Truth Magazine

By Ron Halbrook

A song pleading with sinners to obey the gospel of Christ asks, “Why do you wait, dear sinner, O why do you tarry so long?” The song says nothing can be gained “by a further delay” and warns “the harvest is passing away.” Some have heard the gospel of Christ in private studies, discussions with friends, sermons, Bible classes, newspaper articles, and other ways but are still lost. They know that if they die, their sins will condemn them to hell. Why do they — perhaps you — wait?

Loving the darkness of sin causes men to wait. Jesus said, “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (Jn. 3:18-21). They may know that God is ready to forgive them by His love, mercy, and grace. They may know also that God forgives the sinner when he comes by faith, repents of his sins, confesses Christ as God’s Son, and is immersed in water (Jn. 3:3-5, 16; Acts 2:38). But an obedient faith and love for God cannot exist in the same heart which loves the sinful things of the world (1 Jn. 2:15-17). Loving their sins above God, men put off receiving the gospel. This is the root of all delay!

Being too busy with the cares and pleasures of life causes men to wait. Some who know the gospel fill up their days and nights seeking material things and enjoying physical pleasures. They do not “seek . . . first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). They do not take time to be “rich toward God” (Lk. 12:16-21). This is like the immature and foolish child who wants to always play and never stop to eat or sleep. Some things are so important that we must do them first and let other things fall into place.

Jesus often taught by parables, a method which required men to invest their time seeking to understand more about God’s Word (Matt. 7:7-8; 13:10-13). Could He have reached a wider audience by using a method which was briefer and did not require so much of men’s time? No! Men who will not make it their chief business in life to seek God and His righteousness first cannot be saved by any change of method or format in teaching. We must “Take Time to be Holy” and redeem the time wasted in sin (Eph. 5:16). What difference will it make how many material things and physical pleasures we enjoy for a brief moment if we must leave them all behind and spend eternity in torment with Satan away from God?

Casting doubt on God or self causes men to wait. When Satan sees he is about to lose a soul to God, he makes a last ditch effort by throwing up a detour-and-delay sign. It may say, “I don’t know if I can live a Christian life after all these years in sin.” This implies that God is too weak to help people who sincerely want His help. But God has saved adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, drunkards, those who curse – even murderers – all kinds of sinners (1 Cor. 6:9-11). “God is faithful” to help us in our struggle with temptation (10:13). The sign may say, “I don’t know enough about the Bible to be saved.” If you know you are lost, that God loves you, and that He forgives all who obey the gospel, act now upon what you know. Then you will grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ (1 Pet. 2:1-2; 2 Pet. 3:18).

“And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). The preacher Ananias spoke these words to Saul of Tarsus, who without any delay “arose, and was baptized” (9:18). If Saul had been like some other people, he might have waited because of too much regardfor men. Delay may be caused by the fear of criticism from relatives, friends, and past religious associates. During the personal ministry of Christ on earth, many important Jewish leaders “believed on him; but because of the j Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (Jn. 12:42-43). Saul himself had been a Pharisee, but he had a higher regard for God than for men. Our attachment to our parents, whether they be living or dead, should not be so strong as to keep us from obeying the gospel. They do not live their lives in our place, nor die for us, nor answer for us in Judgment.

But a negative attitude toward men can also hinder us from obeying the Lord. The regard for man which makes us wait may be in the form of a protest against hypocritical Christians. God warns Christians not to so live as to bring shame, reproach, and blasphemy upon the word of God (Tit. 2:5,8,10). Jesus said of such hypocrites that they shall not “escape the damnation of hell” (Matt. 23:33). If we focus on the inconsistencies of such people now and reject the Lord, we will be with them in hell away from the Lord for all eternity. Weak Christians may err or even wrong us, but God has done neither! He gave His only Son for us and blesses us daily in more ways than we can number. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” (Heb. 2:3) After obeying Christ, we may be able to help those who err to correct their lives. Whether they repent or not, we must never blame God for the sins of men. Let us not be like the man who was angry at his dog for chewing up his shoe. When he could not kick the dog, who ran under the porch, he kicked his wife instead.

Those who focus their attention too much on man and not enough on Christ may be hindered because of personality clashes and other personal likes or dislikes. They would prefer a preacher, elder, deacon, teacher, or other Christian they know to have a different voice, dress style, mannerism, hobby, car, mate, personality, or some other characteristic. Perhaps the suggested change would be an improvement, but this is nothing to lose our souls over. We forebear with such differences on the job because we have a duty to feed our families. We can forebear with such differences in order to obey the gospel. Remember that we may be blind to our own quirks, that our love for the Lord overshadows every personal consideration, and that we worship the Lord and not some man. Make no mistake about it: when we reject the message of truth because of the foibles of the messenger, we reject the Lord who sent the message (Matt. 10:40). If we truly set our hearts upon the Lord, we will not hesitate over men.

