Truth Magazine

By Donald Townsley

It is a well-known fact that a generation of people often inherit the good deeds and mistakes of a previous generation. This being true, each generation needs to be keenly aware of its responsibility. This is also true in the church. What the church tomorrow will be and accomplish depends, to a great degree, upon what we do and teach in this generation. Brethren, we all need to realize that just because we are sound in the faith is no guarantee that our children will be! If we fail to teach properly in our generation, our children may forsake the Lord!

My generation in the church inherited all the failures to properly teach concerning the mission of the church and the church working through human organizations. As a result of this failure to teach, a great percentage of the church has gone into digression. For over twenty-five years now, many of us have fought the tide of digression on the one hand, and on the other hand we have had to work hard to convert people to Christ that the church might continue to grow and reach the world with the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord has been with us and our number has increased. For the last ten years, however, materialism, division, worldliness, the false doctrine of Calvinism, ignorance and indifference has brought us to zero-growth in many places.

What does the future hold for churches of Christ that are striving to preach the gospel without addition or subtraction -churches that are striving to follow the New Testament pattern in all things? That future depends upon the kind of teaching we are now giving our children. If we take too much for granted and fail to teach and warn, the churches we have worked so hard to build may be lost to digression in the next generation! We must solve our problems and reverse the trends that we have allowed to come in our ranks in many places if we are to leave sound, growing congregations for the next generation.

Israel, in the days of Joshua, is a good example of this kind of failure. Judges 2:10 says, “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. ” After Joshua died and those who outlived him died (Judg. 2:7), “There arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.” We wonder how this could be The answer is that the succeeding generation had failed to teach. The next question on our minds is, “Who was responsible for teaching them?” The Bible reveals that the priests bore part of the responsibility. They were to read the law to the people every seven years (Deut. 31:9-13). This would mean that a boy of seven would hear the law again at 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, etc. It is hard to conceive of these people being ignorant of God’s law if this had been done. The elders of the people should have demanded that the law be read and observed as God commanded (Num. 11:16-17). The parents were to teach their children at home (Deut. 4:9,10; 6:7-12). A failure on the part of parents would produce ignorance. The people themselves should have desired that the Law of God be read. All these had failed in their responsibilities. As a result, Israel was ignorant of God’s ways (Judg. 2:10). They copied the gods of those round about them (Judg. 2:16-17), and did that which was right in their own eyes (Judg. 17:6; 21:25). They forsook the God who had saved them (Judg. 2:13), being unappreciative of His mercy. They did that which was evil in God’s sight and caused His wrath to be upon them (Judg. 2:11,14).

Who has the responsibility, under the authority of Christ, to teach in our generation? Preachers and teachers of the Word have responsibility. They are to be loyal to God and are not to be men-pleasers (Acts 20.26-27; Gal. 1:10). They have a responsibility to warn about departures from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1-6). They are to preach the word “in season ” and “out of season ” (2 Tim. 4:2). Elders of the church are watchmen – they are to teach and to warn (Acts 20:28-31). Woe to the shepherds in Israel who fail in their duty to teach and to warn! Parents must teach their children the word of God and warn them about departures from the faith (Eph. 6:14). Christians as a whole should demand that the truth be taught. They should shun evil and all that might bring apostasy.

Brethren, if we fail to properly teach and warn, the next generation will have to drink from the same bitter cup of sorrow that we have had to drink from in our generation! My hope and prayer is that the little boys and girls who are all around me when the saints assemble to worship will never have to know the sorrow and see the bitterness I have seen and known in Israel in my generation! I have seen churches divide, families divide, friendships broken, and sinners confused because of an untaught generation!

What’ll the church be in the next generation? Much of what it will be is in our hands today! If preachers, teachers, elders, and parents will fulfill their responsibility today, the church will be sound tomorrow!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 22, p. 681
November 15, 1984

By Larry Ray Hafley

The religious world thrives and derives its life from diversity-the plurality of creeds, doctrines, ceremonies and organizations is the blood that sanctifies the soul of denominationalism. It is presumed and assumed that all of the various varieties of church polity and policy are approved of God. Thus, spiritual governments and institutions continue to “abound yet more and more.” But are these innumerable ecclesiastical structures pleasing to God?

