Truth Magazine

By Michael L. Dollose

When Adam and Eve transgressed God’s law, sin entered the world. That sin immediately separated them from God. They were spiritually dead. That was the first, and by far the greatest of the consequences of their sin. They were also driven from the garden of Eden and barred from re-entering so that access to the tree of life could be prevented. Physical death became a reality. Adam was told that feeding his family would require labor and toil, fighting thorns and thistles for every necessity. Eve was told that in pain she would bring her children into the world. Thus, death, pain, and suffering entered into the world as a result of their sins.

If Adam and Eve repented, they were forgiven of their sins. God, in His mercy, promised them and all mankind that He would provide a sacrifice to take away sins (Gen. 3:15). But, even though the sins they committed could be forgiven, the consequences remained. They still faced death, labor and toil were still required to provide food, and suffering still had to be endured. Sin’s consequences don’t pass away with time.

We still suffer the consequences of that first pair’s sins. (We do not inherit the guilt, however. See Ezek. 18:20-24.) Disease, pain, suffering and death all entered into the world because of sin and remain problems plaguing man because of sin. Paul told the Romans, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Rom. 5:12). Because of Adam’s sin, death entered the world and now we will all die physically. Because each of us sins, just as Adam did, we each separate ourselves from God, just as Adam did. We die spiritually; we are lost. Such are the consequences of sin.

God sent His Son to atone for our sins (Rom. 5:11). Only through obeying Him can we enjoy the forgiveness of sins and have the hope of eternal life (Heb. 5:8,9). But even when we obey Christ and are forgiven of all our sins, sometimes there are consequences of our sins that we must still bear. Sometimes sin causes circumstances which cannot be avoided.

Consider the tragic example of a young Christian who allowed himself to be influenced by his peers to drink with them. He became intoxicated and on the way home hit another car head on, killing the other driver. The young Christian was paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair for life. He repented of his sin and if his repentance was with a godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7: 10), he was forgiven. The horror of that night will not be so soon forgotten, however. That young man must live with the knowledge that his sin killed another man. His wheelchair will be constant reminder of the consequences of sin. The young wife who lost her husband and the young child who will never know his father’s love will know the loneliness and pain caused by one young man’s sin. No matter how badly everyone involved in the tragedy might wish to change it, to undo what has been done, it cannot be undone. Sin cost dearly. Such are the consequences of sin.

Adultery is sin. Those who violate God’s marriage law will suffer the consequences. Jesus said that if one divorces his or her mate and marries another, except it be for fornication, that one commits adultery and that any one who marries the one who has been put away commits adultery (Matt. 19:4-9). Thus, according to the Savior, when two people divorce and both remarry and no fornication is involved, four people are living in adultery. Only by repenting of that sin and ceasing to practice that sin can those involved have any hope of heaven. There can be no forgiveness where there is no repentance (Lk. 13:3). But repentance involves a sorrow for sin which causes the guilty part (or parties) to turn from the error, no longer practicing that which is contrary to God’s law (2 Cor. 7:11).

When a man (or woman) divorces his first mate and there has been no unfaithfulness on the part of that mate, that man must either be reunited with his first wife or remain single. The mate must also be reunited with her first husband or remain single. There is no other choice, if one is to be pleasing to God. Appeals to the emotions don’t change that. The fact that many, because of sin, will be condemned to a life of loneliness does not alter that. Such are the consequences of sin. It matters not that the man who divorces his wife against her will (assuming that neither is guilty of fornication) condemns her to a single life which she did not choose. The widow of the man killed in the wreck did not choose to have it so. But sin brings tragic consequences.

Well does this writer remember the first real prospects that he had after becoming a “full time” gospel preacher. It was a study with a young couple about my own age at the time. He was twenty-one; she was twenty-four. After the third study session, they both expressed a desire to be baptized for the remission of sins. “But,” as he put it, “there is a problem.” They had both been divorced. This was his second marriage, her fourth. They had two children and one on the way and not one of those children had the same mother and father. We turned to Matthew and read what Jesus taught. The man informed me that they had read that passage since our last study, several times in fact. I remember his exact words. “If we understand that passage, Jesus is saying that we don’t have a right to be married to each other. What can we do?” They, sadly, were not willing to dissolve their marriage to serve God. Some would immediately appeal to the unfairness of breaking up a happy home where two young people desired to live together and serve God. It is tragic, but such is the consequence of sin. When man ignores God’s law, man will pay the price.

