Truth Magazine

By Kenneth E. Thomas

It occurs to me that we mortals have things somewhat in reverse usually. For example: We spend the greater part of our lives, and some all of their earthly sojourn, preparing to live rather than to die. Yet Solomon said, “. . the living know they shall die” (Eccl. 9:5).

Now you just stop and think about it for a while! When a child is born into a family what are the things people first begin to consider about that child’s future? Will the child be healthy? Wonder what kind of life he or she will have? Will they be successful and make lots of money? Wonder if we can afford to send him to college? Suppose he is destined to be president of the USA?

In contrast to that consider a conversation like the following between a couple who have become parents of a newborn, “Dear, I wonder if we can so live before our offspring so as to instill in them the principles of the religion of Christ so that he will choose to become a Christian when old enough? I wonder if this my son will ever be interested in becoming a preacher of the glorious gospel of Christ? Perhaps an elder or a deacon in a local congregation of Christ! I wonder if this our daughter will become the wife of a faithful Christian, maybe even marry a preacher or an elder or a deacon? Well anyway, I just pray she will be a faithful and fruitful member of the body of Christ” (Jn. 15:16).

The former conversation is quite common place. I’m sorry to say that the latter is the exception to the rule. In fact many times parents (especially mothers) try to deter their offspring from aspiring to be gospel preachers, elders, deacons or the wives of such. Do you know some of the reasons they give? If considering the male of the sexes, “Don’t you know that if you become a preacher of the gospel that you will be placing yourself at the mercy of the whims of your brethren? That any time you ‘step on the wrong member’s toes,’ you may set off a campaign against you causing you to have to leave, thereby uprooting your family and moving to another place where you can be supported in your work for the Lord?”

In speaking to her daughter about such matters she is likely to say something like the following: “Dear if you marry a preacher or an elder or a deacon don’t you know you will have no time that you can call your own? You will find yourself sitting in a cold or hot classroom or maybe at home alone as your husband sees to some problem in the life of some member of the body, and that you and your family’s needs and wants will always come last after everyone else’s? There is no putting down roots and you will never have financial security! Don’t you know that it would be much better to marry a successful businessman or anyone but a preacher, an elder or a deacon in the Lord’s church? “

What does all of this reveal? Simply that we are worldly minded to a large degree. It shows that things having to do with the here and now are often of more importance to us than things related to the hereafter. It isn’t any wonder that our children grow up with the same attitudes (Jas. 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:15-17; Rom. 12:1-2).

Test Yourself!

Which upsets you most, your child failing to get his lesson for Bible class and knowing God’s will or that child failing in his secular school work? I’m afraid honesty shows that we are more upset with the latter than we are with the former.

Which means more to you: Your child being popular among his peers in school or seeing your child take a stand for Christ and refusing to go along with the crowd in popular, yet sinful, practices?

A beautiful true story was related a few years ago about a young lady who was a Christian who stood by her religious convictions. Marilyn Thomas had steadfastly refused to attend school dances. Time came to crown the football homecoming queen and knowing she would not attend the dance, still Marilyn was chosen queen. This true story relates how the whole student body and the parents as well gave Marilyn a standing ovation when she was announced as winner!

If one’s life in general is consistent with the principles involved as to why Marilyn would not dance, respect rather than ridicule is usually the result even from those who may think one’s religious position ridiculous. If Marilyn was given to wearing immodest clothing, had a filthy mouth, was known to live a loose life otherwise, none would have considered her for a homecoming queen and her not attending dances would not have impressed anyone. Her refusal, however, was totally consistent with her general lifestyle and she was honored here and will be in the hereafter provided she continues to serve the Lord faithfully (Rev. 22:14).

To Enjoy Life: Prepare For Death

The great apostle Paul tells us how to enjoy the life that now is and also have promise of that which is to come saying, in 1 Timothy 4:8, “Bodily exercise profits little (good in this life, ket), but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”

The inspired apostle Peter likewise indicates how that serving Christ is what brings a “good life.” “For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against them who do evil” (1 Pet. 3:10-12).

To be willing to die for Christ as was the apostle Paul and I’m sure a large number of others is commendable (Acts 21:13). To be willing to live for Him is even greater! Paul, of course, was willing and committed to do either or both (Phil. 1:20-30). He said in verse 21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” He stated in the third chapter of this same book that he had suffered the loss of all things and counted them but dung” (Phil. 3:7-14).

This is what is under consideration in Colossians 3:1-4, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. . . . ” The same is true of Paul’s statements in Romans 6:1,8-13, “. . . Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?. . . . And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”

Some Who Don’t Prepare

We have some accounts on record for our learning of some folks who didn’t take the time or sufficient interest in their own souls to prepare to die (the good farmer of Luke 12:13-21 for example). All we know of this man is that he seems to have placed all of the emphasis on preparing for this life and its needs, to the neglect of the next life. He was called a “fool” and informed of his death that night and the fact that all of those material possessions would in essence now belong to someone else. How sad! Although as men would view this man he was successful, we know that he was a total failure (Eccl. 12:13-14).

