Truth Magazine

By Johnie Edwards

A barrier is an obstacle that in some way restricts. A barrier may be installed on a highway to deter traffic from a place that workmen want to keep out traffic. There are some things that will definitely keep folks out of heaven. It is written about heaven, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27).

Pride Is A Barrier To Heaven

Sometimes pride keeps folks from seeking after God. The Psalmist said, “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts” (Psa. 10:4). Those filled with pride will just not humble themselves enough to seek after God and retain God in their thoughts. Pride fills the heart in such a way that one is deceived into thinking that he is just too high to fall. God’s people in the Old Testament had his problem. “The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high: That saith in his heart, who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord” (Obad. 3-4). If you want to gear up for a good fall, just be filled with pride. Solomon said, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). Pride allowed to have its way in your life will serve as a barrier to heaven.

Lack Of Bible Knowledge

You cannot obey that which you do not know! Not knowing has always been a problem among the people of God. Isaiah said of Israel, “The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider” (Isa. 1:3). Hosea attributed a lack of knowledge to the destruction of God’s chosen people in Old Testament days. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shall be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (Hos. 4:6). If we don’t know, we can’t do, and if we fail to do, we will not be able to enjoy heaven. Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).

You see, “being ignorant of God’s righteousness” causes people to go “about to establish their own righteousness” and consequently will “not submit themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:3). In light of these truths, all of us need to get to studying the Word of God, even to overflowing with truth, that we might know to do ourselves and teach others. We need a revival of Bible study and we must get back to Bible study if we expect to go to heaven when we die! It’s that simple.

Loving The Praise Of Men More Than Of God

Most people have an ego problem. Men are tempted to please those who fill their ego with that they like to hear. All of us like to receive praise from others for a job well done. Perhaps there is not enough appreciation shown for those who work hard and get the job done! But we all must be careful lest we become so hungry for some praise that we let that praise become a barrier to heaven. I recall visiting a sick man in a hospital and asking if there was anything that I could do for him. He responded, “What about a few kind words?” The desire to be heard of men led some in the days of Jesus to “sound a trumpet” before they prayed “in the streets, that they may have glory of men” (Matt. 6:2). It is said of the chief rulers that “many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43).

Loving the praise of men more than the praise of God, sometimes keeps elders from doing their job as elders and keeps preachers and teachers from laying it on the line like it ought to be. Lest the desire to please men become a barrier to heaven, we need to develop the attitude expressed by Paul when he said, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10).

Worldliness Is A Barrier To Heaven

There is a vast difference in God loving the world (Jn. 3:16) and our being in love with the world. John said, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 Jn. 2:15-16). Worldly lust and pride that is allowed to dictate to us, rather than be governed by the word of God, will keep us out of heaven. Somebody is quick to say, “We live in the world and cannot keep from being a part of it.” This is so, but it is like the situation with a ship. The ship is in the water but when water begins to get into the ship, there will be problems!

Worldliness gets into church members and they begin to miss the services of the church, they often will drink socially, re-arrange their priorities to be less concerned about the things which once were spiritually important to them. Then, pretty soon, they are of no real value to the Lord and the church; if this continues, the worldiness will be a barrier to heaven.

Denominationalism

Denominationalism has taught people that anything is all right with God, just as long as they are honest and sincere. Folks have reasoned, that if anything will be accepted by God, why do anything at all? After all, God is just too good to allow any to be lost! But we must remember that Paul said, “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off” (Rom. 11:22).

With many hundreds of religious denominations all teaching conflicting doctrines and ideas, many people are confused and just throw up their hands and quit. They think that if all those religious people can’t understand the Bible alike, surely I never could. This concept will keep a lot of people out of heaven.

A failure of denominational churches to teach the truth causes many to obey a false doctrine. John said, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 Jn. 9).

Sin Is A Barrier To Heaven

Sin drove Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden (Gen. 3). Sin kept many of God’s people out of the land of Canaan. Sin separated man from God. Isaiah said, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isa. 59:1-2).

