Truth Magazine

By S. Leonard Tyler

We seem to listen at times with a corrective, critical, or belittling attitude rather than a seeking, learning, admiring, and appreciative disposition. Criticism has her rightful place in studying God’s word. But criticism does not stand at the top of the ladder. It is not the most valued asset in teaching or learning.

Faults must be willingly corrected by the person committing them. You and I (if we are not the guilty party) should strive diligently, tenderly, patiently, and prayerfully to help the stumbling one understand his or her blunder that correction may be made voluntarily to regain the footing and to be more perfectly informed.

We must refrain from exhibiting “the judge of all spirits” attitude or making a special display of our great wisdom. Humility is still a characteristic quality of a Christian. Wisdom is manifested not only in a demonstration of how much one knows and how confident one is in it. It is also demonstrated in consideration and true concern for truth, for the person involved, and for the situational environment or circumstances involved in the problem. The person we wish to criticize is trying even though he blundered, so let’s help him rather than belittle him.

May God help all of us (for we so much need it) to be interested in being right-truthfully right-and to remember the purpose in helping others is to encourage them to understand wherein the error is made and how to correct it for good We should never assume the mistake to be intentional nor fall into a soft, compromising attitude to by-pass the firmness of right. We must restrain ourselves from exhibiting an opinionated or self-centered disposition. Let’s cultivate more consideration and love for God, truth, righteousness, and those involved in problems-the stumblers, the erring. Then be sure that our efforts are to help restore the fallen, to encourage the erring to regain the right position, and to strengthen the weak. Now we will be able to lovingly approach the task. I believe, if each of us will manifest this attitude, we will accomplish more, be happier and more content in life, and become a living example to others. We shall prove our honest desire in serving God first and in casting the beam out of our own eye, and then tenderly working to help remove the mote from our brother’s life.

We must never forget that we are all in this together, seeking eternal salvation. We need all the help we can get, as well as offering help. We must graciously and thankfully receive the help offered and, in turn, unselfishly give liberally of what we have with grace.

The Lord loves a cheerful giver. But he who receives graciously with no feeling of humiliation and who shows appreciation for whatever criticism others offer (even though it appears to be wrapped carefully in false evaluation) may indeed make the greatest gift of all to those in need of a stable, mature Christian to sustain them. In other words, our attitude in receiving criticism may actually help the critic.

If we really want to prove ourselves true, we must be mature and stable enough to maintain a righteous disposition in the face of criticism, temptation, trials, and opposition of all sorts regardless of origin, purpose, and manner of appearance (Matt. 5:10-12; Rom. 12:17-18; Jas. 1:12). Keep thyself right by being right in desire, love, purpose, and above all in practice. In so doing, you shall prove yourself a true child of God-fit for the Master’s use. Indeed, you will be a vessel of honor with a definite place in the kingdom of God (2 Tim. 2:21-22).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 16, p. 486
August 15, 1985

By Robert F. Turner

Substitution is a truly basic principle of Christianity, despite the fact that many erroneous theories have been spawned by this concept. The “imputation” of Adam’s guilt to all mankind is one such error; and following close on its heels is the colorful but equally fallacious idea that Christ’s personal righteousness (His “perfect obedience”) is imputed to the saints. We need not adopt either of these concepts to appreciate substitution as taught in the Scriptures. If we allow misuse of the idea to blind us to its proper place in the scheme of redemption, we will deprive ourselves of rich and profitable material.

Isaiah 53 is a prophet’s revelation of the principle. “He hath born our griefs . . . he was wounded for our transgressions . . . with his stripes we are healed.” “Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. ” Acts 8:32-35 tells us “He” is Jesus the Christ. Read the Isaiah chapter carefully, noting the many contrasts, and remember, you and I did the sinning, but He paid the price in our stead.

