Truth Magazine

By Irvin Himmel

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Prov. 14:12).

So important is the thought of this verse that it is repeated in Proverbs 16:25.

Things Not Always What They Seem

To an infant, a pair of scissors may seem desirable, for the child does not realize the danger in playing with a sharp cutting instrument.

It seemed proper to Saul of Tarsus in his earlier years to persecute the disciples of Jesus. Looking back on that part of his life, he acknowledged, “I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities” (Acts 26:9-11). It seemed to Saul at the time that he was rendering God a service by persecuting the followers of Jesus, but he was actually fighting against God.

When Paul clashed with the Greek philosophers at Athens, some of them said, “He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods” (Acts 17:18). They made this judgment because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection. But in this case, as in many others, things were not what they seemed.

Right Not Determined By “Seeming”

A way may seem right but that does not make it right. A number of years ago I was traveling south on interstate 75 in the early hours before dawn. A heavy fog made visibility difficult. I stopped at a restaurant. Daylight was just beginning as I negotiated several turns to get back on the interstate. It seemed that I was heading in the direction of Florida until I began noticing road signs. I had traveled a number of miles before realizing that I was going in the direction from which I had just come. I turned around and headed south, but for a while it seemed that this should be north. Finally, when the sun broke through the fog, my sense of direction cleared.

In the course of one’s life it may seem that he is on the right track. “But a man is not the highest surveyor of life, and the map that he draws is not the supreme authority” (W. F. Adeney). Thinking a thing to be right does not make it so.

Many people rely on their feelings. They say, “This seems to me to be the right thing to do.” But what does the word of God say about it? We may honestly feel that we are on the right road and all the while be on the wrong road.

God gives us the standard of right. No matter how things seem, or how we feel, or what we personally may be inclined to think, we must let the Bible be our guide.

Ways That Seem Right

(1) The end justifies the means. In many situations people pay little attention to whether or not they are following the Scriptures. They suppose that so long as some good is resulting from their actions, they must have God’s approval. But it is never right to do wrong in order to accomplish something worthwhile. One is not justified in stealing in order to give to the poor. There is no warrant for perverting the gospel in order to gain favor with sinners.

(2) God will make an exception. There are people who think that no matter what the Bible says, they can do otherwise and get by. Recently, a woman who entered into an adulterous marriage was questioned by a preacher about her conduct, and she replied that she felt that God would make an exception to Matthew 19:9 in her case. Apparently, some feel that God will make an exception to Mark 16:16 in their case, and they can be saved without believing and being baptized. The way of the “exception” rule seems right, but do not be deceived by it. God has not revealed that He is going to make exceptions with any of us.

(3) Many others are going this way. It is hard for some, old and young alike, to resist the current popular opinion. To them it seems right to do whatever the multitudes around them are doing. Moses warned Israel, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude, to do evil” (Ex. 23:2). Jesus taught that the way is “narrow” which leads to life, “and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:14).

A way is not right merely because it seems so!

Destination Death

A way may seem right, but consider the end thereof. No one can judge’ the end of a road by the appearance which it has at the beginning. The broad road which leads to eternal ruin offers many attractions at the outset. There are bright lights, the promise of fun and pleasure, and the crowd entering this way seems to include the most influential and best educated. Alas, look at the destination!

The end result of what one does should be contemplated from the beginning. A sinful act may offer temporary pleasure, but it is followed by remorse, regret, and misery. A way may seem right, but if it ends in eternal separation from God, it should be avoided at all cost. Read Romans 6:23.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 10, p. 298
May 21, 1987

By Loren T. Stephens

Preachers are called upon for many things in this life, by the nature of the vocation they have chosen. On February 22, at the request of brother Tom Wheeler, I spoke, along with brother Gary Fiscus, at the memorial service for Tom’s dear wife Sylvia. She had passed from this life to await the coming of her Lord on Thursday night, February 19, 1987. Sylvia was a friend, a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, loved one, and especially, a Christian. She truly loved the Lord and Tom Wheeler. Her life was filled with doing good. She was quiet and reserved, yet possessed with an easy manner and enjoyed people, even some pranks every now and then. Preachers were always made welcome and at home with the Wheelers, and hospitality was a way of fife for Sylvia. She will be missed.

I had the privilege of knowing Sylvia, and my life is blessed in that. Many of you who read this knew her longer than I, yet I feel honored that I knew her both as a friend and fellow Christian, and that Tom asked me to participate in the memorial service.