Attitude toward sin seems to have changed in the minds of a lot of people. It seems that, to many, sin is just not as bad as it once was! We need to realize that sin is sin and every generation needs to be taught what sin is and what sin will do for them. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). How long has it been since you sat down with your young people and talked to them about sin? Young people as well as the old need to know that sin “is transgression of the law” (I Jn. 3:4) and that one can be guilty of sin either by failing to do what God says (Jas. 4:17) or by committing acts of wrong doing. One is as bad as the other, for both are sin!

Sin is a barrier to heaven. For, “there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 16, pp. 500-501
August 2, 1984

By Mike Willis

In recent years, some Christians seem embarrassed to state that they believe that there is only one church. One is judged to be narrow-minded and bigoted if he believes that there is only one church. After all, we are reminded, there are good people in all denominations.

Too, the general rejection of the Bible as the one standard of right and wrong has resulted in agnosticism. One cannot be sure about anything, if he has rejected the Bible as his absolute standard for determining right and wrong. The uncertainty that characterizes the non-Christians with reference to pre-marital and extra-marital sex, homosexuality, drinking, and other things (whether they are merely personal preferences of taste or sin) has spilled over into the church. The result is that some can no longer tell whether immersion, congregational singing, partaking of the Lord’s supper on the first day of every week, and other items pertaining to the worship, work and organization of the church are simply matters of personal preference of the members of the church of Christ or divine law. Some among us no longer believe that sin is committed by using instrumental music in worship, by observing the Lord’s supper on Thursday night, and organizing a sponsoring church.

The popular phrase is, “We are Christians only, but not the only Christians. ” Some believe that there are faithful Christians in all denominations. They charge that we are arrogant if we believe that we are the only group in possession of the truth. Yet, they are unwilling to tell us which truths the denominations teach that we repudiate.

A new generation has come and some do not believe in the oneness of the church. Is there one church or many churches? Let us allow the Bible to answer this question.

The Bible Says There Is One Church

On several occasions, the Bible affirms that oneness of the church. Jesus said, “. . upon this rock I will build my church. . . ” (Matt. 16:18). The word “church” is a singular noun. Jesus said “church” and not “churches.”

The early apostles believed in one church. Paul wrote, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:4-6). The numeral one means “more than zero and less than two.” We understand what it means with reference to one God, one Lord, and one Spirit. It means exactly the same thing when it is used to refer to one body. The apostle had previously told us what the “body” was; he identified it as the church (Eph. 1:22-23). Hence, the doctrine of the oneness of the church is expressly taught in Scripture.

There Is Only One Plan Of Salvation

Directly connected with the doctrine of the oneness of the church is the idea of how an individual is saved. The church is composed of the saved (Acts 2:47). Those who contend that there are saved people in all denominations must contend that there are any number of ways of being saved. The manner in which a Catholic is “saved” is different from the manner in which a Baptist is “saved.” If both are saved, then there must be more than one way to be saved.

The Scriptures only reveal one way to be saved from sin. Man is saved from sin through the blood of Jesus Christ. The manner in which one appropriates the saving blood of Jesus is through believing in Him, repenting of his sins, confessing his faith in Jesus, and being baptized (immersed) in water (Mk.16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 8:36-38; 22:16). Since the great commission was given, no accountable person has been saved without complying with these conditions, so far as the revelation of God records.

Those who are trying to be saved by a system of meritorious works cannot be saved. Those who are trying to be saved by faith only cannot be saved. The good, honest and sincere cannot be saved by sincerity (cf. Saul of Tarsus-1 Tim. 1:12-16; Rom. 10:1-2). The only manner in which one can be saved is through Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12). One is saved through Christ when he appropriates the blood of Christ by meeting the conditions which Christ gave in order for man to be saved.

Those who contend that there are saved people or Christians in all denominations must contend that there are a number of Yays to be saved’. I wish that some of our brethren who believe that there are faithful Christians in all denominations would just be bold enough to say, “I believe that one can be saved by faith alone” (as most Protestant denominations teach) or “I believe that one can be saved by doing good works” (as the Catholics teach). That is the necessary implication of saying that there are saved people in all denominations. If that is not what they believe, then they must believe that there is only one way to be saved and that those who have not complied with it are lost.

Can One Stay Saved In A Denomination?

When confronted in this manner, those who hold that there are Christians in all denominations will sometimes say, “I am referring to those in denominations who have obeyed the gospel.” Let us grant that there might be a few souls who have obeyed the gospel in denominations. The next question is, “Can one stay saved while in these denominations?”