The rich man of Luke 16:19-31 is another sad example. He had “fared sumptuously every day.” He died and found himself in Hades in torment while his poor beggar friend Lazarus was comforted in Abraham’s bosom. Roles were now reversed as it were. It was not the amount of goods possessed which accounted for the spiritual condition of these two men. One had planned for his spiritual needs and the other had not!

Governor Felix (Acts 24:24-25) even trembled as “righteousness, temperance and judgment to come” were discussed but wanted to wait for a more convenient season to respond to heaven’s message. So far as we know he never found that “convenient season.” Agrippa was “almost persuaded” to be a Christian but almost will not avail, almost is but to fail (Heb. 5:8-9; Matt. 7:21-28).

There is also record of those who did accept God’s grace on His terms and “saved themselves from this crooked generation” (Acts 2:22-38,40,41,47). But by comparison to those who rejected God’s grace they were few in number. I see no reason to think it will be any different in our lifetime, but we are to work hard at giving all the opportunity to know Christ’s will, then it is up to them what they do; we are “pure from their blood” (Acts 20:26). We plant the seed, others will water it, and God gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:6).

Guardian of Truth XXX: 15, pp. 451-452
August 7, 1986

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: Please explain Hebrews 6:6.

Reply: Having rebuked his readers for not advancing spiritually (Heb. 5:12-14), the. author of Hebrews exhorts them to press on to maturity (6:1-3). They are now to leave this foundation (rudiments or elementary principles) by building upon it. A failure to do so would mean a falling away, or going backwards. Remember that the purpose of the Hebrews epistle was to prevent apostasy. This is why the letter is filled with warnings and exhortations. So, verses 1-3 of chapter six serve as the context of the warning given in verses 4-6.

The warning issued by the writer of Hebrews (w. 4-6) to prevent his readers from the fatal mistake of falling away is most significant. “For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (ASV). Herein are described those who had experienced these spiritual blessings; but if they fell away, it is impossible to renew them to repentance. It is to be noted that the impossibility is upon the part of those who attempt to renew the ones who fell away. The impossibility to renew them to repentance is made clear: “seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” As long as they continue to do this, no one can renew them to repentance. No appeal can be made to them about the spiritual blessings to be enjoyed in Christ; they had already experienced them. In their present condition they will not repent; therefore, no one can renew them. All that remains for such hardened apostates is “a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries” (Heb. 10:27).

Guardian of Truth XXX: 15, p. 453
August 7, 1986

By Mike Willis

There are some things which are said to be “abominable” to the Lord (cf. Prov. 6:16-19). The word “abominable” refers to something which is extremely abhorred. Hence, there are some things which Jehovah abhors extremely.

The concept that Jehovah would hate anything is foreign to some’s concept of the Lord. However, divine revelation testifies that some things are extremely abhorred by Him. We want to consider some of the things which the book of Proverbs lists as being abominable to the Lord.

Seven Are An Abomination Unto Him (Prov. 6:16-19)

These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh fies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

1. A Proud Look (Prov. 6.17). Elsewhere the wise man wrote, “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord . . . ” (Prov. 16:5). Pride stems from an attitude of the heart – an attitude of arrogance, superiority, boastfulness. The reference to the “proud look” refers to that arrogance which looks down its nose at those who are judged to be inferior. A feeling of superiority might come from one’s station in life: the wealthy might feel superior to the poor; the educated might feel superior to the uneducated; the ones in position of authority and dominion might feel superior to those under them. A feeling of superiority might come from one’s concept of his own righteousness; the Pharisee displayed an attitude of arrogant superiority toward the publican (Lk. 18:9-14). This attitude is still present when one displays a “holier-than-thou” disposition.

A Christian must display humility. He needs to imitate the humility of Jesus (cf. Phil. 2:2-3). Rather than feeling superior to others, the Christian recognizes that he is a sinner in need of the salvation which Christ brings, he is a man just like all other men – facing the same certain death and judgment to come.

2. A Lying Tongue (Prov. 6.17). “Lying lips are abomination to the Lord . . . ” (Prov. 12:22). A lying tongue stems from a dishonest heart. People lie for different reasons. Some He to take advantage of another person (for example in misrepresenting a product or warranty); some lie to cover their own sins (cf. Cain’s lie in Gen. 4:9); some lie to protect themselves from another’s anger (for example, a child might lie about his action rather than face the anger of his parent); some lie to keep from hurting someone’s feelings (for example, telling a terminally ill patient that there is nothing seriously wrong with him). Each of us has faced the temptation to lie and many of us commit the sin. The honesty and integrity of Nathanael’s character, whom Jesus described as “an Israelite . . . in whom is no guile” (Jn. 1:47), commends itself to us.

