Truth Magazine

By O.C. Birdwell, Jr.

On the next page in this magazine on the “Letters” page there is printed a response to my article “How To, in Administering Church Discipline” (Vol. XXVIII, wish to No. 19). I read the letter before its publication and make a few observations concerning the letter and my article.

I welcome constructive criticism, and stand ready to make correction anytime I have misused Scripture or have contrary New Testament teaching. On the other hand, I do not delight in being accused of misapplying Scripture in order to make a point. Especially is this so when such is clearly not the truth. I am accused of misapplying Acts 9:26. I am charged as follows: “He implies that the decision to be ‘joined’ to a church rests solely in the will Of the individual seeking membership.” I did not imply any such thing. Here is what I wrote. “The local church may accept, or reject, such a person. The account in Acts 9 shows both actions.” Does that sound like I taught that membership rests solely in the will of the individual seeking membership”?

I believe, and taught, that either can terminate the member ship without agreement from the other party. In the I which disagrees with my article, disappointment is expressed that “voluntary rescission of membership” was not discussed in the special issue. Concerning this question I forthrightly state that I believe anyone can, of his own free will, sever his relationship with a church. I do not have to have the church’s permission before I can have my membership from that church. Rescission of membership may be honorably or dishonorably done, but in either case, it may be done! I want no part with any group, in any fashion, anywhere, from whom I cannot separate myself if I so desire. I simply reject on its face, and also as being false and dangerous, the doctrine of “you cannot leave until or unless we say you may leave. ” How in the world is this kind of teaching “hamstringing churches in their efforts to those who have erred and have even caused divisions in some places”? Do you want these people, unrepented, in your fellowship? If one leaves, goes into worldliness, into denominationalism, or denies the faith, what are you going to do to him? You say “discipline him,” but I again ask what are you going to do to him? Are you going to have an inquisition and burn him at the stake? If he says, “I am sick of you people, stay away from me” (this has been said) what are you going to do? Refuse to have fellowship with him? This is foolishness. There is no fellowship to withdraw. He wants nothing to do with you, and is saying “stay out of my sight.” One was recently overheard to say, “I have difficulty withdrawing fellowship from someone with who I have no fellowship.”

Good brethren, let me tell you something. If anything is “hamstringing churches” relative to this subject, it is the teaching and practice of “discipline” that has no basis in Scripture.

Concerning those who leave a congregation, I wrote the following: “Should there be those who ask to be no longer a part of the congregation, make a public congregation announcement to that effect. If they go back to the world or into denominationalism, let everyone do all within their power to teach and convert the sinner from the error of his way (James 5:19). If they go to a faithful church, bid the God’s speed, and wish them well.” Thus, when one leaves and goes into sin, brethren are so informed and understand that he is no longer a part of the congregation. Such an announcement serves every purpose which the Bible demands and probably is all that brother Asher practices he “withdraws” from those who have quit attending. Effort is made to convert the lost brother (this is discipline.) This is what I said in my article. What else does Scripture teach must be done? Please, my friend, cite me the book, and verse.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 23, p. 726
December 6, 1984

By Raymond Harris

According to a recent article, since the 17th century about 120 forms of birds have become extinct. Another 500 are said to be critically threatened. Additionally, various groups have formed to save seals, whales, the square-lipped rhinoceros of Africa, the monkey-eating eagle of the Philippines . . . and on and on.

Now, within reason, I have no quarrel with environmentalists-but it seems we have much more pressing problems that could have a much greater effect upon world conditions. I marvel when some get so excited about protecting the snail-darter and the mating ground of some diminishing species of moth and have so little concern for the current deterioration of the home – the human mating ground.

It seems that we humans need to become concerned about our environment and our own ecology. We are told that, in America, a minimum of 100,000 children are physically abused each year. Recently I read that 2,000,000 American couples have used lethal weapons on each other during their marriage. The same article noted that 20% of all police officers killed in the line of duty were killed while answering calls involving family conflict. And, it is now confirmed that, on the average, 13 teenagers kill themselves every day in this country.