I have often wondered since that time what ever became of that young couple. I have had many similar experiences over the years. Sadly, in the vast majority of cases those involved were not willing to surrender themselves completely to God and cease their adulterous relationships. Each time, I am reminded of the tragedy of sin, of the price of sin. I often wish that I could say, “If you will just repent and be baptized, you can go on living together and everything will be alright.” But the facts remain the same. Sin produces consequences that must be borne. We cannot change God’s law because divorce has become so prevalent in our age. We cannot alter what Jesus taught because many who are Christians are involved. We can but teach the truth about sin, warn of its consequences, encourage all to flee from it, and discipline those Christians who sin and who refuse to repent.

We all suffer pain and sorrow, death and disease as a consequence of Adam’s sin. Each of us will bear the heartache and suffering of our own sins whether through ignorance or willfully we violate God’s laws. We can be forgiven of sins if we will repent and cease the practice of that which is sinful. Sometimes we can make amends for our wrong and undo at least some of what we have done. Sometimes the consequences of sin don’t fade away with time.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 11, pp. 339-340
June 7, 1984

By Larry Ray Hafley

(1) The Alien Sinner. Baptists and others have argued for “lo, these many years” that, “We do not work (obey) to be saved, but because we are saved. ” Obviously, this cannot apply to the alien sinner. He has to obey in order to be saved. “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). “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34,35). “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:8,9).

The very question, “What must I do to be saved (Acts 16:30)?” implies that there is something (obedience) that I “must do (in order) to be saved.”

(2) The Erring Brother. The erring child of God is lost (Jas. 5:19,20). In the process of restoration, does he obey God because he is saved or in order to be saved? He was “purged (cleansed) from his old (past) sins” when he became a Christian. Later, he erred from the truth; his soul was in danger of death (Jas. 5:19,20; Rom. 8:12,13). Must he act because he is already forgiven, or must he respond in order to be forgiven? See Simon the Sorcerer. He believed, was baptized, and, in accord with Jesus’ promise, was saved from his past sins (Acts 8:12,13; Mk. 16:15,16; 2 Pet. 1:9). After his conversion and salvation, he sinned, and was “in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:23). That is strange language to describe a man who is still saved! He was lost and needed his soul saved from death. Peter gave the divine formula. “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22).

(3) The Faithful Christian. The Christian has been saved from his past sins, but there remains a salvation “ready to be revealed in the last time . . . at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:5,7). Paul spoke to Romans who had been saved when they “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine” (Rom. 6:17,18). Still, he spoke of a future deliverance; “for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Rom. 13:11). Regarding that future salvation, do we obey in order to be saved or because we are saved? Because we have been saved from our past sins, we obey in order to receive the salvation which will be given “at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” Initially, we are “purged from (our) old (past) sins” and saved. Then we must “give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 1:9-11). “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). We are to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing” (Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:12; Eph. 4: 1), “that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless” (2 Pet. 3:14). “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1 Jn. 2:28).

Finally, on this point, “And you, that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard” (Col. 1:21-23).

Summation and Conclusion

Hence, obedience is rendered in order to be saved. This is true of the alien sinner (Acts 2:37,38), the erring brother (Acts 8:22,23; Jas. 5:19,20) and the faithful Christian (2 Pet. 1:10, 11; 3:14; Rev. 22:14). To the alien, the grace of God and the blood of Christ are the grounds, the basis, of his salvation. Faith, repentance, confession and baptism are the terms or conditions of his salvation. To the erring brother, the grace of God and the blood of Christ are the grounds, the foundation, of his salvation. Repentance, confession and prayer are the stipulations or terms of his salvation (Acts 8:22,23; 1 Jn. 1:9; 2:1). To the faithful child of God, the grace of God and the blood of Christ are the grounds of salvation. “Good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” are the conditions of salvation being maintained here and attained hereafter (Phil. 2:12; Eph. 2:10; 2 Pet. 1:5-11; Col. 1:23).

The alien sinner is not saved by works, but by grace, even though he must obey or submit to the terms of pardon. The erring brother is not saved by works, but by grace, even though he must obey or comply with the conditions of forgiveness. The faithful saint is not saved by works, but by grace, even though he must obey or “work out (his) own salvation.”

In debate, Baptist preachers have affirmed that one is saved without acts of obedience but that after one is saved he obeys because he is saved. They have been asked, “If obedience on the part of a child of God does not eliminate grace, why do you say that obedience by an alien sinner nullifies grace?” Now, saints engaged in certain controversies over these and related issues, should reverse that thought. If obedience on the part of an alien sinner does not make void God’s grace, then why would one say that obedience on the part of a Christian nullifies the grace of God? It is a fair question.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 12, pp. 355, 375
June 21, 1984

By Keith Hamilton

As Israel passed into the land of Canaan (promised land) they came to the city of Jericho. The people there had inhabited and possessed a land that had been promised to Israel for a possession. If they were allowed to remain, their idolatrous and unrighteous life styles would have a damaging effect upon Israel (Ex. 34:11-17). Therefore, Israel by the power of God defeated and removed this enemy (Josh. 6:1-2, 20). However, there was a time when they sent forth spies who were awed by the size and might of their enemy and they turned away discouraged (Deut. 1:19-28). Yet, it is not so now! How many Jerichos do we face? Do we trust in God and His power to remove the foe from our midst or do we see the size of the foe and shrink back?