Justice demands, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezek. 18:4). Abel’s offering of the firstlings of his flock (Gen. 4) is our first inkling that God would accept the life of an animal as a (typical) substitute for the life of the sinner. (We are discounting as fanciful and unsubstantiated the idea that God taught animal sacrifice when He made Adam and Eve’s clothing from skins of animals [Gen. 3:21].) Then Noah was told to take seven pairs of “clean” beasts into the ark, some of which were offered upon an altar when the flood was over (Gen. 8:20). Men were not to eat blood (Gen. 9:4), and the religious significance of this prohibition is established clearly in Leviticus, where we are told “the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls” (17:10-12).

Abraham’s use of blood sacrifice upon an altar (Gen. 12:f) is ample proof that this ceremonial significance existed long before the Law given through Moses. But in Judaism the concept is expanded. Greater attention is given to the necessary perfection of the offering, “without spot or blemish” (Lev. 22:19f). Moses once offered himself as an atonement for the people, but God rejected the offer, saying, “Whosoever hath sinned . . . him will I blot out of my book” (Ex. 32:30f). Moses needed to make offerings for his own sins; he was not a fit offering for the sins of others.

In later Judaism the prophets’ rebuke of the priests for offering polluted bread and blind sacrifices is occasion for an additional thought. Isaiah says it is not the offering itself that satisfied Jehovah. Multitudes of sacrifices may be “vain oblations” if there is no giving of the heart (1:11-17). Malachi says the corrupted offerings show contempt for Jehovah (1:6-10, 13-4), and are not acceptable because “ye will not lay it to heart” (2:1f). Animal blood could not be “traded” for forgiveness. But the contrite heart and the perfect (costly) offering were but typical of a plan for redemption which God was unfolding in that moonlight age. There was soon to come “the Lamb of God” who knew no sin yet freely gave Himself for our sins (Jn. 1:36; Rom. 5:6-9). The real character of forgiveness by substitution begins to emerge. (1) There is no sin without cost, and, (2) the substitution principle demands payment on the part of Him who forgives.

Some have raised the question: To whom was the price for sin paid? To Satan? We think not I If man can indeed answer such a question, it seems far more likely the Heavenly Father met this obligation to Himself-to His moral nature which demanded justice even as it extended mercy. Whatever the theological answer, it is clear that forgiveness is not without cost to Him who forgives. And that raises some interesting thoughts about what is involved when we forgive one another. Can we forgive without paying the price?

When someone wrongs us, our inclination is to demand justice. “That is not right,” we say. Of course it is not, and the transgressor should have to “make it right,” for his own sake as well as ours. But sometimes, even when he makes an effort to correct the wrong, we feel “it is not enough.” We want our pound of flesh. Then we remember our own sins, and the words of Jesus, “If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. ” Can we forgive “till seven times” or even more (Matt. 18:21f)? We can not truly forgive even once unless we are willing to pay the price. It is not “forgiveness” to hold a grudge; to await the opportunity ; to “tell it on him,” or “even things up.” True forgiveness, the only kind that enables us to be forgiven by God, means we accept the hurt without demanding our “rights”; we who are wronged become the substitute sufferer for him who should suffer.

But how can we be “partakers of the divine nature” and not forgive? In paying the price to forgive we sense a tiny bit of the hurt God must feel at our sins. We enhance our “fellowship” with God, partake of His spirit, “dwell in Him, and He in us” (1 Jn. 4:13). Substitution, as an essential element in Christianity, encourages us to believe the old adage, “to forgive is divine.”

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 16, p. 487
August 15, 1985

By Tommy L. McClure

During the last one hundred years many great and good accomplishments have been made by man. Life expectancy is much longer due to the advances in medical science. In the field of travel, advancement has been made from the “ankle-express” and horse-and-buggy methods to space flights. The electronics industry with all its computerized systems is enough to stagger the imagination. One might think: There is nothing man cannot dol Lest we become “carried away” with all of man’s wonderful accomplishments, let us pause to reflect upon things man cannot do!

