Truth Magazine

By Edward O. Bragwell, Sr.

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you and crucified” (Gal. 3:1, NKJV).

As Christians, we are not immune from making fools of ourselves. The Galatians not only became foolish, they did it with such speed that it made Paul marvel (1:6).

In Paul’s short letter to them, he points out various ways in which they had acted foolishly and were in danger of doing so. He does this by direct reference to their foolishness or else relating the examples of others for their benefit.

Satan is no fool. If he can’t get us to play the fool one way, he will try another-even in almost opposite ways. This can be seen from Galatians.

Doctrinal Softness

The Galatians had played the fool with doctrine. They had taken the bait of false teachers (likely Judaizers) — hook, line and sinker. Having escaped the spiritual bondage of paganism, they are now about to jump into another bondage — the Judaizer’s brand of Christianity (4:8,9).

How could a people, “before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly, portrayed,” act so foolishly-so quickly? Paul hints that the spirit of compromise may have had something to do with it, by relating his own experience with “false brethren.” He says that he did not “yield submission even for an hour.” This was the same Paul, who willingly yielded personal rights and advantages for the cause (1 Cor. 9), but when the truth of the gospel was in danger of being taken from his brethren-“‘yield” was out of the question, even if it meant publicly withstanding a fellow apostle to his face (Gal. 2:11-21).

The very fact that Peter was an influential figure in the church made it the more imperative that his actions not go publicly unnoticed. He was not walking uprightly and others were being influenced by him. This was no time for softness and timidity-the brethren’s relationship to the truth of the gospel was at stake. Would this make an enemy of Peter? It was a risk that Paul had to run. This public exposure of Peter’s hypocrisy did not ruin Peter’s usefulness in the Lord’s work, but rather increased it. And what about relations between the two men? We are told little of the immediate reaction, but in the long run we know about Peter’s attitude. He later wrote of “our beloved brother Paul” (2 Pet. 3:15).

Too often, mere attention is more persuasive than solid information. It has not been long since Paul had, at great personal sacrifice, supplied them with the truth of the gospel. They had been willing to pluck out their own eyes for him. Now, he asks, “Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” What had happened? False brethren had “come-a-courtin”‘ and had turned the heads of the Galatians by the attention given. Paul wrote, “They zealously court you, but for no good” (Gal. 4:17). The truth had not been nearly as influential as “courting” of the false brethren. Like the young man courting the young lady, care is given to saying just what he thinks she wants to hear. She enjoys every minute of it and is often swept off her feet by it, even though most of it is just “sweet nothings.” False brethren have some advantages in battle for the minds and affections of brethren. They have no problem with using means of persuasion that true teachers dare not use. They give attention to courting, while true teachers are giving “attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine . . . meditation” (1 Tim. 4:13-16).

As a young preacher, I almost ran myself up the wall trying to stay ahead of the attention that other religious people were giving to some of the brethren. A brother or sister would begin to slack off (or even become a little disgruntled) and some well-meaning soul -would find a way to tell me how much attention the preacher and/or members of the Church Down The Street had been giving these folks. The message was clear, if I didn’t get on the ball and out-do them, we would lose out in the competition. It took me a while to learn that I could not out Church Down The Street the Church Down The Street. If I had the truth, then I could. do nothing better than teach it and admonish the brother or sister to obey it. If that would not do the job, then all the courting in the world that I might do would not do it. Once I learned that lesson, preaching sure has been a lot easier on me.

Dispositional Hardness

If Satan can’t get us through the front door, he will try the back. In this same letter, where Paul urged a kind of hard-nosed approach toward false brethren and com promise, the Galatians are warned against a general hard-nosed disposition — one that showed little softness and tenderness toward brethren, but geared more toward selfish ambition.

He warns against “biting and devouring one another . . . lest you be consumed one of another.” While they were to “Stand fast in the liberty by which Christ (had) made (them) free” (5:1) – no room for softness here – they had to be careful lest their need to stand fast in, and faithfully defend their liberty in Christ, did not become an excuse to resort to the works of the flesh (5:13). It is easy to get so involved in fighting the influence of false brethren (and there is plenty of that to do) that we simply cannot find any place to quit fighting. It is so easy to turn to biting and devouring one another until we are consumed one of another.