Religious error causes men to wait. Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses offer the hope of a second chance after we pass from this life. Catholicism teaches that some sins can be punished temporarily after death so that we may go to be with God forever. Calvinism says that sinners who know the gospel must wait until they receive an inner illumination and impulse from God in order to be saved. Pentecostalism claims that the sinner must wait and plead at a “mourner’s bench,” plead and wait at an “altar,” until God sends the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Ghost. Denominationalism tells men who believe in Jesus that baptism is not essential to salvation and that, therefore, they can wait until later to be baptized.

In the New Testament, men were never told to wait to be baptized and to wait to be saved. Read of the Jews in Acts 2, the Ethiopian in Acts 8, the Gentiles in Acts 10, and the Philippian jailor in Acts 16. In every case, as soon as sinners were convicted of sin and learned how to be forgiven, they immediately obeyed the gospel. While the traditions of men tell sinners to wait for some reason or other, the glorious gospel of Christ invites sinners to come immediately into the grace of God.

Confusion over tragedy, suffering, and heartache causes some to wait. They are hindered by the sad misunderstanding that God heaps upon man the sorrows and woes of life. All disease, degeneration, and death entered the universe because of sin and sin entered because of Satan, not because of God! Read Genesis 1-3 to see how wonderfully God blessed men and tried to protect him from Satan’s harm – see how Satan deceived man into thinking sin would bless rather than curse life. After man sinned, God did not plot his ruin but promised him a Savior (3:15). Study Job 1-2, and then the rest of the book, to learn how Satan seeks to use tragedy and heartache to confuse man about God’s love – see how God comforts man and helps him to see His constant love through the mists of sorrow. Read Ecclesiastes to understand that though we live in a world of change and uncertainity, of fleeting “ups” and shattering “downs,” life is not a meaningless void. We look beyond this vail of tears to the God from whom we came and to whom we go. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13).

But does God really understand our struggles and sorrows here below? Yes. He sent His only Son in a body of flesh to serve and sorrow with us – to weep with those who weep (Jn. 10:33) – to face all the same temptations we face (Heb. 4:15). “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (v. 16). No matter what our burden, God can and will comfort us through His beloved Son.

“Why do you wait, dear sinner, O why do you tarry so long?” “Your Savior is longing to bless you.” “O why not accept His salvation, and throw off your burden of sin.” Why not come to him now! Foolish Felix decided to wait and told the preacher, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25). There is no easy way or convenient time to face our sins, repent of them, and ask God’s forgiveness. It is not leisure we lack but love for the Lord. Not convenience but conviction. In simple terms, when we tell God to wait we are telling Him, “No! I will not submit and will not obey now. ” He is pleading for us to come now. Soon the time of patience will be gone the time of punishment will arrive. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).

Guardian of Truth XXX: 20, pp. 624-625
October 16, 1986

By Mike Willis

Have you ever seen a fire burn uncontrolled? It destroys everything in its path. Yet, when controlled, fire can heat a house, power an automobile down a highway, send a rocket to outer space, and many other good things.

A man’s temper is like that. A temper that is uncontrolled can destroy and hurt those around it. When controlled and disciplined, the temper of man enables him to do some of his best work. The proverbs emphasize the need for control over one’s spirit.

What An Uncontrolled Temper Does

The proverbs repeatedly discuss the dangers of having an uncontrolled temper. Consider the following facts about an undisciplined temper:

1. It acts foolishly (Prov. 14:17,29; 29:20; Eccl. 7:9). “He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly . . . he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” Those who lose control of their temper do many foolish things, such as kicking a car.

2. It abounds in transgression (Prov. 29:22). “. . . A furious man aboundeth in transgression.” James said that “the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (Jas. 1:20). Paul warned, “Be ye angry, and sin not” (Eph. 4:26). Here are some sins frequently committed while angry:

Cursing

Abusive speech

Murder

Character assassination

False Witnessing

Fighting

Revenge

Hatred

Slander

Clamor

Simeon and Levi murdered a man in their anger (Gen. 49:6). Saul attempted to slay David when his envy gave place to anger. David was ready to slay Nabal in his anger (1 Sam. 25). Ahasuerus deposed his wife as queen of Persia in his anger (Esth. 1:12). These examples confirm that when a man is angry, he frequently falls into sin.

