Truth Magazine

By Carol R. Lumpkin

Before leaving this earth to return to heaven, Jesus informed His disciples that the Holy Spirit would be sent to guide them in all truth. “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come (Jn. 16:13). What was contained in God’s marching order to the apostles, as well as to us today, has been fully, entirely, and completely revealed (Jude 3; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3).

Jesus said to His apostles, “All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:18-20). Jesus said, “Go and teach all nations.” What was to be taught is not stated in these verses.

Mark records this same commission the following way: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:15-16). Mark informs us that the “gospel” is that which is to be taught. Luke records, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Lk. 24:47).

When we add up what these three inspired writers said about “God’s marching order,” we have the following: (1) go, (2) teach, (3) all nations, (4) the gospel, (5) he that believeth, and (6) repents of sins and (7) is baptized, (8) is forgiven of sins.

Paul helps us with a better understanding of this, when he wrote: “Moreoever, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:1-4). Paul lists the facts of the gospel to be the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Christ. These facts must be believed before the alien sinner can obey the commands of the gospel. From Acts 18:8 we learn that the “Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.”

Paul adds additional light, when he wrote: “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6:17-18). When one obeys that form of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, he is made free from his past sins and becomes a servant of righteousness. Paul explains this “form of doctrine” earlier in this same chapter. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4).

Christ died for our sins (Rom. 5:8). The alien sinner dies to sin when he stops his sinning, which occurs at the point of repentance (Lk. 24:47). Christ was buried in a newly made tomb (Matt. 27:58-60). The alien sinner is buried in water for the remission of sins (Lk. 24:47; Acts 2: 38; Rom 6:4). Christ was raised up from the grave by the glory of the Father (Rom. 6:4; Acts 2:24). The alien sinner is raised from a burial in water as a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:5-6; Rom. 6:5-6, 18).

“God’s marching order” charged the apostles with the preaching of the gospel, God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16), to every nation. This was done beginning in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8; Acts 2), and was thereafter preached to every cr6ature (Col. 1:23).

When the same gospel of Christ is taught, believed and obeyed, we may rest assured that it will save today as it did then. “God’s marching order” remains unchanged and must be preached without alteration in any way (Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Jn. 9).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 18, p. 555
September 20, 1984

By Don Martin

The word “convict” or “conviction” as found in some translations of the New Testament is usually translated from two different words in the original. The original has the meaning of convicting in the sense of confuting or refuting something or someone for the purpose of putting it or them to shame (cf. Jn. 8:46, “convicteth,” ASV). This is one of the primary meanings of our English word “conviction.” Example: John Doe was convicted of a felony–he was refuted for the purpose of causing shame.

We (English) use the word “conviction” in another way: to be fully and firmly convinced or persuaded and, therefore steadfast in one’s stand. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly,” Peter commands, “that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). “Know assuredly” conveys the action of “conviction.” Currently, many in the world and some in the church view Christianity as a convictionless system. Such language as, “it does not matter what you believe,” “we should not speak of right and wrong,” “preacher, don’t preach on that – some don’t like it,” “we don’t believe in arguing religion,” and “just preach the man, not the plan” are all indicative of the absence of true conviction. However, the Scriptures abundantly and irrefutably advance the thought of conviction (Acts 2:42, 1 Cor. 15:58; 16:13; Eph. 5:10, 11; 6:14; Phil. 1:17; Col. 2:6; 1 Thess. 4:3; Jude 3; 2 Jn. 9-11). Let us now briefly examine some areas in which we urgently need conviction:

Holiness Of Life

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved,” Paul writes to the Corinthians, “let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1). We desperately need to be fully persuaded and take a consequent stand in the matter of modest apparel (1 Tim. 2:9); speech (Eph. 5:4; 4:29), and places we go for “recreation.” We need to shun “dancing” and social drinking (Gal. 5:19-21; Prov. 23:31, 32). We need more conviction in the kind of movies we see in theaters and on television, what we read, and the kind of “music” to which we listen!

