Truth Magazine

By Dusty Owens

The people of God have a tendency to become dissatisfied with God’s ways and to desire the ways of men. The Old Testament supplies us with example after example where this is true. At the time of Samuel, when Jehovah was still considered king of Israel, the people clamored to the prophet, “Make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Sam. 8:5). This displeased Samuel, but God consoled him, “They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me” (v. 7).

This desire to be “like all the nations” indicated (1) a lack of faith in God, (2) a greater faith in man’s ways, and (3) a certain feeling of shame and inferiority compared to their neighbors. There are times when I see God’s people manifest this same attitude. When we desire to be “like all the denominations” around us, and to compromise or change what is revealed in God’s word, we are making the same mistake Israel did in clamoring for a king! Let us look carefully at some of these things.

An Expensive, Extravagant Church Building

Many think that this is the answer to converting masses of people to Christ. They see their religious neighbors building huge and expensive edifices and attracting large crowds, so they want to do the same. These same masses of people are converted to the beautiful pile, and not to Christ! When around them, all I hear them talking about is “the beautiful church we have.” Not a word about Christ! We need to be reminded that God “dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is he served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 17:24). We need to be content with the modest buildings we meet in, and continue to persuade men to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved.

Watered-Down Preaching In some churches of Christ today the preaching is so diluted that you can not tell it apart from the preaching of the denominations. In other places, brethren are afraid to bring their friends and relatives to the assembly for fear the preacher will mention a denomination by name and embarrass them. Others are of the persuasion that if the preacher would just preach on “love” and “going to heaven,” we would increase our members like “other churches.” Paul failed not to declare the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27), and shrank not from declaring . . . anything that was profitable” (v. 20). He encouraged Timothy and Titus to preach and teach the “sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:10; Tit. 2:1). He warned, “The time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away from the truth, and turn aside unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

The Social Gospel

Included in this desire to “be like all the nations” is the heavy emphasis on socializing. The thought here is that if the church will provide more activities for its people, then those people will be converted and be more faithful. The preaching that takes place is ladened with “social reform” and “self development through a Positive Mental Attitude.” There is nothing wrong with these ideas in their place. What I object to is the de-emphasizing of the blood-bought redemption of Christ, and the one church through which salvation comes, (because this kind of preaching “offends folks and you can’t build a church that way”), replacing them with sermonettes full of cute little stories that “everyone loves to hear.” Friends, the only thing that will save people’s souls from hell is the plain, unadulterated teaching of Jesus Christ! Jesus said, “For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man also shall be ashamed of him, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mk. 8:38). Paul professed, “I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom. 1:16). Pray that the preacher will preach the word of God boldly!

The “We’re Number One” Mania

Some denominational churches are determined to be the “largest church in town.” You can see this attitude displayed in everything they do. Churches are resorting to gymnasiums, banquet halls, swimming pools, bowling alleys, and fellowship halls to attract enough people so they can qualify as “number one.” Why, they even “bribe” the kids with candy, gum and other prizes to get them to come and be part of the great number. This is something we may expect from the denominational world; after all, if men establish their own churches, they ought to be able to run them any way they want to. But, when brethren get caught up in these sinful measures, it is truly a shame! It is nothing but pride in the worst meaning that motivates them. The Bible teaches, “By pride cometh only contention; But with the well-advised is wisdom” (Prov. 13:10). Contention has come among God’s people because there are many who are steeped with pride, and who desire to be “like all the nations.” They insist, above the cries of conscientious brethren, on having their evil ways. Being “number one” is more important than “being one” with the brethren.

God has chosen the true believers in Christ to be “a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession” (1 Pet. 2:9). This means that God has separated us from the rest of the “nations” (churches), and He expects us to follow His prescribed way in everything we do (2 Jn. 9-11). His ways are not man’s ways, and we are not free to deviate (Gal. 1:8-9). Would anyone dare to suggest that we should “be like all the nations”?

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 3, pp. 81-82
February 7, 1985

By R.C. Smart, Sr.

Will a person in the Sahara who believes and repents go to heaven even though it is impossible to be baptized?

Well, maybe so.

Then baptism is not necessary to go to Heaven.

Will a Christian who sins ignorantly and therefore, never specifically repents of that sin go to Heaven?

Well, maybe so.

Then repentance is not necessary for salvation.

Will a Christian in a congregation that corrupts the worship or the work of the church who dies before growing to the knowledge of that error go to Heaven?

Well, maybe so.

Then the work and worship of the church are not important to salvation.

Will a person who is not certain of the scripturalness of his marriage, but decides to “do the best he can” go to Heaven?

Well, maybe so.

Then divorce and remarriage for any reason is acceptable to God.