Man Cannot Overthrow The Work Of God

The Jewish council, angered because the apostles had preached Jesus Christ in spite of their prohibition, discussed ways and means of putting than to death (Acts 4:18-20; 5:27-33). Then Gamaliel, a respected doctor of the law in apostolic times, wisely said:

Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. . . .Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel of this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God (Acts 5:35-39).

Note: “If it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it.”Gainaliel was never more right in his lifel Pharoah tried to hold the Israelites in bondage, contrary to God’s will; Pharaoh failed (Ex. 5-14)! Sanballot, Tobiah and Geshem tried to stop the re-building of the wan of Jerusalem; they failed (Neh. 4-6)1 Nehemiah said, “. . . they perceived that this work was wrought of our God” (Neh. 6:16). The Jews tried to rid the world of Jesus Christ by crucifixion; they failed (Mt. 27,28)! They later tried to stamp out the church and the declaration of the gospel of Christ by bitter persecution; they failed (Acts 8:1-4)1 Every man who has oppressed the work of God has failed, every man who opposes the work of God will fail! ff it be of Go4 ye cannot overthrow it!

Man Cannot Get Away From God

The Psalmist said:

Whither shall. I so from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there thy hand shall lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me (Psa. 139:7-10, ASV).

When God gave Jonah the unpleasant task to “go to Ninevah, that great city, and cry against it” because of its wickedness, “Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord” (Jon. 1:1-3). Did he succeed? No! When the fish vomited out Jonah upon the dry ground, God was there with the same instruction! “And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee” (Jon. 3:1,2). Jonah could not flee or hide from God! “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:13). Though men cry for mountains and rocks to fall upon them (Rev.6:16,17), though they attempt to flee from His presence (Rev. 20: 11), both small and great will stand before God and be judged according to their works (Rev. 20:1215; Acts 17:30,31; Rom. 14:10-12; Eccl. 12:13,14). Friend, try as you may, you cannot get away from God!

Man Cannot Please God Without Faith

“But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). Men who were pleasing to God in Bible times were, without an exception, men of faith! Unbelief has always been displeasing to God! Faith is the motivating power which causes men to do what God commands and be what God wills. Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Therefore, one who acts by faith acts in accord with God’s word, the expression of His will. The man of faith does not put his will up against the will of God. His attitude is: “Not my will, but thine be done” (Lk. 22:42). The one who says, “I know the Lord said, ‘He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,’ but I think man can be saved without baptism, “is setting his will up against the will of the Lord. Such indicates unbelief, not faith! The person who, in religious matters, acts without authority from God is acting by opinion rather than by faith! Nadab and Abihu who made an offering which God had not commanded them were so displeasing to God that they were devoured by fire from the Lord (Lev. 10:1,2, ASV). Yet, some preachers — false apostles, deceitful workers, ministers of Satan pretending to be ministers of Christ (see 2 Cor. 11: 13-15) — will tell people they do not need authority from the Lord for what they do in worship and religious work!

Man Cannot Serve Two Masters

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24). “Mammon” refers to riches to which many have become servants. If they think they are the Lord’s servants while serving mammon, they have some more thinking to do!

One cannot serve the Lord and the devil at the same time. Paul said, “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the -cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and the table of devils” (1 Cor. 10:21). If one cannot have fellowship with the Lord and devils at the same time, he certainly cannot serve both at the same time. Friend, are you trying to hang on to the Lord with one hand and the devil with the other? You may as well try to ride two horses running in opposite directions at the same time — the Lord and the devil are not going the same way!

Man Cannot Love God And Not Love His Brother

“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God loveth his brother also” (1 Jn. 4:20,21). The person who hates his brother does not love God! If he claims that he does love God, he is a liar, according to John! John also tells us that the destiny of “all liars” is “the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). It is, therefore, a very serious matter to claim love for God while harboring brotherly hate in the heart.

Man Cannot Truly Love And Not Give

But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth (1 Jn. 3:17,18).