Jerichos In The Church

Heresies and factions which ultimately lead to division are to have no “possession” in the church (1 Cor. 1:10). Even though this is true the apostle Paul tells us, “For there must be also heresies among you, and they which are approved may be made manifest among you” (1 Cor. 11: 19). They prove our true metal (1 Pet. 1:6-7). It is easier to run and let someone else handle the problem or “stand on the other side” pointing an accusing finger. The conscientious Christian may find himself in the minority even among his brethren. (Remember Joshua and Caleb!) Yet, by God’s power we can make this Jericho fall!

Immorality is certainly on the rampage in the world about us and its influence is seen in the church. If allowed to continue unchecked, its effect will damage the church (1 Cor. 5:1-7) and ruin its influence for good upon the world (1 Pet. 2:11-12). The obstacle one faces in dealing with this problem are the misplaced affections of some who believe we should let the sinner alone lest we hurt his feelings. or make him mad and cause him to leave. While one should certainly be concerned with tactfulness there should not be such apprehension that we fail to do or say anything at all! We must remember that God’s ways are always best. Best for us, the church, the world, and sinner too (2 Cor. 2:6-8). This Jericho is mighty and scares many, but by God’s power we can make it fall.

Apathy, the Jericho of Jerichos, has destroyed many sound churches and is causing the deterioration of others. Like the church at Sardis many have the name that “thou livest, and art dead” (Rev. 3:1-3). Repentance and the humbling of spirits in revenential prayer are the only cure. The epitome of faith is seen when one goes on and does what he knows to be right inspite of what others are doing. Yes, this Jericho can also be felled.

When problems enter the church, we cannot have an “I do not want to get involved” attitude and be right in God’s eyes. The faithful child of God stands fully armored and prepared for the enemy’s onslaught.

Jerichos In Our Personal Life

Temptation is something each of us must face every day of our lives (Jas. 1: 12-13). The “roaring lion” is a mighty foe and some cannot cope with the day in and day out struggle with temptation. Rather than repenting, seeking God’s forgiveness, and then getting on with the business of life some get discouraged and give up when they find that they have succumbed to Satan’s devices again. It seems to me that they are depending too much on themselves and not enough on the Lord. By casting their cares upon Christ they can defeat this Jericho (1 Pet. 5:7).

Indifference is an ever present threat to all Christians (Heb. 2:1-3). It is disenchanting for a church to plan some work and then have to “beg” and “pamper” the members to get involved. Though some may try to excuse themselves for lack of experience the way to “learn” is to “do” and we must be “doers” of God’s word (Jas. 1:22-24)! By this means we can overthrow this Jericho.

Lack ofself-control may manifest itself in different forms: cursing, gluttony, losing one’s temper, loosing one’s tongue, etc. The ideal situation is for the Christian to be in control of his life even though he may not be in control of his world (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

Lack of prayer and Bible knowledge has hindered the growth of many (Heb. 5:12-14). We have not been left in this world to wander aimlessly without any help. God has made provisions in these areas (Rom. 8:26; 2 Tim. 2:15; Jas. 1:5). Therefore, by seeking His aid we can destroy these Jerichos (1 Thess. 5:17).

Do we encompass and defeat our enemies by God’s power or shrink back discouraged by our enemies size and power? “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (Heb. 10:38-39).

Fall Down Jericho!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 11, p. 341
June 7, 1984

By Mike Willis

With the blossoms appearing on the trees, I am reminded that summer will soon be here. School will soon be out. Families will be planning and taking vacations together. Gardens will be planted and worked. Flower beds will be cleaned out and new plants placed in them. Grass will need mowing.

Summer brings a peculiar kind of problem to many Christians. There are temptations which they face in the summer which do not confront some Christians in the winter. We must not be ignorant of Satan’s devices. He will use any and every form of temptation to persuade us to forsake the Lord and enjoy sin’s pleasures for a season. In an effort to better prepare us to resist the Devil, let us consider some of the temptations which we will be facing in the next few months.

The Temptation Of Immodesty

One of the temptations to which many Christians succumb in the summer months is the temptation to dress immodestly. In the summer months, many Americans wear shorts, halter tops, tank tops, swimsuits, and other forms of immodest dress in public places.