Jesus spoke of “the kingdom of heaven” and of “my church” (Matt. 4:17; 16:18). He mentioned “the gospel,” “the word of the kingdom.” He said, “I am the true vine.” “I am the door of the sheep.” “I am the good shepherd.” “There shall be one fold and one shepherd. ” “I am the way, the truth, and the life. ” And who can ever forget the singular emphasis of Matthew 7:13,14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it”? The Lord earnestly and ardently condemned human doctrines and “the commandments of men,” and said, “Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up” (Matt. 15:8,9,13). Does this imply that all the assorted plants in the garden of denominationalism are of God?

The New Testament speaks of “the faith,” “the way of truth,” “the gospel,” “the doctrine of the Lord.” It says Christ is the head of the church, “which is his body,” and there is “but one body” (1 Cor. 12:20; Eph. 1:22,23; 4:4). There are no references to separate and distinct religious organizations, except to reprove and rebuke them (1 Cor. 1:10-16; 3 Jn. 9; Acts 20:28-32; 2 Pet. 2:1,2). The emphasis of the Bible is oneness (Eph. 4:4-6). The singular thrust of scores of Scriptures refutes the plurality of modern day denominationalism.

But Consider The Reverse

Just suppose that the New Testament spoke of different gospels, doctrines, churches, ways of truth, and faiths of Christ. Imagine a passage which says,

“There are many bodies and many Spirits, even as ye are called in many hopes of your callings; many Lords, many faiths, many baptisms, many Gods and Fathers of us all who are above all and through all and in you all” (cf. Eph. 4:4-6).

If such a passage were in the Bible, what would you say if someone said, “I know it says that, but I believe we are limited to one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father” (Eph. 4:4-6)? Obviously, if the word of God directly specified a plurality of acceptable doctrines and churches, we could not contend for a single one alone. But the Bible does not so state! It says, “One.” Therefore, . . . well, you see the point, do you not?

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 22, p. 687
November 15, 1984

By Don R Hastings

The word “self-control” is translated from a Greek word which literally means, “one who holds himself in.” It is a better rendering than “temperance,” since today the word “temperance” is usually limited in the meaning to one form of self-control, i.e., abstaining from alcohol. Self-control is the bringing of all our appetites, desires and passions into harmony with the will of God. It is self-restraint, self-discipline. The ability to restrain ourself. What if the diabetic did not control his appetite for sweets, or if the person with high blood pressure did not control his intake of salt, or if the person who needs to study for a test let his mind wander off, etc.? We all know there are consequences to be suffered when we do not maintain self-control. Self-control is mastering the whole person. This may be the hardest task each of us has (Matt. 16:24).

There is a great need for self-control since the powers bestowed upon man by God are capable of abuse and are often abused (2 Tim. 3:1-4; Acts 24:25). The philosophy of “doing your own thing” is opposed to the exercising of self-control. Let us notice some areas in which self-control is especially needed and some of the sins often committed when we fail to exercise self control. We all fail, at times, to exercise self-control. Divine requirements of self control are:

Control Of The Body (1 Cor. 9:24-27)

God intended our bodies to be our servants, not our masters; hence, we must control our bodies with all of their appetites if we are to grow to spiritual maturity (Rom. 6:12,13; 8:13; Col. 3:5; Gal. 5:24). We are to glorify God in our bodies (1 Cor. 6:20).

Hunger is a very strong desire of man but, if not properly controlled, man may become a glutton. We can become compulsive eaters (Prov. 25:16). We can become lazy and sleep too much. Of course, a certain amount of sleep is necessary for a healthy body, but we are talking of the person who falls into a lazy way of life and sleeps most of his life away (Pro. 26:14,15; 6:9-11).

God has given us certain sexual desires, which are just as pure as the desire for food when properly controlled (Heb. 13:4; Gen. 39:9). A failure to exercise self-control here often results in the sins of adultery, fornication, and lasciviousness (1 Cor. 6:9,10). Lasciviousness is “absence of restraint, indecency, wantonness … the prominent idea is shameless conduct.” (Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words, W.E. Vine). Lasciviousness is defined by Webster as, “tending to excite lustful desires.” Lasciviousness is the opposite of self-control and is a work of the flesh (Gal. 5:19).

Control of Temper, Mind And Thoughts (Prov. 16:32; Eph. 4:32,32; Jas. 1:19,20; Mt. 12:34,35;

Mk. 7:21-23; 2 Cor. 10:5)

When you lose your temper with others, you have lost self-control at the moment. We are, also, to be in control of our mind and thoughts. We are taught to think of things divine (Phil 4:8; Col. 3:2). Proverbs 23:7 shows why right thinking is so important, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he . . .”

