Truth Magazine

By David McClister

In the previous article by this same title it was shown that Jesus never did anything that was even morally questionable in the eyes of rational people. And if that is the example which Jesus has left for us, we must live that way also. We also said that we wish to consider three types of behavior in the light of Christ’s example. The first type was morally questionable behavior. Let us now consider the second type of behavior, again in the form of a question.

Would Jesus Ever Act So As To Lead Another Person To Sin, Whether In Word, Thought, Or Deed?

We know that Jesus kept His personal behavior above reproach at all times, but His concern for morality did not end with Himself. Jesus was always mindful of His influence upon others, and He never willfully did anything which caused others to stumble (sin). Here again the subject of morally neutral activities is important. There are many things which are permitted to the Christian which are neither right nor wrong in themselves. But if engaging in these things will influence a weaker person to practice them in excess and thus sin, or if our practice of them will lead another to do them and violate his conscience concerning them, then the Christian ought to have no part in them. We must be conscious of the influence and example we are setting before others, that we not allow it to cause another to sin.

A very good example of this attitude in action in the life of Christ is found in Matthew 17:24-27. It was asked whether Jesus would pay the temple tax which was collected from all Jews. Jesus, as the Son of God, was rightfully exempt from this temple support tax, and thus really was not obligated to pay it. However, lest His example of not paying should cause others to stumble (by refusing to pay the tax they owed), He told Peter to go to the sea and cast a hook. The fish he would catch would have a coin in its mouth sufficient to pay the tax for both Himself and Peter. It is important to notice that Jesus sacrificed His privilege so that others would not be led astray. This very same attitude is seen in the life of the apostle Paul. In 1 Corinthians 9 Paul shows us what privileges he gave up for the sake of preaching the gospel of Christ, and he exhorts the Corinthians (and us) to make similar sacrifices if they will help prevent some weaker one from sinning against his conscience or running into excess.

Some may object, however, on the ground of passages such as 1 Peter 2:8. There we are told that Christ is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to some, particularly the Jews. Paul makes a similar claim about the Jews and the gospel in 1 Corinthians 2:23. Do not these passages teach us that Jesus is in a very real sense the reason why the Jews rejected the kingdom? We must realize that the Jews did indeed stumble at Christ and His gospel, but not because Jesus willfully wished it. Jesus focused the greater part of His ministry on earth upon the Jews, and the apostles were commissioned to preach to the Jews first. Jesus was a rock of offense to the Jews because they were stubborn and proud, unwilling to humble themselves to obey Him. Only in this sense did Jesus cause the Jews to sin; but it was not a deliberate or intentional result planned by the Lord. It was rather a sad consequence which the Jews brought upon themselves. See Matthew 23:37-39 and Romans 10:1-3. The fact remains thatJesus never intentionally or deliberately acted so as to cause another to sin.

Jesus was constantly aware of the kind of influence He should be leaving before others, and He never left a bad influence or example for anyone. He never did or said anything that might encourage someone to act recklessly or against his conscience. And so must His disciples be. Jesus described us, the citizens of His kingdom, as the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13-16). Both of these metaphors convey the idea of influence. We are to be influences for good in this world. It is our job to make this world a better place by our influence (which is molded by the gospel).

Now let us again examine some specific applications taken from the pool of activities which some try to justify as harmless or morally neutral. We could mention dancing again in this connection. Jesus would never have done it even if it were morally indifferent, simply because it would have left the wrong kind of influence: it would have led others to lust. We could also mention the wearing of immodest clothes again in this connection, and for the same reason. But let us look at two more activities which some defend, and ask, “Would Jesus do this?”

Drinking (Even Socially): Would Jesus Do That?

Is the picture we have of Jesus one of Him going up into the mountain to pray and carrying along a six-pack of beer? Can we picture Jesus talking to Nicodemus about the new birth while both are seated at the local bar sipping on martinis? Certainly not. Jesus would have refused to allow anyone to think that He in any way condoned the image that the world has of alcohol. The world equates drinking (and the world is not always so quick to make or acknowledge the difference between social drinking and drunkenness which some press) with carousing, reveling, rebellion, and lawlessness (and it is naive to think otherwise). Everyone – even the alcoholic – will admit that drinking kills thousands of people every year in one way or another, Certainly Jesus would never have let anyone suppose that He approved of it in any way. And if Jesus would not, neither should we.

“Stretching The Truth” or Hiding Part Of It: Would Jesus Do That?

There is a common saying, “What you do not know will not hurt you. ” It is often used to justify the practice of keeping back part of the truth when that truth may make one look bad in the eyes of others. Equally problematic is the practice of exaggerating or overemphasizing some parts of the truth in order to change the impression the truth may have upon others. Again we ask, would Jesus ever have done that? The answer is a flat “no.” Jesus always instructed me to speak honestly and truthfully with others. He denounced the Pharisaic system which allowed a man to make an oath and break it (Matt. 23:16-22). He and His apostles always stressed that whatever we say must be the honest truth (Matt. 5:37; Jas. 5:12). Thus as we live to copy Jesus’ example which never misled anyone, we must always speak and practice the truth. Anything else may cause others to sin.

