Truth Magazine

By Daniel H. King

When I was a boy it was my pleasure to spend the night occasionally at my grandmother’s W house in West Tennessee. It was a great place to stay, although the facilities were far less civilized than most of us would like to have them be today. Just being out on the farm with her and my two bachelor uncles was sensational for a country boy who had been transplanted (against his will) to the big city.

I never gave too much thought to the fact that we had to carry in the water from the pump and drink from the same iron-encrusted dipper, even in the winter when little slivers of ice volunteered their presence about the edges of the bucket. It wasn’t even so bad that there was no indoor toilet. That amounted only to something “neat” that I could tell my friends about when I made it back to the city. They would all say “Wow!” and mean it when they heard how I had roughed it with the folks out in the “sticks.”

During the cold part of the year, however, this simple nuisance took on awesome dimensions. Waking up in the middle of the night with the urge to visit the little wooden “outhouse” (which was duly situated a goodly number of steps from the house), was an experience which, once lived through, would never be forgotten!

There is one thing, though, above all such related experiences, that drifts back into the memory with a special mixture of emotions. It is the sensation of putting on cold breeches. I remember awakening to the faint smell of bacon frying and buttermilk biscuits in the oven. My bedroom was located at the furthermost end of the house, far from the coal-fired stove in the front room. Some mornings it was so cold in the room that your nose was visibly red from it. And, the breath that issued from beneath the thickly-layered quilts atop the feather-bed could actually be seen as well as felt.

On such wintry mornings one held his breath as he dashed from out of the protecting covers and slid the icy pants that lay beside the bed onto his toasty-warm body. What a frigid reception they always gave their host! Those first heart-stopping moments were certainly no indication of the warmth they would later bestow. Only slowly would they begin to reflect the body’s self-generated heat back upon itself. At the first they certainly gave more pain than pleasure.

As I have considered more fully this experience of putting on cold breeches, I have often reflected that there are many things in fife that are like it. Such experiences start out giving pain but end in profit. Is this not so with birth?

One accepts the necessary advice of a physician, who takes a knife and cuts deeply into his flesh – a thing he would not imagine allowing to happen to him were it not for the hoped-for benefit at the end of this surgical operation.-In similar fashion, one opens his mouth widely while a dentist drills a gaping hole in his tooth all the way down to the nerve (at which time he usually wants to jump out of the chair). When this experience is over he cherishes the hope that his tooth will quit hurting and that he will never have to visit another dentist as long as he lives. But if he has another toothache, back to the dentist he will go! The benefit is worth the temporary discomfort. One would prefer to endure a few moments in the dentist’s chair than to lay awake all night long with a toothache.

Things are the same way in the spiritual realm. Because a few things in that department cause us some momentary discomfort or make demands upon us which would be more easily ignored or neglected than fulfilled, we would prefer not to have any part of them. That is the easy way, for now at least. It is also the most convenient way. But the way of hardship is often the only way to lasting satisfaction and happiness. It is said that Paul, after an unsuccessful attempt by his opponents on his fife, exhorted the disciples of Christ in Pisidia to continue in the faith, despite hardships, for it is “through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). If anyone knew how true was this axiom, it was surely Paul!

We will not conceal the fact that your confession of Christ and stand in life for his teachings and principles will at times cost you. The duties of the Christian life are numerous and involve expenditure of time and money. We refuse to apologize for that. But, look at them like this: They are a lot like putting on cold breeches. At first they may make shivers run through you. But after a while you warm up to them. In heaven you’ll probably forget all about them: “For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:17-18).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 7, p. 208
April 5, 1984

By Bob Dodson

Perhaps we have all taken “great” tests before, which would have “great” bearing on the outcome of our lives. For example, many have taken time in the pursuit of higher education to seek their PhD, and to receive this invaluable reward, they were required to write a “thesis” about their particular subject. To them it may have been one of the “greatest” tests they have taken. But the “test” that you are about to take exceeds in importance all other examinations, as the “heavens are higher than the earth” (Isa. 55:8-9). God is the one who is giving the examination, and His question is, “Are you prepared to meet God?” (Amos 4:2). You will know the answer to this question after you take this test. Are you ready? Do you have your Bible? Then begin the test. Caution is needed to answer each question (2 Tim. 2:15). Be honest with God and yourself .