If I thought a Christian could stay saved while worshipping in a denomination, I certainly would quit trying to get people to leave denominations and become a part of the blood-bought body of Jesus Christ. I would quit preaching sermons which emphasized the organization, names, mission, and worship of the church. I would quit preaching sermons which condemned denominations which are started by man, governed by men, worship in any manner which pleases men, are organized in ways judged best by men, and are called by names selected by men. I would quit telling men that the Lord’s church, as revealed in the New Testament, is divine in origin, given a pattern for worship, given a pattern for organization, and called by names which exalt and glorify God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I suggest to you that one of the reasons that the content of gospel preaching in the pulpits of many churches of Christ has changed is that some preachers have started believing that one can be saved and stay saved in modern denominations. How long has it been since you have heard a sermon which showed the difference in the Lord’s chruch and denominationalism? (Some of us have simply neglected these topics, although we continue to believe in the oneness of the church. We need to remember that every generation must be taught the same fundamental truths and reminded of them.)

When a person worships in a manner not authorized and approved by God, he sins. Jesus Himself said, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:8-9). I still believe what Jesus said. He said that when men do not worship according to the will of God, they sin. Some have the idea that one can worship anyway he pleases and still be one in whom God is well-pleased.

If there are some few in the denominations who have obeyed the gospel to be saved from past sins, they are the exception and not the rule. Their worship in these denominations is a violation of God’s will and, therefore, sinful. Their sins separate them from God. Hence, a person cannot stay saved in the denominations of men.

We are forced back to the conclusion which our forefathers preached to us, not because we want to hold to our “church of Christ traditions,” but because our forefathers taught what the Bible says. That conclusion is that there is but one church. The Lord adds all of the saved to the church and none of the unsaved (Acts 2:47). There are none of the saved which He overlooks or adds to some other body than His church.

Those who are not in the Lord’s church but in some denomination of man must leave those denominations, even as the pagans and Jews in the first century had to leave their man-made religious organizations, in order to be saved by Jesus Christ. They could not be saved by Jesus Christ while continuing their idolatry or Judaism.

When these truths were preached fearlessly and forcefully, the Lord’s church prospered. Thousands of people left the denominations of men to become a part of the church of Christ. Men could see the difference in human denominations and the Lord’s church as revealed in the Scriptures. They renounced their allegiance to human creeds and committed themselves to Christ and His word.

As the years have passed, some in the Lord’s chruch have quit preaching those first principles of the oneness of the church. Indeed, they are embarrassed when others preach the oneness of the church. They do not want some visiting Baptist to get the impression that we think he is not saved. Their preaching emphasizes positive mental attitudes, love, joy and peace, home and family, and other topics which could be preached in any denomination in the United States. During these same years; the church has nearly quit growing and these brethren cannot understand why. I suggest that one reason is that we have quit preaching the first principles.

Like those in the first century, many today will judge us to be narrow-minded and sectarian because we teach the oneness of the church and the one way to be saved. Nevertheless, we must stand for what the Bible reveals.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 17, pp. 514, 533-534
September 6, 1984

By Larry Ray Hafley

Christians always seem to be on the defensive. “Why doesn’t your church have a piano or an organ?” “Why do you all have communion every Sunday?” “I know you’re a Christian, but what kind?” “You mean your church doesn’t have fund raising sales?” “While being baptized, you have to be dunked?” These and other statements have been uttered countless times, and they probably always will be. As members of the body of Christ, we are made to feel that our position is on trial, that we forever must “explain” what we believe. We are the “odd balls” who appear weird and strange with our “funny” beliefs. While it is true that we must prepare to give an answer (1 Pet. 3:15), it is not true that we must feel like we are the religious freaks of the day. Actually and factually, the reverse is true. Relax. Christians are the only ones who truly contend for views that no one denies. Our position is unassailable. In the majority of cases, no one doubts that what we do is right.

For example, consider:

(1) Immersion. Ask a Catholic priest, a Methodist minister, or a Presbyterian preacher if it is wrong to immerse adult believers. He will agree it is not sinful to do so. You see, there are discussions about sprinkling infants, but no one says that immersion is a sin in and of itself.