Control Of Our Desire For Money (1 Tim. 6:9,10; Heb. 13:5; 2 Tim. 3:2)

The word of God does not condemn man for having a desire for money if it is regulated by another desire – the good he can do with his wealth (1 Tim. 5:8; Eph. 4:28). The reason it is so difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven is that he puts his trust in the uncertainty of riches rather than in the living God (1 Tim. 6:17). The control we are to have of ourselves includes the control of covetousness, which is idolatry (Eph. 5:3-5). Covetousness is the love of money out of control. Jesus admonishes us to take heed and beware of covetousness, for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth (Lk. 12:15).

Control Of Our Tongue (Jas. 1:26; Psa. 39:1; Jas. 3:2,8)

We should not swear or speak words of contempt (Jas. 3:9, 10; Mt. 5:22). We should not listen to or tell filthy jokes (Eph. 4:29; 5:4). We should not gossip (1 Thess. 4:11,12; 1 Pet. 4:15). We must not lie (Rev. 21:8; Prov. 6:16-19). We must not teach false doctrine (Jas. 3:1). When our emotions begin to build, we should realize that we are in grave danger of losing our self-control!

How Can The Christian Exercise Self-Control?

(1) Abstaining From Every Form Of Evil (1 Thess. 5.12). Some think that if you sin in moderation it is okay (for example, a little drinking, a little shoplifting, a little lie, a little swearing, etc.).Such thinking is wrong!

(2) Abstaining From That Which Is Lawful If It Causes Others to Stumble. (1 Cor. 10:23, 24, 31, 32; 8:13).

(3) Being Moderate In Those Things That Are Lawful. Fishing, boating, camping, ball games, Atari, etc., are not wrong unless we are spending so much time pursuing these pleasures that our duties to God and family are neglected (2 Tim. 3:4). Proverbs 25:16 shows the importance of not overindulging in things allowable, “Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.” Honey is a good thing, but we can have too much of a good thing.

We do not possess self-control when we are bound by a habit (1 Cor. 6:12). Do not be one who must have that first cup of coffee in the morning before you can talk to anyone decently. We could cite many habits people form, but the point is not to lose the ability to control any situation.

Self-Control Is A Personal Responsibility

We may teach others the necessity of practicing self-control and show the advantages of so doing, but the practice must be left to the individual. God furnishes the means and the incentives, but the fight is with the individual. Self-control is necessary in the development of the Christian to manhood and womanhood, to maturity. The lack of self-control is the primary reason many a promising Christian never amounts to much!

We cannot practice pure religion without self-control (Jas. 1:27). The most expensive and most luxurious automobile would be worthless without a means of controlling it. A ship would be useless without a means of controlling it. How awful the tragedy when a ship, out of control, hit the Skyway Bridge in Florida and vehicles on the bridge became as toys dropping into the water. Many people plunged to their deaths. Such may illustrate, to some extent, how men and women who do not use the power of self-control, soon prove themselves unfit for places of usefulness and honor in the church.

Self-control is something you can do. God does not require the impossible. Knowledge, which is not accompanied by self-control, is worthless. We may know that something is wrong, and may wish not to do it, but do it anyway. This proves that we have failed to possess the “fruit” of self-control (Gal. 5:23).

We need to discipline ourselves to the point that we do that which we know is right in the sight of God. Too many worry about what people think instead of what God thinks! Self-control is essential to our salvation. We should remember always that we are going to give an account for the deeds we have done (2 Cor. 5: 10). Those of us who belong to Christ “have crucified the flesh with the passions and lusts thereof” (Gal. 5:24). You can possess the self-control that will make you fit, useful, and a great asset to the Lord’s church.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 22, pp. 684-685
November 15, 1984

By Dennis L. Freeman

If you will ask the above question with the same voice inflection that is used by the 82-year-old woman who advertises for Wendy’s all “beef” hamburgers, you may have more fun with it. This question came to my mind while giving consideration to an incident in the life of Jesus related to us in John 8:1-11 concerning the woman caught in adultery.

I have heard some say that Jesus dismissed and “forgave” her, thus showing the Lord’s tendency to “overlook sin” due to His benevolent grace. What such people are implying is that the Lord does not “condemn” anyone today living in an adulterous relationship (a relationship where one or both parties has never been freed from his former mate, yet have remarried-Mt. 5:32; 19:9), He simply “forgives” it on the grounds that they “sin no more” (Jn. 8:11), or in their words, that they have no other such affairs in the future-the one they are living in is perfectly acceptable in the eyes of the Lord. That kind of reasoning and teaching puts words in the mouth of the Savior and makes Him say something that He was in no way implying in John 8:11. Let’s look at the account.