There are too many preachers teaching and preaching “Maybe So’s.” The New Testament teaches that the baptized believer shall be saved (Mk. 16:15-16). Except ye repent you shall perish (Lk. 13:3). If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins (1 Jn. 1:9). We are told the worship God will accept. We are told the work God wants the church to perform. We are told that he who puts away his wife and remarries, except for fornication commits adultery.

These are not Maybe So’s. Teach what the Bible says and leave the Maybe So’s to God.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 3, p. 84
February 7, 1985

By Donald P. Ames

Many interesting ideas and concepts are set forth in the word of God that can indeed have real impact when they are properly tied together and/or contrasted as God planned for them to be. Consider with me for a few moments two of those concepts-heaven and hell.

HEAVEN

What is heaven really like? Most of us are familiar with the promise of Jesus in John 14:2-3 that He is now busily preparing our “dwelling place” so that when He returns He may receive us unto Himself. Thus, we recognize that heaven will be a place specially prepared for the people of God. Jesus also noted in John 10:10, “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” This simply tells us that regardless of what we may think we know about life and living, we have not yet even begun to comprehend what it is all about! And, what we have here is not yet even living! It is sort of like a baby living in the mother’s womb-happy, content and thinking it understands something about life only to learn upon leaving “that world” that it did not comprehend life at all! True, we have pictures describing heaven for us in such passages as Revelation 21: l0f, etc.; but again we must remember these are limited to figures the human mind can comprehend. I’m indeed convinced they do not even begin to illustrate to us the true beauties and glory of heaven. In Isaiah 45:18, we find God created the earth to be inhabited-and indeed it has many beauties to behold. But if God cared that much about our joy and satisfaction for a temporal body that will soon leave this old world, how much more the beauties and glory for us to enjoy throughout eternity!

Heaven is a place where no sin and corruption exists-no temptations with evil, no crime, no filthy and immoral language or dress, etc. Galatians 5:19-23 assures us that such things will not be there, but rather heaven will indeed be a place of joy, peace and happiness. Society today is often dismayed with the crime that exists-but there will be none of this found in heaven! Isn’t that a wonderful thought?

There will be no night there, but rather eternal light and joy! Revelation 21:25 and 22:5 both assure us there will be no “end of the day” when our joys must be set aside for another day and the approaching dread of night. Instead the joy and happiness we are enjoying goes right on with no night to disrupt!

There is also the wonderful excitement and joy of spending eternity in the presence of God, Christ and all the saints of old, as we see in John 14:3 and Matthew 8:11. We will not only be able to meet them, ask them questions, associate with them, and travel with them, but we will be numbered with and among them! Others, no doubt, will be looking up to us and thanking us for our example and steadfastness as a source of encouragement to them, as we look to others (and the saints of old) and appreciate theirs.

But most of all, heaven is truly a place of the greatest love to be found. Revelation 21:4 tells us, “He (God) shall wipe away every tear from their eyes . . . .” Luke 16:25 tells us it is a place where we shall be comforted in a fashion we could never find in this world. God will more than compensate us for all we have had to endure. He cares so much that He Himself will be there to wipe away the tear from our eyes as we enter His kingdom of joy and happiness-in spite of how busy He may be, in spite of all the hosts of heaven to be cared for, in spite of all the others He could have sent (and didn’t!), He will be there to wipe away that tear! One tiny little tear-a single drop of water! Yet, it commands His personal care and concern. Is it any wonder John tells us “love is from God” (1 John 4:7)? With such love and care to be shown, truly heaven is a place to be desired!

HELL

On the other hand, hell has nothing good to be said for it. It is described as a lake of fire and brimstone (Rev. 20:10,15-this would be about like being caught up in the flow of an active volcano). In Mark 9:43-44, it is spoken of as “unquenchable fire.” It is a place of eternal suffering with no way to escape. Have you ever pondered the idea of placing your hand on a burning hot stove and being unable to remove it? Or what about your whole body? And again, need I remind you that the figure is always far short of the actual-being limited to human comprehension? Truly God has sought to warn us!

Hell is full of sin and corruption, from the two-faced hypocrite to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Rev. 21:8). All of the scum from all of the societies for all ages are going to be found there. Just pause and think for a moment of all that will include-from Herod to Hitler and beyond! And, if we are lost and go there, we shall be there among the very worst of them! Indeed this is a terrifying thought to even ponder!

