Truth Magazine

By Luther Bolenbarker

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Eccl. 9:10).

One of the saddest commentaries of our age is the ever increasing fashionable attitude of “I don’t care.” This attitude is manifested by a disposition of lackadaisical sloppiness. This is reflected in our speech, our manner of dress and our general demeanor. This attitude is seen in the store when someone knocks an item off the shelf or clothes rack and doesn’t bother to pick it up, in the litterbug who throws trash from his car, or the one who parks the car in two parking places, or the one who is habitually late for appointments. Business’ biggest headache is finding employees who will get to work on time, who will not call in sick when they just want the day off, and who display a real interest in their work and a genuine concern for people.

Ask for volunteers to help with just about anything (PTA, scouts, little league, etc.) and a general attitude of indifference on the part of many is found. If the “I don’t care” attitude is sad in the temporal world, how much more so in the spiritual world of the church! What kind of interest, enthusiasm and concern does it demonstrate to disrupt Bible classes or worship by habitually coming in late? Or how about the one who commits himself to a task and doesn’t do it? Or the teacher who leaves town without making any arrangement for his class? Or the member who willfully forsakes the services of the church?

The Lord’s comment about this sort of attitude is found in the Revelation letter to the Laodicean church. He wishes that the Laodiceans were either cold or hot, but because they were lukewarm, He will spew them out of His mouth (3:14-16). If the cause of Christ is really the most important reality in the world (Mt. 6:33) then let us be about His service with all our might.” “Give it our all. “

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 4, p. 115
February 16, 1984

By Wayne S. Walker

We face a number of crises in the world and in the church today. Some of these involve drug abuse, atheism, immorality, false religion. etc, But the one which I believe is causing the most problem in the Lord’s body is lethargy, carelessness, indifference, and negligence. And I believe the answer to the problem can be found in the story of Nehemiah. The people of Israel had been led by God out of Egyptian slavery into the promised land of Canaan. However, over a period of many years, they rebelled against God and were finally allowed by Him to be taken into captivity. When they repented, after seventy years they were allowed to return to Jerusalem. Not all of them went; many like Nehemiah stayed in the places where they were sent when taken captive. But even though Nehemiah was not among those who had gone back, he was still a part of God’s nation. What does Nehemiah’s example teach us?

I. He was concerned. Hanani and certain men of Judah came to Shushan in Persia where Nehemiah lived. Nehemiah asked them how things were in Jerusalem. He could have said, “They took that restoration business on themselves – let them worry about it. I’m the king”s cupbearer, I attend synagogue once a week. I’m a pretty good fellow. So I don’t need to get involved.” But he was concerned enough about the situation to ask. The report was that things were in a mess. Again, Nehemiah could have Said, “You knew there would be problems and hard times. So don’t come crying to me. I’ve got my own duties here in Shushan to worry about so don’t bother me.” But Nehemiah was concerned enough to weep.

Nehemiah could have been very complacent, but he was concerned. How many of us are truly concerned with the work of the Lord. We are commanded to preach everywhere (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 24:47). One example of this is Paul’s response to the Macedonian call (Acts 16:9-10). We cannot all go like this, but we should be concerned with those that do. And most of all, we need to be concerned about lost souls wherever they are (Matt. 9:36-38). “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26).

II. He was prayerful. When Nehemiah heard this report, a conflict arose in his mind. He didn’t know what to do. So he asked God about it. In his prayer, he recognized the sins of his people and sought wisdom and guidance in making his decision. What about us today? Do we pray when we have troubles and conflicts (Phil. 4:6-7; Heb. 4:15-16; Jas. 5:13)? “Oh, what peace we often forfeit; Oh, what needless pain we bear; All because we do not carry, Everything to God in prayer. ” Do we pray in humility, confessing our sins (Jas. 5:16; 1 Jn. 1:9)? “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Pet. 3:12). Do we ask God for wisdom and guidance (Jas. 1:5)? Solomon did in I Kings 3:9-14.

III. He was bold. Nehemiah needed something to do God’s will, he asked for it (with God’s help), and he received it. Another example of such boldness is Esther. Read the story in Esther 4-5. She knew the plight of her people. Mordecai convinced her that she needed to act. She did, and was instrumental in saving God’s chosen race. We also need to be bold. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus … Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water”. (Heb. 10: 19-22). Why can we be so bold? It is because God has promised to hear and answer our prayers (Matt. 7:7-11; 1 Jn. 5:24-25).

