Truth Magazine

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: Please explain James 2:10 in light of the context.

Reply: James 2:10 reads: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all.”

In the previous verse James is teaching his readers not to show respect of persons. As an example of how this would be done, James wrote in verses 2-4: “For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing: and ye have regard to him that weareth the fine clothing, and say, Sit thou here in a good place; and ye say to the poor man, Stand thou here, or sit under my footstool; do ye not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?” The word “synagogue” (Gr. sunagoge) can also mean “assembly” or “a place of assembly.” The context favors the idea of an assembled congregation. Following the illustration of how respect of persons can take place, James says in verse 9: “but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.” By keeping all other points of the law, while showing respect of persons, did not excuse them. These verses are the background for the statement in verse 10.

The passage in question can best be explained by simply pointing out first, that sin is the transgression of the law (1 Jn. 3:4). Showing respect of persons is a transgression of God’s law; therefore it is a sin (v. 9). James is not teaching that they had violated other provisions of the law, such as “Do not commit adultery” and “Do not kill.” In other words, if they showed respect of persons this did not mean that they were also guilty of adultery and killing (murder). The meaning of verse 10 is that they were transgressors of God’s law if they violated one part of it. How one becomes guilty of “all” the law by violating one part of it is easily seen in civil law. A man becomes a criminal. What makes him a criminal? Is he a criminal because he has violated every law of the land? Of course not. He is a criminal regardless of whether he has violated one law or a hundred. When he violates one part of the law, he is a criminal because he is guilty of a crime. A murderer does not have to also commit the crime of stealing before he can become a criminal. He became a lawbreaker when he committed murder, and thus became guilty of the “whole” law. He may be keeping all of the other laws, but his violation of one constitutes him a transgressor of the law; thus he is guilty of the “whole” law.

We are not to suppose that if we keep part of God’s law, we are excused from keeping other parts of it. The person who steals, for instance, but declares that he does not lie, murder or commit fornication does not stand justified before God. We must submit ourselves to all of God’s will, not just part of it. It is not our will, but God’s that must be performed. By faith, we are to submit to every ordinance of God. Our conduct should be that which is enjoined upon us in verse 12: “So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty”; that is, by the law of God which liberates men from sin (see also Jas. 1:25). By it we are to live, and by it we shall all be judged (Jn. 12:48).

Guardian of Truth XXX: 9, p. 261
May 1, 1986

By Jimmy Tuten

Introduction:

A. The way to Zion is described as a “highway and a way” in the Messianic section of Isaiah (Heb. 12:22; Isa. 35:18). It is natural that the highway via the church that leads to the heavenly city be called “a way.”

I . God completed this highway when He sent His Son into the world (Jn. 3:16).

2. When Jesus exited this world He was King of King (1 Tim. 6:15), hence the “King’s highway.”

B. Jesus was so connected with the preparation of the way of salvation that He spoke of Himself as I ‘the way” (Jn. 14:6).

1 . He is the truth, the Way by which we have knowledge of God and His will. Without this Truth there would be no knowledge!

2. He, the mediator, is the Way by which we ourselves come into contact with God Himself (2 Cor. 5:19).

3. He, the propitiation, is the Way by which we ascend to forgiveness and reconciliation.

4. He, the life, is the Way by which we rise to loving, eternal fellowship with God the Father. Without this way there would be no living!

C. This Way is not exclusive, but rather it is for all races and all nations, for all who have lived all kinds of lives, for men of all tempers and dispositions with ample room for all. Jesus died for all that all may have life (1 Jn. 2:2; 4:10).

Body:

I. First, let It be established that the passage in Isaiah 35 is Messianic.

A. Note that the passage constitutes a message of Jehovah to the people who await His appearing and salvation (Isa. 35:1-8). They are to be strong for their deliverance is sure; miracles surpassing all that they ever dreamed of will be worked in their behalf; they will behold wonders during their pilgrimage; the holy way will be plain, followed only by the pure in heart and in Zion there will be songs of everlasting joy.

B. The expression, “he will come and save you, finds its true fulfillment in Christ Jesus (Matt. 11:1-6; 15:30-31; Jn. 3:1-3; 20:30-31).

II. Isaiah speaks of a way of holiness, a Way of Salvation and this suggests a pilgrimage of those who are called of God.

A. It is proper therefore to take the lead of the prophet as. he stood on the hill tops of Israel long ago and present this story under the likeness of a way leading from earth to glory.

B. The age of travel in which we live is a spiritual way as well (Heb. 11:13; 1 Pet. 2:11).

C. About this way we need to know four things:

1. Is there a highway today that leads to salvation?

2. Where or what is that way?

3. Where may I learn of it?

4. Is there anything to hinder me from entering it?

III. Yes, there is a way of salvation today.

A. Matthew 7:13-14, sometimes pictured as a race (Heb. 12:1; 1 Cor. 9:24). The gate thereof is so narrow that man must shed his swollen pride, his laden of vices and his wrapped around selfishness if he expects to enter the way.