Note John’s question: “How dwelleth the love of God in him?” That is a rhetorical question in which the answer is evident and implied. The evident, implied answer is: The love of God does not dwell in the man who has ability to help his needy brother but refuses to do so! Love is measured by giving. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that man need not perish (Jn. 3:16).Jesus so loved the world that He gave his life a ransom for many (Mt. 20:28). The man who truly loves his wife will give to her that which she needs-and more! Love which goes no further than the tongue or lips is not truly love. True love expresses itself in deeds and gifts, not just words of “sweet nothings.”

Man Cannot Escape Death

“What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?” (Psa. 89:48) “There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death. . .” (Eccl. 8:8). In Adam all die (1 Cor. 15:22). It is appointed unto men once to die, after which comes the judgment (Heb. 9:27). Friend, do not think you will live on this earth eternally! You will die, just as the millions before you have diedl What then? Are you ready to pass from this world into eternity? The foolish farmer was not prepared for God’s pronouncement: “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee. . . ” (Lk. 12:20). The rich man at whose gate Lazarus was laid was not ready for death, but he I also died, I as did Lazarus, “and in hell (Hades) he lifted up his eyes, being in torments. . .” (read Lk. 16:19-31). If we could know, surely and certainly know, that we will die one minute before midnight this day, would we make any changes? If the answer is, “Yes,” we had better get busy making those changes, for we don’t know that we won’t die then or before! Like David and Isaac said: “. . . there is but a step between me and death” (1 Sam. 20:3), and “I know not the day or my death” (Gen. 27:2).

Man Cannot Succeed Without Christ

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jn. 14:6). Orthodox Jews and others who claim to believe in God while rejecting Jesus Christ are headed for serious failure! Jesus said, “He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him” (Jn. 5:22). He told His disciples, “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me” (Lk. 10: 16). One who honors not the Son honors not the Father, regardless of all contrary claims! One who despises the Son despises the Father, regardless of all his declarations of love for God!

A study of this matter which does not include what Jesus said about the vine and the branches would be incomplete. To His disciples, He said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5). Just before this, He had told them, “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (Jn. 15:4). Friend, without Christ (which includes entering into and abiding in Him by doing what He says) we cannot succeed! He is our life (Col 3:4), savior (Matt. 1:21), hope (1 Tim. 1:1; Col. 1:27), light (Jn. 8:12), way to the Father (Jn . 14:6), mediator (1 Tim. 2:5), high priest (Heb. 4:14), example (1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Pet. 1:21), spiritual healer (Mt. 13: 1; 9:10-13), fortification against temptation (Heb. 2:18), peace (Eph. 2:11-17), victor (Rom. 7:21-8:4; 1 Cor. 15:53-57), source of living water (Jn. 4:10-14), bread of life (Jn. 6:48), advocate (1 Jn. 2:1), propitiation (1 Jn. 2:2), shepherd (Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 5:4), helper (Heb. 13:5,6), law-giver (Jas. 4:12; 1 Cor. 9:21; Heb. 1:1,2), etc., and He will be our judge (Acts 17:30; Mt. 25:31-46; Rom. 14: 10; 2 Cor. 5: 10) and His word will be the standard (Jn. 12:48)1 Succeed without Him? In the words of the good song:

Without Him I could do nothing; Without Him I’d surely fail.

Without Him I would be drifting like a ship without a sail.

Without Him I would be dying; Without Him I’d be enslaved.

Without Him life would be hopeless, But with Jesus, thank God, I’m saved

(Songs Of 7he Church, 363).

Man Cannot Carry Anything Out Of This World

“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7). If a man were to acquire all the sold and silver this earth contains, not one ounce will he take with him when he departs this life. The story goes that a multi-millionaire died. During his funeral, which was elaborate indeed, one man asked another,”Do you know how much he left?” The answer was as truthful as it was terse. “Yes, all of it!” Bonds, stocks, mansions, ranches, off wells, office buildings, gold, silver, precious stones, Cadillacs and Lincoln Continentals — he left them all?