We pay a lot of attention to some of the “works of the flesh”: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like. And we should. In fact, many of us could stand to give more attention to these things in our teaching and preaching than we do. But, we may miss the very point that the writer had in bringing up this list at the time he did. The attitudes that caused them to bite and devour seem to be the real target of the apostle. These attitudes are linked to those more easily recognized works of the flesh to show these foolish Galatians the kind of company they were in by their hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions and heresies. He then lists the “fruit of the Spirit” to counter this bad disposition (5:22-24). He then says, “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (emphasis mine, EOB5:24-26). In the next chapter, he calls for a spirit of gentleness in restoring brethren overtaken in faults, the bearing of one another’s burdens, the sharing with teachers in good things, the sowing to the spirit rather than the flesh, and the doing good to all men as they had opportunity (6:1-10). All this reflecting a tenderness of heart and gentleness of disposition befitting one walking after the Spirit. Thus, if they would “through love serve one another” and put aside selfish ambition and conceit, they would not likely be biting and devouring one another. They could have this soft touch and still be firm for the truth and hard against error. It might take a good balancing act, but it could and must be done.

Conclusion

Let us not be so foolish as to think that we can compromise with “false brethren” even for an hour without getting hurt. Let us not be so foolish as to think, that we can just ignore error and it will go away. Let us not be so foolish as to think that we cannot be deceived by the favorable attention (courting) of false brethren. Let us not be so foolish as to think that time is on our side in the battle for truth. Brethren can “so soon” be carried away into error.

But, neither let us be so foolish as to fall into the habit of biting and devouring one another-jumping down each other’s throats at the slightest disagreement and/or provocation. Let us not be so foolish as to allow our desire to stand fast in the faith, to cause us to become hard-nosed, unkind, unforgiving, ungentle and cold in our dealings with one another.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 11, pp. 323-324
June 6, 1985

By BIB Cavender

Each child of God is taught by the Holy Spirit to “be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,” and “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Pet. 3:18). My observation is that the majority of God’s children are not really doing this. Our Lord’s work languishes in disinterest and indifference, greatly due to the lack of personal involvement in saving souls. Many Christians, often long-time members of the body of Christ, have never seriously attempted to save a soul or to really be a worker for Christ in His kingdom. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30), yet many of us are not wise and our fruit is oftentimes unto death and not unto life! “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever” (Dan. 12:3), but many of us never let our light shine, nor will it shine forever and ever, for we are not turning many, or even any, to righteousness (Matt. 5:13-16). To save a soul from sin and death is the greatest, most needful work, most soul-satisfying work which can be done in this lifetime (Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19-20; Matt. 16:24-27).

Often we hear someone say, “What can I do” And some of these will actually do a work or task given them by the elders or others. This kind of person requires direction, instruction and motivation. They will follow if someone will lead and show them the way and how to do it. When the guidance stops, they stop. Comparatively few Christians develop and cultivate that personal initiative so necessary to doing God’s will, to act on their own from the instructions in God’s word, and without the assistance and fellowship of others. One mark of real spiritual strength in a Christian is that he will be busy working for Jesus, whether anyone else helps, participates, or even knows about his efforts. To “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” and to “save yourself from this untoward (crooked) generation ” (Phil. 2:12; Acts 2:40) is a big order for each of us, yet not impossible. If we walk by faith, we can obtain the promises of God and receive that abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Heb. 11:39-40; 2 Pet. 1: 10- 11). God has never commanded or required the impossible of any man.

But what can I do? Much, in many ways! All Christians can do these basic, simply spiritual works and exercises which will make us strong in faith and save some souls along the journey we make through this present evil world (Heb. 11: 13; Rom. 4:20-22; Gal. 1:4; 1 Tim. 4:6-11). We can:

A. Read and study the Scriptures (Jn. 5:39; 1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 3:14-17). If one can’t read, he can buy recordings of the Scriptures and listen to them. Few individuals in our society do not have a tape recorder. We can listen to the word of God continually while we work, play, drive, etc. We can buy good reference books and commentaries and become serious students of the word of God if we will do so.