I would like to share with you an unusual circumstance which occurred in my life that Thursday evening. I sat at the bedside of Sylvia Wheeler, with her husband Tom, his brother Frank, and their daughter and son-in-law. We sat watching the hospital equipment record the declining day of the fleshly abode of Sylvia. Her spirit had already left the body, we were watching a monitor showing an electrical response from a heart which had ceased pumping, and would not die. That continued for about five hours. During the time this was happening, Tom and I talked of memories. He mentioned some of the good times, and some of the bad times, that he and Sylvia had shared. He said, “You know, even those tough times are good memories because we shared them.” Later, he spoke softly of other things. He said, “I have no idea the height of her I.Q., but it was considerably higher than mine. She could have been anything in this world she wanted to be, and I thank God she chose to be my wife.”

As the drama of the end of her life was unfolding, daughter Cheryl, in Beaver Dam, KY was giving birth to a beautiful baby girl. Think about that, friends.

It was well said by brother Fiscus that the writings in Proverbs and all those passages we normally refer to are fitting regarding Sylvia, yet for those who knew her best, those verses almost seem inadequate. A poem given me by a dear friend speaks it best, the author completely unknown to me, but so much the attitude of Sylvia as to suggest her to all who knew her.

My Death

I obeyed His will and kept His command,
Now death beckons from yonder land.
Life has been sweet in this short space,
But bow glorious to meet Him face to face.

I am crossing a river to celestial land,
The Lord is my shepherd, He holds my hand.
The promise is fulfilled, nothing to dread,
My spirit lives on, I am not dead.

The beauty of death buries the sting,
While heaven rejoices and angels sing.
The body returns to the earthly sod,
But the spirit lives on with the eternal God.

Loved ones, mourn not the passing soul;
Trials I have endured to reach this goal,
So grieve not as I have this world of pain,
But hold His hand, we shall meet again!

Life is not over, tis a beautiful morn,
The mortal is passed, but immortality is born.
My soul on the Word has graciously fed,
Asleep in Jesus, I am not dead.

Sylvia Wheeler is gone from this life, but leave a legacy of love and good will behind, that shall live on in the lives of her dear husband and her daughters and grandchildren, so long as the Lord tarries. Her example of the godly woman, the loving and supportive wife, and friend to everyone she knew, and a lot she did not, stands in testimony and tender memory. Our deepest sympathy is extended to Tom, and our prayers offered that all may see Christ living in us, as He did in Sylvia. She rests in peace from her labors.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 9, p. 278
May 7, 1987

By Dennis C. Abernathy

“But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another” (Gal. 5:15). As sad as it is, the situation described by the above verse of Scripture is all too true in many congregations of the Lord’s people.

This is seen in an atmosphere of bickering and fussing, backbiting, talebearing, the hurling of taunts, the use of snide and sarcastic remarks, and in general, that of agitation and turmoil.

I suppose there are various reasons for such a sad and sorry state of affairs to exist among God’s people. It may be jealously, envy, factions, the party spirit, etc. Whatever it is, it is wrong and the church of the Lord suffers!

In congregations, brethren will have some disagreement with the preacher or elders, or, perhaps they do not like some decision that is made. In a group of people working together, these things happen from time to time. But brethren, there is a right way and a wrong way to air our disagreements and make our feelings known. Instead of making their feelings known to the preacher or elders in a brotherly way, they begin to eat away, causing all the turmoil they can, looking for anything they can use to get their point across or to get at the one or ones who have now become their “foe.” To make the situation even worse, all too often they conduct themselves like termites – never out in the open – but working – continuously working gnawing away – spreading a little bit of gossip here – a sarcastic remark there – and on and on it goes until it erupts into open contention and in some cases splits the church!

Another scenario is seen when members are disciplined for ungodly conduct, and some do not like such action for one reason or the other, so they will try to get everyone they can to take the side of the sinner (the one disciplined) against the elders and the church. In other words, “the poor sinner is just misunderstood.” “He is not really doing anything all that bad.” Next, you begin to hear how two or three “just had it in” for this poor misunderstood and sorely maligned brother. Juicy tidbits of hearsay are tossed about among the members of the church, motives are imagined, maligned, and impugned. Brethren begin to line up, petitions are drawn up, and everyone who can be persuaded sign up, and what you have is one big sinful mess!

On and on we could go. But you can mark it well. It is a sad state of affairs when the church is thrown into turmoil. Pity the one guilty of causing such. Please do not make charges and spread rumors and slander the good name of others. If you have a legitimate charge to make against your brother (you have clear cut proof and reliable witnesses), go to him and handle it in a brotherly way. If decisions are made and they are according to truth, then support them. If ungodly members are worked with, rebuked and finally withdrawn from, encourage them to repent of their ungodliness – but please never sympathize with them and encourage them in their wrong by telling everybody how wrong the church is in taking such action.