Greatest Commander

Is God’s Son Jesus Christ the “commandant” of your life? He possesses all “authority” both in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18-20). Every person on this earth who has ever lived or will ever live has been given by responsible choice the right to obey God or Satan (Rom. 6:16-18). Satan desires only to destroy you (1 Pet. 5:8-9; John 8:44), whereas Christ Jesus came into this world to redeem you from sin (1 Tim. 1: 15). Have you obeyed the commandments of Him whom God hath made both “Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36)? None of His commands are grievous (1 John 5:3) but instead they serve only to benefit mankind. You can prove your love for God by obeying the commands of Christ (John 14:15). Christ does command that all men “hear the word of God” (Rom. 10: 17, Matt. 17:5), for the evidence found therein is sufficient to produce “faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God” (John 20:30-3 1), which Jesus says is necessary for Salvation (John 8:24). Christ also commands “repentance” for all men (Acts 17:30-31). Christ also commands “confession” with the mouth that he is Lord (Rom. 10:9-10). And Christ commands all men who have obeyed these above commandments to couple their faith with baptism (Mark 16:15-16), which will put them into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27), and they will receive forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38.Eph. 1:3-7). At the same time God will add you to the “church” of Christ Jesus our Lord (Acts 2:47). What is your answer to this question?

Greatest Investment

Have you made the decision to invest your all in service unto God? Jesus Christ made the most supreme investment of 0 by leaving heaven and coming to earth (Matt. 13:45-46). When He emptied Himself in heaven of the glories and honor He possessed as God, and donned Himself in rags, He truly did “purchase” the Pearl of Great Price (Acts 20:28). This investment surely pays heavenly dividends by God’s grace (Eph. 2:8-10). But God demands that we invest our “whole being” in Christ as a Christian (Phil. 3:7-8). Indeed we are called upon to invest our hearts (Matt. 22:37), our time (Heb. 5:12-14), our talents (Matt. 25:14-30), our energies (Matt. 21:28-29), our influence (Matt. 5:13-16), and our material blessings (Matt. 6:19-20). How are you doing thus far on this test?

Greatest Sacrifice

God’s sacrificial love for man leaves us breathless (John 3:16), and the sacrificial love of Christ surpasses all of our understanding (Eph. 3:19). Christ lived on this earth as a man serving God daily and never once transgressed God’s law by “doing his own thing” (John 6:38). God’s Son truly has magnified the words of Romans 12:1-2 in expressing unto us in “living color” the truth about being a “living sacrifice.” He made Himself a present unto God (Eph. 5:1-2) for the joy set before Him of being the Savior of the World (Heb. 12:1-3). Total and complete “transformation” in attitude and action is required in being a “living” sacrifice acceptable unto God. Self-denial is mandatory and self-discipline is necessary to enter heaven (Luke 9:23). Have you sacrificed “you”?

Greatest Book

Are you “intimately” acquainted with the Bible? It is “without controversy” the greatest manuscript that has ever been conceived, and written (2 Tim. 3:16-17). How deep have you been digging with your shovel of investigation into this “gold mine” of spiritual wisdom and knowledge (Acts 17:11)? Without thorough and careful research of the Book of God (2 Tim. 2:15) men cannot stand approved before the Examiner! If you are ashamed just ‘who” is to blame?

Greatest Example

Are you seeking diligently to imitate the Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 11:1)? His love for righteousness knew no boundaries,. and His hatred for evil has known no equal (Heb. 1:8-9). Your convictions of the Book of God have “influential power” when you personify them through action (I Pet. 2:9-12). Since a picture is worth 10,000 words let your “conversation” be that which becometh the glorious gospel of Christ (Phil. 1:27), so that you may adorn the gospel of God our Savior (Tit. 2: 10) in all things! Do you emit spiritual radiation for Christ?

Greatest Objective

Are you striving to take someone with you to the glorious home of the soul? Jesus Christ in conversation said that putting “first things first,” let us go preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Luke 9:58-62). Your life cannot take on greater meaning than that of “soul-saving.” This endeavor is worthy of our greatest Planning and execution. No hobby or recreation surpasses the unspeakable joy that is experienced when a sinner washes in the blood of Jesus. Are you sharing this divine happiness with the Lord and others (John 4:34-37)?

