Truth Magazine

By Irven Lee

0ne of the common requests of the irreligious to those of us who are interested in their spiritual welfare is, “Don’t push me!” What do they mean? They are actually asking that we let them alone in their indifference and worldliness. Their demand may sometimes be: “Don’t preach to me!”

Unfaithful members of the church and those who have never obeyed the first principles of the religion of Christ may explain that they may be active Christians sometime but that they will make up their own minds when they do. They do not admit that others may influence them. They think they will make their own decisions without outside aid.

The Gospel Must Be Preached

Shall we obey God or men? The very great commission given by the Christ to His disciples was that they go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16; Luke 24:46,47). “Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1:21). According to the Bible, preaching is not in vain (Rom. 10:17).

The seed is the word of God, and people are to go out over the earth sowing this seed (Luke 8:4-15). The sower goes forth to sow, but some people will not receive the message. The hearts of some may refuse the word to the same extent that the roadway will not receive seed that they may grow and produce a good harvest. In years past people have said, “I appreciate your invitation, but I am just not ready. I will sometime.” Now, similar people try to make us feel that we are guilty of some evil called “pushing them” when we “preach” to them.

Protecting From The Gospel?

Some members of the church have decided that we should not try to talk to them at all about their souls because they will resent our “pushing them.” “Just be friendly with them, hunt with them, play ball with them, etc.” Do we ever mention Christ, or the church, or the Bible? If so, when and how? Would only a casual invitation to visit the worship service sometime be all we would ever dare do or say to them? When did hunting and fishing ever become more powerful than the story of Jesus? These irreligious people are not comfortable when they are reminded of the Christ who offers to redeem those who are obedient and who will judge the whole world in righteousness. Those who do not want to be “pushed” are usually the very ones that are not about to come and sit down to listen to a sermon. Will they be converted without the gospel?

Most of us talk enough about the weather, the economy, politics, and the threat of war. Who is there who needs to talk more of these things? If we talk to people twenty minutes about these things and two minutes about Christ, we are told that we must not “push them.” Their relatives may also advise that we not “push them” because these irreligious people have told them how they feel. The devil is putting across his point to these relatives.

We cannot force obedience, and it is possible for us to be impatient and unreasonable, but most of us touch this effort too lightly rather than with too much “push. ” We are much more likely to be timid about trying to save souls than to be overly zealous.

Paul reviewed his work at Ephesus in talking with the elders of the church (Acts 20:17-38). Please study this chapter carefully. “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ . . . . Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God . . . . Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” Was Paul too “pushy”? Would he have done much more good by talking about the rights of slaves or the political errors of Caesar?

The first few chapters in Acts tell of the work of the twelve and of the thousands of converts at Jerusalem. “Daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42). Were they possibly guilty of this excessive zeal? They were very successful and, when persecution scattered them, they “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Let us get our instruction from the holy men of God who were moved by the Holy Spirit rather than from those who love “soft soap” in our day. Jude suggested that we earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3). He was one of those who knew the power of the gospel and the right way of the Lord (Rom. 1:16).

Conclusion

Church people have, in many cases, become so weak in the faith that they just do not put on the whole armor and take the sword of the Spirit to fight a good fight. We are allowing the atheistic humanists to “push” us into a cave while they dominate the thinking of our nation. They use the television networks, the educational system, the courts, and Congress to set the standards of life for Americans, and they are teaching men to live according to the standards of animals in the jungle. We, as weak Christians, should be ashamed of our silence rather than of our being “pushy.” Some have well said that our silence is yellow rather than golden.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 10, p. 306
May 17, 1984

By Ward Hogland

Brother Reuel Lemmons gave three big cheers for the pope in his March article in Action, a paper published on the West coast by Jimmie Lovell. He said, “Critical Cardinals have jumped all over the pope for his laudatory assessment of Martin Luther’s work, and his announced plans to preach in a Lutheran church.” He went on to say the cranky Cardinals have circulated a letter condemning the pope. What Reuel didn’t tell is that those so-called “cranky Cardinals” didn’t condemn the pope for speaking in a Lutheran church but for giving encouragement to Lutheran doctrine! Even the “critical Cardinals” knew that one cannot fit the round peg of Catholicism into the square hole of Lutheranism. On this basis I beg to differ with brother Lemmons. Instead of giving the pope three cheers I think he needs three kicks in the seat of the pants! There is a vast difference in preaching in a building and giving aid to the enemy by acquiescing to his doctrine.