(2) Singing. Ask a Baptist preacher or a Pentecostal pastor if it is a sin for a congregation to come together and sing. He admits it is not wrong to do so. Even those in the Christian Church will not say that congregational singing is contrary to the doctrine of Christ.

(3) Weekly Lord’s Supper. Do you know a denominational preacher who will argue that it is a sin for disciples to break bread upon the first day of the week? Most, of course, do not do it, but they do not believe it is contrary to the Scriptures to do so.

(4) Weekly Giving. It is for certain that no preacher will say it is a sin to give of your means upon the first day of every week! Do you know of a church that teaches that a weekly collection is against the doctrine of Christ? Me neither.

(5) Christian. Is there an Episcopalian or Lutheran anywhere who would argue that it is wrong for a child of God to be referred to as a Christian? No. Many sectarian names are dearly held by their devotees, but no one says that being called a Christian is an error.

The points that Christians are most often questioned about really are not items of dispute. So, my brother, do not feel like you are a persecuted soul who is always on the defensive. Everyone believes that adult believers may be immersed, congregations may sing, take communion and give of their means each Lord’s day, and one may wear the name Christian. Your position is not debatable. Now, if they want to do something else, that is their problem. They must defend their doctrine. They are on the defensive. The ball is in their court. The proverbial monkey is not on your back; it is on theirs. You relax.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 16, p. 491
August 16, 1984

By Ron Daly

You and I live in a very promiscuous society! Only a few years ago, men and women in this “great” country reverenced God and embellished their pattern of thinking according to the sacred principles of the Bible. Today it is different. Most of the inhabitants of this nation do not display any respect for the teaching of the Scriptures concerning morality – the quality of being pure in sexual conduct.

Many factors are contributing to the widespread sexual immorality which is rampant in our age. The communication networks such as television and radio networks, pornographic magazines. and false philosophies such as agnosticism, atheism, humanism, and the “New Morality” are responsible for disseminating the “do it if it feels good” syndrome! As a matter of fact, the sins of lying denominationalism, and racial prejudice are possibly the only transgressions which are more common than the gross sin of immorality!

Another factor which aids in the advancement of sexual immorality is immodest apparel. During the summer months, manufacturers distribute swimming attire such as bikinis (extremely brief two-piece bathing suits for women), and swimming “trunks” for men which are usually tight and enticing to individuals of the opposite sex and to men (?) who have homosexual tendencies. A person in his “right mind” will be properly clothed (Mk. 5:15), having understood the injunction of inspiration (1 Tim. 2:9-10) “that women adorn themselves in modest apparel . . . .

This same principle is applicable to men in their demeanor and character of dress. Miniskirts, low cut blouses and dresses, shorts, see through dresses, and tight slacks ought to be eschewed by all persons who have self-respect and who are determined to live discreetly in the midst of a crooked generation.

Definition of Fornication

The Greek word underlying the English word “fornication” is porneia, which is found 26 times in the Greek New Testament. Paul, in listing some of the evil works of the first century Graeco-Roman world includes “fornication,” porneid, in five of the references and puts it first on the list each time (1 Cor. 5:11; 6:9; Gal. 5: 19; Eph. 5: 3; Col. 3: 5). This undoubtedly emphasizes the type of sexually corrupt environment in which the Christians lived. The social, economic, political, and religious conditions of the first century were severely hostile towards Christianity. Each of these constituents posed a great threat to the stability of local congregations – especially in the Corinthian culture. If these factors are properly understood, it becomes imminently apparent why Paul so violently assailed the “works of the flesh. “

Porneia is defined by Arndt-Gingrich’s lexicon of the Greek New Testament (p. 699) as “prostitution, unchastity, fornication, of every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse.” The New International Dictionary of the New Testament Theology states (p. 497) that porneia means “unchastity, harlotry, prostitution, fornication.” Thayer’s lexicon (p. 532) has the following regarding porneia, “properly of illicit sexual intercourse in general. ” These quotations establish that porneia refers to the overt illicit sexual act.

