Truth Magazine

By Steve Wolfgang

A century ago, when the railroad baron Jay Gould was manipulating various financial affairs, someone asked a friend if he would be willing to do the work Mr. Gould was doing for his board and clothes. The reply was, “Do you think I’m a fool?” His friend then remarked, “That is all Mr. Gould is getting out of it.”

When you stop to think about it, there is more than a little truth in that remark. About all anyone gets out of possessions, however great they may be, is his board and clothing. One’s clothing or bedding may be “better” than another’s, but one can still only wear one suit of clothes, or sleep in one bed, at time. And, try as we might, we cannot seem to be able to eat today for next Thursday.

It is true that the possession of wealth may open a few avenues of pleasure to those who have it, which avenues may be closed to those who do not. But does wealth open any essential and enduring pleasures to anyone which are not equally available to the humblest citizen?

One who, in the warmth of a small hearth, surrounded by his family, a few chosen friends whose good will he enjoys, the opportunity of doing an honest day’s work in some productive industry, access to a few good books or some uplifting form of art or music, surrounded by God’s great outdoor cathedral with the heavens shining above him and nature unfolding around him, quite possibly is in a position to get more satisfaction out of life than a multi-millionaire, engrossed with many cares and bearing many burdens.

If all were known about the conditions under which the rich often live, would they be envied, and their possessions coveted? One who can relate to these sorts of ideas may well find the biblical book of Ecclesiastes interesting reading, indeed.

And if you can grasp those ideas, it is not far to an understanding of the answer to Jesus’ question in Matthew 16:26: “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

Guardian of Truth XXX: 12, p. 371
June 19, 1986

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: Does 1 Corinthians 15:28 teach that God the Son is inherently inferior to God the Father, that is, possessing inferior, limited attributes of deity?

Reply: Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:28, “And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all. ” This verse seems to be a parallel of verse 24 where Paul said, “Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.”

The discussion in this passage to the last things – the time when Christ shall return. At that time He will deliver up the kingdom, which may be properly termed the mediatorial kingdom. His kingdom (1 Cor. 15:25,26) and His work of mediation exist now, and will continue until His second coming. “He ever liveth to make intercession for us” (Heb. 7:25). The kingdom will be delivered up to God the Father and His mediatorial work will cease at His coming, but He will not be inferior to God the Father as to deity. He will not continue in the same role, but this is not contradictory to His nature which will remain the same.

When Christ left His heavenly home of splendor to come down to earth, He took the form of a servant (Phil. 2:5-8). His condescendence did in no way divest Him of His divine nature. He remained deity but He assumed a different role. 1 Corinthians 15:28 can be better understood when we properly distinguish the terms “nature” and “role.” At His future coming, His role of subjection will not contradict His deity nor will it nullify it. Both the Son and the Father possess the same divine nature — They are both deity.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 13, p. 389
July 3, 1986

By Frank Jamerson

The Pharisees were probably condemned more severely than any other group of people by the Lord during His life on earth. The label of “Pharisee” has come to us as an extremely uncomplimentary label. Often it is misused by false teachers and those in sympathy with them. Let us notice some of the characteristics in Pharisees that Jesus condemned.

They were critical of Jesus for teaching sinners, but would not listen to Him themselves. The great chapter on God’s attitude toward the lost and what ours should be, Luke 15, was spoken to Pharisees who murmured because Jesus associated with sinners. Their attitude was demonstrated in the elder son who stayed home, but said to his father basically what the Pharisees had said to Jesus, “This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.” They objected to Jesus receiving sinners, “but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God, being not baptized of him (John)” (Lk. 7:30). The Pharisaical attitude is shown by those who criticize faithful teachers for teaching the truth, while refusing to listen or teach it themselves.

The Pharisees were hypocritical because they claimed to be interested in the details of the law, but ignored it when it suited their purposes. Jesus said, “But woe unto you Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God: but these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Woe unto you Pharisees! for you love the chief seats. in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces” (Lk. 11:42,43). They liked to appear “righteous,” but, justice and love were not part of their armor. When men today profess to be interested in God’s law, but lie, refuse to pay their debts, etc., they are demonstrating Pharisaical hypocrisy.

