Truth Magazine

By Irven Lee

Your plans may be very private property which you do not wish to make public. You have the right of privacy, and you have the right to change your plans as you mature, but you do need to have some purpose in life. Aimlessness is foolishness. Life is more than a bundle of impulses. This message is addressed to the young people who are at an age when they are very capable of building air castles in their dreams. Please plan for, dream of, and work toward a noble future.

Young man, do you plan to marry? Do you have in mind the kind of home you want? Home is where people live, and a happy marriage can be precious beyond any value that can be measured. An unhappy marriage destroys the possibility of a happy home. If you have the proper wisdom you will consider what type person you will need to help you build a happy family, and you will give much thought to the type of person you need to be in order to find life worth living. If no serious thought is put into understanding the law of cause and effect you will likely be captured by some loud chalk doll who lacks character and common sense. Do you plan to look for and be worthy of a good wife or will you just allow lust and animal instinct to get you involved with one who is led by lust and animal instinct?

The man who obtains a good wife obtains favor of the Lord (Prov. 18:22). The price of a good wife is far above rubies for she will bless him for a lifetime (Prov. 31:10-31). This worthy woman is not the loud, gaudy, lust provoking type. She is quiet, chaste, and willing to work. She appeals to that part of man which is in the image of God. The better life is for those who buffet their own bodies and bring them into subjection. People like this have convictions, purposes, and goals. They are not just bundles of accidents and impulses.

Those who have often been at worship where the Bible has been skillfully taught are more likely to find the good life, since the word of God is for our good always (Deut. 6:24). Unfortunately, some who have pleasant association with Christians and have heard many gospel sermons fail miserably in marriage. Were they listening when they were in worship services? Had they been hearing and seeing too much of the ungodly music and drama offered on television? Had they been careful enough of their associates during the week? Had they kept their thoughts and actions pure when they were going about their daily living?

There are sons and daughters of godly people who marry and then soon divorce. So many Americans do not “flee fornication” because there is a common attitude that condones this home-destroying and soul-destroying sin. Please read and re-read 1 Corinthians 6:9-20. Some faithful Christians appear to be afraid to marry since they have seen so many go through the heart-breaking experience of learning that they are married to unfaithful companions. Their concern is understandable, but there are still pure and holy young people who can be found by those who seek diligently with patience, conviction, and determination. Choose carefully and be worthy yourself.

Young man, do you plan to provide properly for your family? Such a plan must include a willingness to work and a skill in some field of labor. Beyond this, it will require restraint and self-control because you will not be able to buy everything that ‘s in the market place. A man cannot provide food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities if he spends his earnings for the useless and unnecessary things. There are those who can earn but cannot provide for their families because they spend their money for things that are not needed by those who look to them for support. For what will you spend your money? Will impulse and selfishness decide what you buy? A man who cannot or will not control his spending habits should not marry.

Young man, will you break your young wife’s heart by scattering things all over the house after she has worked so hard to have everything neat and in order? This is a fair question. She should keep the house with love, but how can she do this without the cooperation of her family? There are men who want good meals, but they do not provide money for the good. They would like a neat house, but they make it next to impossible for any one to keep it that way.

Have you learned to express your gratitude or do you only mention your complaints? Home is to be a happy place day after day for many decades. This cannot be expected if there is a lack of such important things as respect, unselfishness, and gratitude. Cooperation is part of the frame work of a good family. Will your bride love you until the wedding day and for only a little while after that? What about your friends at this time? Do you make and keep friends, or do they soon tire of you? If you get on your friends’ nerves it may be the same for your wife. Learn now to have that calm, unselfish, and orderly personality that people who are with you constantly admire. This is important to a happy marriage.

One of the most important things you can give to your wife and children is some of your time. People who use their money selfishly will likely use their time selfishly also. Demanding sons and daughters will likely be demanding marriage companions. If you lack understanding of the sacrifices a loving parent has made for you, it might be better for you not to marry because understanding, sharing, and gratitude are far more important than beauty, money foolishly spent, and ability that is not properly used.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 24, p. 742
December 19, 1985

By Gary L. Fiscus

My eldest daughter sometimes walks through the house and permeates each hallway and room with her perfume. Frequently, it is “nice.” Other times it smells like “Essence of Dime Store.”

In reading an illustration of how a fragrance lingers in a room, or flower stems stain the hands of the bearer, I thought of a passage in John 12:3. It tells how Mary’s perfume is said to have filled the house with the odor of her ointment.”

I was interested in this phrase and in studying learned that neither Matthew, Mark nor Luke recorded the sentence. (See Mt. 26:6-13; Mk. 13:3-9; and Lk. 7:37-39.) This intrigued me even more. Why did the Holy Spirit see fit to record it at all? Why in John’s account, and no one else’s? I cannot answer the questions, but the sentence has provoked some thought.

The illustration I mentioned above speaks of an adverse odor of the familiar skunk. An attacked skunk certainly leaves his distinctive mark on whomever is around. The same, however, is true of a room filled with roses, as well as anyone touching those flowers. I sometimes give my wife flowers and have noticed that if I hand them to her, they leave a bit of fragrance on me.

I believe John’s record of this one clause suggests that Mary’s ointment had quality; but, it also left a distinctive influence for all who could, shall we say, read between the lines! Jesus Himself, as well as His gospel would be spread throughout the world, and act, therefore, as a sweet smelling savor to all men. Men in turn would offer themselves as spiritual sacrifices to Jehovah, and, thereby as Christians, be “sweet smelling savors!”