Greatest Labor

Are you building spiritual bridges of righteousness for others to use in crossing the chasm of sin and degradation (1 Cor. 3:9)? Priests for the Lord are co-workers with God and share with Christ in building His church (Matt. 16:18-19, 1 Pet. 2:5,9). The Latin word for “priest” is pontifex or bridge-builder. If you are trying to be an example in “word, manner of living, love, faith, spirit and purity” (1 Tim. 4:12), you are building safe bridges for others to cross. But many Christians should “bum their bridges behind them,” for they present a hazard to spiritual health of those whom they influence (2 Pet. 2:1-3, 10-13). Christians in Thessalonica, were helping Christ build His church (1 Thess. 1:2-3). Are you the faithful “steadfast” Christian whose faith works by love (Gal. 5:5; 1 Cor. 15:58)? Are you working fervently on God’s construction crew (Heb. 13:20-21), or are you now busily engaged on Satan’s demolition gang (2 Cor. 11: 1315; Jude 12-19)? All of us are busy working, but who gets the glory, and just “whom” do we represent?

Greatest Affection

Have you set your affections on things above where our Master rules and reigns (Col. 3:1-2)? Are you using your “treasures” to expedite the business of the King (Luke 2:49)? Is your greatest desire that of seeing God’s face (Ren. 22:1-5), and basking in the glorious Son-shine of God’s righteous city of glory? Are you carnally-minded or spiritually minded (Rom. 8:5-8)? Do you love this world, and the things therein? Are you eaten up with the consumption disease (1 Jn. 2:15-17)? Do you consume worldly endowments upon your own lusts (Jas. 4:1-4)? Do you truly love God and His law (Psa. 119:97)? Are you “kindly affectioned” to your brethren in Christ (Rom. 12:9-10)? God says that our affection for him is without suspect only when we “keep him commandments” (I Jn. 5:1-2). We live a “lie” (Rev. 22:15) by rejecting and refusing Him the rightful obedience He deserves! Is your true love “misplaced”)

Greatest Character

Do you allow Jesus to be seen in you? For unless Christ lives and works in you (Gal. 2:20), your life is void of meaning (Jn. 15:1-8). Christ Jesus is truly the greatest character who ever honored this earth by His presence (Acts 10:38, Heb. 4:15). Have you armed yourself with the “greatest” mind of the ages (1 Pet. 4:1-5), in order that you might always “characterize” righteousness and true holiness (Eph. 4:24)? Your character is determined by the amount of adversity needed to discourage you (Gal. 6:7-9), and the accomplishments you are able to achieve without losing your humility (I Cor. 15:9-10). Christ never got the “big-head” (John 17:4), and with unwavering determination he conquered every adversary (Heb. 2:14-15), and finished the work God gave Him to do on earth among men and in spiritual realms (1 John 3:8). How much of the character of Christ “dwelleth” in you?

Greatest Fruit

Are you the tree planted by the waters of holiness that yields it fruit unto God (Psa. 1: 1-3)? The fruit of the Spirit should decorate each Christian (Gal. 5:22-26). This fruit only comes when we are rooted and grounded in Christ (Col. 2:6-7). If you are a fruit-bearing Christian you can expect “pruning and purging” by God so you can bring forth more fruit to glorify your creator (John 15:1-2, 8). Some Christians have fruit that is withering, and some are fruit-less (Jude 12). Have you allowed the seed of the kingdom to germinate in your life so as the blossoms of the beauty of holiness have become “part of your life” (Luke 8:15)? Have you begun to add to your faith the virtues and knowledge and temperance and patience and godliness and brotherly kindness and charity which is the bond of “perfectness” (Col. 3:12-14; 2 Pet. 1:5-11)? Barren branches in Christ are burned in the fire (John 15:6-7)! Are you blinded by your selfish endeavors to this worthy goal?

Greatest Reward

Have you purposed to “press” on toward the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-16)? If so, your citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20-21), and you constantly yearn for the green pastures of heaven, and thirst for the waters of life which flow from God’s throne (Psa. 23; Rev. 7:16-17). Persecution has no sting when overshadowed by the grandeur of “heaven” (Matt. 5:10-12). Living forever worshiping God, without sad news of death, or discomfort of pain, or the agony of sorrow to mar the “perfect” day (Prov. 4:18). This inheritance of grace is incorruptible and undefiled and fadeth not away (1 Pet. 1:34). This hope of eternal life (Heb. 5:17-20) anchors our soul and gives us stability in life (Eph. 4:13-14). Having our eyes fixed on heaven should “polarize” our every thought and deed and word (Col. 3:17; 1 Jn. 3:18). Have you planned to go to heaven and miss “hell”?