Hell will be a place where there will be no light only eternal darkness and misery (Matt. 25:30). There will be no “light of a new day” or “hope for a better tomorrow” (for there will be no tomorrow). Although there will be a “lake of fire,” there will be no light to seek escape. Those who saw the terrified people trying to get away from the “unseen alcohol fire” in the pits at the Indy 500 several years ago have a vague idea what the agony of a lake of fire in eternal darkness will be like! Agony so horrible that the rich man begged-not for a whole drink-but that Lazarus would but dip his finger tip in water and touch his tongue-a single drop of water to relieve his suffering. Try to do this, and see how much comfort it would give! Yet, even this would be gladly accepted as a welcomed relief by the rich man in his suffering “in this flame” (Lk. 16:24).

Likewise, there would be no joy over anticipated reunions with other loved ones in hell (Lk. 16:27-28). The fact that a close friend might be there would offer no satisfaction or comfort. You indeed would prefer to suffer by yourself, if it needs to be that you go there! And in fact it will be alone, for the Bible tells us those in hell “will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord” (2 Thess 1:19). Alone, forgotten, left out and left to suffer in eternal agony.

Unlike heaven, in hell there will be no one to love and care what happens to you. Certainly the devil doesn’t care. To him you are but a pawn in the battle being waged against God-and the devil could care less what happens to you in that battle (witness the affliction he heaped on Job in his efforts to get him to curse God – Job 1:7f). He will not offer his son on a cross-despised and rejected by the very ones he came to save-to save you from the horrors of hell. And, it’s not because he is unaware of what life has in store for you-he has full knowledge (Matt. 8:29; Rev. 20:10). It is simply he could care less what happens to you-you are disposable! You are a disposable pawn he is merely using to try to get to God! Did he care what agony and suffering he brought on Adam and Eve? Or what would happen to mankind if he could succeed in getting Christ to worship him instead (Matt. 4)? No, his response would simply be, “So what?” And others are going to be too concerned with self to care about you then-their only concern is “Don’t come;” but if you have, it is too late for further concern.

But, probably the greatest tragedy of all lies in the very concept of this article-one drop of water! In Revelation 21:4 a single drop of water (a single tear) was sufficient to command God’s personal care and concern. Yet when the rich man begged for a single drop of water in Luke 16:24, the response was that He was too busy, not interested and no longer cared! Nor was anyone else allowed to supply the single drop of water to relieve his agony! He would find no comfort in hell!

Which response will be yours? Now is your time to prepare-don’t let Satan ruin eternity for you!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 3, pp. 78-79
February 7, 1985

By Don Willis

Most people recognize the importance of some church attendance. Jesus authorized the church to assemble and keep certain acts of worship (Acts 2:42). Not only did God command men to assemble to worship, there is a psychological need for a public show of one’s devotion to God, as well as the emotional benefit that is received.

Church Attendance Has Advantage Of Practice

Church attendance is an act of obedience. It shows a faith that works! “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works” (Jas. 2:18).

Church attendance is a devotion. It shows loyalty through punctuality. “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them . . .” (Acts 20:7). It is not enough just to be a church member, or to say “Lord, Lord.” One must do the will of God (Mt. 7:21ff; Lk. 6:46).

Church attendance is an example. It speaks through its action. Failure to attend also is an example; and it speaks through its inaction!

(1) Like the early church, we should continue steadfastly! “And they continued steadfastly. . .” (Acts 2:42a). Attendance to the services of the church in the first century often committed the attender to prison or death. Yet, the Hebrew writer encouraged them, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (Heb. 10:25). “Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

(2) Like the early church, we should meet regularly. “Upon the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2) make an appointment with the Lord. Let nothing interfere!

(3) Like the early church, we should give generously. They continued steadfastly in fellowship (Acts 2:42b). All good and perfect gifts come from God (Jas. 1:17). He has been very gracious toward us. When we ask for blessings, He does not send us curses (Mt. 7:7-11). Covetousness is idolatry (Col. 3:5). Idolaters shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone (Rev. 21:8). “God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).

(4) Like the early church, we should exhort continuously. “But exhorting one another…” (Heb. 10:25). Exhort because we love. The person who quits is in danger of damnation. Exhortation is the life-line to bring them back.

(5) Like the early church, we should pray fervently. “And they continued steadfastly . . . in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Prayer shows dependence upon God; therefore, prayer is the essence of the life in Christ.

(6) Like the early church, we should commemorate gratefully. “This do in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 11:24). The early church was steadfast in “breaking of bread” (Acts 2:42). They came together on the first day of the week for that purpose (Acts 20:7). One should be glad to come for worship (Psa. 122:1).

(7) Like the early church, we should sing scripturally. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

Yes, not attending speaks to my Lord, my brethren, my family, my neighbors. It says, “I don’t care like I ought.” Now is the time to make this spiritual change. A new year is upon us. Resolve to be His!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 3, p. 80
February 7, 1985