Regarding The Faith

More and more, the philosophy of compromise which is in the world and denominationalism is being found among the people of God regarding strictness of doctrine (cf. Jude 3; Phil 1:17; Gal. 1:6-10; 2 Jn. 9-11). We need members who insist on truth being taught and followed. Members who will uphold the hands of faithful gospel preachers as they unashamedly declare the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). The “smooth-it-over” and “tone-it-down” demands are 6ecoring too common in too many “churches of Christ.” Brethren, such movements as “unity-in-diversity– are gaining more popularity than some realize basically because of the lack of needed conviction to decidedly stand for truth!

Conviction Concerning Marriage

Christians need conviction in the choosing of a proper mate to help them be faithful to God and to properly assist in the rearing of their children (cf. 1 Pet. 3:7). Parents need conviction in the matter of the disciplining of their children (Eph. 6:4). Wives ought to, out of conviction, stand opposed to the ungodly teachings of various women’s groups which would seek to pervert God’s teaching relative to the husband/wife relationship (Eph. 5:22-33). Moreover, we need more conviction regarding divorce and remarriage. Jesus taught that the only acceptable cause for one to divorce one’s mate and remarry another is adultery on the part of the put away mate (Matt. 5:32, 19:9). Increasingly, however, we are being inundated with false doctrines concerning divorce and remarriage which, I am persuaded, are being promulgated because of a lack of conviction on the errorist’s part to firmly stand for what the New Testament teaches.

In conclusion, compromise in doctrinal and moral matters is sinful and displeasing to the God whom we serve. Religious compromise and concession only result in more compromise. Hence, Paul emphatically wrote regarding false teachers: “To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Gal. 2:5). Brethren, we need more conviction! (Thanks be unto God for the convicted Christians and preachers we do have.)

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 18, p. 557
September 20, 1984

By Luther Bolenbarker

How would you finish this sentence? Before reading further, please complete the sentence. “To forgive is _______.”

Some of the well-known psychologists (people who make a study of people) suggest that about 90% of the people say, “To forgive is to forget.” Now if 90% of the people say this, then it must be true, Right? Not necessarily so! But is their answer really an accurate statement? It certainly should be.

When there has been a great hurt, such as a husband or wife forsaking one another for someone else, or perhaps we were fired unjustly from our job, or one whom we love deeply says or does something which cuts and wounds our feelings, can we say, “I’ll forgive and forget”? This is a very unrealistic concept of the human mind, but a necessary concept for the Christian mind (Luke 17:3,4).

“To forgive is not in my vocabulary” is the answer some would give. Their slogan is, “I don’t forget; I get even.” Thank goodness this attitude is not to be found in the Christian’s life (Rom. 12:17).

“To forgive is divine” another would respond. It should be and must be in the life of a Christian, but sometimes it is just a cliche and may be a way to avoid the issue.

“Offences will come,” said Jesus in Luke 17:1. So this tells me that none of us are beyond the possibility of making mistakes as we live as mortal men in a sinful world. Sometimes offences may not be sinful, just hurtful. In either case, there must be a willingness to forgive, and the other half of forgiveness must of necessity also include forgetting.

Not to forget is to hold a grudge which will lead to our seeking revenge. Sometimes this revenge is direct (openly confront, maybe even coming to blows) or indirect (ignore the offendee or sow discord among the brethren).

Forgiveness must not include tucking things away in a neat little package until something triggers them (don’t like their looks, clothes, they overlooked me, they didn’t speak to me, or whatever), then pulling out all our hostility, piece by piece. To “forgive” is that quality of life which ways, “That’s all right, it is as though it never happened, I forgive you.”