After giving three cheers to the pope, he turned on his own brethren by making three serious charges. He condemned all Christians who claim we are the only Christians. He said, “The self assumed claim that we are the only Christians. ” Second, “We have arrived at ultimate truth, and if others want it they can come to us and get it.” Third, “The right to determine who is a Christian.” To justify his position, he used the old cliche “We are not that perfect in all our judgments.” Kind friend, have we drifted so far that we cannot identify a Christian? Have we become so bent by the logomachy of Calvinism that we stand for nothing? Brother Lemmons talked about Christians having the truth and others having to come to us to get it. The first part of his statement is truth; the second part is prejudicial! Who ever claimed that people have to come to us for truth? Kind friend, the truth is in the Bible.

He bemoans the fact we are the only Christians. Was the Lord the only true Lord? Was Noah and his family the only ones saved in the ark? Were the apostles the only ones to impart gifts of the Spirit? Is there only one true church? Is there only one Spirit, God, Body, Lord, Faith and Hope? If my brethren would stop giving cheers to the pope long enough to study their Bibles, they would find the word only is not so bad! You know, I do not know everything, neither am I perfect but one thing I know and that is that I must know the truth in order to be free. So at least, I can know something. Several years ago an infidel told me, “Hogland, we don’t know anything for sure.” I laugh at the time but now my brethren are telling me the same! Kind friend, you are not perfect but you had better know that baptism is essential to salvation, that the Lord’s Supper is to be observed every Sunday, that it is wrong to lie, steal and commit adultery, that the Lord established one church, that there is a God in heaven who loves you and wants you saved, and that he has given you the power of choice.

I differ with brother Lemmons on all three points. First, I believe Christians are the only ones to be saved. Second I believe we can know the identity of a Christian and third I believe the Christian must know the truth in order to be saved. Think it over because it is later than you think.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 10, p. 305
May 17, 1984

By Johnie Edwards

There are some things that just go along with salvation. The Hebrew writer said, “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak” (Heb. 6:9). Let’s take a look at some things that accompany salvation.

The Gospel of Christ

In writing the Ephesians, Paul said, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13). The gospel and salvation cannot be separated, for you can not have one without the other! This is the reason it is written, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). It is by the gospel that we are saved as Paul wrote the Corinthians, “Moreover, 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” (1 Cor. 15:1-2). If you expect to see folks enjoy salvation, you will have to see that they are taught the gospel of Jesus Christ in order that they may obey it.

Greatness

Salvation is the greatest thing that has been offered mankind! If we were to gain the whole world and lose our soul, we would be cheated (Matt. 16:26). No wonder it is recorded: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation . . .” (Heb. 2:3). Salvation is great because it is one of the things that extends beyond the confines of this world. When the Lord comes the second time, He will bring eternal salvation for the faithful (Heb. 9:28). Greatness accompanies salvation.

Faith And Obedience

Obedience accompanies salvation. It always has and always will! The Holy Spirit said as He spoke of Christ: “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). Faith put to work in obedience makes for a condition where one can enjoy salvation from past sins and, as Peter said, “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1 Pet. 1:9). If you believe that you can have salvation from your sins and expect to go to the heaven when you die apart from faith and obedience, perish the thought!

The Longsuffering of God

Many times God suffers long just to allow one to be saved. God does not wish that any die in his sins (Ezek. 33:11). Christ “is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Again Peter said, “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation . . .” (2 Pet. 3:15). God may be waiting to send His Son the second time to allow you an opportunity to be saved! Would you please take advantage of the longsuffering of God?