And the statistics go on: (1) Fifteen million wives are “battered” by their husbands each year; (2) since 1973 there have been over 15,000,000 (yes, that’s 15 million) abortions; (3) it is reported that in 1982 there were more abortions than births in this country; (4) 38% of all first time marriages fail, and (5) the overall divorce rate is 50%.

Never in our history has our nation faced such dangerous and trying times.

Again, I say, I have no quarrel with nature lovers who want to protect all of God’s creatures. And, I have no quarrel with those who are very, very concerned about nuclear catastrophe.

However, if the current rate of self-destruction continues in American homes, hospitals, highways, and courts, there will be little, if any thing, here if and when the bombs fall.

If we are to save ourselves and our environment, we must turn back to God!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 23, p. 715
December 6, 1984

By Titus C. Edwards

“A farmer posted a ‘no trespassing’ sign to keep the neighborhood boys from crossing his property. One embittered lad vowed he would get even. One night he stole onto the farm with a sack of Johnson Grass seed and sowed it generously in every field. (Johnson Grass spreads rapidly and is a weed that is almost impossible to destroy.) A few years later the boy married the farmer’s only daughter. In a short time the old man died, and the boy inherited the farm. He spent the rest of his life fighting Johnson Grass.” -Anonymous

I really believe that if we would concentrate on the consequences of our actions, instead of the possible pleasure to be derived from them, it would be very easy to say “no” to temptation. We normally try to block out the consequences of sin while we contemplate committing it. We somehow talk ourselves into believing that maybe it really is not as bad a we have heard or thought before. We convince ourselves that we are different. We can handle it better than others and there will be no problems associated with it. How foolish we are!

We need to learn the valuable lesson well illustrated in the story above. Sin has its consequences! Our sins may well come back to haunt us. The most important consequence of sin is that it separates us from God and will cause us to be lost (Isa. 59:2; Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 6:23). Thankfully our sins will be forgiven as we meet God’s conditions of salvation.

But recognize that some things you do might have consequences associated with them that you have to live with, whether forgiven or not! Mom struck the rock and was not allowed to enter the promised land. I am sure he asked for and received God’s forgiveness for that, but he still had to bear the consequence of that sin. David committed adultery with Bathsheba. I am sure he begged God’s forgiveness for such and will be in heaven, but the child still died and tragedy followed his family just as Nathan said. He had to live with the consequences of his actions!

You can be forgiven of fornication, but you still may have to deal with a child born into this world out of wedlock! You can be forgiven of stealing or vandalism, etc., but may have to serve a prison sentence! You can be forgiven for using drugs or drinking, but you cannot change ruining your mind and body by such, nor bring back the person you killed by drunken driving! (Stories about such could be multiplied, like the 16-year-old boy who was driving while intoxicated, had a wreck and killed his best friend”something you have to live with the rest of your life.”)

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Gal. 6:7-8). “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. . .” (Hos. 8.7). “Who will render to every man according to his deeds” (Rom. 2:6). “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23).

Look up and ahead. Do not be blinded by sin. Think of the consequences of your actions and say no to sin!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 23, p. 712
December 6, 1984

By Mike Willis

That America is faced with a misunderstanding regarding the nature and consequences of sin is an understatement. Christians need to guard themselves against becoming a victim to society’s definition of sin lest sin be minimized in their eyes. What better source to learn a biblical doctrine of sin can be found than the opening chapters of Genesis?

The record of the beginning of sin is related in Genesis 2-3. Most of us can recite the story from memory. After God created Adam and Eve, He placed them in the Garden of Eden to dress and keep it (Gen. 2:15). He commanded them, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Gen. 2:16-17). Sometime later, the devil appeared to Eve in the form of a serpent, deceived her and persuaded her to eat of the forbidden fruit. She persuaded Adam to eat of the fruit. God appeared to them in the Garden, pronounced the curses upon Adam and Eve, and excluded them from the Garden and access to the tree of life.