B. Objection: “We are all seeking the same objective. I am going one way, you are going another way, but we shall all land in the same location.”

1 . Whether in prophecy or fulfillment the Bible speaks of “a way,” “a highway,” “the way,” etc.

2. Jesus is the way and He is one (Jn. 14:1-6; Eph. 4:4). Therefore, there is only one way. “The way of the cross leads home.”

IV. What or where Is that way?

A. The way is Christ (Jn. 14:1-6; Eph. 4:4-5). Cf. Jn. 10:1,9.

B. He is the leader of all souls and the guide of all who travel to the sky (Heb. 5:9).

V. Where may I get information about this way?

A. John 5:39 – “. . . testify of me.” The “me” is the way. The Scriptures are the Divine road map telling one how to get to heaven.

B. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 – It is a perfect road-map. One will not go wrong if he follows its instructions.

VI. How may I get onto the way?

A. John 6.44-45 – One must be drawn to the Lord. But the question is: “How are we drawn?”

1. There are scattered and varied answers to this question.

2. If we allow theology and speculation to enter the question, confusion exists. Men are determined to sustain their cherished theories.

3. The Bible, the Divine road-map must be allowed to have complete voice in the matter.

B. Inherent Total Depravity says that one cannot be drawn except by miraculous workings of the Holy Spirit apart from the Word (direct operation of the Spirit).

1. This position ignores the free moral agency of man.

2. It ignores man’s responsibleness in complying with the will of God.

3. Man cannot be drawn to God aside from the power of God. That power is the gospel (Rom. 1:16). Hence: “heard . . . learned . . . cometh unto me.”

4. This shows the importance of the preaching of the gospel (Matt. 28:18-20; 2 Tim. 4:14).

C. The Word of God produces faith (Rom. 10:17), without which no man can be saved (Heb. 11:6; Jas. 2:24).

1. Faith cause one to repent (Acts 2:38; 17:30), and confess Christ (Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10).

2. Faith is unto salvation, repentance is unto salvation and confession is unto salvation (Rom. 10: 10; Acts 11:18). “Unto” simply means “to, toward, in the direction of” and it never means a transference from without to within. It is simply approaching Christ, coming toward or moving in that direction. One has to come unto before he can get into (illustrate by moving a knife toward an open hand, then placing it into the palm. No into without an unto). When someone come unto our house and knocks on the door, we respond by saying, “come in” (into the house).

VII. Is there anything to hinder one from entering the way? A. Yes, baptism. When one is baptized, he is baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:1-6; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Cor. 12:13). One cannot be baptized into without coming unto the Way. Study carefully Romans 10: 10, 13-17, then show that baptism follows faith (Mk. 16:16).

Guardian of Truth XXX: 9, pp. 262-263
May 1, 1986

By Bill Robinson, Jr.

I remember as a kid that being “whipped” by the sandlot bully was humiliating. However, a bloody nose or a black eye or a fat lip could be rationalized among friends as a badge of courage. But let’s face it, there was no rationalizing the epitome of humiliation when the bully made you “say, ‘Uncle.”‘ There was something about that which hurt worse than any fat lip or black eye or bloody nose, or any combination thereof.

Unfortunately, some brethren are not satisfied when an erring brother demonstrates true repentance. They insist on making the penitent one “say, ‘Uncle,”‘ rather than rejoicing that his faith has not failed in bringing about “a change of will resulting in a reformation of life” (true repentance).

When Jesus foretold Peter’s denial, He admonished Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat: but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not,, and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren” (Lk. 22:31-32). We are familiar with the rest of the account regarding Peter’s penitent attitude which followed his denial of the Lord. There is nothing in the text which lends itself to the attitude of a bully. To the contrary, there is evidence of Jesus’ hope (desire with an expectation) for Peter’s “turning again” (repentance) based on his unfailing faith. Why do some expect more from an erring brother, in the matter of true repentance, than our Lord?

A truly penitent brother who has sinned has already been “whipped” and humiliated by his sin. Shall overzealous brethren play the part of a bully demanding more? If so, on what basis? We would do well to consider the warning, “Consider thyself also lest thou be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). We need to rejoice that a penitent brother’s faith has not failed. We need to rejoice that one has come home and that if I should err somewhere, sometime in the future, there is a brother, like me, who will make supplication that my faith fail not and will encourage me to turn again.

Now, there is another side to this point I am trying to make. Some brethren would like to be more pious than God by not demanding true repentance on the part of an erring brother. They would like to ignore sin and dismiss repentance altogether. Just let someone stand up against one who has sinned and demand repentance and you will hear the more pious-than-God cry, “You are trying to make him ‘say ‘Uncle’!” When the truth of the matter is that Jesus demanded true repentance of Peter. The teaching of Jesus is quite clear, “Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, rebuke him, and if he repent, forgive him” (Lk. 17:3). Can there by any doubt about the fact we are to rebuke those who sin? Again, the Bible teaches, “. . . forgiving each other, even as God… forgave you” (Eph. 4:32). Can there be any doubt about the matter? We are to forgive even as God forgave us in Christ. God forgives us in Christ when we repent. Shall overzealous brethren feign piety above God attempting to forgive another without repentance?