3. Hands That Shed Innocent Blood. “Shedding innocent blood” is a reference to I ‘murder.” God hates the murderer. We witness “shedding innocent blood” in our society frequently. Someone mugs an elderly lady in order to steal ,her purse and she dies; a family quarrel gets out of hand and someone shoots his own relative; a guard is killed during a robbery; a police officer is shot while on duty. These are stories likely to be on any news cast. Jezebel and Ahab were guilty of this sin when they slaughtered innocent Naboth in order to make his family inheritance, his vineyard, their own (cf. 1Kgs. 21).

Another form of “shedding innocent blood” has recently become commonplace. A physician – one trained to save life – uses his medical instruments to kill unborn babies (abortion). Those hands which should be healing and ministering to the sick are being used to slaughter the innocent!

Euthanasia is another form of shedding innocent blood. Doctors and family members reach the conclusion that the “quality” of human fife is inadequate and then proceed to kill innocent blood. The aged, crippled, and retarded are either actively put to death or allowed to starve to death.

The feelings which God has toward this sin is seen in His divinely revealed punishment for it – “by man shall his blood be shed” (Gen. 9:6) and in the fact that God said this was an abomination to Him.

4. A Heart That Devises Wickedness (Prov. 6.18). “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord” (Prov. 15:26). Before wickedness is committed, it is planned and plotted. One example is given in Proverbs 1:

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: we shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil (1:11-13).

These wicked men devised wicked plans. Whenever a robbery is committed, someone devised wicked plans. Some make their living by devising wickedness. Every pornographic magazine is demonstration that someone spent his time devising wickedness; its cartoonists, editors, writers, etc. spent their time devising wickedness. God abhors this kind of heart.

5. Feet That Are Swift In Running To Mischief (Prov. 6.18). This condemns those who hastily follow through in committing the wicked devising of their hearts. Indeed, the Lord said, “The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord” (Prov. 15:9). Those who have hardened their hearts toward the Lord’s will and scornfully rejected His word in order to brazenly commit wickedness are abominable to the Lord (Prov. 3:32; 11:20; 15:8-9).

Some feet are swift in running to these forms of mischief: fornication, drunkenness, drugs, foul language, shoplifting, mixed swimming, dancing, gossip, backbiting, etc.

6. A False Witness (Prov. 6.19). A false witness is a special kind of liar. His lying assists in perverting justice. It is singled out for condemnation by the Lord. A man does not go to the civil courts to settle a matter until he has exhausted all other ways to obtain justice. He goes there hoping to receive justice and equity. The false witness distorts the truth and causes injustice to be perpetrated. The victim leaves the court without further recourse available to him.

In capital offences, the false witness could bring the death of the innocent. In the record of Jezebel plotting the death of Naboth in order to obtain his vineyard, lying witnesses testified that Naboth had cursed God and the king, resulting in his being executed (1 Kgs. 21). These false witnesses murdered Naboth just as certainly as did Jezebel. God hates the false witness.

7. He That Sows Discord (Prov. 6.19). The psalmist described the unity of God’s people as something both good and pleasant (Psa. 133:1). Those who disrupt the unity of God’s people are objects of Jehovah’s wrath.

The unity of God’s people is destroyed by gossips and talebearers. “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife” (Prov. 26:20,21). “. . . a whisperer separateth chief friends” (Prov. 16:28; 17:9). Sometimes the unity of God’s people is destroyed by self-willed men who are bent on having their own way. Sometimes the unity of the church is destroyed by men who introduce things into its work and worship which are unauthorized. Men who disrupt the unity of God’s people are abhorred by the Lord.

Other Things Which Jehovah Abhors

1. Divers Weights (Prov. 11:1; 20.10,23). Each of these proverbs condemns dishonesty in business. Before modem scales were invented, weights were used in order to have fairness in business transactions. Sometimes a person would devise a means of stealing from others by using different weights. He might use a 10 pound weight when buying your grain but an 8 pound weight when selling it to others; in this way, he sold 8 pounds of grain at the price one would expect to pay for 10 pounds. Such dishonesty in business God abhors. Fair marketing laws are not an invention of modern man; God had them years ago.

2. Those Who Blur Moral Distinctions. “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord” (Prov. 17:15). The wicked seek to sanctify their immorality until it becomes socially acceptable. This has been done successfully in our society with reference to fornication, adultery (divorce and remarriage for reasons other than fornication), gambling, drinking, dancing, mixed swimming, and many other sins. Efforts are underway to make homosexuality, abortion, and euthanasia acceptable.