From this account in Genesis, we can learn many lessons. Please consider the following:

What Is Sin?

We can learn what sin is from the Genesis account. Society has lost any meaningful understanding of sin.(1) Some explain sin as being (1) a violation of society’s code of ethics, (2) a violation of one’s personal code of ethics, or (3) a violation of rules taught to him by his parents. However, sin is none of these. Sin is the violation of the word of God. John wrote, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (1 Jn. 3:4). (The violation of conscience is sin [Rom. 14:23; Jas. 4:17] because it violates God’s word which demands the maintaining of a pure conscience.)

As the first two created beings, Adam and Eve were not influenced by society to believe that eating a particular fruit was wrong. Their parents had not pounded these ideas into their heads. Rather, their disobedience was considered a sin simply because they violated what God said.

I cannot see anything wrong with eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It would seem that to eat that fruit would be no different from eating any other fruit, such as an apple or an orange. What made the eating of one right and the eating of the other wrong was that God said, “Thou shalt not. . . .” Sin is the violation of God’s law!

The Cause of Sin

Even as modern man has lost sight of the definition of sin, he has also lost sight of its causes. We are told that sin is caused by the following:

1. Environment. B.F. Skinner, renowned psychologist, wrote, “We shall not solve the problems of alcoholism and juvenile delinquency by increasing a sense of responsibility. It is the environment which is ‘responsible’ for the objectionable behavior, and it is the environment, not some attribute of the individual, which must be changed” (Beyond Freedom and Dignity, p. 122). This concept has influenced many social programs in our country. Billions of dollars of federal money have been poured into ghetto areas to change the environment in the hopes of helping mankind. A couple of decades later, these projects look as bad as they did before money was poured into them. Changing the environment did not change the sinners.

What was wrong with Adam and Eve’s environment which might have caused their sin? They lived in Paradise. Every physical, emotional, and social need was provided for by God. Yet, they sinned. Environment neither caused nor prevented their sin!

2. Education. Some think that sin is caused by a poor education. A man with a fifth grade education, who reads poorly, commits a crime in some ghetto section of the city. Court appointed attorneys have argued that his poor education contributed to his poverty and forced him to steal. If we could but educate these people, thus enabling them to earn a better living, they would not steal. Hence, those in prison can receive a college education at state expense, as a means of preventing recurrence of crime. Has this worked? The man who robbed a liquor store of $200 with a gun is now able to rob a bank of $200,000 with a computer!

Was a lack of education the cause of Adam and Eve’s sin? Did Adam and Eve sin against God because they did not know better? The biblical account demonstrates that both Adam and Eve were aware and understood God’s law. Eve repeated God’s law to Stan when he tempted her (Gen. 3:2). Hence, sin was not caused by a poor education.

3. Heredity. Others have argued that sin occurs because man inherited a sinful nature. The Westminster Confession of Faith states that man inherited a sinful nature from Adam and then adds, “From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions” (Chap. VI, No. 4). This does not explain Adam and Eve’s sin. They were children of God (Lk. 3:38). Did they inherit a corrupt nature from God? Even the Calvinists state that Adam and Eve did not have a corrupt nature. Hence, one is not a sinner because of inheritance.

What is the cause of sin? The cause of sin is man’s willful choice to disobey God. Man has been created with free will, the ability to choose to do good or evil. Sin occurs because and when man, of his own volition, chooses to violate and transgress one of God’s commandments.

What Are The Consequences Of Sin?