Greatest Opportunity

Being a Christian affords man the holy privilege of worshiping God in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). Have you dedicated your body as the sanctuary of holiness, where God lives and reigns (1 Cor. 6:19-20; 1 Pet. 3:15)? Have you turned away from every “idol” to serve the living God (1 Thess. 1:9)? Do you actually love God more and deeper than “family” (Matt. 10:37)? Do you daily shew forth His “excellencies” (1 Pet. 2:9-10)? Do you take advantage of every single “opportunity” presented unto you through providence to glorify your Maker? Or do you take “advantage” of God and render “self-worship” regularly (2 Tim. 3:1-5)?

Greatest Happiness

Are you really happy (Matt. 5:1-12)? Living for Jesus gives “meaning” to life. His commandments are designed to produce fulfillment (Eph. 3:14-21). His precepts instill peaceful assurance when obeyed (Rev. 22:14, Phil. 4:4-8). The law of Christ is “modern and up to date” (1 Pet. 1:22-23). Yield the “right of way” to Jesus in your life and He will, through His powerful message, speak marvelous words through your tongue, carry your feet to enchanting places, and allow your eyes to behold wondrous things in His law, and use your hands to lift burdens from heavy shoulders (2 Tim. 2:19-21). Did you pass this great-test (examination)? Perhaps you made 100. If so, congratulations are in order to you. Do not boast however, for you have only done your duty (Luke 17: 10)! For we are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-10)!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 7, pp. 198, 216, 218
April 5, 1984

By Hoyt Houchen

Question: Is smoking a sin in the sight of God?

Reply: Medical reports show that cigarette smoking is one of the nation’s leading killers. An are familiar with the statement issued by the Surgeon General of the U.S. Air Force: “The ever-increasing evidence linking cigarette smoking with lung cancer, pulmonary diseases, cardio-vascular diseases, etc., can no longer be ignored.” The U.S. Public Health service said, “That smoking is a hazard to health is known by practically everybody who has studied the subject. In this country, an overwhelming majority of physicians, the American Medical Association, numerous other professional organizations, and the Congress of the United States have accepted the evidence that smoking is a health hazard. To our knowledge, no medical or scientific body in the world has taken the position that it is not” (Congressional Record, Volume 114, Number 5 1, March 27, 1%8). According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer today kills approximately 43,000 persons in the United States annually. To clarify the connection with cigarette smoking, highlights of a study were presented to the American Medical Association in June 1957. At that time, it was concluded that the lung cancer death rates were ten times as high among regular smokers as among those who never smoked. Among a two-pack-a-day smokers the rate was more than twenty times as high as among nonsmokers. Men who stopped smoking had a lower lung cancer rate. Those who smoked a pack or more a day, but who had given up smoking for at least one year, had a death rate less than half that of those who continued smoking. (This report furnished by the American Cancer Society.) Smoking is not only hazardous to the health of the smoker himself but also to those around him. Nonsmokers who have respiratory problems (perhaps unknown to the smoker) such as asthma, emphysema and allergies, often suffer from the second hand smoke which they must inhale from the smoker.

But people continue to smoke, in spite of all the warnings and evidence of smoking being a health hazard. It is not uncommon to see a young child of elementary school age with a cigarette in his mouth. Millions, no doubt, become addicted to the use of tobacco because of their susceptibility to worldly influence. Peer pressure is a cause for so many pursuing the habit. The misery of one suffering from lung cancer, emphysema and other related diseases (which may have resulted from cigarette smoking) are not shown in the commercial advertisements of tobacco companies. Films are available which portray patients suffering in misery from such diseases, and even some in their dying condition, requesting an opening to be made in the throat so that a cigarette can be inserted. They must have a few last puffs from it. As in the words of the song, people continue to “puff, puff, puff that cigarette!”

Smoking involves more than health. Paul wrote: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Can one say that he is glorifying God when addicted to smoking?

Cigarette smoking enslaves the user. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 6:12, “All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any.” There is a lawful use of appetites but no one is to become a slave to a habit, whether it be alcohol, tobacco or some other drug. Gluttony is prohibited in any area of the appetite. Nicotine is definitely a drug. Dr. Richard H. Overholt, a Boston chest surgeon said: “The body of the long term smoker requires a replenished supply of nicotine for a feeling of well being. He is the victim of drug addiction.” Dr. Alton Ochsner said, “Tobacco is a poison . . . it is as harmful and addictive as any drug, perhaps even more so.” (Quotations from article, “King Nicotine or King Jesus?,” by Don Potts, Truth Magazine, Vol. 20, p. 635). The habitual smoker cannot do without his cigarette because he is addicted; he is enslaved by the nicotine which his body craves.

