Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

Sometimes the world considers those who are Christians to be spineless, and weak men. Indeed, some men think that “going to church” is for women and children. Quite the opposite is true. Being a Christian demands backbone and courage, strong moral fiber, a willingness to stand up and be counted. Those who are Christians develop a strong moral constitution and display a moral courage which is generally absent in worldly men.

Examples Of An Absence Of Moral Courage

One of the best ways to learn what is meant by words is to present an illustration or example of that of which we speak. Contrasting the presence and absence of a virtue will sometimes bring out more clearly what attributes of character are being discussed. Here are two examples of an absence of moral courage!

(1) Pilate. When Jesus was taken before Pilate to be “tried,” Pilate displayed an absence of moral courage. Pilate was the Roman procurator of Judea; he was the highest official representative of Rome who was responsible for administering justice and keeping peace. When Pilate tried Jesus, he found Him innocent of any wrongdoing saying, “I find no fault in this man” (Lk. 23:4). His responsibility at this point was to protect the innocent Jesus from the Jewish Sanhedrin and mob. He should have dispersed the crowd and taken a stand for right, even if he had to employ his Roman soldiers to enforce it.

Like many politicians, however, Pilate lacked the courage of his convictions. He sought to avoid having to take a stand on the issue of Jesus by sending him to Herod. When Herod returned Jesus, Pilate tried to pacify the Jews by releasing a prisoner for them, offering Barabbas and Jesus. He expected that the mob would prefer that Jesus be released rather than Barabbas. When they chose Barabbas over Jesus, his plans were foiled. He then sought to appease the Jews by scourging Jesus (Lk. 23:16), but the Jews still wanted Jesus dead. Finally, Pilate gave in to their will, trying to release himself from the guilt of his sin by washing his hands of the matter (Matt. 27:24). His display did not excuse his sin of lacking the moral courage to do what was right. He gave in to the mob rather than defending what was right.

(2) Peter. Peter displayed an absence of moral courage on two separate occasions in his life. When Jesus was being tried, he denied Him three times, because he lacked moral courage (Matt. 26:69-75). The second occasion in which he displayed an absence of moral courage was when he withdrew from associating with the Gentiles in Antioch because Jews came from James (Gal. 2:11-12). On both of these occasions, Peter lacked the courage to stand for what he knew was right.

Examples Of Moral Courage

(1) Paul. On the occasion when Peter withdrew from the Gentiles when certain Jews from James arrived in Antioch, Paul displayed his moral courage. He wrote, “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision” (Gal. 2:11-12). Paul had the moral courage to publicly confront Peter to his face for his sin. Earlier when some Jerusalem Jews tried to compel Titus to be circumcised, Paul “gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Gal. 2:5). Here is a display of a man with moral courage.

(2) Nathan. Another example of moral courage is displayed in the prophet Nathan. David fell into sin by committing adultery with Bathsheba. When Bathsheba discovered that she was with child, she told David. In order to cover his sin, David brought home from battle Bathsheba’s husband Uriah, hoping that he would think that the child was his own. But Uriah would not allow himself to enjoy the pleasures of his wife while Israel was in battle. In desperation, David made him drunk and sent him home, but again his plan was frustrated. Finally, to cover his sin, David ordered the murder of Uriah by placing him in the front lines of battle.

The Lord sent Nathan to David to confront him with his sin. The prophet was to confront the King of Israel, the absolute dictator of the nation who had already had one man put to death to cover his sin. Nathan had the moral courage to do what the Lord commanded. He confronted David with his sin, pointedly saying, “Thou art the man” (2 Sam. 12:7). His moral courage is an admirable trait.

(3) Daniel and the Three Hebrew Children. The moral courage of Daniel and the three Hebrew children, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, is displayed on several occasions in the book of Daniel. When taken into Babylonian captivity, these four Hebrew slaves were given the opportunity to serve in responsible positions under the King. For three years, they were expected to eat the King’s meat (which included unclean meat) and drink his wine. These men “purposed in (their) hearts” not to defile themselves. What moral courage they displayed in this decision. As slaves they could have been summarily reduced to menial labor, put in prison, or killed. Nevertheless, they had the courage of their convictions and God blessed them.