Let us close our study with Matthew 6:14,15 where Jesus told His disciples, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

“Forgiveness” is absolutely necessary if we want to go to heaven when we die!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 18, p. 561
September 20, 1984

By Jimmy Tuten

Recently a hurt and bewildered individual who is a Christian expressed the feeling of being rejected and avoided while attending church. This person had good reason to believe that she was being snubbed. But often when such matters are brought to the attention of fellow-Christians, the immediate response is “ridiculous,” or “she’s just a church baby.” But is “snubbing” really ridiculous? Can a Christian have the spirit of Christ while at the same time possessing neglect for the one who feels snubbed? I know that we are not immune to personality clashes, and some of us have to restrain our friendship under certain conditions. There are times when it might be expedient to withhold some expression of friendship as in the case of one who refuses to “bear his own burden” (Gal. 6:5) or if he “would not work” (2 Thess. 3:7-10). Even in the name of Christ one cannot encourage “church begging” or refusal to accept personal responsibility. But do we have to refuse to give off a lubricating warmth in violation of such commands as “let love be without dissimulation” (Rom. 12:9)? Under no condition is a chilly gaze of hostility justifiable conduct for a person who claims to be guided by the Lord’s golden rule (Matt. 22:39). When one withholds the common courtesy of friendly warmth, the end result is a snub! Check your dictionary, for it defines the word “snub” as to “behave coldly toward; slight or ignore.”

On the other hand, those who hang back and refuse to be part of the inner circle because they fear rejection must shoulder their part of the blame. Many times the very person who speaks of rebuff is the very one who comes into worship just as the services begin and leaves immediately afterward. Fear then becomes the basis of seclusion, not necessarily the lack of friendliness. One cannot be friendly with another when the recognition that friendship is a two-way street does not exist. Where one is not friendly, any indication (intended or otherwise) of coolness will be interpreted as rejection. Such is not necessarily an expression of a deliberate snub.

In this the Bible has a lesson for all of us. The faithful cannot ignore the weak conscience of a fellow-Christian (1 Thess. 5:14). The act of snubbing is a stumbling block (Matt. 18:6). Instead of casting stumbling blocks in the paths of others, we should “support the weak, be patient toward all men” (1 Thess. 5:14). “Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this matter, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way” (Rom. 14:13). The one who feels snubbed may indeed be in the wrong, but we who profess to be strong should bear them up.

On the other hand, what is the reaction of one who is snubbed? Hurt, anger, or revenge? Do you run off looking for a “friendly church”? No doubt there is often a basis for feeling snubbed. But should one try to get even? The New Testament says: “avenge not ourselves. . . I will repay saith the Lord” (Rom. 12:9). Look at our Lord: He was snubbed by the most influential of His day, and yet He had compassion for them (Matt. 23:37). Let us have this mind in us (Phil. 2). Do not seek revenge, but rather let the Lord deliver you from your enemies (if you have any, Psa. 18:47). To reward “snubbing” with understanding is a practical way to live out New Testament Christianity in the Christian life.

A Hindu woman was once converted to Christianity and suffered a great deal at the hands of her husband who was not a Christian. Someone asked her, “When your husband is angry and persecutes you, what do you do?” She replied, “Well, sir, I just cook his food a little better. When he complains, I sweep the floor cleaner. When he speaks harshly, I answer him mildly. I try to show in every way possible that when I became a Christian, I became a better wife and mother.” Who would deny that this woman’s husband was not touched by her practical teaching?

Let me make a practical suggestion. When someone snubs you next time, ask yourself if you are snubbing that person. Do not wait for people to talk to you. Go talk to them! Most people are responsive and eager to carry on a conversation. They will thus include you in their circle of friendship, Most people would not think of giving you the slightest hint of a snub, for most of the followers of Christ are unexpectedly interested in you. But you will have to be a friend to have friends. This realization should make those who appear cold and indifferent accessible to you. The next time you are snubbed, try loving the one who snubs you a little more and let the Lord avenge the wrong. There is only one reason why your enemy cannot become your friend–you!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 18, p. 551
September 20, 1984