3. It stirs up strife (Prov. 10:12; 15:18; 29:22). “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife” (Prov. 15:18). An angry man is looking for a fight and generally finds one, not necessarily with the one at whom his anger should be directed.

4. It is outrageous (Prov. 27:4). “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous. . . ” The NASB reads “anger is a flood.” Like the flash floods of the mountains destroy everything in their paths, uncontrolled anger attacks everything in its path.

5. Is sometimes related to pride. Proverbs 21:24 describes “proud wrath.” Much anger is related to an individual’s pride. In an effort to save face, an insulted person may start a fight or otherwise defend his territory.

6. It leaves an individual exposed to the devil. “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls” (Prov. 25:28). In ancient time’ a city without walls was unprotected and vulnerable to attack. An angry man is vulnerable to Satan’s assaults against his soul, as is evident from a consideration of the sins committed in anger (#2).

7. It is a work of theflesh. The word “wrath” (thumos) describes hot anger. William Barclay wrote this description of this kind of anger:

Thumos, the Greeks said, was like fire in straw, quickly blazing up and just as quickly burning itself out. . . . Many a person is well aware that he has a violent temper; and many a person claims that he cannot help it, and expects others to accept and to forgive his bursts of passion. The NT is quite clear that such displays of temper are sinful manifestations that a man is still in the grip of his own lower nature. It may well be that such a person is never fully aware of the way in which he wounds others and produces a situation in which fellowship becomes very difficult. Because he blazes and forgets he thinks that others should equally be able to forget the pain he has inflicted. Let such a person remember that such displays of temper are sin, and that the way to overcome them is through the power of the Spirit in his heart (Flesh and Spirit, pp. 52-53).

In Ephesians 4:3 1, Paul forbade “wrath, and anger, and clamour (yelling, shouting)” as things characteristic of the old man of sin.

8. It disqualifies a man from being an elder. ” An elder must not be “soon angry” (Tit. 1:7) and “not a brawler” (1 Tim. 3:3). A man with an undisciplined spirit who becomes angry at the drop of a hat and is ready to fight cannot serve as God’s elder.

The Results of Uncontrolled Temper

What will happen to the person who never learns to control his temper? In his anger, he will inflict pain and injury on those around him. Friendships and relationships with others will be permanently injured. This will force him into isolation and the consequent loneliness. He will become more involved in sin because godly people will not put themselves in jeopardy of being victimized by his wrath by rebuking him (Prov. 9:7-8). Indeed, the wise man said that godly people will not make friends of the man who has an uncontrolled temper (Prov. 22:24-25).

How Controlled Anger Acts

Anger is not sinful! Jesus, who lived without sin, was angry (Mk. 3:5). Many Bible passages refer to God’s anger and wrath (cf. Num. 11:1, 10; 12:9; consult a concordance). We see that anger is not inherently sinful. We can learn how our anger should be by looking at God’s anger. Compare God’s anger with sinful anger:

God’s Anger	Man’s Anger
Controlled, with purpose	Uncontrolled, without purpose
Not with hatred, malice and resentment	With hatred, malice and resentment
Not selfish	Selfish
As an expression of concern	As an expression of indignation
To correct or curtail destructive behavior	To destroy the individual
As an expression of care	As an expression of revenge
Not to break relationships	To break relationships, to hurt
At injustice	At violations of self
At willful disobedience	At those who cross me
From Tim LaHaye, Anger Is A Choice, p. 105

“Wherein lies the antiseptic which turns the strong poision of anger into a useful medicine? The broad answer is simply this – anger which is selfish, and which comes from pride, and undue sensitiveness to one’s own feelings is always and invariably wrong; anger for the sake of others, anger which is cleansed of self, can often be a weapon to be used by God” (William Barclay, Flesh and Spirit, p. 53).

This kind of anger shows great understanding (Prov. 14:29; 19:11; Jas. 1:20), appeases strife (Prov. 15:18), and prevents further problems (Prov. 25:8).

The Value of A Man With Controlled Temper

The man who has learned self-control is valuable. “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Prov. 16:32). We tend to exalt national military heroes. To show their regard for David, the Israelites sang, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Sam. 18:7). Yet, the man who has conquered his own spirit is greater than he who captures a city. Indeed, the former may be a greater battle than the latter.

