Truth Magazine

By Raymond E. Harris

To be deceived is to be ensnared or beguiled. Often we are deceived by that which gives a false impression. And so we are reminded of the old warning that “everything that glitters is not gold!”

In 1 Samuel 8:4-5, we learn how ancient Israel was impressed with the pomp, fanfare and ceremony that accompanied the kings ruling over the nations that surrounded them. They seemingly neglected the fact that their King was the eternal God Himself. They evidently felt humiliated that their judges and prophets (provided by God) were ordinary men and women of the day who did not flaunt their personal wealth, position or personal majesty. Hence, the elders of the land came to Samuel imploring him to “make us a King to judge us like all the nations.”

From our vantage point we can see the magnitude of their self-deception. In their vanity, they asked to be removed from the direct guidance of God and to be placed in subjection to a mere mortal. The request angered God but He granted their wish. From that point on, until their utter destruction as a nation, the Jews labored under a human king and they knew precious little peace or rest!

This demonstrates how pride, vanity and peer pressure has always existed. And, the same is true till this very moment. Every passing generation has been beguiled and deceived by a desire to be a part of “the crowd.” Hence, the expressions, “everyone is doing it … .. everyone has one,” “everyone is going,” etc.

And so the Bible says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). ‘Tis sad that we are all so gullible. ‘Tis sad that most are so insecure that they feel they must follow after the worlds masses, wherever they go and whatever they do!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 6, p. 173
March 15, 1984

By Irven Lee

Every child deserves a worthy and dedicated father an mother, but there are very many children who do not have devout parents who are seeking to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Successful home makers are to the praise of God. It is very important that we a show great interest in the spiritual, as well as the physical health of children in general, and especially of our own descendants. Let us be able to demonstrate to the world that Christians bring up the best citizens, not for pride’s saki but for the sake of all who are involved and for the glory of God.

Faith in God and knowledge of His word are blessings to all who have these great possessions. Success in training our own depends upon our effective teaching by example and by word of mouth, beginning in the early days of the life of the child and continuing with dependable consistency. Failure in the early years of the child, or at any other period of his life, can lead to failure in the spiritual development of this son or daughter.

Wisdom and common sense are needed in carrying out any important work of skill. We may improve our skills by putting special effort into learning how to do the job. “Know how” is certainly involved in child care (1 Tim. 3:4,5). Many mothers, and maybe more fathers, are failing to fulfil their duties toward their children. These fathers may pass the weeks and months without giving thought to the effects of their unholy examples and of their little concern for their children’s welfare. Good men may be failing to do their best in this regard without realizing it.

Men, do your children suddenly adopt a lower standard of behavior when you come home? Ask your wife sometime, and allow her the freedom to tell the truth. Your children may maintain better behavior when you are away and they are at home with their mother.

Some mothers and fathers may use the rod as the fir punishment rather than reserve it for more stubborn rebellion. Milder forms of discipline like a few patient words of instruction may be more effective in dealing with minor problems. Whipping too often may discourage children lose its effectiveness. Some skilled mothers with more patience and kindness may have very well-balanced children and seldom have to use the rod. Be firm but fair. Be firm but not abusive. A pleasant relaxed attitude on the part of the parents may lead to orderly behavior on the part of the children, while excessive use of the rod could lead discouraged and rebellious children (Col. 3:21).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 6, p. 170
March 15, 1984

By Ramon A. Madrigal

While the theme of the Bible focuses on the redemption of man from the curse of sin, part of that grand story deals with the actions, demands, character, and manner of life which God expects from men and women. This latter -discipline of study is known as “Biblical Ethics.” While the philosophical terminology is somewhat abstract, there are certain universal characteristics of the morality prescribed in the Old and New Testament Scriptures. Let us notice these important attributes of Biblical Ethics.

Biblical Ethics Are Personal

The Bible conceives of virtue and duty as precisely what God tells man to do. “Be holy because 1, the Lord your God, am holy” (Lev. 19:2). Faith and loyalty is expressed in obedience to God’s explicit commands. The supreme good is to “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7). Such is the “whole” of man (Eccl. 12:13).

Yet while Divinity places certain demands on humanity, each individual has a choice; every man enjoys free will. People are at liberty to obey God and equally free to disobey Him. While Joshua challenges the Hebrews to “choose ye this day whom ye will serve . . . ” (Jos. 24:15), Jesus invites all the weary and heavy laden to receive the rest which only He can provide. In each Testament the specifics of morality are addressed to the individual. Jesus also warns us that “. . . no man (individual person) goes to the Father, but by me!” (Jn. 14:6). Yes, God does indeed command all men everywhere to repent and turn to Him.

Biblical Ethics Are External

In contrast with the humanistic and worldly ethic of “autonomy” (self-rule: everybody does his/her own thing), the morality of the Bible is decidedly theistic, that is, God-given and God-oriented. Jeremiah observed long ago that “the way of man (i.e. “ethics,” RAM) is not in himself, it is not in man that walks to direct his steps” (10:23). Thus the moral code prescribed in the Bible comes from some source outside of man, not from his own imaginations. Biblical Ethics are, in this sense, external and objective. As Proverbs 3:5-7 assesses it:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes,

fear the Lord and shun evil

Modern, secular man allows the utility or convenience of the situation to determine his ethic of behavior. After all, if there is no God and man is, in fact, the “measure of all things” – why not eat, drink, and be merry? Today’s godless generation sings, “We’ve got tonight, Who needs tomorrow?” in an effort to justify fornication and riotous living. A Hollywood “angel” reveals the “art of being a woman is knowing when not to be too much of a lady”; while a familiar fashion designer displays how it is “good to have a body to fall back on” when your mind fails you. Yes, this is reminiscent of that “ancient” time in Israel when “every man did that which-is right in his own eyes’ (Judg. 21:25). He who would follow Christ, however, must walk a straight and narrow path.