There are several cognate forms of porneia found in the Greek text and they are: (1) porneuo (8 occurrences) and means “to prostitute, to practice prostitution, commit fornication, to give oneself to unlawful sexual intercourse, to prostitute one’s body to the lust of another, to practice sexual immorality in general.” (2) Porne (12 occurrences) and denotes “a harlot, prostitute, a woman who sells her body for sexual uses, any woman indulging in unlawful sexual intercourse, whether for gain or for lust.” (Note: A woman who is a prostitute has no morals, and thus cares not for her body, nor for* the stability of the society in which she lives. Her body is used for an instrument of gratification. Her spiritual consciousness has become saturated with putrification, slime, and rot.) (3) Pornos (10 occurrences) denotes “a man who prostitutes his body to another’s lust for hire, a male prostitute, a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator, the fornicator who has sexual intercourse with prostitutes, an immoral man.”

In the New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology a very significant analysis is made on page 497, by H. Reisser as he states, “The word group (porneuo, porne, pornos, and porneia, RD) can describe various extramarital sexual modes of behavior insofar as they deviate from accepted social and religious norms (e.g. homosexuality, promiscuity, pedophilia, and especially prostitution).” Historical data leads one to conclude that porneid in its ancient setting also included the gruesome act of homosexuality. A discussion of porneia as it relates to homosexuality can be read in a book entitled Flesh and Spirit by William Barclay (pp. 24-28). Barclay cites historical sources which substantiates the homosexual tendencies of such men as Socrates and Julias Caesar who were lovers “of boys” and Caesar being a lover of King Nicodemes, of Bithynia.

In the New Testament we find at least four different usages of the term porneia which are as follows: (1) Of unlawful voluntary intercourse of an unmarried person with anyone of the opposite sex (1 Cor. 7:2; 1 Thess. 4:3). In the two texts, Paul by guidance of the Holy Spirit advocates marriage to help prevent a life of sexual immorality. (2) In at least two passages, fornication (porneia) is used in a broader sense as a synonym for adultery (Matt. 5:32; 19:9). All adultery is porneia (fornication), but not all porneia (fornication) is adultery (moicheia). (3) In other texts porneia refers to all forms of unchastity in a general sense (Acts 15:20,29; 21:25; Rom. 1:20; 1 Cor. 6:13,18; Eph. 5:3). (4) In other Scriptures, porneia refers to harlotry and prostitution (Rev. 2:14,20,21). The idea in these texts is the abandonment of the true worship of the true God, thus becoming harlot like. How porneia is used in a given text depends on the context.

Consequences of Fornication

As is true with all sin, sexual immorality has its consequences. Please note with me some of the effects of fornication upon those who participate in this work of the flesh.

One of the dangers involved in immorality is contamination of the body by the invasion of foreign organisms which under certain circumstances can cause rapid degeneration of vital organs. There are several kinds of venereal diseases that are capable of doing irreparable damage to important organs of the body such as the eyes, nose, mouth, heart, liver, spine, and brain. The crippling effects of venereal diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and herpes simplex virus are gruesome! Too, the effects which these diseases have upon the unborn child during its developmental stages can be terrifying indeed! The majority of babies born of untreated mothers suffering from the syphilitic germ are asymptomatic at birth, but around the third or fourth week they begin to sniffle, blisters appear on the face, buttocks, palms, and soles, and meningitis and saber shins (curved shin bones) develop. The disease can also cause deformed peg like teeth and loss of vision. In some cases an untreated mother will deliver a stillborn baby!

Secondly, shame attaches itself to all those persons who are recognized in a community as ones having contacted the diseases that are so common among the young generation. I must say, in all honesty that to a large extent parents are to blame. Many parents are not instructing their children in biblical principles, but to the contrary are endorsing their immoral activities by consenting to the use of contraceptives and other types of birth control which a single person should not need.

Thirdly, another heartbreaking consequence of fornication is that, in many cases it causes a disruption of the sacred marital union. Marriage is not only sacred, it is the closest intimacy which a man and a woman sustain to each other while robed in the flesh! There are certain privileges which marriage allows that are not right when participated in elsewhere; sexual cohabitation is such a privilege (Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 7:2-7). When one or both partners is guilty of fornication, the trust, sacredness, and bond of love deteriorates, and confidence crumbles. The greatest hurt, besides losing a loved and respected companion, which a spouse could feel is to discover that one’s mate has violated the marriage bed in having sexual union with a foreigner! Recognizing the magnitude (physical and mental capabilities) of fornication, the Lord specified it as the only reason why the “innocent” party could “put away” the guilty person and remarry (Matt. 19:9). And so often the children have to suffer the heartaches and anxieties of life without having their natural father and/or mother together to jointly rear them. Most adolescents are sensitive to any problems which fornication brings in the home. A great majority of young children have dedicated their lives to drugs, prostitution, violence, and insanity as a result of the disloyalty which they observe between the adults in the family.