Let us not play the bully demanding more of an individual than our Lord. Neither let us attempt to be more pious than God by forgiving without repentance. True repentance, which stems from an unfailing faith is enough. The cry of “say, ‘Uncle,” is too much from whatever side.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 9, p. 260
May 1, 1986

By S. Leonard Tyler

We certainly do have religious freedom in these United States of America! This is one of the greatest (to me the greatest) freedoms granted to each of us by the constitution of the USA. Let each one of us work and pray that this freedom shall be enjoyed by our posterity.

It is up to us to preserve and give to our young the liberties and freedoms that our fathers won and gave to us. Our nation has always had to keep watch over and defend her liberties. If the time ever comes when ease, pleasure, selfishness, and prosperity lull us to sleep, liberty and freedom will be destroyed. A sad awakening may suddenly come by force and tyranny. It will thunder in our ears and rob us and ours of all the liberties which inalienably belong to all mankind. Therefore, may God help us to appreciate and use our liberties for the good of all both now and forever.

The Constitution gives us civil rights and liberties but it is not – neither does it claim to be – the standard of measurement in religion. Regardless of what a person is religiously, he is right constitutionally. But this does not mean that he is right with God.

The Bible is the rule by which God judges a person. Hence, we contend for our constitutional right of religious freedom while, at the same time, we earnestly contend for “the faith once delivered to the saints” in the Bible. The constitution is to govern our civil affairs. The Bible is to govern our religious life. One cannot judge or regulate his religious life by the constitution. He must go to God through the Bible.

The Bible teaches one to respect “the powers that be” because they are “ordained of God.” These powers are for the good of man, I ‘For rulers are not a terror to good works. . . Render therefore to all their duties: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Rom. 13:3,7).

Each Christian has an obligation to respect and be under subjection to the government so long as the government is according to God’s ordained purpose. This is the more reason that each person living and enjoying the great privileges afforded under our Constitution should work for, cooperate with, and keep a vigilant eye open for anything that might undermine it.

Nevertheless, and notwithstanding all our love and appreciation for the Constitution, it is not a religious standard of measurement but their inalienable right to choose their own religion. This leaves the matter of religion completely and wholly to the individual. The Constitution is a civil document designed, and it should be executed, for the good of the country and her citizens. We must and should gladly pay tribute, customs, fear, and honor to our great government and pray for those in places of responsibility that our government may stand.

God has not left it to man to govern himself in matters of religion. Paul makes this plain when he wrote to the Corinthians, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves; but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Cor. 10: 12). The reason is simple. Man is not capable of directing his own affairs spiritually. Jeremiah 10:23 says, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are God’s ways our ways. This means that man must forsake his thoughts and ways and accept God’s (Isa. 55:6-7). Proverbs 14:12 proves that man must depend upon God to direct his way. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Does God force man to serve Him? No. God reveals His will to man with all the blessings promised to man on the condition that man will obey Him (Matt. 7:21). But He leaves man to choose. “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.” Or as Jesus said, “Come unto me.” Yes, it is an individual matter. However, God has a part in man’s salvation and He will execute His part well.

God’s part is to provide salvation. This He has done. It cost the death of His only begotten Son (Jn. 3:16) but He gave Him freely.

God must reveal His thoughts and ways to man. This He has done (1 Cor. 2:8-13). Man didn’t even know God through his (man’s) wisdom so “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1:21). Man has a choice to hear the word of God, believe, obey, and be saved, or to reject it and be lost. It is up to man. Yes, you must choose whom you will serve – God or Satan.

The Bible is God’s revealed will to man. Jesus commissioned His disciples to go into all the world and teach all nations (Matt. 28:19-20). This is the means through which one can know the thoughts and mind of God. Jesus said, “And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me” (Jn. 6:45). Again, the same writer tells us that this is the reason the Bible is written (Jn. 20:30-31).

Christ is the only lawgiver (James 4:12). He has all authority (Matt. 28:18). He is the “only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:15). Therefore, we must hear Him (Matt. 17:5).

Christ’s teaching is revealed in the Bible, and we must abide in it if we are to have God as our Father and Christ as our Savior (2 Jn. 9). May God help us to understand, believe, and obey.

Our only liberty with God is to choose whether or not we will obey Him (Acts 5:29). Our freedom in Christ is our own choosing to abide in His doctrine (2 Jn. 9); “love Him with all our heart” (Jn. 14:15; 15:9-10); obey His every command (Jn. 8:31-36; Heb. 5:8-9; Luke 6:46); and enjoy every blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3; Rom. 8:1). Like Elijah said to those following Baal, “How long will you halt between two opinions: If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21). Which do you choose?

Guardian of Truth XXX: 8, p. 244
April 17, 1986