. B. Pray for everyone (1 Tim. 2:1-5; Rom. 12:12; 2 Thess. 2:13). Every true child of God prays consistently, often, habitually. There is no such thing as a faithful child of God who does not spend much time in prayer, talking to our Father in heaven.

C. Visit the lost, the weak, the unfaithful, the aged, the infirm, the sick, the broken-hearted, etc. If you are physically unable to visit people, you can phone them, write to them, send them tracts and literature, etc. The individual child of God who visits, to help and teach and encourage, will do so much good in this world of sin and sorrow. The child of God who visits to gossip, back-bite, stir strife and create problems and divisions, becomes an enemy of all righteousness. The Christian who visits will grow spiritually. The congregation which visits will grow spiritually and numerically. If a church does not visit, it will die!

D. Have Bible classes in your home. All of us have friends, family members, neighbors, and fellow-workers on our jobs who can only be reached with the truth of Jesus by those who are their acquaintances. Preachers cannot reach these people; elders cannot reach them; Bible class teachers cannot reach them. Only their personal friends, family members and acquaintances can make those opportunities for teaching. We will baptize more people through home Bible studies than by any other method of teaching, for it puts the gospel on the personal level, one soul caring for and teaching another (2 Tim. 2:2). If you feel incapable or unqualified to teach in your home, begin seriously preparing yourself, but in the meanwhile have a man or a woman in the church who is qualified to come to your home and teach.

E. Hand out tracts to people. Keep a supply of gospel tracts in your car, your pocket or purse. Brethren have written many excellent, scriptural tracts on every conceivable Bible subject. We can spread the gospel easily by use of tracts.

F. Send a good gospel paper into homes of good prospects for teaching. The regular, periodic receiving of good literature into the home through the mail is most beneficial. Yet here we may run into a problem and do more harm than good. Some papers have axes to grind, deal in needless and harmful controversies, are opinionated, and amount to scandal sheets. We will not convert sinners to the truth of God revealed in the New Testament by sending them literature which will , distort the plain truth of the gospel and the simplicity and loveliness of the truth as it is in Jesus.

G. Attend each and every service of worship and Bible study. If our hearts are open to listen and to learn, we can glean truth from every lesson and be blessed by every meeting of the saints. You can be an example of faithfulness to others. You can encourage all the brethren by your consistency in worship, work and interest.

H. Live a clean, pure, godly, upright, unquestioned life. We must live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world (Tit. 2:11-12), a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1 Tim. 2:1 -8). Our clothing must be in modesty, and our inner self clothed with humility and a meek and gentle spirit (1 Tim. 2:9-10; 1 Pet. 5:5-7; 3:1-7). Each of us can cultivate the “‘fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance, “‘ against which there is never any condemnation of law, of God or man, and the sky is the limit on the cultivation of this fruit in our lives (Gal. 5:22-23).

I. Have a happy, thankful, optimistic attitude toward life, toward God, toward the brethren, and toward all of life’s joys or sorrows. All things (sufferings, sorrows, etc.) will work for our good if we are God’s called and faithful children (Rom. 8:28). A merry heart still does good like a medicine (Prov. 15:13-15; 17:22). We should ever rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 4:4), and be of thankful hearts (Col. 3:15; Psa. 100:4). A Christian anywhere at anytime, and especially a Christian in America, has nothing to be unthankful about or ungrateful for. Of all people who have ever lived in all the history of the world, the Christian in America at the present time is the most blessed. An upset, worrying, complaining, fault-finding Christian is altogether foreign to the teachings of God’s word. Life is worth living. God watches over us (I Pet. 3:1012). There is much good still left in the world. Each of us can do much good. Souls can kill be saved from sin and death. We can still work for the Lord.

We could be baptizing people daily, into Christ and for the remission of their sins, if every member of the church would be personally involved in the work of Christ, How is it with you, brother or sister?

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 11, pp. 321, 343
June 6, 1985

By Ron Daly

One of the most remarkable and sublime declarations in New Testament writings regarding the deity of Jesus Christ is the address of Thomas after the resurrection of the Lord recorded in John 20. (The whole of the twentieth chapter of the Gospel according to John ought to be read for the important contextual material.)