Pharisees were long on talk and short on practice. Jesus said: “All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not after their works: for they say, and do not” (Matt. 23:3). This spirit of finding things for others to do, but not for self did not die with the first century Pharisees! “Do as I say, not as I do” may be good advice; Jesus gave it; but He did not commend the conduct of those who lived that philosophy.

They were bound by traditions. In fact, the Pharisees were very strict when it came to observing their customs, even if they contradicted the teaching of God’s word (Matt. 15:1-6). Though there is nothing wrong with a practice because it has been done for a long time, there is something wrong with elevating custom to a “thus saith the Lord.” There was nothing wrong with washing hands before eating food, but to make this a law of God was to elevate man’s traditions to an equality with God’s word. Whether we have two songs and a prayer, or two prayers and a song are matters of judgment. Whether we have the Lord’s supper before the sermon or after it; close with a song or with a prayer, are all matters of liberty, but when men elevate traditions to a “thus saith the Lord” they disrespect God’s word. Likewise, when men substitute sprinkling for immersion, or add instrumental music to singing, they are demonstrating the Pharisaical spirit.

Jesus told a parable to those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought in Luke 18:9-14. The Pharisee who had not been an “extortioner, unjust or an adultere ” and had given “tithes of all” that he got was not condemned because of those characteristics, but because of his attitude toward others. This was not the only condemnation of this bad trait. Earlier, Luke had said: “And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath; that they might find how to accuse him” (Lk. 6:7). They had set their minds on finding fault, and faultfinders usually find fault!

Pharisees majored on minors. Jesus said that they “left undone the weightier matters” and “strained out the gnat, and swallowed the camel” (Matt. 23:23-25). Many misrepresent what Jesus said in this passage by saying that the little things are not important. Jesus did not say to “swallow the gnats,” but He did say that those who are careful to strain out gnats and then swallow camels are inconsistent. All of God’s word is important.

Not everything about Pharisees was bad. Paul said, “after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee” (Acts 26:5), and “as touching the law (he lived) a Pharisee” (Phil. 3:5). We need to strictly obey God’s law, but we must avoid the bad characteristics that God condemned in the Pharisees.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 13, p. 390
July 3, 1986

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: In Mark 9.3 7, what is involved in receiving a little child in Jesus’ name?

Reply: Jesus was teaching a lesson on true greatness when He spoke, “If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all” (Mk. 9:35). The thrust of His statement is that true greatness in the kingdom is obtained by humility. True honor comes as a result of the willingness to sacrifice self. Paradoxically as it may seem, “the way up is down.” The idea is that the humble servant (one who gives voluntary service) in the kingdom is truly the greatest. This is the setting for what follows.

“And he took a little child, and set him in the midst of them: and taking him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me” (Mk. 9:36,37). The parallel of this discourse is Matthew 18.

First, our attention is called to the last phrase of verse 37, “whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.” This is an elliptical sentence, so the meaning is: “whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me only, but also him that sent me.”

Remembering that Jesus is teaching humility, one who receives “such little children”; that is, of a childlike disposition (see Matt. 18:3) receives Jesus and the Father. The verse does not limit the receiving to little children, but these little children can symbolize any humble disciple of the Lord. If we receive a representative of Christ, we receive Christ and the Father. The disciples are not to aspire rank, pre-eminence or prominence. Rather they are to respond to the needs of one such as the little child in the arms of Jesus, or any similar person.

Involved in the word “receive” (Gr. dekomai) is “to extend hospitality. ” Benevolence, love and fellowship extended in the name of Christ will be rewarded. We are to treat “such little children” in the manner that Jesus has revealed Himself in His word. They are to be received with sincerity, warmth and enthusiasm. To do for such ones is to do for Christ; thus Christ comes to His own who suffer distress and need assistance. And, to welcome Christ by such acts, is to also welcome His sender – God the Father. Rather than focusing upon who is the greatest, the disciples of Jesus should focus their attention and care upon Christ’s little ones. This is the essence of true greatness. We as Christians should center our attention upon the little ones of Christ – the weak, those who have gone astray those who need our assistance in any way (Mk. 9:33-37; Rom. 15:1-3; Gal. 6:1,2; Phil. 2:3; Jas. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5; etc.).

Guardian of Truth XXX: 12, p. 365
June 19, 1986