In a comment on John 12:3, A.T. Robertson states: “Effective first aorist passive of pleroo and a natural result” (Emph. mine, GLF). When a “sweet smelling” fragrance infiltrates the nostrils of man a pleasant, refreshing reaction takes place. It is good. It is satisfying.

This same reaction is seen on the face of Paul and in the satisfied spirit of God. In Philippians 4:18 the apostle writes: . . . I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. ” This is literally “an odor of fragrance” (Col. note, NASV). The Christian’s liberality in his giving of himself and his means is like “sweet smelling perfume” to Jehovah. (See 2 Cor. 8:1-5; Rom. 12:1-2; 6:13, 16, 19; 1 Cor. 6:20; Heb. 13:15 and I Pet. 2:5.)

The Lord had enjoyed the soothing aroma of sacrifices during Old Testament times (Ex. 29:18, 25; Gen. 8:21; Ezek. 20:41). That law having been fulfilled (Col. 2:14) and we being bound to a “perfect law” (Jas. 1:25), we offer ourselves as that aroma today. This is what Paul was commending the Philippians for in 4:18. Their reward for their care of him was that: “. . God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). All that just for “smelling good” in the Kingdom of God!

How do we “smell” to brethren and aliens? In 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 the old soldier writes: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. . . . ” It is, as Robertson says, “a natural result.” We speak often of our lights shining, but do we speak ever of how “aromatic” we smell?

The secret to successfully casting off a spiritual fragrance is to follow Jesus Christ. Paul writes in Ephesians 5:1-2: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. ” Do you smell good?

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 23, p. 724
December 5, 1985

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: What is the extent of the application of 1 Timothy 5:17-18 today?

Reply: The passage under consideration is Paul’s statement in 1 Timothy 5:17, 18 which reads: “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.”

Elders who are doing their work well, “especially those who labor in the word and in teaching” should receive financial support. “The laborer is worthy of his hire.” If a man is serving as an elder, devoting his full time (or at least a good portion of it) to that task, he should be paid for his services. Not only are elders who rule well to be respected and honored for the work they are doing, but they should also be honored by financial support. This is what Paul is teaching in this passage.

Preachers who devote their time to preaching the word should be supported financially. Paul makes this clear in 1 Corinthians 9. He uses several illustrations to prove his point. “What soldier ever serveth at his own charges?” Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?” (v. 7) Paul applies the Old Testament passage, “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn” (Deut. 25:4) to paying preaching (v. 9). He applies the same passage to paying elders (1 Tim. 5:18). The principle, then, that applies to preachers also applies to elders. Paul asked, “If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things?” (1 Cor. 9:11) Paul concluded this argument for paying preachers with the affirmation, “Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel” (v. 14). So, as preachers who devote their time to the work of preaching the gospel should be paid, so also elders who rule well, “especially those who labor in the word and teaching” should be paid (1 Tim. 5:17). The passage is just as applicable today as it was then. Preachers and elders who labor tirelessly, giving their time and service, are deserving of monetary support.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 24, p. 741
December 19, 1985

By Wayne S. Walker

The recent hijacking of a Trans-World Airline flight from Athens, Greece to Beirut, Lebanon, and the subsequent holding of innocent American hostages by a group of radical Moslems are undoubtedly still fresh on the minds of many people. The majority of United States citizens, as well as those of all civilized, freedom-loving nations, denounce such an act as cruel, barbaric, inhumane, and unjust. However, are you aware that this despicable and horrendous deed can easily be justified by a process that is currently being taught in most of the public schools of our land? That process is known as “values clarification.”

The basic presupposition of this theory is that values are, in and of themselves, neither right nor wrong, that each individual must decide for himself, based only on the criteria of his own needs and wishes, what is best for him in any given circumstance. This underlying concept is called “ethical relativism.” Although it may not be overtly stated, it is nevertheless embedded in the presentation of values clarification, at least as presently practiced. But is it true? The Beirut hijackers felt that their needs in that particular situation dictated the action that they took. Yet, who will come forward to condone these criminals and defend their decision?

In order to arrive at his values, the student is taught to follow seven steps. The first is to choose freely, which the Moslem fanatics evidently did. They were not forced. Next, one must choose from alternatives. They obviously looked at all options and concluded that the one they took offered the best hope for gaining their goals. Then, the student is told to consider the consequences of his choice. The consequence of the hijackers’ choice was either achieve their objective if they succeeded, or go directly and immediately to paradise if they failed and were killed. They had little motivation to exercise inhibition whatever happened.

The fourth step is to prize one’s choice, which was most surely done in this case. Step number five is to affirm publicly the choice. This they accomplished quite satisfactorily via television and other media. Sixth, one should act on the choice, and the hijackers certainly did this by stealing the plane and holding the hostages. Finally, the student is to incorporate the choice into a pattern of life by acting repeatedly on it. A casual look at the news will reveal that this is definitely true with Moslem fundamentalists – in Lebanon, Iran, and all over the Middle East. This is what they had chosen. Therefore, it must be all right for them.

Thus, you can see that the steps of values clarification may be used to arrive at almost any type of behavior an individual might choose – cheating, lying, stealing, fornication, adultery, even murder – if the conditions are right. Many teachers of values clarification would deny this conclusion. However, other proponents openly admit it. The original promoters of values clarification had as their avowed intent to turn our society into a godless, amoral, subjectivist culture, and appear to be succeeding. They are after our young people! Parents, be aware of what your children are learning in school and oppose “every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor. 10:5).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 23, pp. 723-724
December 5, 1985