Truth Magazine

By Bob Palmer

In the sport of baseball, some outspoken fans expect every baseball team to have players who always get a hit and never make an error. The only problem is, you can’t get those loud-mouth critics in the grandstand to lay down their hotdogs long enough to come onto the field and play.

Yes, its’ easy to sit in the crowd as an observer and criticize those who are participating in the game. In football, the “armchair quarterback” has quite an advantage over the poor fellow whose team is behind and has its back to the wall on its own 10-yard line with time running out.

There’s a lesson in this for the Christian. Every church seemly has its “team” and its “grandstand crowd.” Some members are deeply involved. They take an active part in the work of the church. These Christians are likely to be seen at gospel meetings conducted by other congregations in their area. They are active in patiently teaching their friends and neighbors the gospel of Jesus Christ. In short, some members are not content to sit back and watch; they’re always involved.

On the other hand, while some members are deeply involved, others merely watch like spectators in the bleachers ‘ But to hear them talk you would think they had all the answers. They would improve this and they would improve that. If they were in charge, the order of the services would be changed, the songs would be different and the preacher would be fired and a substitute put in his place. They don’t like the decisions made by the elders or the way the Bible classes are being run. Yet, ask them to help and you get a quick “No!”

A song of a few years back seems appropriate here. It contained the following lyric, “Walk a mile in my shoes before you abuse, criticize, or accuse, walk a mile in my shoes.” We all need to be careful not to criticize others until we have “walked a mile in their moccasins.” Jesus condemned this kind of fault-finding when He said, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye” (Matt. 7:1-5).

Don’t misunderstand me. Constructive criticism is always in order. Even as players on a team welcome helpful advise, so should Christians who are conscientiously serving the Lord. We all need constructive criticism. This type of criticism is aimed at helping one another become better people. When criticism is used properly, we will all greatly benefit from the criticism of others.

In addition, as you endeavor to criticize others because things aren’t going the way you think they should, are you available to assist? When offered a job, are you willing to accept it? If not, then you have been a grandstand expert long enough. It is time you got into the game! He has the right to criticize who has the heart to help.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 11, p. 342
June 7, 1984

By Earl E. Robertson

When one is dissatisfied with God’s ways yet seeks to be religious, he will make substitution here and there to placate his conscience. Religious people are constantly engaged in substituting the human for the divine. However, one has never been able to arrogate unto himself the power necessary to make nay changes in what God wants in the human family; one’s efforts so presumptuously displayed only call for divine displeasure and judgment. Saul’s substitution (1 Sam. 15) well illustrates this fact.

God teaches us to be holy and righteous. Paul says God’s grace teaches us that “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Tit. 2:12). There are some who feign this character of living while actually living otherwise. This particular “Christian” will usually attend the Sunday morning service and give nominal service to God. This duplicitous and hypocritical service only salves one’s conscience making it possible for him to continue to lie, cheat, fornicate, dope, and fit into general society while at the sam time “holding to God’s hand”! One cannot substitute a life of lust for the life of purity that God demands.

Prayer is a wonderful blessing but it is often abused and misused. Solomon wrote, “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination” (Prov. 28:9). There is no value to saint or sinner in substituting prayer for the doing of what God says. Prayer was much of the life of Jesus and the early church. The apostles gave themselves continually to prayer (Acts 6:4), and the early Christians prayed without ceasing (Acts 12:5; 1 Thess. 5:17), because praying by the righteous was effectual (James 5:16). Alien sinners are taught by preachers to pray for salvation, but the word of God does not so teach them. Faith, repentance, confession and baptism are the essentials for salvation given by the Lord. Contrary to this plainly states plan, people are trying to “pray through” for salvation. It is a rejection of what God says and a substituting for it. While at the same time some claiming to be Christians flagrantly disobey God – even in the contemplation of it fix prayer in their mind as an escape from God’s judgment. All such substitution is rebellion and disobedience to God. Blessings are to be had in doing his will, not substitution for it. God must have His way!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 11, p. 338
June 7, 1984

By Ken Weliever

The English poet John Donne once wrote, “No man is an island unto himself.” We might amend Donne’s statement to “no Christian is an island unto himself. ” Christianity is a religion of relationships with people. We cannot live a hermit-like existence and fulfill the commands of Christ. We have responsibilities in the home, the community, on our jobs and within the body of Christ. Christians need to learn how to get along with people.

The early Christians in Acts 2:47 were “praising God, and having favor with all the people.” Their disposition and demeanor was one of getting along with each other and folks in the community. Being a Christian does not mean we are always fussing within and fighting without. While some folks may not like us because of our stand for truth, it ought not to be said that we are hard to get along with because of a poor attitude. Let us think of some practical suggestions that will help us in having favor with people.

Show An Interest In Others

Dale Carnegie said, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” This concept is not a trick just to use people. Nor is it simply an appropriate social grace. It is indeed a divine precept. Paul said, “Do not merely look out for your own personal interest but also for the interest of others” (Phil. 2:4, NASB). While Jesus Christ was on earth, He gave personal attention to people – their needs, desires and ambitions. Such accounts as the woman at the well (John 4:5-26) and Zaccheaus (Lk. 19:1-10) demonstrate this fact. We need to be like our Master and show an interest in others, if we are to enjoy their favor.

Care For Others

Coupled with an interest in people, there needs to be a genuine care and concern for the welfare of others. Many in our world have become cold and calloused toward the needs of their fellow man. Christians, however, are to be sensitive, caring and sharing people. “There should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another” (1 Cor. 12:26). This means we “rejoice with them that rejoice and weep with them that weep” (Rom. 12:15). Can we do that? Or, do we gleefully say concerning someone’s problems, “Well, he had it coming to him”? Does envy and jealousy forbid us to rejoice in the good fortune of a friend or brother causing us to look at them with jaundiced eyes and bitter hearts? Do we care?