The beaches and public swimming pools are filled by those who are going there to swim or to sun bathe. The attire that is worn at the beaches is designed to expose as much of the body as the laws of the land will allow. Some Americans practically live at the pool during the summer.

There is nothing sinful about swimming. Many Christians find private places in which to swim. However, not all Christians are so careful about finding private places to swim. Some go to the public beaches and swimming pools. Unfortunately, some preachers and their families can be seen at the beaches and pools in the same immodest attire which characterizes the non-Christians who are there.

Some preachers have quit preaching that sin is committed by mixed swimming. Indeed, in some parts of the country, mixed swimming is accepted by Christians as a legitimate form of recreation.

We need to be reminded of what the Bible teaches concerning dress codes for Christians. Paul commanded women to “adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety” (1 Tim. 2:9). The word “modest” is from kosmios which is defined as “well-arranged, seemly, modest” (Thayer, p. 356). The word “shamefacedness” is “a sense of shame” (Ibid., p. 14). It is the moral purity which is rooted deeply into one’s character so that he will not do wrong, even when no one else might know about it (see R.C. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament, pp. 66-72). The word “sobriety” is “soundness of mind.” Trench distinguished the last two words in the following way:

At 1 Tim. ii.9 we shall best distinguish between aidos and sophrosune, and the distinction will be capable of further application, if we affirm of aidos that is that ‘shamefastness,’ or pudency, which shrinks from overpassing the limits of womanly reserve and modesty, as well as from the dishonour which would justly attach thereto; of sophrosune that it is that habitual inner self-government, with its constant rein on all the passions and desires, which would hinder the temptation to this from arising, or at all events from arising in such strength as should overbeat the checks and barriers which aidos opposed to it (Ibid., pp. 71-72).

These words demand a moral character which has a sense of shame rooted fast within. This sense of shame prohibits the indecent exposure of one’s body. The reason that women are willing to expose their nudity is because they have lost this sense of godly shame which characterizes women of godliness. They have no embarrassment when men, other than their husbands, see them parading around in a swimsuit which covers so little of the body.

The problem is not confined to the weak sisters. Men frequent the same places as do the women. The Scriptures forbid sinful lust. Jesus said, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). Why would a man want to place himself in circumstances in which he is constantly exposed to nearly nude women? The only explanation I can give is because he likes being in those circumstances – he is lascivious in character. Christian men need to imitate the example of Job. He said, “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” (31:1).

With summer coming on, Christians need to resolve not to be conformed to this world in reference to the immodesty which characterizes the dress of non-Christians. We need to keep ourselves pure from immodest dress and lascivious and lustful conduct.

The Temptation To Miss Worship

The beautiful summertime lures many people away from the services. Some prosperous brethren resort to their cabin on the lake for fun and relaxation to the neglect of their labor in the local church. Bible classes, song services, and other jobs in which they serve for nine months must suddenly be done by someone else because these brethren are going to enjoy some time away from everything.

During vacations, some brethren who would not think of missing a Sunday or mid-week service at home put themselves in circumstances in which they cannot even assemble with the saints to observe the Lord’s supper on Sunday. The contribution which is generally given at home is consumed on personal pleasure while away in vacations. There is nothing wrong with a family taking a vacation. However, Christians should be careful not to leave God out of their vacation plans. Here are some suggestions:

(1) Plan your vacation in order that you can worship with brethren while away from home. When my family travels, we sit down with a map and a directory of churches to plan where we will worship on Lord’s day and mid-week. We enjoy the opportunity to meet new Christians while traveling.

(2) Leave your contribution at home. The local church’s expenses will continue with you gone. The building payment, the utility bills, Bible class materials, preacher’s support, and other expenses will continue just the same when you are away as when you are at home. A man would not think of leaving his family without money to live on while he is away on a business trip; he knows that the family’s expenses and needs continue whether or not he is at home. Hence, he provides for them even when he is away. A Christian should take the same thought for the local church’s expenses when he travels.

Not all of the absences from services relate to vacation traveling. There are couples who stay at home to cook out, take the children to little league games, and other summer activities. One would get the impression that the command not to forsake the assemblies (Heb. 10:25) has application only to the months of September through early June. Whatever the Bible teaches regarding one’s responsibilities in the local church, it teaches for all of the year, including the summer months.

Conclusion

I too look forward to the summer. I am tired of shoveling snow and I am planning on baiting a hook or two to entice some nice, big bass somewhere. There are summer pleasures not available to us in the winter months which all of us can enjoy. However, let us be careful not to forget our responsibilities to God during the summer.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 12, pp. 354, 376
June 21, 1984