In the meantime, the wicked try to make righteous behavior look wrong. Those who oppose pornography are condemned as being guilty of “censorship.” Those who oppose abortion are criticized as trying to deny one’s freedom of choice. Those who preach one church are condemned as “narrow-minded bigots.” God abhors those who distort biblical moral standards.

3. The Worship of the Wicked. The Scriptures reveal that God abhors the worship of the wicked.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness (Prov. 15:8).

The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? (Prov. 21:27)

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination (Prov. 28:9).

The wicked under consideration in these verses, whose worship is abhorred, are those wicked who refuse to repent of their sins. The wicked who repent of their sins and seek God’s forgiveness are acceptable to God. However, the disposition of mind which imagines that one is acceptable to God just because he offers a prayer or contributes money to the church, even though he persists in sin, is an abomination to the Lord.

Conclusion

Yes, there are some things which Jehovah hates. If God hates these things, we should hate them as well and diligently avoid committing them. Are these things abominable to you?

Guardian of Truth XXX: 15, pp. 450, 468-469
August 7, 1986

By Don Willis

Christ challenged the world. Never had there been one likened unto Him, and never will there be another like Him! His influence is upon every continent and is manifested in literature, architecture, music, art, and culture. Still, some have not dealt with the genuine issue of a personal commitment of their own life to the Lord Jesus Christ. They ask, “Why should I be a Christian?” To this question, we suggest three replies.

One’s Past

“All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

Modern psychology attempts to deal with the inner emotional stress in mankind due to their former lives. They cannot get to the real root of the problem, for psychology cannot offer one complete escape from the convicted conscience.

Neither paganism nor Judiasm could find the remedy for sin. Their animal and human sacrifices were futile. Centuries were spent in vain attempts to find solutions to this problem. “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Gal. 4:4-5). Now, there is a way out of sin!

The affirmation of the efficacy of the blood of Christ is revealed. When one understands the “shadow” sacrifices of the law bringing ceremonial cleansing, “. . . how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb. 9:14)

This is what I need; therefore, it is a reason for me to be a Christian!

One’s Present

Life is short. Inspiration compares life to a vapor that appears for a while, then vanishes away (Jas. 4:13ff). Job said that man would fly away as a dream, and shall not be found (20:8).

Life is for living, enjoying, expecting! A.P. Gouthey said, “The most glorious thing in life is to be a Christian. The most exalted privilege in life is to have intimate daily, hourly fellowship with God.”

Christianity is a new way of life, a transformed being living a God-accepted lifestyle. It is a life more than just a religion!

Alexis Carrel said, “Only religion proposes a complete solution to the human problem. Christianity, above all has given a clear-cut answer to the demands of the human soul.

For centuries it has calmed the restless curiosity which men have always felt concerning their destiny. Religious inspiration, divine revelation and faith brought certainty and peace to our forefathers.”

The Apostle Paul, by inspiration, assures us, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6). Joy comes to one when he becomes a Christian (Acts 8:39; 16:34), and will abide with one as he walks the God-accepted course of life.

One’s Future

Someone has said, “I do not know what the future will hold, but I do know who holds the future.” That is very reassuring to the Christian. That confidence has permitted Christians to be faithful even unto death, because they had the promises of God.

David said, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me” (Psa. 23:4).

Jesus said, “I go and prepare a place for you” (Jn. 14:1ff). Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people, God’s people. That is why I need Christianity.

Jesus is the Great Physician. Jesus is the remedy for sin. As with disease, many die who are not adequately treated. Without Jesus, one must face eternity with his own sin. But, Jesus died for me. His blood will completely wash away my sin (Acts 22:16). He is the propitiation for sin (1 Jn. 2:2). Not everyone will be saved, that is the reason I need Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Without Him, I am doomed!

Patrick Henry, nearing the end of his physical life, said, “I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion. If they had that, and I had not given them one shilling, they would have been rich, and if they had not that, and I had given them all the world, they would be poor.”

S.T. Coleridge also responded, “I have known what the enjoyments and advantages of this life are, and what are the more refined pleasures which learning and intellectual power can bestow; and with all the experience that more than threescore years can give, I now, on the eve of my departure, declare to you, that health is a great blessing; competence, obtained by honorable industry is a great blessing; and a great blessing it is, to have kind, faithful and loving friends and relatives; but that the greatest of all blessings, as it is the most enabling of all privileges, is to be indeed a Christian.”

Isn’t it time for us to give more serious consideration to this great question? Make a proper commitment to the Lord! Submit ourselves to Him! He is the potter, we are the clay!

Guardian of Truth XXX: 14, p. 431
July 17, 1986