Conclusion

Some of us have been raised in environments where little effort was made to control the temper. Consequently, we have learned to use abusive speech (cursing, yelling, etc.) in the heat of anger. Sometimes a man becomes so violent in his anger that he will kill his fellowman. These have learned to express their anger but not in an acceptable manner.

Others of us have been raised in environments in which anger is so suppressed that we learn to be men without backbones, compromising and yielding in order to avoid someone’s wrath and conflict. This kind of character needs to develop his temper, learning to express his anger.

This disciplining of one’s soul is not easy. Let us study the example of Jesus and learn the proper manner to handle anger in order that we not leave ourselves open to the temptations of the devil.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 21, pp. 642, 660
November 6, 1986

By Jimmy Tuten

Introduction:

A. Man has no more exalted privilege or awesome responsibility than the worship of almighty God. A failure to grasp this truth plunged the likes of Cain (Gen. 4), Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10) and King Saul (1 Sam. 13) into terrible calamities. Our Lord chastised His contemporaries for their vain worship, because they followed man’s teaching instead of God’s.

B. Worshipers of God must worship Him in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:24). Some Christians do not enjoy worshiping God because they mistake its purpose.

1. Our materialistic society is most often the contributor to the neglect of spirituality.

2. It is not generally popular to attend all the services where worship to God is expressed. This is manifested by the great difference in attendance at the Sunday morning services and the others conducted during the week.

C. Worship is to serve or do homage, to do reverence and involved in it is a feeling of awe. Religion is to be the involvement of a personal relation between an individual and God wherein one does God’s commandments in order to establish the proper relation with Him. Attendance at services is for the purpose of pleasing God!

I. What are some of the objections to not attending services?

A. “I can find better things to do elsewhere. ” This shows a misconception of worship. One should go to services to praise God, not to be entertained. On the first day of the week disciples meet to commemorate Jesus’ death (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-27) and to be with those of like mind who offer services and devotion to Jehovah.

1. The Church is God’s creation and is His temple. It is not a human creation. It is only with the saints that one is to assemble to worship and such is not to be neglected (Heb. 10:25). In this you encourage each other.

2. Finding better things to do elsewhere is a display of misunderstanding of the church and the purpose of the assembly.

2 Timothy 2:4 – “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. “

B. “The assembly is basically a social gathering, so my presence is optional. ” This position views the church as being of human origin where worship in it can be ignored, if one so chooses. But the church is the body of God’s chosen people and since He expects of them devotion and service, one should not feel that the worship can be ignored.

C. “I don’t attend because there are hypocrites that attend. ” This is erroneous because one is measuring the divine standard in terms of wayward men, and not wayward men in terms of the divine standard. Men may be wicked through hypocrisy, but that should be no reason for our becoming wicked too. What is the difference between a hypocritical man and a person who hides behind him (using him for an excuse to neglect one’s duty)? Will God excuse either? Our goal should be to please God and avoid hell where unquestionably all hypocrites will be.

D. “I don’t get anything from services. ” The preacher is often compared to worldly entertainers. We are not pleased, so we go elsewhere. But is it not what one gets, but what one gives. Worship is something that one does, not gets. One gets out of it what one puts into it. With this view one can never have the fruit of genuine religion. There must be a change of viewpoint. The service must be given before the fruit is forthcoming (cf. Heb. 13:15).

E. “Those assembling are not friendly, their attitude is not right and the singing is not good. ” Such expresses a carnal mind that should be more concerned with pleasing God. Worship is man’s expression of love, devotion and service to God. If this is not one’s goal then there will be disappointment.

1. We are not the audience, God is. . . We come together to give our praise, money, etc. because we love him.

2. Failure to understand this turns those in the pew into hyper-critics of song leaders, preachers, etc. God hears and observes the hearer as much as the preacher, song leader, etc. He cares as much for the singer in the pew as he does the one leading singing.

II. Why attend services?

A. This question is often asked by those. seeking to sooth one’s own conscience by putting the other person underfire (i.e., put one on the defense). A truly pious person will not ask such questions because he wants to express his praise and thanks to God.

B. Why attend all services?

1. To commune with God. The very nature of worship demands an expression that involves a personal relationship (Jn. 4:24; 1 Jn. 3:1-3; 2 Cor. 6:17-18).

2. To express the feeling of our souls. The book of Psalms shows the proper disposition (Psa. 122: 1; 26:6-8; 65:4; 95:6-7; cf. Heb. 10: 19ff).

3. To praise God (Heb. 13:15). If one is cheerful he can praise God; if one is suffering he can pray to God, etc. (Jas. 5:13; Phil. 4:6).