Jesus was above reproach not only personally, but also in His contacts with and influence upon others. Not once do we ever observe Him doing or saying anything which was willfully designed to harm another spiritually. Moreover, He even sacrificed some privileges He had the right to enjoy out of a concern for how others would be influenced by His engaging in them. His influence was nothing but good. How about ours?

Guardian of Truth XXX: 5, pp. 136, 150
March 6, 1986

By Don R. Hastings

In 3 John 9, 10, we read, “I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words; and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church.”

The main characteristic of Diotrephes is that he “loveth to have the preeminence among them.” Brother Guy N. Woods, in his commentary on the New Testament epistles, wrote, “The word ‘preeminence,’ (philoproteuon, present active participle,) is derived from philoprotos, a fondness for being first; and is, alas, a disposition too often observable in our ranks today. The spirit manifested by this man Diotrephes is wholly foreign to the New Testament and opposed to the teaching of the Lord himself. All self-serving and personal aggrandizement must be eschewed and avoided if we would measure to the standard of primitive Christianity” (A Commentary On The New Testament Epistles, Vol. VII, p. 363).

It was the love for preeminence which led to the formation of the Roman Catholic Church. This attitude is prevalent in the Lord’s church and is still the cause of much dissension. The predominant characteristic of those who act like Diotrephes is still the love for preeminence. They want their will to be exalted above all others and woe be to anyone who would dare question their decision on anything.

Diotrephes may have felt that the apostle John would have been more greatly honored by the church than himself. His pride would not stand for that to happen. Those, who act like Diotrephes, are inflated with pride. This pride will lead to their spiritual destruction (Prov. 16:18). Pride keeps them from seeing their faults or listening to someone who disagrees with them. It keeps them from asking for forgiveness unless asking for forgiveness helps keep them in power. It causes them to be jealous of another’s ability. If they begin to suspect that someone else is beginning to be highly esteemed by the congregation, then they feel compelled to undermine his reputation. They view anyone, who has leadership ability and does his own thinking, as a rival. What great harm this does to the Lord’s church! What a great victory for Satan!

Those with the disposition of Diotrephes will split the local congregation if they don’t get their way. They will hold grudges. They will lie over and over again. They will claim they have been misunderstood. They will meet privately with brethren to try and persuade them to join their side. What strife and turmoil they cause. Weak brethren fall by the “way-side. ” Some brethren, who were once strong in the faith, may become less active in the Lord’s service.

I have met “Diotrephes” in several congregations and the meetings have not been pleasant. He is not always easy to identify when you first meet him, because he wears other names and disguises his true attitude. He can smile sweetly and do good deeds. He can be very charming until opposed. If he is opposed by someone who has very little influence in the congregation, he may choose to ignore such a one. However, if he is opposed by someone who has some influence, then that one will be severely rebuked by him “with malicious words” (KJV), usually when no one else is around. If the opposition continues, then “Diotrephes” will rebuke him publicly and endeavor to cast him “out of the church.”

I have found this attitude demonstrated in elders, preachers, and occasionally in other members. It is hard for many to take a position of authority without it going to their head. Because of this human weakness, God gave the qualification of “not self-willed” as a trait which must be possessed by a man who is appointed an elder (Tit. 1:7). The “Diotrephes” person is, also, “contentious” and usually “soon angry” (1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7). We often pay little attention to these qualifications, but spend considerable amount of time discussing whether a man must have one or two children to be qualified. It is extremely difficult to remove “Diotrephes” after he has become an elder. When he takes over the congregation and exalts himself as the head of the church, then the church ceases to belong to the Lord, for it belongs to him. The brethren become subject to him. Brethren, how can you stand by idly and permit this evil situation to go on? Where is your courage?

Peter said that elders are not to be tending the flock of God by “. . . lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:2,3). In the commentary already mentioned in this article, I found this statement, “The words ‘lording it over’ (from katakurieuo, to rule over others high-handedly and autocratically) suggests an arrogant, domineering spirit, and is here positively forbidden to those who would serve acceptably as elders or bishops” (Ibid., p. 125). Elders should be an “ample to the brethren in humility. God will resist all with the attitude of Diotrephes (1 Pet. 5:5,6). No one should ever be made an elder if he has a love for power. Beware of men who campaign for the eldership.