We should note with particular significance verses 24-29 of chapter twenty, for the following facts are stated: (1) Thomas called Didymus (Gk. Didumos, meaning “twofold, twain, double, hence, by implication, twin”) was one of the twelve, but was not with them when Jesus came. (2) The other disciples of the Lord declared that they had seen Jesus but Thomas avowed that in the absence of physical testimony, “Except I shall see” and “put my finger into” and “put my hands into” (the nail prints and His side), “I will not believe.” (Note: In the Greek New Testament, the phrase, “I will not believe” is “ou me pisteuso”.) When used with the subjunctive or future indicative ou me is the strongest form of negative and connotes “in no way” or “not at all.” The verb pisteuso is the first person singular, future, active indicative of the root word pisteuo and, when we consider the phrase ou me pisteuso as a whole, the double negative ou me being emphatic, we see the force involved in Thomas’ refusal to believe unless he exercised what he thought was the proper ground (basis) for faith (belief). For study purposes, let us compare several translation of the phrase ou me pisteuso and see how they capture the force of it as recognized in the Greek text. Williams New Testament (p. 252), “I will never believe it,” ASV, NASB, Young’s Literal Translation, and KJV render the phrase, “I will not believe.” The Goodspeed Translation has “I will never believe it!” (3) We also ascertain that after eight days Jesus appeared to the disciples, and Thomas was with them. The Master said, “Peace be unto you.” (4) The Lord speaks directly to Thomas (how shocked Thomas must have been!). Jesus tells him to “reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” (5) In verse 28, Thomas addresses the risen Redeemer as, “My Lord and my God.” (6) Jesus states the true component of faith, “blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

We shall now turn our attention specifically to the address of Thomas in verse 28 for a more complete discussion of its significance.

There has been divergence of views regarding the significance of the phrase “My Lord and My God” among New Testament scholars and theologians. Some of the exegetical and critical commentators believe that Thomas’ statement is to be regarded only as an exclamation, i.e. a matter of astonishment or excitement. But, this conclusion seems to be untenable for the following reasons: (1) Thomas knew that Jesus was more than man; (2) the use of expressing the vocative case (the case of address) by the form of the nominative with the article; (3) Jesus accepted Thomas’ emphatic words of conviction without rebuke; (4) the context, i.e., the fact that Christ appears after the breaking of the bonds of death (cf. Rom. 1:4); (5) eipen auto, “said to him.”

B.F. Westcott in commenting on the phrase “My Lord and my God” truly says, “The words are beyond question addressed to Christ (saith unto him), and cannot be understood as a confession of belief as to His Person . . . expressed in the form of an impassioned address” (The Gospel According To Saint John, p. 297). Albert Bengel asserted, “The disciples had said ton Kurion, the Lord, ver. 25: now Thomas, recalled to faith, not merely acknowledges Jesus to be Lord, as he had before, and that he had risen, as his fellow-disciples asserted; but even makes loftier confession of his Godhead, than anyone before” (New Testament Word Studies, p. 728). There is little doubt that Thomas’ words must be construed (interpreted), not as an avowal of excitement or exclamation, but as an address to the Christ concerning His person, deity, Godhood! Let us now look into the Greek Testament and briefly analyze the key words in John 20:28.

“Ho Kurios Mon Kai Ho Theos Mou”

The above phrase enclosed in quotations marks is a transliteration of what Thomas said as recorded in the gospel according to John.

A Grammatical Analysis. Ho is the definite article used to point out particular identity and is here translated “the.” Kurios is nominative singular masculine and denotes a potentate, sovereign. Mou is the first person singular, genitive case of ego and a literal translation is “of me.” Kai serves as a conjunction and is connective in nature. The second ho has the same nature as the first, a definite article. Theos is nominative singular masculine and denotes the supreme, one and only true God, deity. The second mou has the same structure as the first and being in the genitive is to be translated “of me.:

Based on the grammatical analysis we give the following as a literal, accurate translation of what Thomas said: “The Lord (sovereign) of me and the God (one true deity) of me.” It should be noted that the repetition of the article and that of the pronoun (mou, of me) give to the words of Thomas solemnity which only deity merits! Jesus, in full acceptance receives Thomas’ address! It is concerning Jesus that Paul the apostle says in Colossians 2:9 – “For in Him dwelleth (katoikei, third person singular, present, active ind. of katoikeo). The fact that katoikei is a present tense verb denotes durative or linear action which could be literally translated, “is dwelling” or “continues to dwell.”

