Truth Magazine

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: Does 2 Corinthians 3:17,18 teach that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are identical in some way? Is “the Spirit” directly referring to Jesus or the Holy Spirit? Are Jesus and the Holy Spirit so closely related in work that one can be put for the other?

Reply: The passage inquired about reads: “Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord of the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:17,18).

It is true that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one. This is not to say that they are one and the same person, but they are one in the same sense that the Father and the Son are one (Jn. 10:30). The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are separate persons but they are deity. They compose the Godhead. They are God in three persons. They are one in purpose, each performing and functioning in harmony with the other. It is questionable, however, that “the Lord is the Spirit” has reference here to Jesus being identified in some way with the Holy Spirit.

In order to have a clearer understanding of this difficult passage, we should notice verse 6. Here Paul had declared that God had made him and the other apostles sufficient as “ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” The old covenant was given in letters engraven on stone; it was a law of letters. The new covenant, though also written, is a spiritual law (Rom. 8:2). Paul is contrasting the law of letters which could only bring condemnation and death (Rom. 7:7-11; 1 Cor. 15:56), with the”new covenant which gives us life (Rom. 2:27-29; 6:4,11; 8:2, 10,11; 1 Cor. 15:45; Gal. 5:18). It was the former that was being enforced by Paul’s opponents. This being the case, it seems more in harmony with the context, that as Moses stood for the “letter” of the old covenant which he gave, “the Lord” (Christ) is the spirit of the new covenant of which He is the author. It gives us liberty. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2). Three laws are mentioned in Romans 8:1-4: the law of the Spirit of life, the law of sin and death and the law of Moses. The law of the Spirit of life (the gospel, or the new covenant) makes men free from the law of sin and death. The law of sin and death is set forth in 7:23. To be a captive of this law is to be dead spiritually; therefore, it is the law of sin and death. Sin reigns and the inevitable result is death (Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 6:23). The law of Moses (the third law, Rom. 8:3) could not free men from the law of sin and death because its sacrifices could not take away sin (Heb. 10:4). The spirit that gives life is Christ (2 Cor. 3:17). He sets men at liberty (Lk. 4:18), and this He does by the truth (Jn. 8:32).

There is no doubt that “the Lord” is Christ Jesus in this passage. He was declared to be both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:37) and from that time on it is probable that every mention of the term “Lord” refers to Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:5; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:7 etc.)

In view of the context, it is more plausible that “the Spirit” in 2 Corinthians 3:17,18 refers to Jesus rather than the Holy Spirit.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 21, p. 645
November 6, 1986

By S. Leonard Tyler

To be prepared for marriage one must be willing to accept another into his life as a vital and essential part of his life. This must be done upon right principles of truth and love, right purpose of sharing and producing, and right design of peace, good-will, happiness, accomplishment in this life and in the life to come eternal salvation for us and our children and all whom we can influence.

To be prepared for children, we must be willing to (1) give room in our lives for a baby, another human being, a real person. We must accept him as a real human being and extend our love and care. We must accept the responsibility for this person he is not a toy, a play thing, but a real person developing into his own life. Physically superintend the proper foods, exercises and profession for his life. Spiritually and morally superintend his concepts, attitudes, loves, desires and disposition. The proper knowledge and appreciation of right things to want, treasure, love, seek and work for upon the basis of what is right and best for all concerned – unselfish but with purpose of heart – for the good of all must be taught and established in his own heart. He must make the choices you cannot make them for him. Yes, you must give to him the fundamentals, the foundation for life. This is the responsibility of parents. The consequences of your labors and their following must be, of necessity, accepted to your joy or sorrow. The training of your boys and girls results in the life that he lives. This is the fruit of your labors, love and life giving efforts and will produce in this relationship an earthly harvest perhaps, and in my judgment, more than any other field in which you function.

This is the most important place you will ever fill or greatest work that you will ever do. The fruits, as a rule, are produced according to the effort spent while the opportunities are yours – not as a choice but of necessity. Your choice should be to accept this awesome responsibility wisely, use it fully and treasure the opportunity of sharing in giving to another life and purpose in Jesus Christ.