If you choose to reveal the true identity of “Diotrephes ” be prepared for a bitter struggle. He will strongly resent being called “Diotrophes” even though he acts just like the Diotrephes John knew. Be prepared, also, to stand alone. Some brethren may sing about defending the cause of Christ, but really want no part of a battle even though the Lord’s church is being torn asunder. Paul told Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith. . . ” (1 Tim. 6:12). Too many are keeping their spiritual sword in its sheath and not taking it out for use. Are you doing this or are you closing your eyes and saying, “I see no evil”?

I believe the Lord must find it a great abomination for someone to try to usurp His authority! This is an awful sin! How can we expect to find favor in the eyes of the Lord when we have dethroned Him and exalted ourselves in His place? We must remember that He has all authority and we are His bond servants. We are His sheep. We must humbly obey Him in all things. Let us greatly rejoice that we can serve in His kingdom and He will be our Shepherd! Let elders remember that they are shepherds serving under the chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4).

I believe the greatest need, in the Lord’s church today, is qualified elders. God, in His matchless wisdom, made elders to be overseers of the flock. He gave qualifications for men to meet who seek the office of an elder (1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1). Those, who fulfill these qualifications and are appointed elders, are a blessing to the cause of Christ. Let us “esteem them highly in love for their work’s sake” (1 Thess. 5:13). There is no greater work than that of an elder. It is a work which demands tremendous sacrifice, energy, time and wisdom. Elders, do your work well for you will give an account to the Lord of lords (Heb. 13:17).

Preachers, proclaim faithfully the glorious gospel of Christ. Proclaim it in love. Exalt Christ, but crucify self (Gal. 2:20). Preach to please Christ, not men (Gal. 1:10).

Any of us may possess the attitude of Diotrephes. We are all capable of putting off humility and putting on pride. If we are guilty of this, we cause the Lord to weep and Satan to rejoice. If you have this attitude, repent with bitter tears at once. Call upon God to forgive you. Be very determined that this diabolical attitude will never again dwell in your heart.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 5, pp. 131-132
March 6, 1986

By Larry Ray Hafley

Much good preaching is done in an attempt to “restore the ancient order” of things divine. That is as it should be (2 Cor. 10:3-5). More teaching needs to be and will be presented in that noble effort. It is a constant, crying demand for those who love the Lord and His word (2 Tim. 4:2-8).

Perhaps all Christians can see neglected areas. Each has his own idea of a particular area of the faith that is not given the attention it deserves. Here is one aspect of truth that requires more emphasis:

“Ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine” (Acts 5:28). “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42). “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). “I . . . have showed you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house” (Acts 20:20).

If daily teaching and preaching of the word “publicly, and from house to house” is not done, there will be no problems like unqualified elders, church discipline, or the music question, for there will be no churches, no elders and no worship. It is a sorry way cure a patient by letting him e. That is what is happening many places. Churches are curing their problems by dying of salvation starvation. The church dissipates, dissolves, and disappears. “Doc, I’ve got a horse with a horse with a broken leg. Oh, I can fix that. Shoot the horse.”

Imitate Jews

We speak and sing about our desire to be like Jesus. “Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession” concerning personal work. Jesus did much public preaching and teaching, but He also taught individuals. Nicodemus (Jn. 3), the Samaritan woman at the well (Jn. 4), and Zacchaeus (Lk. 19), are classic examples. If we would truly be like Jesus, we cannot ignore His pattern in this area. Our Lord was not always successful (Mk. 10:22). Even His own brothers did not accept Him for a time. However, He made use of occasions to talk privately to the lost about their souls. Unless we develop a sincere desire to see others saved and actively work with them on a personal level, we will not “be like Jesus.” No person was too lowly, no situation was too insignificant for our Lord to talk to someone about his soul. Dare we manifest less love than our blessed Savior?

Some Things Alone Will Not Work

Two gospel meetings a year with a “schedule of regular services” will not do that job. The meetings are often poorly planned, announced, advertised and attended. But that is food for another article. The problem is that the saints are not reaching and teaching others “daily and from house to house.” We may soothe our consciences with faithful attendance and with ready answers for denominational errors, but unless we are preaching the word in homes, cars, offices, schools, factories, wherever there is opportunity, we will die a slow death and lose our souls. There must be a sense of urgency about teaching the lost. A fifteen minute radio program alone will not do the job. The real problem is our own refusal to personally and directly confront our friends, neighbors and relatives with the gospel.

The world does not care about our meeting houses. They are not impressed with the fact that some man named Hafley will speak there with “no nightly collections.” The world is not beating down the doors to at tend our “series of gospel meetings. ” Please do not write and complain about my alleged attack against gospel of meetings. I am not assaulting them. I am saying that we must do more on a personal, individual level. Would you deny it? Meetings, radio programs and newspaper articles alone will not suffice. They are good and useful tools, but they must not supplant or displace “one on one” contact.