4. Because God teaches us to worship (Matt. 18:20). No person who truly wants to be with the Lord will miss when conditions are under his control (Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:25).

III. Conclusion

A. One can see that worship is to “press spirituality – not arouse it.

B. When we esteem, serve or bow down to God, our spirit will be stimulated and love for God will be intensified. These are natural by-products that flow from true worship. (They are not the purpose for which we worship.)

C. Hence: the more often that one communes with God, the more spiritual he or she will be in life.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 20, pp. 626-627
October 16, 1986

By Irven Lee

When the sower went out to sow his seed, some seed fell upon a rock, and as soon as it sprang up it withered away because it lacked moisture. These on the stony ground had not much earth. They sprang up immediately, but when the sun was up they were scorched. This is a picture of people who for a while believe and in time of temptation fall away. The parable of the sower with the Lord’s explanation is found in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8.

There are many joys that come to the gospel preacher and other faithful workers, but there are some disappointments. It is very pleasant to see people obey the gospel, but it hurts to see those who are baptized give up and ignore the church which our Lord purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25). He evidently considers the church to be important or He would not have purchased it at such a price.

Christians are taught to do certain things while together. (Read Acts 20:7; Eph. 5:19; Acts 2:42.) We should not be guilty of willful sin by forsaking the assembling (Heb. 10:25-31). The one who is absent does not exert the good influence on others that he is capable of rendering, and he is not protected by the example and teachings of others. The early disciples at Jerusalem “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayer.” It is evident that they were to be steadfast in these things, and that their faith and love were such that they were glad to worship together. (See Acts 2:46,47.) 1 wish that all that I baptize would show such zeal and concern for the church.

Some may not have been properly taught. The apostles were asked to teach and baptize and then continue to teach men to observe all things taught by the Lord (Matt. 28:18-20). The edifying is important (Eph. 4:11-16). There is to be the watering as well as the planting (1 Cor. 3:1-8). Even in the matter of helping the babes in Christ, they need to desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow (1 Pet. 2:2). It is not easy to feed one who is not hungry (Matt. 5:6).

Parents who do not attend worship are not likely to teach their children the wonderful words of life at home. The failure to teach and the negative example will likely lead the children into ignorance of the Bible and indifference toward the church. It could be very different if the parents had unfeigned faith as did Eunice and Lois. (Read 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14,15.) Think of the position of parents who turn their own children into the broad way to destruction by their own lukewarmness. The word makes it very clear that they are to train the child in the way he should go. (See Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4; 1 Tim. 5:14.)

In the parable of the sower some seed fell among thorns and produced no fruit because they were choked. The Lord mentioned cares, riches, and pleasures as thorns. People in this class become too busy in trivial things to have time to do the very important things. They do not have time to teach their children or neighbors because they are watching TV or earning extra money to satisfy some fancy. If we could arrange our priorities we could have some pleasure, meet our responsibilities to the family, and earn enough to provide proper things for their needs. We are to seek the kingdom of God above things in this life, but our riches and pleasures must not choke out our spiritual growth.

It is the will of God that the gospel be preached to every creature since God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He knows that all will not receive the word into honest and good hearts, but we cannot be sure who will until proper effort has been made to reach the lost, but we are not to condemn ourselves too severely if we fail. Failure may come because of a lack of effort on the part of the teacher, but it may also come because of the condition of those to be taught. If one’s ears and eyes are closed he cannot be taught. He cannot be taught against his will.

If there are one hundred fifty members of the church in a given community there will likely be fifteen or more who never attend, with as many others who are not regular at all. These figures are not accurate, but they are used to suggest the seriousness of this tendency to drop out of the work.

There may be another fifteen in such a community who were carried to worship as babies but were never baptized and

who never attend now that they are adults.

Some members of the church marry companions who will not encourage their steadfastness nor help in training children to be Christians. It is not easy to walk the narrow way alone, nor to bring up the children in the nurture and admonishment of the Lord without the help of the marriage companion. “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me smttereth abroad” (Matt. 12:30). It is good if young Christians consider these things before they marry.

If efforts are made again and again, some of these dropouts might be reached, or their children might be encouraged to come into the family of God. Each soul is precious in the sight of God. Let each faithful Christian remember that much of the effective teaching is done privately, so many should teach publicly and privately in the effort to reach as many as possible before it is too late. If one is reached, this often leads to the saving of others.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 20, pp. 621, 633
October 16, 1986