Truth Magazine

By Frank Jamerson

The little book of Hosea teaches a great lesson on the nature of sin. Hosea was told to marry Gomer, who became unfaithful to him and finally left him to live with her “lovers.” Later, Hosea was told to buy her back and accept her as his wife, which he did.

Gomer’s leaving her husband was a result of inward unfaithfulness. She ceased to love and have confidence in her husband before she left him for others. Her leaving was simply an expression of the inner infidelity that existed.

In this experience, God taught Hosea a valuable lesson about Israel’s unfaithfulness to Him. Just as Hosea wanted more than a housekeeper, God wanted more than external forms of service. Just as Gomer ceased to love Hosea before she became an adulteress, Isreal had ceased to love God before they turned to idolatry.

There is a valuable lesson in this for us. God desires our love and devotion. If he gets this, He will get our external service. If he does not get this, then our outward forms will be vain. Just as Hosea did not want a “housekeeper,” God does not want half-hearted, ritualistic service. If we are faithful in our hearts, our lives will reveal it. The external unfaithfulness manifested by many who claim to be children of God is simply the expression of an inner infidelity.

“My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways . . . . Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 23:26; 4:23). When people give their hearts to God, faithfulness is the natural result. Paul said that the Macedonians “first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God” (2 Cor. 8:5). When they “first” gave themselves, the service that followed was rendered cheerfully.

It is a sad thing to see a marriage companion forsake his commitment and commit adultery, but no one ever did that who was not first unfaithful in the heart. It is likewise sad to see those who are married to Christ (Rom. 7:4), become unfaithful in their service to God, but the unfaithfulness that we can see was preceded by an inner infidelity that only God

could see.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 2, p. 43
January 19, 1984

By Loren N. Raines

It seems that fallible man either cannot or will not profit by past experiences. It has long been said, and times seems to prove it to be true, that history repeats itself. Yet we fail to profit by the sad experience of generations past. Present conditions in both the world and the church seem to verify this observation.

It took God four thousand years to bring into the world a perfect man, His Son, and through Him to give to the world a perfect institution, the church. It seems that man cannot be satisfied even with perfection. With full knowledge of the deplorable condition of the church during the great apostasy, the ensuing strife and division of the Reformation, and the joy that was brought to the religious world as a result of the restoration of the ancient order, yet little time was allowed to pass until the digressive nature of some men in the church began to manifest itself again. One lesson man seems never to learn is that it is impossible to improve on perfection. To add to, subtract from, or substitute for perfection is only to mar it. Yet many attempts have been made to improve the worship, the work and the doctrine set forth in God’s perfect plan.

A careful study of the first great apostasy reveals that the chief causes of that departure from the truth were a desire for popularity and a love of power. Instead of being satisfied with God’s plan, first century Christians, seeing the growth of pagan religions, dared introduce into the Lord’s church various methods of the pagan religions, which seemed to interest people, and result in growth. The 64 mystery of iniquity” was already at work (2 Thess. 2:7). As time passed more and more emphasis was placed on the acquisition of power. This desire for power continued to grow until they had a pope as head of the apostate church. This thirst for power was not abated until the pope exercised power over both church and state.

Apostasy from the truth may, and often does, follow a different course, but it seems to stem from the same basic cause. This cause may be described as disregard for the authority of God’s word, or contempt for both the law and the Law-giver. In either case, it is sin.

During the early part of the nineteenth century the strife and division that characterized denominationalism came into full bloom. Thinking men could see that the Reformation had failed to achieve its goal. Rather, it had only piled more debris on the Jerusalem foundation. Consequently, they concluded that a restoration of the ancient order was the only solution. This movement gave great promise and was making great headway until Satan entered upon the scene, revived his wrecking crew, and renewed his effort to derail God’s plan.

