a misunderstanding and/or misapplication of terms. One may excuse and/or justify the wicked because he has a different view of “just,” “righteous,” wicked,” “abomination” than God. We may think of these terms in the light of our own thinking and that of those around us rather than from God’s perspective.

The super-critic equates “righteous” or “just” with near absolute perfection. It does not take long for this man to condemn as wicked almost everyone (but himself, of course) because he can find perfection in no one. The Lord’s righteous man or just man is one made so by the pardon that comes through the blood of Christ when one obeys from the heart the gospel of Christ (Rom. 6:3,4,17; Acts 2:38; 22:16). He is kept righteous or just by practicing righteousness (I John 3:7), confessing his sins (1 John 1:9), and asking God’s forgiveness (Acts 8:22). He may even show unwise judgment in word and deed in some matter without sinning (cf. 1 Cor. 7:36-38). Further, the super-critic tends not to give another the benefit of a doubt before passing judgment.

The super-conciliator equates “wicked” or “abominable” with near total depravity. “Wicked” and “abominable” are reserved for the lowest forms of immorality, if ever used at all. Maybe he should examine some wicked in the New Testament:

In both the parables of the talents and pounds (minas NKJV) the unfaithful servants were called wicked. They were not murderers, robbers, adulterers, or the like; they simply ignored the authority of the master. They did not carry out the expressed will of the master – thus were disobedient (Matt. 25:26; Luke 19:22).

Simon, in Acts 8:22, was guilty of wickedness when he tried to buy the power of God with money.

A brother who married his father’s wife was a wicked person (1 Cor. 5:17).

Jesus warned some, “For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15). So, man and God may not have the same list of abominations. Some of God’s abominations may be high on religious men’s lists of virtues.

One needs to be careful in passing judgment upon others because Jesus said, “Judge not that you be not judged” (Matt. 7:1). Jesus also tells us to judge righteously (John 7:24). There may be times that one simply withholds judgment, neither condemning nor justifying. He is simply in no position to know the facts in the matter.

However, one needs to understand God considers both those who justify the wicked and those who condemn the just equally abominable before Him. God through Isaiah put it rather strongly by saying: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitterl Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isa. 5:20,21).

There are basically two ways that one may go about justifying the wicked. (1) He may not see their conduct as wickedness. He agrees that the deed in question was done, but does not believe it to be wrong. (2) He may see the conduct as sinful, but finds ways to excuse the person for having done the deed. He may even tell himself that he is acting out of love for the offender. How loving is it to let people continue in their wickedness without having to face up to the responsibility and consequences of it? In either case he has justified the wicked.

There are basically three ways that one may go about condemning the just. (1) He understands what is done, but May think it is something a Christian has no right to do. His lack of knowledge and discernment causes him to condemn what God allows. (2) He does not really understand what is done because he bases his judgment upon insufficient evidence and/or hasty judgment. (3) He may not be able to condemn what is done, but imagines without evidence, it to be done from wicked motives.

I stand amazed at brethren who will freely admit that certain brethren are guilty of unrepented of wickedness -immorality, worldliness, compromise, destructive heresies and general unfaithfulness. The evidence is open, sufficient, and so strong that even those who refuse to rebuke them have to admit that the thing was done. They will find some way to say that such may be so, but . . . … They simply cannot find the courage to deal with these brethren as unfaithful, as compromisers, as worldlings and as teachers of destructive heresies. They are often more critical of those who do recognize and deal with such brethren in a way that the Bible teaches they should.

I stand just as a amazed at many who upon flimsy and often contradictory bits of evidence think they must inform the brotherhood that a certain brother or church has departed from the faith. If brethren everywhere do not share their judgment in the matter, then woe be to them! These seem to be unwilling to consider that they just might have misinterpreted the “evidence” at hand. They are not willing to consider that what may seem to be clear evidence might not be as clear to another.

There might be little disagreement as to how we should treat the brother or church in question – if indeed they are guilty as charged. The Bible is sufficiently clear, complete and confirmed. All brethren have equal access to this information in it. If one has indeed violated its teachings then he should be dealt with accordingly. Yet, the evidence of what was actually done in the incident(s) in question may not be so clear, complete, reliable and readily accessible. That is why we have hung juries and mistrials in civil law. It is not that the law is vague, but the evidence as to what actually happened may be. So, we need to be careful that we do not “condemn the just.”

In all cases one would do well to study the Bible to better discern between good and evil. He needs to practice applying it to real life situations, having the wisdom and courage to call evil “evil” and good “good” wherever he finds it – even among religious people.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 10, pp. 291-292
May 21, 1987

By Tom M. Roberts

The Monastic concept is a withdrawal from life, a retreat to cloistered walls and inner contemplation that isolates one from contemporaries in a sinful world.

The Gnostic concept is a participation in sinful life with the physical body but a philosophical denial of the reality of guilt to the spiritual being.

Both concepts are extremes, wide of the mark, and harmful to Christian living.