Christ the Lord (Kurios) and He is God (Theos) according to the teaching of Old and New Testament Scripture (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Ps. 110:1; Jn. 1:1, 14; 8:58; 5:17-18; et. al). The fact that Christ is Lord (Kurios) in the absolute sense means that he has “all authority” over all creation (Mt. 28:18).

God’s children should always be ready to defend the gospel (Phil. 1:15, 6; Jude 3) against “spiritual intruders” and teachers of heresy concerning the divinity of Christ. It disturbs me no little to gaze intently upon a new generation which is unable and ill-equipped to present the case (as taught in the Scriptures) for the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Modernistic and materialistic groups as foaming waves of the sea are marching to and fro disseminating their damnable propaganda, saturating the minds of the gullible and unsuspecting. Furthermore, if we sit upon the mountain top and watch without becoming active participants in the ever present conflict with error, we sin!

Brethren, are we putting forth the necessary exertion in order to overthrow the onslaught of infidelity? Why not start now by diligently studying the Scriptures?

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, pp. 309-310
May 16, 1985

By Jimmy Tuten

Our Lord entrusted the salvation of all mankind to human hands when He declared that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations” (Lk. 24:47). We have recorded for us in the annals of the book, of Acts a record of the far-flung efforts of the early disciples in carrying out this commission. So determined were they in their resolve that they were accused of turning “the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). They were bold and uncompromising (Acts 5:29). They went everywhere preaching the Word of God (Acts 8:4).

The church of the eighties needs this resolve. In many areas of our country, brethren have a great degree of concern for the lost. Yet we are allowing others to convert people to their soul-damning doctrines while we pride ourselves in having the truth, nice buildings as centers of learning, and well-trained preachers to expound the knowledge of God’s Word unto us. We have not awak ened to the fact that each of us has an urgent responsibility to save others. It is more than a collective responsibility (1 Tim. 3:15). Early disciples not only preached in public places and from house to house, they also engaged in some “one on one” type of teaching (Acts 20:20; 18:24-26). They knew that “into our hands the gospel is given, into our hands is given the light, haste, let us carry God’s precious message, guiding the erring back to the light.”, It seems that far too many think the sum total of evangelism is warming a pew three times a week. Sadly, they are encouraged by too many who find it easier to avoid the teaching of this responsibility, knowing that it is sheer hypocrisy for them to preach it and not practice it. In this regard, we are not a “people of the Book” because we have not been taught, what the Book teaches. The, generalization is somewhat harsh, but it must be said even at the risk of alienating some who have read this treatise up to this point. Brethren, let’s face it: the cause of Christ is growing, but not as it, should. We are not turning anything upside down. We could turn each community around if we could experience the truth of personal involvement in I ‘Personal evangelism.” If only the spirit of Martin Treptow could be instilled into the battle against the spiritual host of wickedness (Eph. 6:12). Just a few like him in the ranks of God’s soldiers would get the job done. “Who,” you ask, “is Martin Treptow?” It is he of whom President Reagan spoke in his Inaugural Address. Treptow was killed in battle during World War I while trying to carry a message between battalions under heavy artillery fire. On his body was found a diary. On the flyleaf, under the heading, “My Pledge,” Treptow had written these words: “America must win this war. Therefore I work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will, right cheerfully and to my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.”