And early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. And the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman; what then do you say?” And they were saying this, testing Him, in order that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. ” And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And when they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she had been, in the midst. And straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” And she said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on sin no more.”

Verse 3 tells us they brought the woman to Him. But I must ask again, “Where’s the man?” These religious leaders (scribes, Pharisees, “hypocrites”) had “caught her in the very act.” It doesn’t take a mental giant to realize that if the woman is caught in the act, then so is the man! But, where’s the man? The discerning Bible student will also see that this woman was “set in the midst,” that is to say, in full view of all. This was a totally unnecessary and deliberately cruel act in their attempt to carry out “justice.” She should have been contained in chambers somewhere to await a fair trial. It was furthermore stated that “the Law of Moses commanded us to stone such a woman.” Actually, the Law of Moses commanded the death penalty for both parties involved (Lev. 20: 10; Deut. 22:22). Still, the man is noticeably absent from the scene. Verse 6 tells it like it is and reveals the true purpose for this charade. The whole situation was engineered to “tempt” or “test” Jesus-to put Him on the spot and discredit Him. But Jesus, undoubtedly aware of this, was probably asking Himself the question, “Where’s the man?” Could it just be that provision was made for his escape in that he was a part of this plot to discredit the Master? Maybe he was one of the very men standing by accusing this woman. Or maybe he was at home waiting to hear the outcome of their terrible scheme. Wherever he was, his absence shows us the true character and purpose of these religious hypocrites-to prove Jesus – wrong and themselves right at any cost.

The “testing” was in the fact that had Jesus said, “stone her,” He would have been acting as judge and jury, usurping authority over both the Jewish law of the right to fair trial (Deut. 19:15-19; Jn. 7:51) and the right of the Roman government to inflict punishment (Luke 23:1, 15; Rom. 13:14). Had He said, “you cannot stone her,” He would have negated the death penalty for this act altogether, thus being open to further attack for ignoring the Old Testament Law. The Lord’s wisdom, however, enabled Him to take care of all parties involved in this odious situation. In verse 7, Jesus gets to the root of the problem. “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” But, what is the sin? Some would say that Jesus is teaching that no one has the right to judge another person (especially another’s marriage relationship) because we all have committed sins in a general way. This writer thinks the “sin” in its context here is more narrowly defined than that, having precise application to these “accusers.” Their sin was that of trying to have this woman killed on the spot (a right they did not have) and, more devastatingly, their sin was in trying to discredit the Son of God Himself so as to lead the people away from Him and toward their own perverted way of thinking. What a coldly calculated and hypocritical plan!

One by one, they all withdrew, being convinced that Jesus was aware of their thoughts, their attitude of heart, and their foul plot to hurt Him. “Did no one condemn you?” Jesus then asked the woman. That is to say, “Were all these evil-minded people not willing to commit further sin by stoning you without a trial just to hurt me?” “Neither do I condemn you,” He adds. That is, “I am certainly not going to act in such a manner myself!” And then follows the verse that troubles some today: “Go and sin no more. ” The NASB renders this “From now on sin no more. ” Literally in the Greek it reads “From now (on) no longer sin.” That is, discontinue this life of sin in which you have been engaged. Stop your sinful habit. Make a clean break with your sinful habit. Amend your life from this point on! The simple statement of Jesus is a command to repent and to reform her life. It is a command to change her will and to restore her life to the condition it was

in before she began her adulterous relationships. Jesus says nothing about forgiveness because the divine Text says nothing to imply repentance (or even faith!) on the woman’s part. There is absolutely nothing here to imply Jesus’ overlooking this sin which could lead one to think He would ignore and forgive a sinful “marriage” relationship today that is not repented of and where lives are not restored to that purity that existed before the sinful habit took place. Such thoughts are read into the text and forcibly array this passage against other New Testament principles of repentance (and marriage, divorce and remarriage).

Those who promote the idea that God’s grace overlooks unrepented sins are “mistaken, not understanding the scriptures, nor the power of God.” This is true in many instances for the same reason that it was true concerning the Jews of Jesus’ day they were reading the Bible for confirmation rather than for information! To such watered-down, prejudicial thinking we surely need to ask the profound question: “Where’s the beef?”

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 22, pp. 688-689
November 15, 1984