Be Cheerful

Another key in having favor with people is being cheerful. No one likes a sourpuss. Keep the corners of your mouth turned up. Hide your pains, pressures and problems under a smile. We will convert more people when the world sees Christians with a radiant, cheerful countenance. The Philippian letter characterizes the Christian’s life as one of joy. The writer speaks of “the joy of faith” (1:25). He says, “we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus” (3:3). Is that us? Someone said they had seen happier faces on iodine bottles than in some worship services! Since Christianity is such a joyful way of life, why are many so sullen when we come together to praise God? If we experience the “joy of faith,” why do we act so sour and surly in our homes, on our jobs and in the community? Smile brethren! Not only will you feel better (Prov. 17:22), but it will help you in having favor with people.

Keep An Open Mind

Sometimes we confuse matters of faith with our personal opinion. Listen to the other fellow’s point of view; allow him to differ fromyou. Even in matters of faith we can differ without being difficult to get along with. We can discuss without being disgusting in our attitudes and actions. Remember Paul’s inspired advice to Timothy: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves . . . ” (2 Tim. 2:24-25).

Be Slow To Speak

How many disagreements with neighbors, disruptions in the home and divisions among brethren could have been avoided if we would have been “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (Jas. 1: 19)? The wise man said, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger” (Prov. 15:1). This is hard for some of us, but having favor with people demands that we apply this divine principle in human relations.

Be Quick To Encourage

While we should be slow to criticize, we should be quick to encourage and edify one another. We need to be like the prophet of old who penned: “The Lord hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in a season to him that is weary” (Isa. 50:4). Become the kind of person who always has something good to say about someone else, a word of encouragement, or a compliment for a job well done. This will go a long way toward developing favor with people.

Practice The Golden Rule

When in doubt on how to treat someone or what to say, follow the law laid down by Jesus, sometimes known as the golden rule: “Therefore, whatsoever you want men to do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 7:12). This rule sums up all principles of human relationships.

Specific Application

These suggestions can help us all in having favor with people. But the virtue is not in knowing what is right, but in doing what is right. Briefly think of some specific applications we can make of these principles in our daily lives.

(1) In our homes. Husbands love your wives. Be affectionate and courteous. Wives respect your husbands. Be interested in their activities. Talk kindly to each other and your children and teach them the same.

(2) In our neighborhoods. Speak well of your neighbors. Look for ways to help them. Let your light shine.

(3) Among brethren. Refrain from gossip and backbiting. Purge your heart of envy and jealousy. “Be kind one to another with brotherly love” (Rom. 12: 10). “Let each one of you regard one another as more important than himself” (Phil. 2:3).

(4) To non-Christian prospects. Be careful not to appear smug and self-righteous. Treat them with dignity and respect. Win their favor, so you can influence them to be receptive to the truth.

(5) Toward enemies. Love them. Pray for them. Refuse to sink to their level. Let God be the judge.

Conclusion

Having favor with people is not only good, but it is the will of God. Our suggestions are summed up in the words of Lord Balfour who said, “The best thing to give your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.”

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 12, pp. 353, 377
June 21, 1984

By Daniel L. Holloway

In Acts 4, we find the apostles Peter and John being tried by the Jewish council. Verse 13 says that the council “took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Now let us ask ourselves how the council recognized this. First of all, when they questioned the apostles, Peter proclaimed that he was acting under the authority of Jesus whom, he affirmed, was the Christ. Also, from the wording of verse 13, it seems that some of the council remembered seeing Peter and John with Jesus. Finally, it is very likely that the Jewish authorities saw the parallel between the apostles’ bold manner of teaching and their miracle, and the teaching and miracles of Jesus. It is this last factor upon which we will focus our attention.

The apostle Paul was never a companion of our Lord and yet it can be said that he “had been with Jesus.” In Galatians 2:20, Paul declares, “Christ lives in me” and, in 1 Corinthians 11:1, he explains, “I follow the example of Christ.” This should be the case with us as well. Jesus charged the twelve apostles, who had literally been with Him (Acts 1:21,22), “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). Since a disciple is a follower of a teacher, our conduct should be like those of whom it was observed “they had been with Jesus.”

How then did the apostles and other New Testament disciples conduct themselves?

(1) They “all with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer” (Acts 1:13,14). They “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:41,42). “Day by day,” they continued “steadfastly with one accord” (Acts 2:47). Here we have a beautiful picture of real fellowship with God and brethren – a deep abiding devotion to God unspoiled by faction and strife.

(2) They preached whenever they had an opportunity. When a miracle drew a crowd, Peter preached to them (Acts 3), and when the council questioned the apostles’ authority, Peter preached to them also (Acts 4:5-12). When persecution scattered Christians, they “went about preaching the word” (Acts 8:1-4). Too often today, we do not even recognize our opportunities, much less use them.

(3) They gave God the kind of respect He deserves as God. When the very men who had Christ crucified commanded the apostles not to preach in the name of Jesus and threatened them, they responded with, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:28,29) and “We cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard” (Acts 4:18-21). When Ananias and Sapphira died for their hypocrisy, “great fear came upon the whole church.” The brethren in Jerusalem took God seriously.

(4) They prayed fervently, fully aware of their dependence on God. When persecuted, they asked God to take note of their enemies and to enable them to boldly proclaim His word (Acts 4:21,23-30).

Let us examine ourselves. Do we live like that? If we were carried back in time and placed alongside Peter and John before the Jewish council, would they think that we “had been with Jesus”? Paul says that “the hope of glory” is Christ in you” (Col. 1:27).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 11, pp. 340-341
June 7, 1984