Can elders, deacons, preachers and brethren of this decade have any stance less than that of Treptow when it comes to the Lord and His cause?’ We must rise up to the awesome challenge of reaching the lost with the saving message of Jesus Christ. Indeed, “Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the Principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). It must be understood that the Lord never instituted a professional evangelist to specialize in certain fields, but in the truest sense of the word, each Christian is an evangelist (1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 2:2). This is not to say that there are not other areas where the Christian in his dedication cannot serve God and advance the Kingdom. The Crossroads system is the other extreme in the opposite direction of failure to assume to the extent of one’s ability his responsibility to take the gospel to a lost people. Too, I am sympathetic toward those who, for reasons of health or problems beyond their control find it necessary to work in other areas of the Lord’s work.. These situations should not be drawn into the scope of the question posed except by way of clarification. But, again I raise the question, why is it that so few are involved in the work of personal evangelism except for a few brief spurts now and them? I don’t have all the answers and it is not the scope of this writing to examine those reasons as to why so many have failed in this regard. Rather the question is, “Why do brethren continue to do personal work?”

The Love Of God

Brethren keep on doing personal work because of A Love For, God which prompts them to love what God loves and hate what God hates. God’s love produced the proof in the form of the giving of His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for sin (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8). Hence, we love Him because He first loved us and knowing the terror of the Lord that one day shall come upon the ungodly brethren go from house to house warning the ungodly with tears and pleadings (2 Cor. 5:11).

The Only Power

Brethren keep on doing personal work because of the conviction that the gospel of Christ is the only power of God to save the lost (Rom. 1:16-17). No matter how good one may appear in the eyes of others, it is God’s Word that saves and not one’s personal goodness (Tim. 3:5). This power can only be communicated by the teaching of the Word of God (1 Cor. 1:21; Rom. 10:14). Brethren are conscious of the beauty of the feet of them that teach the gospel (Rom. 10:15). With the awareness that this is the most noble work on God’s earth, brethren are reluctant to wither in the heat of the day or to slacken their efforts when the going gets rough.

To Enthrone Christ

Brethren keep on doing personal work in order to enthrone Christ in the heart of every individual through a knowledge of the Savior that comes only through the Word. Truly, the New Testament says, “and many other signs truly did Jesus . . . but these I are written, that Ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God . . .” (Jn. 20:30-31).

Love For People

Brethren keep on doing personal work because of an innate love for people This love for those lost in sin refuses to be soured regardless of unkind words or thoughtless acts that are sometimes scattered like chaff before the wind. They love though intimidated with rejection, body language shenanigans and charges of radicalism.

The Only Hope

Brethren keep on doing personal work because they realize that is the gospel which shall judge the world in the day of judgment (Rom. 2:16; Jn. 12:48). The fact that not all brethren will be pure of the blood of all men places the blood of men on the hands of those of us who know it (Acts 20:26). We must teach it to others!

We are living in a changing world where in every area of life changes have occurred with incredible swiftness. Science has forced outer space to yield its secrets and has made an entire new way of life for the housewife. IT has modernized industry and technology has introduced the computer age. In the meantime, sociologists have established standards of measurements for human conduct and have built new foundations under human relations to make this age truly unprecedented. But these scientific and social upheavals have not solved society’s problems. Instead, they have created new ones. Double and great insecurities abound more and more; thousands are driven to drugs as a way of escape, and the more religiously-inclined part of society has long ago turned to the charismatic and cult segment in the hope of finding a sense of well-being that would reach beyond the securities of God’s Word.

One cannot be ignorant of these rapid-fire changes in the world. There was once a proud owner of a race horse that was so fast that it defeated every horse it raced. The proud owner placed it in a large barn and painted a huge sign on the side which said “This is the fastest horse in the world.” But he failed to train and exercise the animal, so one day when he entered his horse in a race, it was decisively defeated. After he returned him to the barn, he painted another sign which read, “This is the fastest world this horse ever saw.” We all can identify with this observation.

It should be repeatedly affirmed that man’s spiritual needs remain constant in a changing world. Sin is still making havoc of people’s lives to the point that unspeakable orgies of the ancient world have become a way of life for some today. The Word of God is the only effective antidote for the deadly malady of sin. We must hold forth the word of life by teaching it in our assemblies and in the private places. To do this each child of God must stay in contact with heaven, keep himself spiritually and mentally fit, and find strength for responsibilities. Pessimism, self-pity and discouragement are moods that defeat many of us. When these are conquered, our brethren will march to the Lord’s drum beat and buy up every opportunity available to lead men to Christ. Thank God for these brethren who are willing to sacrifice time and effort to do personal work. May their tribe increase.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, pp. 304-305
May 16, 1985