If one thinks he can buy his way into heaven with earthly wealth, he is sadly mistaken. “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death” (Prov. 11:4). Redemption comes not by means of silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet. 1:18,19)!

Man Cannot Tame The Tongue

“For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (Jas. 3:7,8). After reading this passage, some have erroneously concluded that James is teaching that it is useless to attempt to control the tongue. This conclusion is at variance with many other plain passages! “Keep thy tongue from evil. . .” (Psa. 34:13). “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” (Prov. 21:23). “1 said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me” (Psa. 39:1). James himself said, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain” (Jas. 1:26).

Surely, then, James is not teaching that the tongue cannot be controlled, he is teaching that it cannot be tamed! Animals have been tamed to the extent that they will not harm us, even though they are uncaged and unguarded. Not so the tongue-though kept under restraint for years; in an unguarded moment, it will leap forth and do untold harm! Let’s bridle our tongues and keep them bridled-keep them under restraint, under control, and never leave them unguarded for a moment. After all, God has given us an excellent cage for the tongue-the front teeth!

Men Cannot Hide His Sins From God

To the men of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, Moses said, “. . . . be sure your sin will find you out” (Psa. 32:23). The Psalmist said, “O, God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee” (Psa. 69:5). Solomon said, “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil” (Eccl. 12:14). The Hebrew writer said, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:13). The Lord, through Jeremiah, said, “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord” (Jer. 23:24). And, “For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes” (Jer. 16:17). The “bottom line” is: sinners will not get away with their evil deeds! God sees! God knows! God will judge! And, that judgment will be right-in righteousness (Acts 17:31)!

Man Cannot Please God In The Flesh

“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom. 8:8). What does “in the flesh” in the above passage mean? Obviously, it does not refer merely to being in the fleshly body; otherwise, no one could please God in this life. The Bible shows that some have pleased God while in their bodies of flesh-Enoch (Heb. 11:5), John and others (1 Jn. 3:22), Jesus (Jn. 8:29). Paul’s prayer for the Colossians was: “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work. . . ” (Col. 1:10). Surely, Paul’s prayer was not idle, wishful thinking!

Some have told us that “in the flesh” refers to the unregenerate or unconverted state. One such man stated in debate that if the unconverted man pays his debts, it is a sin, but if he does not pay his debts, it is a worse sin! Everything the unconverted does — whether he rocks his baby, loves his wife, ploughs his field, or paints his house — is sin, according to these religionists! Then, the same religionists will turn around and contend that after one is converted, becomes a child of God, his sins will not damn his soul-that all the sins he might commit, from idolatry to murder, will not jeopardize his soul! Swallow it if you are so determined; but it smells too much like “‘turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” (Jude 4), to suit me!

The text under consideration concerns those who “mind the things of the flesh” (Rom. 8:5). These are said to be “carnally minded” as opposed to being “spiritually minded” (Rom. 8:6). While “carnally minded” — while they “mind the things of the flesh” — they are opposed to God, not subject to His law, and cannot be (Rom. 8:7)! Why? Because, following the lead of the “carnal mind,” they engage in the works of the flesh, catalogued by Paul, as follows: “Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like. . . ” (Gal. 5:19-2 1). Anyone, alien sinner or child of God, who does such is not pleasing to God and cannot please God while so engaged! He is “in the flesh” because he is engaged in the “works of the flesh” and “they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom. 8:8).

Man Cannot Change His State After Death

In the Lord’s account of Lazarus and the rich man (Lk. 16:19-31), the Lord taught that when the beggar died he was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom and there comforted, but the rich man in hell (Hades) lifted up his eyes in torment. He requested that Lazarus be sent to dip his finger in water to cool his tongue. The request was denied and the rich man was told:

Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivest thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence (vv. 25,26).