Remember, if we “bite and devour one another” we will be consumed the congregation will cease to exist and even if it does continue on it will have lost its good name and reputation and will be a hindrance for the Lord’s cause in that community.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 10, p. 289
May 21, 1987

By Donald Townsley

We believe this subject needs to be studied because, as we look at the pages of history, it seems there has never been a reformation or restoration among men where the people as a whole remained faithful to the principles of that reformation/restoration for even one hundred years! Generally, it seems, the descendants of the reformers/restorers do not remain faithful to the principles of their fathers throughout many generations!

During the lifetime of the Lord’s apostles “the mystery of lawlessness” was already at work (2 Thess. 2:7) – the “man of sin” was on his way! The restoration which made such great strides in this country in the first half of the nineteenth century had, by the middle of the century, begun to drift into “societyism” with the great majority finally departing from the faith. Tolbert Fanning, David Lipscomb, along with some others, were the “salt” that kept a few churches from going with the departure – they worked hard to keep a few from leaving the New Testament pattern. Then, it was not long before brethren would begin drifting from the truth again. During the lifetime of brother J.D. Tant (who died in 1941) another drift had begun. Brother Tant, seeing the drift, warned over and over: “Brethren, we are drifting!” The warnings were not heeded and the drifting gained momentum. By the early 1950s churches were surging into a complete apostasy from the faith! A few strong voices were heard pleading for a return to Bible authority, and we thank God that there were those who heeded the admonition and stood against the harsh wave of digression! Now, as we stand thirty years this side of the last major departure, I feel the need to sound brother Tant’s warning – “Brethren, we are drifting!”

Many who espouse the truth and run well for a while have allowed the force of their fleshly appetites to lead them into error – or to drift from their love for the truth to such an extent that they no longer have the taste to do battle with our adversary, the devil (1 Pet. 5:8) – and when the devil is not resisted, he is going to gain a greater foothold (Jas. 4:7; Eph. 4:27)! Let us look at some things that bring a departure from the faith.

When Preachers Quit Preaching The Gospel

When preachers quit preaching the gospel a departure from the faith is not long in coming. Simple, distinctive gospel preaching is the only thing that will save the church from error and set it apart from all other religious institutions in the world! Gospel preaching not only sets forth the truth, it refutes sin and error wherever it is found – in the church or in the world. Gospel preaching is not like denominational sermonizing and the telling of personal experiences and stories (which appeals to most religious people); gospel preaching has its basis in God’s word. Time cannot change the nature of true gospel preaching; it is the same in every generation because its basis, the word of God, is the same!

The New Testament reveals some distinctive characteristics of gospel preaching. Inspired preachers did not deal in generalities; sin, whether in the church or out, was pin-pointed and condemned! This is the way Peter preached on Pentecost (Acts 2:22,23), and the way Stephen preached in the seventh chapter of the book of Acts. Paul preached this way when he rebuked Barjesus (Acts 13:6-12) and Peter (Gal. 2:11) for their sins. Religious error was always refuted by inspired preachers (Gal. 2:4,5).

Tolerance And Compromise Toward Sin And Error The disposition of tolerance and compromise that is found toward sin and error will ruin and destroy the church of our Lord! There can be no compromise with worldliness, modernism, institutionalism, denominationalism, Calvinism, or any other “ism” without traveling the road of digression! Brother Foy E. Wallace made a statement many years ago that we had better take to heart. He said: “The strength of the church is found in the truth, and the defense of it.” All error must be met with the full force of the gospel, and with the determination to put it down (2 Cor. 10:4,5).

We are being told today to preach “positive” sermons; to leave error alone because someone might be offended and never come back to our services. Brethren, positive preaching only – that which never exposes any error – will fill the church with unconverted people who stand for nothing and will follow every wind of doctrine! A solid diet of positive, ethical sermons – sermons that are not rooted in the redemptive system and are undergirded by no doctrinal base -will restructure the church into a denomination!

The late B.C. Goodpasture (who was a leader in the departure from the faith thirty years ago) became very disturbed in his dying days of February 1977 because of the type preaching that was being done in many liberal churches. He made the following observation to his friend, Ralph T. Henley: “Some preachers are apparently trying to restructure the church of our Lord by resorting to preaching only positive sermons. ” Henley said that brother Goodpasture “was visibly disturbed over statements, from many quarters, making fun of quoting the Bible to prove the validity of a sermon” (Gospel Advocate, Sept. 15, 1977). Brother Goodpasture was soberly viewing the work of his own promotions, and he knew that this kind of preaching would completely restructure the church. Ralph Henley goes on to say: “Can the church be restructured by a solid diet of positive ethical sermons, undergirded by no doctrinal base? The answer is a resounding ‘yes'” (Gospel Advocate, Sept. 15, 1977).