Furthermore, when one is stigmatized as a “whoremonger,” reproach of the most abject kind is immediately placed upon him, his family, and the Lord’s church. This has certainly been done in the recent court case in Tulsa, Oklahoma involving a “sister” who admitted to having committed fornication with the former mayor of the town. The publicity has been tremendous. It seems that some believe that the elders and the local congregation acted as villains by reading a letter relative to her sinful actions before the local church in an effort to win her back to righteousness by love. Was this an invasion of privacy? What was private about it? She admitted to having “an affair” (which, in Bible terminology, is fornication)! She exposed herself. It would have been better for her, her children, the mayor, and the church had she repented and stopped fornicating!

When a congregation fails to discharge its duties faithfully toward fornicators and “withdraw” from them, irreparable injury is the consequence. Paul, the Lord’s apostle, understood the influence that immorality has within a community of believers and instructed the Corinthians to rid themselves of the brother who had his father’s wife (1 Cor. 5). It is quite possible that many unbelievers will not obey the gospel because they closely examine the lives of professed believers who are fornicators at heart. This causes the unbelievers to snarl at the truth and harden their hearts beyond the reach of God’s tender mercy, all because of the hypocrisy in the form of immorality in the life of a professed Christian.

Remedies For Fornication

There is help. All hope is not lost. Many were fornicators and came to themselves and decided to quit. They like Moses “chose rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:24-26). The following is a list of things that can be done:

(1) Resolve in your heart that it is a sin against God (cf. Gen. 39:7-18). This will help you to see the severity of the act. If it is against God, then surely it is not desirable. For we should do things which glorify God, because we love Him.

(2) Do not place yourself in a situation where temptation is inevitable. Be wise. Be discreet. Watch the company you keep (1 Cor. 15:33; Prov. 4:14-19). Never be alone with a person of the opposite sex for long periods. When discussions are necessary for various reasons, have present your husband/wife or others who can witness that all is upright and above board.

(3) Preachers need to speak out and expose the sin from the pulpits, the bulletins, and radio programs. All sin must be condemned (2 Tim. 4:1-5). But, while condemning the sin of fornication remember to show concern and kindness to the one “caught up” in it possibly through weakness.

(4) “Flee fornication”! Concerning the emphatic words of Paul (1 Cor. 6:18) pheugete ten porneian, the Expositor’s Greek Testament (p. 820, Vol. 2) says “With vehement abruptness Paul turns from exposition to exhortation. ‘Flee fornication’ – other sins may be combated; this must be fled, as by Joseph in Potiphar’s house.” Friends, Paul gives a direct prohibition against fornication! There is not even one occasion for the Christian to consider committing the act of fornication, for it is, eis to idion soma harmartanei (against the body sinning). The word “flee” is from pheugete which is in the second person plural, present active imperative of pheugo which means “in a moral sense flee from, avoid, shun with accusative of the thing. . . ” (Arndt-Gingrich, p. 863). The fact that pheugete is present imperative connotes plainly the message of Paul. He literally says, “Be ye always fleeing sexual immorality! ” In chapters 5, 6, 7 of the First Corinthian epistle, Paul presents the case for abstinence from “sexual immorality.”

(5) Prayer is very useful. God will hear His children who are seeking to live right. Paul’s exhortation is “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). We are assured by the Hebrew writer, “For we have not a high Priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need” (Heb. 4:15-16).

The guaranteed way to receive forgiveness for immoral acts whether in or out of marriage is by means of repentance, confession, and prayer for the sin committed (Acts 8:22-24; 1 Jn. 1:7-9). This is the only way God will forgive any sin! Time is too short and eternity too long for us to take chances. Immorality should be avoided and the Christians must educate, exhort, and warn men about it in compassion, love, and concern for their souls! May God help us all.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 16, pp. 497-499
August 16, 1984