A great gulf fixed! No crossing it in either direction!

Friend, if you think you can leave this world in a sinful condition, and later be paid and/or prayed out of the fires of a supposed “purgatory” (?), you need to re-think the matter in the light of the Lord’s plain statement-a great gulf (chasm, or broad, yawning space) is fixed (set forth, made fast or firm), and none can cross it (the chasm cannot be bridged)! Nor will hell (Hades) be vacated of its guilty millions, and its miserable inhabitants be received into heaven, as the doctrine of Universal Salvation asserts.

Charles Taze Russell, the founder of the movement in which people incorrectly style themselves “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” taught that man will have a second trial or chance and the second will be more favorable than the first (Studies In The Scriptures, Vol. 1, pp. 143-153). If so, the text (Lk. 16:19-31) would have been a fine place to teach it I Father Abraham should have told the rich man, “Patient, my son! A second, better chance awaits you!” Of the five brothers, he should have said, “No need for concern! If they come to that place of torment, they will later have a second, better chancel” No such thing was said- rather the very opposite! Destiny is determined in this life, not after death. Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2). Today is the time to hear His voice (Heb. 3:7). The dead are to be raised to life or damnation, not to a second, better chance (Jn. 5:28,29). We will be condemned or rewarded for the deeds of this life (Mt. 25:31-46). The wicked shall go into everlasting punishment (Mt. 25:46) and suffer the second death (Rev. 20:11-15), not to be offered a second chance!

Man Cannot Avoid The Judgment Of God

Speaking to those who condemned others for sins of which they themselves were guilty, Paul said, “And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” (Rom. 2:3) Criminals may escape the judgment of our judicial system, but none will escape the judgment of God! He has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31). All shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and every one shall give account of himself to God (Rom. 14:20-12). God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil (Eccl. 12:14). Before the Son of man shall be gathered all nati6ns for judgment (Mt. 25:31-46). This, friends, is the meeting we all will attend! Let us wisely use the time God has granted to prepare for it!

Conclusion

Thus, in spite of all of the wonderful accomplishments man has made in the physical realm, and in spite of all the high estimates he may place on his abilities, there are many things man cannot do. The list has not been exhausted in this study. It is hoped that this writing will spur the readers to further study, greater work for the Lord, more sober thinking, and more godly living!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 16, pp. 483-484, 500-501
August 15, 1985

By Mike Willis

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures (Psa. 23.2)

In David’s description of the Lord as his Shepherd (Psa. 23), he describes how the Lord takes care of His sheep. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” The Lord provided green pastures for His sheep to eat and still waters from which they could drink. Sir Richard Baker had many insights into the implications of this analogy when he wrote as follows:

He leads me not into pastures that are withered and dry, that would distaste me before I taste them; but he leads me into “green pastures,” as well to please my eye with the verdure as my stomach with the green herbage . . . . As they are pleasant to look on, so they are wholesome to feed on: as they are sweet to be tasted, so they are easy to be digested; that I am not, methinks, in a kind of paradise and seem not to want anything . . . . And now see the goodness of this Shepherd, and what just cause there is to depend upon his providence (Sir Richard Baker as quoted by C.H. Spurgeon in Treasury of David, Vol. 1, pp. 408-409).

While growing up in East Texas, I raised some cattle. Anyone familiar with cows knows that, to a cow, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence than in the pasture in which she is grazing. That the grass is knee deep where she is grazing does not matter. The cow will poke her head through the fence and stretch to reach the grass on the other side. If the fence post is rotten or the wire poorly nailed, the cow’s weight will finally push the post over or break the fence and she will be on the highway right of way where many dangers threaten her.