Cigarette smoking is not a good example to others. This should be admitted by the smoker himself. We cannot conceive of any smoker who would encourage his child to smoke; in fact, most if not all, would discourage his child or anyone else from taking up the habit. We are told by Paul in Philippians 2:15,16: “that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life A member of the church who smokes cannot exert the best influence upon others. Even many who are not Christians frown upon the use of tobacco. What effect does a member of the church have upon the nonsmoking outsider when he lights up a cigarette and smokes?

To summarize it: (1) Cigarette smoking is harmful to one’s health. There is sufficient and reliable evidence as to the harm that. results from cigarette smoking. It may do irreparable damage to the body. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body” (1 Cor. 6:19,20). (2) Smoking enslaves the user and (3) it has a destructive influence. We are to “abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22).

Much more can be said on the subject of smoking. In view of what I know, involving both medical and scriptural considerations, it would be a sin for me to smoke because it would violate my conscience. Each should carefully consider and evaluate the facts and then decide for himself whether smoking is a sin. All must agree that it is a dangerous, unclean and expensive habit. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:1, 2).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 7, p. 196
April 5, 1984

By Tom Roberts

How fortunate we are that our scientists do not approach medicine, research, physics, etc., with the utter abandon of reason that characterizes the study of religion. Surely a return to the Dark Ages would be imminent if scientists worked in their fields as do people with the word of God. How slowly, if ever, would electricity have been invented, men have walked on the moon or computers have been developed if the same principles of thought had been applied to these disciplines as are applied to the study of the Scriptures. Ever breathed there a scientists worthy of the name who randomly flipped through texts, putting his finger upon sentences at will, expecting this procedure to reveal some important truth? Do researchers make it a practice to ignore definitions and treat substances as it suits their whimsy? Do scientists bring a sense of predestination of their study, expecting that everything is beyond their ability to influence and that their efforts make no real difference? Do researchers just fling different substances together without thought of alignment, direction, compatibility, complementation or harmony? Do they just take a “blind leap” into situations without some basis or foundation upon which even their theories are built? Pseudo-scientists may be guilty of such behavior, but no one of training and reason would elect to follow such a course. Why, then, do so many religious people use this foolishness when entering into a study that is vastly superior to science, the salvation of their soul?

Salvation of man is the theme of the Bible. Whatever else a Bible reader receives in the way of moral training, social behavior or love of life, nothing is as important as the salvation of his soul. The Bible asserts that man is lost by man’s own choice, that God desire for man to be saved and has shed His grace to make salvation possible, that man can be saved, that the plan of salvation is understandable and that what God has revealed about the subject is logical, following discernible reason. We find in the Old Testament: “Come, let us reason together . . .” (Isa. 1:18). A companion passage in the New Testament implores: “. . . present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1). We should, therefore, approach the Bible with the mind, using it as we would in any logical process to discover what God has said about our salvation. With this approach, using our God-given reasoning ability, we are able to see a logical progression from sin to salvation, from guilt to remission. True, there are those who use the random method of Bible study, placing a finger here and there on separate pages, hoping for some Ouiji-board power to lead them to God. There are others who ignore Bible definitions and “pour their own theology” into words and phrases, making God speak in their own language. Or still others who are fatalistic in assuming that everything is already decided and that it really doesn’t make any difference since man has supposedly lost his free will and can only act as a robot in predetermined patterns set out before the world was formed. A large number ignore the established patterns of speech and language, joining words and phrases together that do not match or that contradict each other. Is it any wonder that the religious world is so divided or that there is no agreement on what a sinner must do to be saved?

It is to be hoped that we can contribute a little to a proper understanding of the plan of salvation. There is a certain logic to the subject: God has something in mind for us, has revealed what He wants us to do and the Bible is that record of His will. Let us attempt to work our way through the plan of salvation as it is revealed, looking at it in the manner in which God presented it. Is it reasonable to teach people to hear the gospel, believe it, repent of their sins, confess the name of Christ and be baptized for the remission of their sins? Is there a logic about this order, a reason why this order should be followed? Or is it just as reasonable to teach it in another order: baptism, faith, repentance and confession? or confession, faith, repentance and baptism? or repentance and faith without baptism and confession? Does it make any difference? Will just anything achieve the same results? “Come, let us reason together. . .” God wants us to be saved. What is His will?