Later, Nebuchadnezzar issued a decree that all of the province was to fall down before an image at the sound of the music. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego refused to violate the commandments of God saying, ” . . . be it known unto thee, O King, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Dan. 3:18). What moral courage they displayed! The Lord delivered them from the fiery furnace into which they were cast.

On another occasion, Darius ordered that men cease praying to anyone except him for a period of thirty days. Daniel refused to compromise himself. He continued to pray three times a day, as he was accustomed to doing. Because of his disobedience to the king’s commandment, he was put into a lions’ den. The Lord delivered him. We admire his moral courage.

Our Forefathers Displayed Moral Courage

Those who have moral courage are not all gone. Many of the generation immediately before us have displayed the courage of their convictions in standing for the truth. During the 1950s and later, many congregations became involved in church support of human institutions (colleges, orphan homes, hospitals, old folks homes, etc.), the sponsoring church form of church organization, and church supported recreational activities. Some among us recognized that there was no Bible authority for these activities and had the courage to challenge those who were involved in them.

Church historians estimate that nearly 90 percent of the churches went with the liberal brethren. Those who stood for the truth paid the price. One preacher wrote that he had fifteen meetings cancelled; many preachers were fired. Those who took the lead in writing against these unscriptural activities suffered ridicule and slander because of their opposition. Their attitudes were condemned, internal church problems where they preached were used to destroy their reputations. Nevertheless, they had the moral courage to stand. We are the heirs of their work. Many of us have a place to preach and worship because that generation of preachers had the courage of their conviction.

I have no appreciation for men who have never engaged in spiritual battle standing back and criticizing these brethren for how they conducted the battle. Like the armchair quarterbacks, some brethren who have never been involved in spiritual conflict know better how to fight the good fight of faith than those who have experienced the ordeal. In the calm and peace of a settled congregation which was won through the labors of these men, they pass judgment on how they fought for the truth. At a relatively young age, they pass judgment on their elders. Such manifests poor grace! Those men who endured the conflict are worthy of honor; we should render honor to those to whom it is due, not be party to destroying their good reputation.

The Need For Moral Courage Today

There will always be a need for moral courage among Christians. Here are some areas of application in which we need Christians with the courage to stand for their convictions today.

1. Christians willing to suffer ostracism because these practice moral purity. Christians are tempted to be conformed to this world. When the world sees a Christian who refuses to be conformed, his distinctive morality is a rebuke to their ungodliness. They do not like the fact that a Christian does not participate in their filthy jesting, drinking, cursing, drugs, dancing, mixed swimming, free sex, pornography, etc. They will ostracize him. Consequently, we need Christians with enough conviction to suffer ostracism, willing to be different for Christ’s sake.

2. Preachers willing to preach what needs to be preached. Sometimes preachers need to display more backbone. Some churches are at peace where sin is tolerated. Social drinking, mixed swimming, masonry, adulterous marriages, and other common sins are ignored. When a preacher moves into such a congregation, he sometimes learns that the elders’ children and other relatives are involved. Sometimes he is remarkably silent about such sins. He is afraid to stir the water for fear that he will lose his job.

I appreciate the gospel preaching of the New Testament which was geared to the need of the moment. Peter said to the Jews on Pentecost, “. . . ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 2:23). Paul reasoned with Felix of “righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come” (Acts 24:25). Felix trembled. Their preaching comforted the afflicted and afflicted the comforted!

The kind of preaching which is unwilling to address the problems of sin in a congregation will not save the souls of those who are involved in those sins. Preachers need the moral courage to address those sins and seek to lead men to repentance, even if their preaching creates turmoil and conflict. If men are complacent in their sin, they need to be stirred to repentance. The preaching needs to be explicit enough that the sinner understands his condition before God. If the preaching leaves the sinner thinking that he is saved, it has not accomplished its purpose.