When I read the phrase, “he maketh me to He down in green pastures, ” I think of the similarities between those cattle and some Christians. We Christians sometimes begin to think that the “green pastures” (hence, better) are not within the “fence” of God’s word but rather in the kind of life which God’s word condemns or forbids. We look at the devil’s pastures with longing eyes; we go to the edge of the Lord’s pasture, poke our heads through the fence and lean against the posts. We try to go as far as our consciences will allow us to go in approaching the “gray area” leading up to an out and out sin. We rationalize our way, assuring ourselves that we will not break down the barrier between us and sin. Soon we find ourselves having gone too far, grazing in the forbidden pastures of sin that we, at an earlier time, were so confident that we would never go. Those Christians who think that the “green pastures” are outside the fence of God’s word, like our old cows, will eventually find or make a hole in the fence and graze in the devil’s pasture.

Where Are The Green Pastures?

Because our course of conduct is related to our evaluation of what is best, we need to re-examine whether or not we truly recognize that the green pastures are in the manner of life which God has commanded. Our loving, heavenly Father commands out of His concern for our well-being., He created us and knows what is best for man. His revealed word directs us to walk in the manner of life which is best for us. There are many areas of application which others might choose to expand, but I have chosen these.

1. The Green Pastures Are Not In Worldliness. The movie and television industries have glamorized the playboy lifestyle to such a point that some gullibly begin to think that is the best kind of life. Some imagine that green pastures are in a life with a scenario that is something like this:

A handsomely dressed man calmly and confidently enters a bar and orders a drink. While waiting for the drink to come, he fights up a cigarette. An attractive woman is sitting alone in the bar, so he strolls over and offers to buy her a drink. After a few minutes of chit-chat, he invites her to his apartment. . . .

This is the pasture which the devil is trying to convince us is greener than the one which the Lord has provided.

Green pastures are not found in a sexual interlude that is a one-night stand with a mate whose name one cannot remember! Recent articles written by psychologists who have interviewed those who say that they are satisfied with sex have reached the conclusion that sex without commitment is not gratifying. The devil’s “green” pasture of fornication is full of venereal disease, illegitimate babies, abortion, divorce, and guilt. What the devil has pictured as gratifying leaves one’s soul empty and full of remorse.

Green pastures are not found in a liquor bottle. The gaiety which the advertisements associate with drinking is deceptive. The consequences of this drug are monstrous. The devil’s “green” pasture of drinking is full of alcoholism, automobile accidents, brawling, quarreling, financial problems, family conflict, hangovers, absenteeism from work, etc. The devil has deceived many a man and woman into thinking, “I can control my liquor” and “I know when to stop.” The anguish associated with alcohol is sometimes not realized until one is sober enough to realize that the automobile accident he caused took the life of another person.

2. Green Pastures Are Not In Denominationalism. Through the years, some preachers among us have become so enamored with denominationalism and its scholars that they have become convinced that the Lord’s church is a barren desert and denominationalism contains the green pastures. Those preachers who become convinced of this begin condemning “sectarianism” and “isolationism” in the churches of Christ. They view as “church of Christ traditions” such Bible doctrines as baptism is immersion in water, baptism is for the remission of sins, that there is only one church, that instrumental music in worship is sinful, and other doctrines which Protestantism, generally rejects. In contrast, the denominations are admired for their broader fellowship, their preaching on love and grace, and their emphasis on the spirit of Christ rather than on the law of Christ.

The devil’s pastures are not as green as they look. Denominationalism is struggling for survival, with most mainline Protestant churches registering a decline in membership in recent years. One cannot escape spiritual conflict by becoming a member of the denominations. They are warring within themselves on such issues as: (1) whether or not the Bible is inspired of God; (2) whether or not the Bible is inerrant; (3) whether or not miracles were performed; (4) whether or not women should be ordained as preachers, bishops, and deacons; (5) whether or not homosexuals should be ordained as preachers. Many of the moral issues which trouble our brethren are accepted as righteous conduct in the denominations, including such things as: (1) unscriptural divorce and remarriage; (2) social drinking; and (3) mixed swimming.