Take The First Step: Read The Bible

Where there is no seed, there can be no life. This is a fact of life in the vegetable, animal, human and spiritual worlds. Our Creator’s rule is that each produces after its own kind and that the life is in its seed (Gen. 1: 11,25). This is no less true in the spiritual world than in the animal world and if we would accept this truth, much progress would be made. Jesus taught that the seed of the kingdom “is the word of God” (Lk. 8:11). For there to be life in the spiritual world, there must be seed, the word of God, and where the word of God has not gone, there can be no spiritual life. But God has sent the message (Rom. 10: 15) and we are to receive it. It is by the learning process that we come to God. “He that hath heard and hath learned, cometh unto me” (Jn. 6:44, 45). “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing, by the word of God” (Rom. 10: 17). Paul taught the Athenians that God was not far from each one of us and that He commands us (Acts 17:22-32). Since there can be no life without the seed and since the seed is the word of God, it is logical to begin with the proposition that the very first thing that is essential to salvation is a knowledge of what God commands (1 Pet. 1:22,23). This is not a random thought, a Ouiji board concoction, or a blind leap. This is a principle of truth upon which we may act because it is reasonable and understandable. Hearing God’s will is the first step in becoming His child, being born again.

Hearing Produces Faith

Where shall we go next? Confession? Baptism? Repentance? Is there any way that we can know or must we just plunge blindly along, hoping to stumble into the right way? No, my friend. The word of God points us in the way we ought to go. Faith is not a blind leap! Rather, it is the next logical step toward salvation, based upon the sure foundation of the word of the Lord. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my pathway” (Psa. 119:105). After hearing the word of God, faith is the result. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10: 17). Here is a plain statement of Scripture, identifying the source of faith. Faith is not an arbitrary gift of God, given to one but withheld from another. Faith is not something better felt than told. Faith is not absorbed out of the air by osmosis. It is not some mysterious force that ebbs and flows with cosmic tentacles, touching this one and that one but missing others. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. Isn’t this beautiful and logical, understandable and fair. Doesn’t it make sense? Where the seed goes, faith goes. That is why we hear the gospel called the “word of faith” (Rom. 10:8). That is why John asserted that “these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:3 1). This is why Jesus commanded the apostles to carry the message to every creature. Every creature needs faith and it comes through hearing the gospel. This is God’s order for salvation and there can be no other.

Faith Leads To Repentance

Jesus stated that “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Lk. 13:3). But what is repentance and where does it fit into the scheme of things? How does one know that he ought to repent? Can anyone repent before he reads the Bible and has faith? Is there a perceivable logic to the place of repentance?

When Paul met the heathen philosophers in Athens, he declared the existence of God to them and, upon his foundation, commanded repentance (Acts 17:16-31). Note that he did not command repentance and then speak of God. Proper repentance is produced by the knowledge of God and, by contrast, our shortcomings regarding His will. Jesus said that Nineveh repented “at the preaching” of Jonah (Lk. 11:32). Proper preaching will produce “godly sorrow” (2 Cor. 7:10) and a sense of the “goodness of God” (Rom. 2:4), both of which enhance true repentance. Thus, it can be seen that repentance will follow a hearing of God’s word and faith. This is the logical, sensible order presented by the Scriptures.

The doctrine of “faith only” is neither logical nor scriptural. First of all, “faith only” denies the truth of the gospel (James 2:24). Secondly, it does not follow the logic of God’s plan of redemption. I have heard Baptist preachers state that Salvation comes at the instant one believes in Christ. When pressed about repentance and when it occurs, they are in a quandary. If they say that repentance comes after salvation (which occurs at the instant of faith), they would be teaching that one is saved without repentance. Quandary 1. But since they insist that salvation is by “faith alone,” faith cannot be accompanied by anything, even repentance. Quandary 2. When pressed, they will insist that repentance comes before faith. Quandary 3. Hebrews 11:6 asserts that “without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing unto God. . .” Any action, therefore, including repentance, that occurs before faith could not be well-pleasing to God. Additionally, we might ask, why would anyone repent in the first place if they didn’t believe in God at all? You see, there is a logic to the plan of salvation that must be followed. So far, we have seen that it is established by hearing the word of God, believing it and repenting of one’s sins.