3. We need enough moral courage to confess Jesus. Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mk. 8:38). Sometimes men have the opportunity to put in a good word for Christ and the church but do not say anything because they are afraid of how the world will react to them. We need the moral courage to speak up for Christ whenever and wherever the ungodly world speaks against Him.

Conclusion

Moral courage is a needed virtue in each of us. Like Peter, many of us stumble and fall from time to time because we fail to display moral courage. Like him, we need to repent of these sinful failures and begin anew to display the moral virtues which Christ manifested.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 22, pp. 674, 694-695
November 21, 1985

By Wayne Greeson

“How about a game of checkers?” I asked my wife late one evening.

“Oh, that’s an easy kid’s game. I haven’t played checkers in years. Okay, set ’em up,” she replied half jokingly.

The pieces were laid out and the game began in earnest. Only a few moves had been made when I moved one of my red checkers in front of one of my wife’s black checkers giving her a clear “jump” to take my red checker. My wife ignored the available “jump” and began to move another checker on a different part of the board.

“‘Whoa! You have a ‘jump’ and can take one of my checkers,” I said pointing to the move.

“I see it, but I don’t want to make that move,” she said.

“But you have no choice,” I responded, “the rules require you to ‘jump’ if you have a ‘jump.”‘

“But I have been playing for years and I never heard of such a rule!” she insisted.

I opened up the rules and read to her: “A player must ‘jump’ an opponent’s checker in the next square if a square beyond is vacant.”

“I guess you’re right,” she reluctantly conceded, “But that sure does make a big difference.”

She made the forced jump which opened up a double jump for me. Still surprised and uncertain by her discovery of a “new” rule, I proceeded to beat her in four games straight. Later that night, just as I was drifting off to sleep the last thing I heard was my wife muttering, “I still can’t believe I have been playing checkers all my life and I never really knew how to play.”

It was easy to diagnose my wife’s failure to know the proper rules for playing checkers. Almost everyone learns how to play checkers as a child and often the “forced jump” rule is not taught or not even known by the teacher of the game. So many grow up never bothering to read the rules because playing checkers is Sian easy kid’s game” and many assume they already know how to play.

The failure to read the rules and the assumption “I already know how to play” is not unique to the game of checkers. The same problem is often made with God’s rules as revealed in His Word. Many learn “religion” as children but are not taught correctly or not taught “the whole counsel of God.” Thus, there are many who grow up in ignorance, never bothering to read and study God’s Rule Book because they assume “I already know about religion.”

Many people are ignorant of God’s requirement that one must be baptized to be saved. “But, I have been a Christian for years and I never heard of such a requirement, ” people often respond. But simply open up God’s Rule Book and read, “He that believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mk. 16:16).

Many religious folks are not aware of God’s commands under the New Testament concerning worshiping Him in music through singing and not through instrumental music. “Well, all my life I have attended a church which has had an organ or piano, and I don’t think it’s wrong,” such folks invariably say. But what do the “rules” of God’s Word say about music in New Testament worship?

True worship is not to be done by “I think” or by my will” (Col. 2:18; Mt. 15:8-9) but only as God directs (Jn. 4:23-24). In the New Testament God commands true worshipers to “sing” (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). To play an instrument in the New Testament worship is to add to God’s complete and perfect rules and is sinful (Rev. 22:18).

Imagine someone sitting down to play checkers and placing a set of green checkers onto the board in addition to the black and red set called for by the rules. The addition to the game would violate the rules and the result would not be a true game of checkers. While you can play around with the rules of checkers all you want, God will not tolerate those who play with adding to the commands of His word (Mt. 15:13-14; 2 Jn. 9).

Many Christians do not understand that Christ’s church is not a social activities center that sponsors social functions. Again the familiar refrain is heard, “But I have been a Christian for years and I never heard of any such thing. For years the church where I attended has sponsored all sorts of social activities such as banquets, softball teams, bowling teams, musical entertainment, camps, sewing classes. . . ” and on and on the list could go.

Once again it is time to go back and read the rules, God’s rules. The church established by Christ is a “spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”(1 Pet. 2:5). It is not the purpose of the church to offer food, recreation and entertainment as a social club. “(F)or the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:7). “What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God . . .” (1 Cor. 11:22).