Many of the doctrinal issues which have divided us do not trouble denominationalists because they simply accept a very liberal view on each of those issues. For example, denominational folks do not trouble themselves about whether or not instrumental music in worship is acceptable to God, for they have accepted special singing groups, entertainers to draw a crowd, perversions of the Lord’s supper (ranging from the items to be used to the frequency of its observance), and other unauthorized items of worship., Discussions of the organization of the church, as in the case of the sponsoring church conflict among us, mean nothing to those who have already accepted conventions, associations, dioceses, bishops (in the denominational sense), archbishops, pastors, popes, and other offices never mentioned in the word of God. Hence, if one is going to be attracted to denominationalism, he must first rid his mind of the concept that book, chapter, and verse are required for all that we do and say in religion (1 Pet. 4:11).

Those who might be looking at the pastures of denominationalism with the thought that they might be greener than the pastures in which the Lord has led us need to look at the troubles with which he will be faced in denominationalism. Denominationalism is not a greener pasture; it is a barren desert leading to disobedience of God’s word.

3. Life Without Regular Worship In 77te Assembly Is Not A Greener Pasture Sometimes Christians begin to think that their life would be better if they just decided to quit going to church. Then, they would have time to go fishing or golfing on Sunday; they would not have to listen to someone appealing for them to increase their giving, urging them to attend worship more frequently, exhorting them to visit the sick, and many other things. Consequently, some Christians just decide to leave God and the church out of their lives and live the life of a hedonist-to find all the self-gratifying pleasure they can find in the here and now.

The hedonist’s life is not a green pasture. He, his family, and friends face all of the same problems every other person faces. He has sicknesses and death, has more family problems than most Christians, feels that life is vanity and a striving after the wind, has dissatisfaction rather than contentment, and many other problems.

The hedonist does not enjoy the inner peace of a man who has found contentment in a life of faithful obedience to God. He has not escaped the vicissitudes of life. He is simply trying to live life on his own strength, without God. Frequently, he is not very successful in achieving true happiness and joy in life, even if one only considers the here and now. He seeks help and counsel from his psychiatrist, is deluded to think he has found security through his insurance programs, and never allows himself to think about life after death.

The life without God is not a green pasture. There is no inner peace available for his guilty conscience, no assurance of the ultimate triumph of righteousness in times of injustice, no hope beyond the grave for comfort in the face of death, and no understanding of the purpose of life. The life without God and His church is not a green pasture; it is a barren desert.

Create In Me A New Spirit, O God!

A Christian has changed his thinking to the conclusion that God leads us into the green pastures. The best kind of life is the path in which God has revealed for man to walk in His word. Like Moses, we must conclude that God’s commandments are for our own health, physical and spiritual (Deut. 6:24; 10:13).

When man recognizes that the fences built around man by the word of God are for man’s own protection, like the fences built around the play area at a day-care center, he will better appreciate his God and the Word. He will see the harmful consequences of alcohol from which God sought to protect him by His restrictions on drinking; he will see the horrible results from immorality from which God sought to protect him by His restrictions on sexual immorality; etc. Recognizing these dangers and fearing many others, he will gladly walk in submission to the Lord’s will without viewing His commandments as a grievous burden to be borne.

I remember hearing a preacher once say, “I drink all of the whiskey I want to drink. I curse God all that I want to curse God. I go dancing anytime I want.” I thought, “What an immoral man! What is he doing in the pulpit?” Then, he added, “I just do not want to drink, curse, or dance.” Indeed, his spirit had been born again, made new, or regenerated (Jn. 3:5; 2 Cor. 5:7; Tit. 3:5).

Many who have been baptized have never been born of the Spirit. They view the commandments of God as restrictions imposed on them by a God (or a church) which does not want men to have any fun. They do not realize that in sowing sinful habits, they will reap physical and spiritual destruction. This attitude ultimately leads to apostasy! Does this describe your thinking toward God’s commandments? Or do you feel like David when he wrote, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”?

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 16, pp. 482, 503-504
August 15, 1985