“Where there is life there is hope.” This is just as applicable to spiritual life as it is to physical life. So hang in there with all your knowledge, ability, courage, faith and pray fervently, for you will need all these things and more. But consider the worth of the person(s) you gave birth to or fathered, what shall they be come? Yes, they are worth every ounce of energy, penny of money and extended effort or sacrifice you will ever make. This man or woman, now in the making, and you are a very vital part of his making, will be your greatest treasure upon this earth to your delight or your sorrow. The only profitable time to recognize and come to grips with this fact is now, while this man or woman is in the making, a child today but tomorrow, a full grown adult. This, my brother and sister, is your joy or sorrow or whatever it may be through your effort and its action. But you are responsible to keep the effort going. “Don’t give up the ship,” no, not the ship – but the person. Remember the prodigal of Luke 15:11-32. He came back. We are trying to help people to learn the truth, turn to the Lord, and be saved. Then let us act like it, be like it and keep on acting and being like it. The Lord gives the increase. Let us keep working – the harvest is yet to come. “Your labors are not in vain in the Lord. . . the end is not yet. ” Where there is life, there is hope. But life keeps striving by faith for victory.

Negatively speaking, don’t allow problems to become the building stones but rather allow the solutions to become the building blocks and use them. Easy problems solve immediately, hard ones work hard to solve and impossible ones, it takes a little longer. Be careful how you build for every man’s work shall be tried as by fire.

The Changing Epochs In A Child’s Life

1. Infancy. Dressing, feeding milk to solid food, crawling, walking, talking, and playing with others (but he is the cutest thing ever): understanding, righting, picking-up strange words and actions (where did he hear that?).

2. School Years. Gone from home all day (oh, what shall I do?), visiting their friends in the day, then all night (Did you miss your mother?). They must be taught to act upon their own understanding, thinking and reasoning. (Well, you know that they are the smartest anywhere. They know more about “Star Wars” than the president. They watch TV. I have never seen children advance so rapidly. It just staggers me and his daddy.) This time is coming. Allow them the right and teach the responsibility that goes with the right to make their choices. Conduct your own life so you will be wanted – and then you will be asked to help and give your advice. Keep communication lines open. This is your job and you had better do it.

3. Recognizing The Different Sexes. Make a difference between boys and girls. You must help them understand the real differences and how to accept those differences wisely. Don’t leave it to chance nor the school nor the group with whom they run or associate. We are living in a “progressive,” modern, feministic, atheistic and sex-perverted society. If you leave it to “chance” they will not have a chance, a real opportunity, to understand and appreciate the true value in the difference nor the purpose for marriage and clean moral living. You better teach them. Society is fighting against the difference. The Equal Rights Movement is really not for the rights for women, although some may be ignorant of this fact, notwithstanding it is diabolically opposed to the biblical teachings respecting moral living, especially sex – homosexuality, fornication, adultery and actually “freedom of sex” is basic and vital to their movement. Teach your boys and girls to be clean physically and morally, to live clean up-right lives and maintain respect in all the affairs of life. The Equal Rights Movement is against the God-ordained rights for women and the good of all society. Teach your boys and girls to respect womanhood, honor, protect, love and appreciate the God planned place for woman and man (Gen. 1:27-28; 2:21-25; Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:1-7; 1 Cor. 7:1-5). Fornication, adultery and/or illicit, perverted sexual relationships are just as sinful and damnable as ever in the history of man (Acts 15:20; 21:25; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:13-20; Gal. 5:19; Matt. 5:32; 19:1-9).

Let your boys and girls understand, recognize and respect the gravity of immorality. As Paul wrote (taken from the New King James version), “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body” (1 Cor. 6:18). God gave the freedom of sex to marriage, love and the home. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4; see 1 Cor. 7:1-2). Teach them in preparation for marriage; both girls and boys need it.

4. Marriage. Parents should teach their boys and girls (and I mean boys as well as girls) that marriage is ordained of God for the good, pleasure and productivity of man, contentment and happiness of all. Purity must be sustained in marriage, each committing himself to the other (1 Cor. 7:1-5). Teach them their place as well as responsibility to one another. Boys, men need this understanding as well as girls, young ladies. This is a unit of one man and one woman in anticipation of children to follow. It takes both to make a marriage work as God ordains. So teach and so practice. God’s plan will work and is best always.

When They Marry

Parents must teach and practice that when young men and women are married they belong to one another and are to treasure and prefer one another above anybody else on earth. They are one in God’s sight in the marriage relationship. Mother and father must respect and honor their independence. I know, they need your motherly and fatherly advice but allow them the opportunity to make it on their own, if you can. But if they really need you, offer and give your help as advice and not commands or force. Your teaching will now serve them. But again, we say, keep the communication lines open. There is joy in recognizing them as capable to live and establish their own homes. The future looks brighter.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 21, 641, 661
November 6, 1986

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