My wife’s ignorance concerning the proper rules of checkers cost her nothing but a few lost games and a bit of embarrassment. But ignorance of God’s rules will cost you your soul.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 21, pp. 660-661
November 7, 1985

By Don Willis

“. . . I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness” (Psa. 17:12). John Balquy said, “Contentment is the pearl of great price, and whoever procures it at the expense of ten thousand desires makes a wise and a happy purchase.” And Socrates remarked, “Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.” Plautus concluded, “If you are content, you have enough to live comfortably.”

David found contentment in beholding God’s face in righteousness. Sin produces misery! One who does not stand before God in righteousness feigns happiness and contentment, but inwardly longs for God-acceptability. Moses cautioned people, “. . . be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23). One realizes that sin cannot be hidden from God. We are naked and open before Him. We cannot hide our wickedness; therefore, misery results.

Men seek satisfaction in differing ways: (1) In worldly pleasure. There are some “men which have their portion in this life. . . ” (Psa. 17:14). Moses chose to suffer affliction with God’s people rather than “enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:25).

Others seek satisfaction (2) in riches. Solomon was a very rich man. He taught, “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase. . . ” (Eccl. 5:10). He further reflected, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Prov. 22:1). Solomon said, “Give me neither poverty nor riches . . . lest I be full, and deny thee” (Prov. 30:8-9). Riches will not ensure satisfaction!

Some think they find satisfaction (3) in power. It is difficult to understand that God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble (Jas. 4:6). Man still cannot direct his own steps (Jer. 10:23); cannot add one cubit to his stature (Mt. 6:27); and is dependent upon God for every blessing (Jas. 1:17). Who brings the new day? Who makes it rain? Who adds days to our number? These are areas outside man’s capability. God is that great fountain from whence all blessings flow!

Some seek satisfaction (4) in knowledge. There is no end of making books, for the knowledge is ever expanding! Mankind is beginning to understand some of the wonderful laws that God placed in existence at the creation. Knowledge that does not lead one to acknowledge and subject himself to the Almighty God is misdirected knowledge. Paul spoke of the “oppositions of science (gnosis) falsely so called” (1 Tim. 6:20). Some feign all knowing ability and cannot answer the simple question, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” God is all powerful! We need Him!

David said, “I will behold thy face in righteousness.” He attempted to live as God would have him live. Righteousness exalteth a nation! Sin is a reproach to any people (Prov. 14:34). Walking with God causes one to begin to reflect God’s righteousness within his life (2 Cor. 3:18).

Thus, David could say, “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” He could anticipate that happy, contented, satisfied emotion because he walked in righteousness. Happiness is the result of character, not things! The superlative teachings of the beatitudes manifest this great and eternal truth. Seek to be what God created us to be, a creature in His own likeness! Then, satisfaction will come to mankind!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 21, p. 661
November 7, 1985

By Dan Walters

There is a relatively new doctrine making the rounds among our brethren. Its advocates call it “realized eschatology;” others have dubbed it “the A.D. 70 Doctrine.” The paper which promotes this doctrine is Studies in Bible Prophecy, put out by Charles Geiser in Ashtabula, Ohio. It is my understanding that the doctrine was first taught by Max King of Warren, Ohio. If I were to summarize the doctrine in my own words, someone would be sure to accuse me of exaggerating. So I quote from Geiser: “The holy Scriptures teach that the second coming of Christ, including the establishment of the eternal kingdom, the day of judgment, the end of the world and the resurrection of the dead, occurred with the fall of Judaism in 70 A.D.”

That sounds so ridiculous to most of us that it might be thought foolish to even take notice of it. But that was Alexander Campbell’s reaction to Mormonism, and we see today how many people have been deceived by it. There is another reason why this doctrine ought to be dealt with carefully-that is because of the grain of truth it contains. In reacting to extreme doctrines we may dismiss some truth just because it is included in the false doctrine.