God told the consequences of sin when He said . for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shall surely die” (Gen. 2:17). That physical death is not intended should be apparent from the fact that Adam and Eve did not die in the day that they ate of the fruit.(2) The death which was intended by the original statement did occur in the day that they ate of the fruit; it was spiritual death. H.C. Leupold wrote:

In this instance the expression beyom, “in the day,” is to be taken very literally and not in the sense “at the time,” a meaning that would not fit here. For the thought actually to be expressed is the instantaneous occurrence of the penalty threatened, which is also again expressed in part by the imperfect with absolute infinitive, “dying thou shalt die””certainly die.” This at once raises the question, “Why was this penalty not carried out as threatened?” We answer: “It was, if the biblical concept of dying is kept in mind, as it unfolds itself ever more clearly from age to age.” Dying is separation from God. That separation occurred the very moment when man by his disobedience broke the bond of love. If physical death ultimately closes the experience, that is not the more serious aspect of the whole affair (p. 128).

That spiritual death is intended by the statement in Genesis 2:17 is confirmed by Paul’s discussion in Romans 5:12-21. Hence, the consequences of sin is death (Rom. 6:23)-separation from God.

The text in Genesis is relevant to some of the modem discussions regarding what happens when a Christian sins. Consider these circumstances: (1) Adam and Eve were children of God by creation (Lk. 3:38) and in spiritual communion with God; (2) The one act of disobedience brought spiritual death; (3) The same consequence for sin came upon Eve, who sinned through the devil deceiving her (1 Tim. 2:14), as came upon Adam who sinned high-handedly.

Some become alarmed when someone intimates that “one sin separates a person from God.” God said, “. . . for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” The Lord said that the punishment for sin is “death.” What is “death”? The primary meaning of the word death is “separation.”(3) “. . .For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die (i.e., be separated from God).”

When would this separation occur? Is separation from God so ambiguous that one cannot tell when it occurs? Apparently not! God said, “. . . in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die (i.e. be separated from God).” If someone quibbles that a person is not separated from God the instant that he sins, surely he will not quibble with the language of the Scripture” in the day.”(4) If it is more acceptable to use this word than “instant,” I am willing to start using it. “In the day that a Christian sins he will surely die.”

Conclusion

We must be careful not to become influenced by the thoughts of our day which minimize the seriousness of sin. Sin is an act of transgression of God’s law. It was so serious that only the death of God in the flesh could atone for it. It occurs when man of his own volition chooses to disobey God. Its consequence is separation from God, spiritual death.

The grace of God has provided a means by which sinful man can be reconciled to God. Jesus gave His precious blood on Calvary in order that forgiveness of sins could be provided for man, while yet maintaining the justice of God. In order to have an adequate appreciation for the the gift of God’s grace, we must understand the seriousness of the problem of sin.

Endnotes

1. Julian Huxley wrote, “Sin and the sense of sin will always be with us, to torture and weigh down; but, as I have said elsewhere in this book, the religion of the future will try to prevent man’s being afflicted with the sense of sin, rather than encourage it and then attempt to cure it” (Religion Without Revelation, p. 146). The success of the movement to do away with sin cannot be denied. Things which were formerly considered sinful are now considered a sickness.

2. The attempts to limit the death to physical death have resulted in a number of interpretations of Genesis 2:17, including the following: (a) “The threat was not fulfilled ” (John Skinner, International Critical Commentary, p. 67); (b) man began to die (became mortal) when he ate of the fruit (Keil and Delitzsch, p. 105; Thomas Whitelow, Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 1, p. 46).

3. The word “death” is used in a number of senses in the Scriptures but in each of them, the idea of separation prevails. When a person dies physically, his spirit is separated from his body; when a person dies to sin (Rom. 6:2), he separates himself from sin; when a person enters hell, the second death, he is eternally separated from God. Hence, the meaning of “death” must be understood as “to be separated from God.”

4. The Hebrew construction is such that it means “the day of” or “the time of” (see Brown, Driver, and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, p. 400). H.C. Leupold used “instantaneous occurrence” and “the very moment” to describe when sin separates from God (op. cit.).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 23, pp. 706, 728-729
December 6, 1984