Christ And The Church

Christ and the church accompanies salvation. It is recorded, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Yet, many have been led to believe that there is nothing in a name, and that one name is just as good as another. There is authority in a name! The saved are in the church for that is where the Lord puts the saved (Acts 2:47). Paul told the Ephesians that “Christ is the savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23) and the body is the church (Col. 1:18). “Salvation is in Christ (2 Tim. 2: 10). Are you in Christ and the church?

Faithful-Sacrificial Living

No responsible person can be saved without faithful living! The Lord said, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). Without holiness “no man shall see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). Paul admonished the Romans “that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable. unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12: 1). You need to mark it down, in whatever book you mark things down in, that faithful-sacrificial living accompanies salvation.

We all need to learn the principle, “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt. 19:9).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 11, p. 325
June 7, 1984

By John W. Hedge

Unbalanced preaching and teaching of God’s holy word, the gospel of Christ, is, in the ears of those full informed therein, comparable to the unbalanced tires on one’s automobile. Such preaching and teaching consists of “wresting the scriptures” (2 Pet. 3:15-16), of “perverting the gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:6-8), and of failing to “handle aright the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Unbalanced preaching reduces the Bible to a book of glaring contradictions and unworthy of acceptation by anyone.

In the beginning of the Lord’s church on earth there was no unbalanced preaching. Those who engaged in the noble work of preaching the only gospel designed to save the lost were inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:26; Matt. 10:19-20; Gal. 3:1-2). It was through the agency of those inspired preachers and writers of the gospel of Christ that the New Testament in its entirety has been given to all 4. mankind and for all time (Jude 3-4). Taking this as our sole “rule book” we find the following obligations made binding on all who would preach or teach God’s word in a way which would please Him.

First, they must “speak as the (written) oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). Second, they must “speak the things which become sound doctrine” (Mt. 2:1). Third, they must “rightly divide (or handle aright) the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). By following these simple rules, there can be no unbalanced preaching and teaching of the gospel of Christ. All the unbalanced preaching, all the different “winds of doctrine,” as heard today have resulted from the different preachers who have ignored God’s simple rules governing them in their work. The unity, peace, and great progress attained by the early Christians is to be attributed to the fact that they “continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine” which was well balanced (Acts 2:42). Although there were twelve different apostles, each one being guided by the same Holy Spirit taught or preached the same things. This spells out clearly the unity of their preaching and resulted in the unity of all who believed it, and a continuation of such unity on the part of all who continued in it. Repeated warnings were given that some would “depart from the faith” by “giving heed to the doctrines of demons” and by following their own “pernicious ways” (1 Tim. 4:1-3). These predictions began to be fulfilled even in the days of the apostle Paul and have been on the increase through the centuries, and with more yet to come (2 Tim. 3:13).

Since the days of Martin Luther and John Calvin, the doctrine that “salvation is solely by faith” and “wholly by the grace of God” has been taught. Great emphasis has been placed upon the idea that man cannot save himself, which is true in the sense that he cannot devise and use a plan of his own making but untrue when it is applied to man in accepting God’s plan and abiding in it. Even some preachers who claim to “speak as the (written) oracles of God” have been heard to catch up the old refrain, “Man cannot save himself,” one “cannot be saved by good works” without any qualifications whatsoever. It is leaving such remarks in mid-air that constitutes unsound preaching. Perhaps when these remarks are made without due qualification by some of our careless preachers, it would be good for one to be present who believes that man can do nothing by which to save himself to shout aloud a hearty “amen.” Maybe this would cause the careless preachers not to leave such remarks in mid-air.

One of “our preachers” informs by letter that he now is emphasizing God’s grace more than emphasizing man’s works. This spells out clearly unsound preaching. I wonder if he would take time off to preach a series of sermons based on James 2, along with Philippians 2:11-12 and Revelation 22:12. Well balanced preaching requires that one not only preach “salvation by grace” but by doing “the works of God,” that is, the “works” which He has authorized us to do in His will. In all of our teaching and preaching we need to use “sound speech that cannot be condemned.” “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Prov. 25:11).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 10, p. 303
May 17, 1984