Truth Magazine

By Larry Ray Hafley

“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied” (Acts 9:31).

With the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, it appears that the church had a period of “rest.” The lack of persecution was not the reason for growth. The abatement and assuagement that came as the result of a lighter, temporary degree of opposition was not the cause of growth. The church has always shown an ability to thrive under intense assault. What, then, prompted the renewed vigor?

First, it was edified, built up. A church, like a body, begins to stagnate if it does not continue to receive nourishment. Churches are torn by personality conflicts, acrid bitterness, hatred and strife when they do not receive proper exercise in godliness. This growth is not an accident. It must be planned and purposed. Elders, watch for trouble, confusion and division if there are no efforts to increase the fruits of righteousness.

Second, they walked “in the fear of the Lord.” To serve God acceptably, we must act with “reverence and godly fear” (Heb. 12:28). There must be an awesome concept of the God we serve. We must know His might, power, purity, love, grace, truth, mercy and justice. We must be aware of our weakness, frailty, sin and hopelessness without Him. “How Great Thou Art” is not just a song. It is a reminder of the exalted majesty of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Where this attitude toward Him does not exist, man is crowned king and God is toppled from the throne of the heart. Failure is then made certain. Growth in grace is impossible.

Third, they walked “in the comfort of the Holy Ghost.” They were led by His word (cf. Rom. 15:4). The “fellowship of the spirit, ” the human spirit, is made possible by the word of the Spirit. Those who do not fear God do not walk in the truth and they are not comforted by the Spirit. The peace and comfort of the Spirit comes by walking in the truth with prayer and thanksgiving (Phil. 4:4-9).

These three items are the key to growth. Without them there is discord and spiritual retardation. Let us follow the Divine formula for growth here and for heaven there.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 23, p. 715
December 4, 1986

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: In Philippians 2.3, Paul states that one is to regard another better than himself. Does this mean that one is to underestimate self and overestimate others?

Reply: Paul had spoken to the saints at Philippi about proper conduct (1:27), and now in the first few verses of chapter two, he pleads for unity; that they “be of the same mind” (v.2). Paul also urged the brethren at Corinth to “be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). First of all, brethren must desire unity and work toward it. Unity can only be achieved when brethren have the proper attitude toward one another. They must always be aware that God has been compassionate and merciful to them (v. 1), and in turn, they are to manifest this same spirit toward one another.

Division within the ranks of God’s people usually results from somebody wanting to have his own way. It is a “rule or ruin” attitude, and he will often resort to unscrupulous methods to get what he wants. This kind of person is not interested in unity, but rather in satisfying his own selfish interests. Congregations have been torn asunder because of such self-seeking persons. Selfishness usually lies at the root of discord. Paul wrote, “doing nothing through faction or through vainglory” (v.3).

Christians are to be humble. They should possess a meek and lowly mind as did Christ (Matt. 11:29). This kind of attitude will readily recognize the virtues in others. The Greek word for “lowliness” in verse 2 is also translated “humility” in other places (Col.2:18,23; 3:12; 1 Pet.5:5). Such was the mind of Christ (v.5f). Humility is not undue self-depreciation, but rather demonstrates itself in serving others. Unlike Diotrephes, who loved and sought preeminence (3 Jn.9), we are to have proper regard and respect for others. When Paul wrote, “each counting other better than himself” (v.3), he did not mean for one to down himself as such, but to be humble, show respect and serve others. Paul makes it clear in verse 4: “not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.” Instead of only selfish interests, the interests of others should be considered. To the contentious or factious man, there are only two sides (his side and the wrong side). No reference is made to doctrinal matters, which of course, demand conviction.