Biblical Ethics Are Internal

In every generation there have been those religionists who suppose that the mere appearances of piety is sufficient, that the ritualistic acts of worship are adequate in themselves. However, a critical reading of the Bible reveals something else altogether. Isaiah condemns Israel for offering “vain oblations” to the Lord (1: 13) while Jeremiah denounces Judah for her blind trust in the temple (7:4) and her empty sacrifices (see 7:21-26). The God of the Bible is interested in obedience, not sacrifice per se. The Old Testament prophets repeatedly lament the fact that Israel tried to substitute outward acts of piety for the necessary inward motives of love and reverence toward God (see also Amos 4:4-5, Hosea 6:6, Micah 6:6-8). The wise Solomon also noticed that “the sacrifice of the wicked is detestable; how much more when brought with evil intent?” (Prov. 21:27).

Jesus found the highly religious Pharisees guilty of hypocrisy and vain worship (Matt. 15: 1 -11). The ethic of Christ is climaxed in His “Sermon on the Mount” (Matt. 5-7), where He focuses on the intentions, attitudes, and motives of the heart as being more important than the outward actions which result from such thoughts. Not only is murder wrong, but the angry emotion is equally condemning. Not only is it wrong to commit adultery, but the lustful intentions of the heart are just as evil. I believe it would be beneficial to make some applications in the area of worship and devotion to God:

Does it really do us any good to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs when our thoughts focus on carnal and worldly things? Are we truly longing for the spiritual milk of the Word when we daydream, clip nails, or even apply make-up during the sermon? Can we honestly “amen” a prayer that, for some thought or another, we haven’t heard? Are we genuinely discerning the Lord’s body while we contemplate the action of the Super Bowl or the cuisine of Sunday Dinner? Do we give cheerfully or grudgingly? The morality of the Bible centers on the heart. Holiness must be internal before the externals of religion become meaningful. Brother, is thy heart right with God?

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 6, p. 166
March 15, 1984

By Larry Ray Hafley

The veneration and exaltation of the Bible, that blessed old Book, is admirable and commendable if it be accompanied by understanding and application. But multitudes are deluded by a reverence that is nothing but superstitious sentimentalism. Souls in sectarian societies consider themselves members of the body of Christ because their “Pastor” is a “Bible toting, Bible quoting fundamentalist.” The Bible is “interpreted strictly and literally” as their 9donly rule of faith and practice,” so they think not to examine themselves whether they be in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5).

A similar form of authority has been espoused by Christians. Since we “speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent,” we need not question our practices. After all, the preacher is allied and identified with “our Christian Colleges, I I and the elders endorse and encourage all that we do, so what fear have we? Oh, of course, we raise an eyebrow at some things that seem out of harmony with the past, but the young people are interested, so it must be right – we are just not used to it. The sole, whole authority for minds that are thus steeped in church traditionalism is the fact that “we have always been a Bible-based people. ” That being true, as it is assumed to be, then we are justified.

This is the way human traditions and unscriptural deeds and doctrines are brought forth, and they, when they are finished, bring forth a denomination. But the denomination does not seek to return and restore itself, for its members say, “We were born and raised on the Bible, in the Restoration movement, and in the true church, so we must be right,” and on and on it flows from generation to generation, from denomination to denomination.

There is a present perilous development of just such a philosophy and its result, a denomination. It is occurring almost imperceptibly, especially to those ensnared therein. The departures are slight and gradual; at least, that is how they begin. Major errors are rebuffed at first because they just do not “ring true,” but they are not repelled and expelled by the question, “Where is the authority – book, chapter, and verse, please?” When that approach to error and innovation is not used, the encroachment eventually will find its way into the body, and the opposers will adopt it with hesitancy in the beginning but will embrace it with fervor in the end. (This witness is true. Certain who see themselves uncovered by the above words will shudder and close their eyes at their nakedness before the truth. But, alas, they will maintain their present course. They have gone too far for too long. They have seared their hearts and sealed their fate, and their reaction is living testimony to the truthfulness of what we have written.)

The Jews preached Moses as the law and the prophets were “read in the synagogue every sabbath day” (Lk. 4:16; Acts 13:14,15; 15:21). But hearing, they heard not,. and seeing, they saw not, for they rejected Him who was the sum and substance of an they read and heard. Both in and out of the church, it is likewise true today. The Bible is read and preached every Lord’s day, but error remains in the churches of men and departures reign in some churches of Christ. It is an anguishing sight that wrings the spirit of its tears, but it must be fought and stopped. It may not be stopped, but it shall be fought (Titus 1:10-13; 1 Tim. 6:12; Jude 3). The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. It is yet alive and powerful (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12). We are yet alive and, with it, powerful. Our aim and object is to reclaim and redeem some who have been discussed and described. Our love for them and the truth of God, and our hatred of every false way, will not permit us to leave them alone. We know who they are. They know who they are. God knows who they are.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 6, p. 161
March 15, 1984