Repentance Is Followed By Confession

Up to this point, all that has happened in the plan of redemption is inward, of the heart. Up to this point, a sinner could be reading his Bible and come to the point of repentance without expressing a word or sign. But the Lord has laid upon us the obligation of making an acknowledgment of our faith. There can be no secret disciples in heaven. There is no back door into the kingdom. Such an acknowledgment of faith in Christ Jesus is expressed by a public, oral confession of the name of Christ. (This should not be confused with a confession of sins). Jesus is Lord! We must be ready to die for that fact and there is no middle ground. Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in Heaven” (Mt. 10:32,33). Paul taught that confession is “with the mouth” (Rom. 10:9-10). Since one would not confess before he had faith or before true repentance was present in his heart, there is no place for public confession until after one has repented. Faith changes the heart, repentance changes the life and confession changes the allegiance. Until the heart and life has been changed, no change of allegiance can or will be made. You see, there is a logic to the plan of salvation.

Baptism Completes The Action

In the Great Commission, Jesus commanded faith and baptism (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15,16) and predicated salvation upon these actions. We understand this more completely in the light of Ephesians 2:3,9, “saved by grace through faith.” Grace refers to God’s part in the salvation of the lost, faith refers to that which man does in response to grace. We realize, then, that whereas God has graciously given His son and made salvation possible, man must act in obedience to the terms of the gospel.

Baptism is unique in the plan of salvation in that it relates us to the death of Christ in a manner that nothing else does. Paul tells us that we are baptized “into the death” of Christ (Rom. 6:3,4). We are not baptized into the birth of Christ, nor the life of Christ but into His death. Why is this so important? Is it not because the blood of Christ was shed in His death and that we are saved by the blood of Christ? Further, while faith changes the heart, repentance changes the life and confession changes the allegiance, it is baptism that changes our relationship. We are baptized “into” Christ and “put on” Christ (Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27). By this new relationship, we are “born anew” (Rom. 6:4) or “begotten” (1 Pet. 1:22,23). The word of God tells us that it is at this point that we are saved, forgiven, have our sins washed away, added to the church and change our relationship (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:47). Again, there is an inescapable logic and progression to this order.

No one would submit to baptism unless he had read of it in the word of God, had believed in Jesus, had repented of his sins, was willing to make a public confession of that faith and wanted to be forgiven of all past sins. Baptism before faith makes no sense at all. Baptism before repentance would be a farce. Baptism before one changes his allegiance would be hypocritical. But baptism as the final step in a process that begins with instruction from the word of the Lord and ends with a public declaration of the death of sin in your life and being added to the Lord’s body conforms to every principle of truth taught in the Bible.

Foolishness?

When Paul spoke of the gospel being “foolishness” (1 Cor. 1:18-31), he did not mean that there was nothing logical to the plan of redemption. According to human wisdom, the gospel is foolish because it presents a crucified Savior. But this should not be construed to mean that there is no spiritual logic in the Scriptures or that a discernible plan of salvation cannot be seen. “To them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24). By presenting Jesus to the world, God chose that which the world counted as foolish, but God did not present Jesus foolishly or without proper logic or order. Sinners are not asked to abandon all reason or sense in accepting Christ. We do the gospel a disservice when we speak of faith as being a “blind leap” into eternity. Rather, faith can be demonstrated to be the acceptance of God’s plan of redemption. The words of Paul take on new meaning in this light when we read, “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. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith unto faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1: 16,17).

Conclusion

If, as has been demonstrated, there is a plan of salvation, it should also be noted that to re-arrange the order or to remove any of the parts is to destroy the logic. Furthermore, if, as Paul asserts in Romans 1: 17, that the “righteousness of God” is revealed therein, it borders on blasphemy to tamper with God’s arrangement of the gospel. It is by the righteous arrangement of the gospel that God can both pardon sin and maintain His own righteousness (Rom. 3:24-26). Dare we ignore, change, delete, add to or re-arrange that which God has worked out through the centuries to His own glory and the salvation of the lost?

All that remains is for us to have the right kind of attitude in allowing God to work in our lives. We must hear the gospel, accept Christ as God’s son, repent of our sinful lives, be willing to confess Jesus as Lord and be buried with Him in baptism for the remission of our sins. It is in this manner that Jesus becomes to us the “wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption” of God (1 Cor. 1:30). It is in this manner that we can say, “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (v. 31).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 7, pp. 207, 210-211
April 5, 1984