To regard another more highly than himself does not denote weakness, but contrariwise it shows strength. It takes a strong person, for instance, to say to another, “I am sorry; you were right and I was wrong.” Regarding another higher than himself is seen when an individual, for the sake of peace and harmony, is willing to forfeit his own desire in some matter of judgment and yield to another, such as choosing the color of a carpet to be installed in the church building. One who has the right attitude is willing to submit to the desires of others for the sake of unity. His choice may be different from that of others but he will not hold out for what he wants, but will concede. It is tragic, that even among those not members of the church, more courtesy is shown to others than brethren sometimes demonstrate to each other. For instance, when approaching a door, one will step back and give way to another (not as often anymore), “go ahead, after you.” Counting others better than ourselves is the antithesis of selfishness. A proper relationship among brethren requires the proper regard for one another.

To sum it up, Paul is dealing with the proper attitude that will produce the unity for which he is pleading. It is humility of heart. Instead of selfishness, it is service. This is not the downgrading of self, neither is it the overestimation of others. Counting another better than himself will create the right relationship among brethren and solve many problems. In the local church it will promote unity and thus prevent the bitter heartaches which come from division.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 23, p. 709
December 4, 1986

By Irvin Himmel

Preparation And Priorities

Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house (Prov. 24:27).

The advice of this verse is expressed in terms of rural life. “Everything done in its proper order’ seems to be the theme” (George Kufeldt). The lesson can be applied in a modern setting.

Building A House

The word “house” (Heb. bayith) is used in a number of ways in the Old Testament. Frequently, it “denotes a fixed, established structure made from some kind of material.” Also, it is “used of those who live in a house, i.e., a ‘household'” (Nelson’s Dictionary of O.T. Words).

This proverb may refer to either to building a dwelling or to building a family. Delitzsch says it applies to “not only the building and setting in order of a convenient dwelling, but also the bringing home of a housewife and the whole setting up of a household.”

Let us study the verse with both these ideas in mind. In many cases the building of a dwelling house is closely connected with the building of a family.

Preparation

The proverb speaks of preparing one’s work and getting his field ready before building his house. No one is ready to build a house until certain arrangements have been made.

Preparation For A Dwelling

The following are among the necessary steps in anticipation of building a material house:

(1) Select a suitable location. A house on a hill cannot be hid. A house in a low spot may be flooded with heavy rains fall.

(2) Provide a plan. The size of the house must be determined, the layout drawn, the specifications outlined, and the design thought out.

(3) Consider the cost. Materials and labor will be required. Resources are essential. If one lacks the money, or else does not make satisfactory financial arrangements, he may be humiliated to see construction brought to a standstill after the house has been started (Lk. 14:28-30).

(4) Obtain the materials. Houses are not built of dreams and air. The availability of desired materials is a factor to consider.

(5) Lay a good foundation. It is a waste to put a good house on a flimsy foundation. Read Matthew 7:24-27.

Preparation For A Household

The following are among the steps which should be taken in anticipation of building a family:

(1) Lay the groundwork of a well-ordered life. “As, in a rural economy, well-worked fields justify and nourish the farmhouse, so a well-ordered life (in things material and immaterial) should be established before marriage” (Derek Kidner). The life that centers in serving God is well-ordered.

(2) Make financial provision. “It simply is not true that two can live as cheaply as one. Living on love is a time-tested way of destroying love, and installment buying follows close behind” (Andrew W. Blackwood, Jr.)

(3) Carefully choose a marriage partner. God ordained the marriage relationship, but a couple who fall in love may not be ready to marry within the next half-hour!

(4) Consider the responsibilities. Parenthood places one is a position of having serious decisions to make and duties to perform. Rearing children is no easy task.

(5) Plan to succeed. A marriage should never be entered on a trial basis. Be aware of the causes of wrecked homes and determine to build on a solid foundation. Don’t plan to build a family unless you intend to make it one of the most important aspects of your life.

Priorities

An important rule in life is to put first things first. The proverb suggests this principle. First give attention to the field which produces one’s living, then turn attention to building. This is good business advice. Provide the resources before building what will require resources. To a farmer, putting the land in good order before erecting a house is sound economics.