Of Jesus, it is said, “And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). As a youngster, Jesus was a part of His community. As was the custom, Jesus was taught a trade, His father’s carpentry. After Jesus began His mighty deeds, His townsmen were astonished at His teaching, saying, “. . . What is the wisdom that is given unto this man, what mean such mighty works wrought by his hands? is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary. . . ?” (Mark 6:2-3) Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He was among the people, saint and sinner alike. He was charged with eating and consorting with sinners. This was certainly true, insofar as it is stated. But it must be realized to be true to Jesus’ character that He was teaching sinners and that His association with them in no way should be taken as condoning any sin. The much-divorced woman at the Samaritan well (John 4) was surprised to find a Jewish man discussing the issues of life with her. So taken was she with the force of His discussion that she introduced Him to her village and this “chance” encounter led to others knowing about Jesus. The woman taken in adultery (John 8) found Jesus as her defender against her “kangaroo court” accusers but learned clearly that He did not countenance adultery. Jesus’ feet were washed by a sinful woman (Luke 7:37ff), He ate with publicans and sinners (Luke 5:29ff), walked among the Gerasenes (Mark 5), healed lepers (Matt. 115), praised a centurion (Luke 7:9), was acquainted with the rich and poor, and, as the full record indicates, walked on main street during His life both by example and teaching. As Paul later explained to Agrippa when teaching about Jesus: “for this hath not been done in a corner” (Acts 26:26). Jesus lived where the people lived, talked their language, worked a trade, mixed and mingled in the streets of their villages, exhorted them to love God, rebuked their sins, and left us an example that we “should follow in his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21).

Main Street, in most American towns, is a thoroughfare that bisects the main business district. It is representative of the place where people congregate to conduct the affairs of life. Symbolically, Jesus did His work on “main street” in Galilee and Judea. He was not ashamed of His life or teaching, did not attempt to disguise it, did not retreat to Masada nor join with the Hellenists. He went to the people with His message, but remained uniquely and unerringly Jesus, the Son of God.

For us to be effective, we must take the same approach, today. The gospel message is for people. While realizing the value of technology (printed page, radio, television), it yet remains that we should interact with our neighbors with the gospel of Christ. We cannot expect the preacher to reach all the lost from the pulpit. Radio, television and newspaper contacts must still be approached by individuals for personal study. Jesus made the apostles “fishers of men” and we should be no less. But how do we go about it?

Brethren, we do it like Jesus did, by taking to Main Street, U.S.A. Not superficially, of course, like Madison Avenue with a product to sell. But with Christ in our hearts, on a day-to-day basis, as we interact with our fellow-citizens in all manner of possible scenarios. Where do you buy gas? Where do you bank? Where do you buy groceries? Who is your dentist, doctor, mechanic? Who is your neighbor, sister-in-law, cousin, aunt, uncle? Who do you visit in the hospitals, play golf with, have coffee with, car-pool together? Are you in the PTA? Do you belong to the Lion’s Club? Do you belong to professional societies? Are you an architect, engineer, doctor, lawyer? Do you baby-sit, do volunteer work, work in a store or office? Regardless, the one common denominator in all these instances (and multitudes more) is people. And people need the gospel. And you have it.

I’m not suggesting that we all become obnoxious and pushy with our understanding of the truth. I realize that there are circumstances where we cannot actually do a lot of teaching. But it is possible to leave good tracts at many places, with many people. (Do you keep tracts in your car pocket, briefcase, purse?) It is possible to invite people to worship where you attend. It is possible to advertise a gospel meeting with a personal invitation to go with you. It is possible to exert a godly influence by your conversation, deportment, speech and attitudes. With Christ in our hearts, He goes with us when we go out on Main Street. When we meet someone, Christ meets them, too. When we conduct business, Christ is a part of the transaction. He should even be with us in our times of recreation. Does Jesus go on vacation with you or do you leave him behind in the “church building”? See what I mean? I fear that we have lost our effectiveness because we want the preacher, or some kind of technology, or someone else, to do the converting. We give our money in the collection plate and want the church to grow. The church doesn’t grow; therefore, the preacher isn’t working. But isn’t it really altogether too true that we have attempted to shut Jesus up in the “church building” and only come to visit an hour or two a week? It is almost like we have confined Jesus to prison with limited visitation privileges. Folks, you won’t find Jesus in a church building unless Christ is in the heart of those who attend there. And if Christ is in their hearts, He will be with them when they leave the building and go out into the world, back to Main Street. It is there that Christians become a force with which to be reckoned. When persecuted in the first century, the disciples “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Christ in us . . . we in the world. In this manner, we are salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16), giving a distinctive flavor to life even while letting our light shine. Let’s be ready to follow Jesus right into life’s pathways. Let’s not shrink from life, fearful from its contact, nor join in its sinful practices, heedless of the deadliness of sin. But rather, let us “show forth the excellencies, of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9).

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 10, pp. 295, 312
May 21, 1987