Almost every false doctrine is based on some truth which is then carried to an extreme. That is why one who is well grounded in the faith can often profit by reading the works of those who, considered on the whole, are false teachers. The truth that is found at the kernel of the extreme position is no less true because it has been enlarged with disregard of other truths and because many Scriptures have been perverted in order to accommodate the false theory.

The truth at the heart of “realized eschatology” is that the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 is a very significant event in New Testament teaching, and that many Scriptures which are commonly believed to refer to future events actually apply to that destruction. For instance, the 24th chapter of Matthew is speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, though advocates of the 1000 year reign want to apply it to a future period. The “day approaching” in Hebrews 10:25 is most likely the destruction of Jerusalem. The miseries of the rich men in James 5 are probably connected with that great event. The “coming” of Christ in Revelation 1:7 and 22:7 is mostly likely spiritual and in reference to Christ’s coming in vengeance upon the Jewish state and later upon the Roman Empire. It is my opinion that the punishments of Revelation 6,8, and 9 were fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem, and that the “mystery of God” that was “finished” (Rev. 10:7) was the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the end of the Jewish nation. There are other Scriptures which clearly apply to this event, and there are still others which may or may not apply.

The term “realized eschatology” simply means that the prophecies concerning the last things (the resurrection, the judgment, etc.) have already been realized, or fulfilled. And according to this doctrine they were all fulfilled in A.D. 70. Now it is one thing to say that a prophecy in a book of symbols such as Revelation is not to be taken literally. The context justifies this conclusion. It is another thing to say that the plain teaching of Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 concerning the resurrection is figurative, or symbolic. The context makes it clear that the resurrection of our bodies will be just as literal as the resurrection of Christ’s body. In 2 Timothy 2:17,18 we read of Hymenaeus and Philetus who were teaching “that the resurrection is past already” and had overthrown “the faith of some.” I have often wondered what sort of a complex theory they had cooked up to justify such a conclusion. Remember that they were making their claim before the destruction of Jerusalem. But it is no wonder that when some Christians believed their teaching it led to the overthrow of their faith. It will do the same today. Paul taught that if there is no resurrection, our “faith is vain” (1 Cor. 15:14).

If the end of the world has already come to pass in the destruction of Judaism, then there will be no end to this physical world, and the church will exist for all eternity on this earth. If there is to be no end to this present order, such news will no doubt bring rejoicing among Satan and his angels. They may continue to remain free and to tempt man for all eternity, thus cheating the sentence of consignment to the lake of fire. If this doctrine be true, the last enemy (death) will never be destroyed and Christ will never “put down all rule and all authority and power.” “All things” will never be “put under his feet,” or “subdued unto him” (1 Cor. 15:24-28). Christ will never win the final victory.

If the Lord has already come, and will never come again, then why do we still take the Lord’s Supper? “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Cor. 11:26). According to the doctrine under consideration, the Lord’s Supper should have ceased in A.D. 70. Yet those who believe this doctrine, for some reason, continue to take the supper. If the Lord has already come for the last time, then we have no hope of going to live with Him in His Father’s house. John 14:3 says, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” If Christ received some unto Himself in A.D. 70, then these are the only ones promised such a home with God.

Notice that this false system of doctrine ignores the fact that certain words can be literal in one passage and spiritual, or figurative, in another. The coming of Jesus in Acts 1:11 is literal; that in Matthew 24:30 is figurative. The context is the determining factor in both cases. The resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 is literal; that in Revelation 20:5 is figurative. Again, the context provides the answer. Just because the “end of all things” in 1 Peter 4:7 applies to A.D. 70 (see verse 12), does not mean that “the end” in 1 Corinthians 15:24 and other Scriptures does not literally apply to the end of time and of this earth. Never ignore the context.

Although the evil of false teaching is not mitigated thereby, there is a blessing that comes to faithful Bible students in the study and refutation of such doctrine. We never fail to learn more truth and to have a deeper understanding of God’s Word than when we search the Scriptures to see whether a certain teaching is so. See Acts 17:11.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 21, pp. 659, 664
November 7, 1985