Sometimes a younger person, at the beginning of a career, desires to be where only years of dedicated service will permit. Hard work is not included in the list of priorities which some have set for themselves. They want the promised land without going through the wilderness.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 23, p. 716
December 4, 1986

By Don R. Hastings

The Christian’s attitude toward death is that it is a passage-way through which they must travel as they journey toward their eternal home in heaven. Death is a time for putting off the corrupt, physical body, so that our souls may be clothed with a glorious, spiritual body. Knowing this, we do not “faint”; that is, become despondent, as we grievously suffer, but are “always of good courage.”

Happy During Afflictions

We can be happy while enduring heartaches and troubles on this earth because this earth is only the temporary dwelling place of our souls, “for we know that if the earthly house . . . ” (text). The only way we could “know” this wonderful truth is by Divine revelation. Paul does not write, “It may be. . . ” or “Perhaps . . . . ” His writing is confident and such assurance should produce confident assurance in us that what he wrote is true (Heb. 11:1).

This “earthly house” will be “dissolved” (Eccl. 12:7). This will take place at death (Jas. 2:26). If we are still living in this bodily frame when Christ should come again, it will be changed then (1 Cor. 15:51,52).

This temporary, perishable tabernacle will one day give way to an eternal, incorruptible building. Just as the Israelites dwelt in tabernacles as they journeyed toward the promised land, so our spirit dwells in tabernacles as we journey toward the promise land. Just as the Israelites passed through the waters of Jordan, so we must pass through death.

No longer will our souls dwell in a temporary tabernacle, but in an eternal building (text). This building is in a city and all of it has been made by Deity (text; Heb. 11:10,13,16; John 14:1-3). This new dwelling place of the soul is “in the heavens,” not on the earth as the Premillennialists teach.

With Paul, we should greatly long for that spiritual body which will be “conformed to the body of his glory” (Phil. 3:20,21; text). This spiritual body will be incorruptible (pain and disease free), glorious (no blemishes), powerful (not weak and tired), spiritual, and immortal (not subject to death – 1 Cor. 15:42-44, 50-54).

In this body, we “do groan, being burdened” with the heartaches, stress and struggles of this life. Paul did not want to be “found naked” as an outcast (text; Rev. 3:18; Mt. 22:11-13). He didn’t want to be a disembodied spirit, but did strongly desire the glorious spiritual body awaiting him.

“Now he that prepared and made us ready for this state of immortality is God. He does this by the training and discipline he gives those who obey him while here in the flesh” (Commentary on New Testament Epistles, By David Lipscomb, Vol. III, p. 71). An “earnest” is a pledge, down-payment, or guarantee that a promise will be kept. The work of the Holy Spirit in revelation and confirmation serves as a guarantee that there will be life beyond the grave! We are of “good courage” because one day we shall be “absent from the body” and “at home with the Lord” (text).

Things Necessary To Do To Inherit Heaven

In order for us to receive our glorious, spiritual bodies and to “be at home with the Lord,” we must:

1. “Walk by faith, not by sight” (text; Rom. 1:17). We walk by faith when we: Let the Lord direct our footsteps (Prov. 3:5,6), are obedient to His commandments (Heb. 11), trust in His promises (text; Tit. 1:2), value that which is spiritual more than that which is material (example: we would rather feed the soul than the body and read the Bible more than watch television, etc.), abide within the teachings of Christ (Rom. 10:17; 2 John 9).

We live by sight when we: live to possess riches; only judge the value of something by the dollar value; fulfill fleshly lusts; go after that which is pleasant to the eyes (Gen. 3:6); live to be popular with the world (Jas. 4:4); consider human wisdom of greater worth than spiritual wisdom.

2. “Make it our aim . . . to be well-pleasing unto him” (text). Are you seeking to please yourself or the Lord? Are your speech, thoughts, actions, dress, etc. pleasing to the Lord?

Remember, we shall be individually judged by what we have done (text). We shall be judged by the Bible (Jn. 12:48). The Lord will be our impartial, righteous judge (1 Pet. 1:17). We often emphasize that we may receive a “bad sentence” at the judgment, but the context of this verse shows that those who live by faith can look forward to the judgment (Matt. 25:34).

Guardian of Truth XXX: 23, p. 712
December 4, 1986