IV. He counted the cost. Nehemiah was so zealous to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem that he got up in the middle of the night, viewed the dilapidation of the city, and surveyed what needed to be done. We need to “count the cost” (Lk. 14:28-30). No man should attempt to become a Christian or do the work of Christ unless he first has some understanding of what is involved. Christianity involves many things. We must make a full-sacrifice (Matt. 16:24). We must not conform to the world (Rom. 12:1-2). We must observe strict obedience to Christ’s commands (Jn. 14:15). For those who really love the Lord, these things will make for a happy life. But if one does not want to do these things, he had better count the cost of being a Christian lest he involve himself in something he really does not want.

V. He was willing to work. Nehemiah had seen what needed to be done and he decided to do it. He said, “Come, let us build up the wall of Jerusalem.” In fact, he was so enthusiastic that he aroused the people and thus encouraged them to say, “Let us rise up and build.” Christianity is a working religion. Why should we work? First, we work to express our faith (Jas. 2:17-26). Next, we work to serve and please God (Eph. 2:8-10; Tit. 2:14). Then, we work to follow the example of Christ (Jn. 9:4). One who thus works can take great comfort in the promise of Paul, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

VI. He trusted in God. Nehemiah did not allow the scorn and mocking of his enemies to discourage him. He know that God would prosper the work he was doing. David trusted in God throughout his life. He said, “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psa. 23). Jesus exhorted us to trust in God and not be anxious about the problems and cares of this life (Matt. 6:25-34). Yea, Christians need to put their trust in God. “For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe” (1 Tim. 4:10). As Christians, if we are truly concerned about the Lord’s cause, come before Him in prayer with boldness, count the cost of working for the Lord, and put our trust solely in Him, He promises to help, bless, and prosper us just as He did Nehemiah.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 4, p. 113-114
February 16, 1984

By Denny Diehl

For many years I was under the false impression that the main thrust of Matthew 28:19-20 was “Go.” I saw charts of the commandment to “Go,” but Jesus didn’t say how we were to “Go,” therefore, we could go by whatever means were available to us. Even though I agree with the conclusion, I believe that a disservice has happened in misdirecting our attention in that important direction of Jesus. “Go” is not the main idea but is only a participle, a subordinate to the main thought of the sentence, as the following original translation will show:

“Therefore, after you have gone, disciple all the nations, while you are baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and while you are teaching them to obey everything which I have commanded you . . .”

We notice that the main thrust is not going, baptizing or teaching, but, after having gone, and while baptizing and teaching, Jesus in all of this is saying make sure that you make disciples. Making disciples is the goal that we need to strive for ultimately.

The usual definition of a disciple is that he is a learner. It is usually used in a teacher-pupil relationship with the pupil, obviously, being the disciple, learning from the teacher. Jesus said, “A pupil is not above his teacher…” (Luke 6:40, NASB). The word translated “pupil” is mathetes, the word usually translated “disciple.” But for our relationship to Jesus, this understanding of disciple as one who is just a learner is shallow and inadequate. I have been a student for many years. I have learned many things from many teachers, but my relationship to those teachers is different than the one I am to have with Jesus. Therein lies the basic difference between being a disciple and a learner.

We notice in the rest of the verse of Luke 6:40 the true and full meaning of being a disciple of Jesus. “A pupil (disciple) is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.”

Our purpose then for being a disciple of Jesus is not just to learn things about Jesus or about the Bible, but our purpose is to use the things that we have learned to become like Christ. Notice other Scriptures that bear this thought:

“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the imagine of His Son . . .” (Rom. 8:29 NASB); conformed to the likeness of His Son . . .” (NIV).

“But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image . . .” (2 Cor. 3:18).

“My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you” (Gal. 4:19).

When Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20 to make disciples as a number one priority, what did He mean? When we are baptizing and teaching, make sure that those two avenues are used to make the individual into the likeness of Christ. Baptism and teaching are of no usefulness unless Christ, through those mediums, is being formed in the individual.

When a person is being baptized, he is to understand the very important significance of what he is doing. He is not just “joining a church,” etc., but he is spiritually crucifying the old self with Christ to be raised up a new creature (cf. Rom. 6:4-6; Gal. 2:20).

When a person is being taught, he is to understand the significance of the purpose of those things being presented to him. They are to be used to change his being into the likeness of Christ.

How can we teach with discipleship in mind? Put the emphasis not on knowing but on doing. One teacher related to me how that she was teaching her class a Scripture which said ‘ “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone” and “if your enemy is hungry, feed him” (Rom. 12:17-20). She put the emphasis upon doing, not just learning. The next week the class came together, and she asked them how that passage of Scripture had changed them, if indeed it had. One little girl said that during the week her brother was being mean to her, teasing her, etc. The teacher asked what she had done about it. The girl replied that she had baked him a batch of cookies!

We are not just to know Scripture, but to allow it to change and form our lives. As James says, “But prove yourselves doers of the word and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James.1:22).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 4, p. 112
February 16, 1984