Young preachers today who think they have found something new in this positive method with the Dale Carnegie approach need to understand that this style of preaching is not new – it was around thirty (or more) years ago – and that the preachers and churches who went for that kind of preaching were the leaders in the disgressive movement! Many of these same preachers are now trying to unite with the Christian Church. Older men among us today who seem to think they are going to “lead us out of the wilderness” and “put us back on the road” with this positive type of preaching are only hastening the day of a departure from the faith! The word of God, and history, will bear this out.

A Lack Of Bible Knowledge

A lack of Bible study, resulting in a lack of Bible knowledge, will bring about a departure from the faith. God said through Hosea: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hos. 4:6). The Hebrew Christians were rebuked for a failure to study (Heb. 5:11-14). Paul told the Ephesians to “understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17); and Peter said that we are to be able to give a reason for our hope (1 Pet. 3:15). This requires study of God’s word! Every member of the church needs to be informed on the church and its organization; the work of the church; the plan of salvation; the second law of pardon; worship; Bible authority; marriage, divorce, and remarriage; worldliness; what is wrong with denominationalism, Calvinism, institutionalism, instrumental music and premillennialism. When the people of God lack Bible knowledge on these vital subjects, we are in danger of a departure from the faith!

A Lowering Of Morals And A Breakdown Of Home Life

The lowering of morals and a breakdown of home life will help bring about a departure from the faith. The morals in this country are at an all-time low! We are told that more than fifty percent of married women and more than seventy percent of married men have been (or will be) unfaithful to their companions; that forty-nine percent of girls seventeen years old have had sexual relations; that 23,000 people have already died with AIDS, and that one-quarter of a million will be dead (or dying) within the next five years. Immodesty and vulgarity are the common things of the dayl Men and women make no effort to flee fornication (1 Cor. 6:18) – many seem to make opportunity to engage in it! People don’t seem to care what they say, what they wear, or what they do! And the saddest thing about all this is that many who call themselves children of God get caught up in this worldliness! We see marriage, divorce and remarriage for any cause (Matt. 19:9); married couples who are unfaithful to the marriage bed (Heb. 13:4); worldly, lascivious dress (Gal. 5:19) even among those who call themselves “Christians”! Also a factor contributing to the breakdown of home life is the working mother – mothers who are out of the home working so they can have more “things” while their children are not receiving proper guidance (Tit. 2:4-5; 1 Tim. 5:14).

A lesson we all need to learn is that immorality and departing from the faith go hand-in-hand! A people who are weak morally will not long be strong in the faith!

Cowardice

Cowardice among God’s people will help to bring about a departure from the faith. God has never had any use for a coward. When Israel went to battle, God did not want them to be afraid (Deut. 20:1). Those who were fearful or fainthearted were allowed to return to their homes lest they cause others to become fainthearted (Deut. 20:8). God told Gideon, as he prepared to fight against the Midianites, to let those who were fearful and afraid go home (Judg. 7:5-7). John said the fearful would be lost (Rev. 21:8). Peter said we are to add virtue (courage) to our lives (2 Pet. 1:5).

Many are too fearful to “stand and be counted” when error is taught. They say: “Let us have unity. If you teach the truth on that you will stir up trouble.” Let us all be reminded that unity is to be based upon the word of God (John 17:20-21). Truth is what we must have at all cost (Prov. 23:23; John 8:32; 2 Jn. 9)! Unity will come, without fail, to all who walk in truth (2 Jn. 4; Eph. 4:1-6). Unity in compromise with error is not New Testament unity! Those who are too fearful to stand always play a role in every departure from the faith! The departure over institutionalism and the sponsoring church is filled with examples of men who were too fearful to stand, and who thus lost the Cause to error!

Those Who Have No Real Desire To Be Christians

Those in the church who have no real desire to be New Testament Christians help to bring about a departure from the faith. These people don’t want all the truth (Jn. 8:32)! They don’t want all the truth on the church and its work; all the truth on how Christians are to live and dress; all the truth on how Christians are to worship; all the truth on how Christians are to be forgiven of their sins; nor all the truth on what the Bible teaches about unity, fellowship, and the plan of salvation! Yes, those in the church who have no real desire to be dedicated New Testament Christians are the leaders in every departure from the faith!

Yes, brethren, we are drifting! If this article disturbs you, it may be a sign that you have already drifted farther than you realize! Let us stop the drift before it results in another departure!

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 9, pp. 272-273
May 7, 1987