Churches rightly and properly conduct personal work programs and classes. But if the participants see Tuesday as “Personal Work” night (with a capital “P” and a capital “W”) and fail to teach those they meet, live and work with, it is incomplete at best, or a failure at worst. There is absolutely no substitute for personal evangelism or personal work (with a small “p” and a small “w”). I can neither avoid nor escape it. Can you? The duty, the responsibility to teach others will not go away. Every face you see, every person with whom you have a relationship, is a prospect, and an opportunity. Let that ring in your ears and haunt your mind as you live from day to day.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 5, p. 139
March 6, 1986

By Mike Willis

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward mother, and toward all men, even a we do toward you: to the end be may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints (1 Thess. 3:12-13).

Each of us wants to be found “unblameable” at the second coming of Jesus. How is this possible? None of us can stand unblameable (sinless) in the absolute sense. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). In whatever sense we stand unblameable, our stand will not be merited by perfect obedience; instead it will be grounded in the grace of God as manifested to us in Jesus Christ. How does one become unblameable?

Increase And Abound In Love

Writing to those who had obeyed the gospel of Christ, Paul instructed the Thessalonians that they could become unblameable in holiness through love (1 Thess. 3:12-13). How does love lead one to become unblameable in holiness?

Some have the idea that love is an emotion, instead of an act of the will. It is equated with a warm feeling toward one another and is thought is to be affection. Love is an act of the will instead of the emotion. Jesus said, “Love your enemies” (Matt. 5:43-44). Sinful emotional responses toward enemies are hatred, bitterness, revenge, anger, wrath, etc. Yet, Jesus said we should love our enemies – love those with reference to whom we have only negative emotions, for whom we have no affection, and perhaps toward whom we even harbor ill feelings. The command to love your enemies demonstrates that love is an act of the will which controls the emotions.

When we understand what love does, we can see how increasing and abounding in love will make one unblameable in holiness.

What Love Prohibits

Displaying love as a fruit of the Spirit will prevent men from doing some of the things which destroy holiness. John said, “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes” (1 Jn. 2:9-11). Love will keep me from displaying sinful dispositions and. actions toward my brother. Here are some things it will stop:

1. Revenge. Paul commanded, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head” (Rom. 12:19-21). A man who loves his brother will not seek revenge when he is sinned against.

2. Blasphemy. Blasphemy means to “speak against.” Some men blaspheme their brethren, seeking to destroy another’s honorable reputation through slander, innuendo, whispering, backbiting, and other sins of the tongue. One who loves his enemy will not blaspheme him; how much more should this be true of one’s brother!

3. Bitterness and hatefulness. These two sins of the heart can consume one’s soul like a cancer consumes one’s body. These dispositions of the heart make one see every action which another does with jaundiced eye, resulting in evil surmising, seeing offences where none exist, and suspicion. Love will keep me from doing many sinful things because I am commanded to manifest the right attitude and act the proper way toward my brethren.

Have you noticed that some who preach so much on love act in a manner which demonstrates an absence of love? They preach so much on love that one would think sugar could not melt in their mouth. However, these very men slander, backbite, gossip, and do many other things which demonstrate an absence of love.

The Obligations Of Love

Love is not a merely negative force. It obligates man to act with concern for another’s best interests. Jesus said, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the ‘ prophets” (Matt. 7:12). The “Golden Rule,” as this verse has been called, does not say, “Whatsoever ye would that men should not do to you, do not ye even so to them.” Instead, it instructs me to look for what I wish others would do for me and then do that for my brother. If I wanted my brother to invite me over for lunch, I should invite him over; if I wanted my brother to visit me when I am sick, I should visit him when he is sick. Hence, love obligates me to do what is best for my brother.

In thinking of my brother, I should put his needs above my own. John wrote,

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our fives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s goods and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? (1 Jn. 3:16-17)

For a man to lay down his life in behalf of his brother, he must put the needs of his brother above his own needs.

Love obligates me to be concerned for the eternal destiny of my brother. Hence, love obligates me to reprove, rebuke, and exhort my brother. Sometimes brethren act as if one does not love his brother when he rebukes him. While it is true that a person can rebuke his brother with an absence of love (e.g., “I really told him off”), true love issues its rebuke from the concern that the brother’s soul not be lost in hell.

Love demands kindness (1 Cor. 13:4), prohibits unseemly behavior (aschemoneo: behave disgracefully, rude, unmannerly – 1 Cor. 13:5), and commands thoughtfulness and concern for the other person. The graces and virtues which become part of the Christian’s character stem from love.

Love And Holiness Tied Together

As a person looks at the demands which love makes on his actions, he can easily understand how growing in love makes him “unblameable in holiness.” Where revenge, spiteful words and behavior, blasphemy, evil surmising, hatefulness, and bitterness reign, holiness is absent. Where kindness, consideration, rebuke in love, and similar virtues are manifested, holiness exists. Hence, love leads one to be unblameable in holiness.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 5, pp. 130, 150
March 6, 1986