Certain members of the restored church, whose zeal surpassed both their knowledge and sincerity, began a repetition of the mistakes of the first century. In their judgment, the church needed a more effective method of spreading the gospel. In order to expedite their plan they urged all congregations to unite in making regular contributions to a central organization, that all might cooperate in the work of evangelism. They failed to seek divine authority for this method. The result was the missionary society. It became the wedge that ultimately resulted in the first division in the restoration movement.

Just as some Christians of the first century, imbued with the desire for progress, borrowed some methods of pagan religions, so some of the less dedicated Christians of the nineteenth century saw that instrumental music, as used in most denominations, seemed to promote growth. They made a plea to introduce it into the worship. When challenged for divine authority for such an addition they sought to justify it by insisting that it is only an expedient. They failed to recognize the difference between an expedient and an addition. An expedient must first be lawful (1 Cor. 6:12;. 10:23). A hearing aid is a great help in hearing, but it can’t hear; it is just an expedient. A pitch pipe is an aid in getting the pitch; but it can’t sing. It cannot be substituted for or replace the singing. An instrument can make music, and often is substituted for the song. It is an addition and is condemned (Rev. 22:18-19). The instrument drove the wedge deeper.

The Bible makes it plain that the local church has the obligation to provide an adequate program of teaching so that its members may be edified. As a result of zeal without knowledge, the denominations introduced the Sunday school to implement its teaching. Sensing the potential of this method the New Testament church began adopting the same method. They overlooked the fact that the Sunday school was an organization separate and apart from the church. In using this method whatever growth resulted had to be attributed to the Sunday school, not to the church. But Paul had said, “Unto him be glory in the church (not the Sunday school) by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Eph. 3:21). Bible classes under the oversight of the elders is God’s plan for instruction. The adoption of the missionary society, the instrument, and the Sunday school completed the split in the church. Thus, a new denomination was born now called the Disciples of Christ.

Unfortunately this was not the end, but only the beginning, of division in the restoration movement. Years passed, cause of division (contempt for divine authority) was dormant only for a season. In recent years, instead of the missionary society we see the “‘sponsoring church.” Instead of the Sunday school we see the Bible College. Instead of individual Christians caring for homeless children, we see the orphanage supported by a group of congregations. This is not scriptural cooperation, but corruption of God’s plan ‘for benevolence.

Once you transgress God’s word (2 Jn. 9), there is no place to stop. Now we see homes for unwed mothers, homes for senior citizens, hospitals, gymnasiums, orphanages, colleges, all kinds of facilities for recreation and entertainment and church camps all supported by the church. All these things may be right in their place but God did not authorize the church to engage in this type of business. Ignoring God’s plan spelled serious trouble for Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10: 1-2), Uzzah (1 Chron. 13:9- 10), Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Num. 16:23-33), Moses (Num, 20:12, Josh. 34:46). Let us beware (Deut. 4:2; 12:32). Once again the Lord’s church has been divided. We now have conservatives, who insist on speaking only as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11), and on the other hand we have liberals, who insist that we have no pattern. Will man ever learn?

We still have God’s word as our guide, and the early church as the pattern for all that God has authorized in worship, work, evangelism, benevolence, and manner of fife. Let us avoid apostasy by holding God’s word inviolate.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 2, pp. 42-43
January 4, 1984

By Thomas C. Hickey

As a tall, skinny junior high school student in Rockwood, Tennessee, I was approached several times to play on the junior high basketball team. I wasn’t a bad player, and I was taller than most other kids in my age group. But I declined because I would not miss Wednesday night Bible study to play games on Wednesday night, and I would not consent to wear the short pants required for the basketball uniform. Oh, what a fool I am.

About the same time and in the same town I tried out for the junior high school band, and was accepted to play the tuba. But I had to quit because the band was sometimes expected to play in the services of the big Christian Church in town, and I couldn’t do that in good conscience. Oh, what a fool I am.

In the eighth grade at Chicora High School in North Charleston, South Carolina, I was invited to join the Glee Club. I love singing and have always been used to singing since that is a routine part of our regular worship in the church. But, of course, I had to decline the invitation to join the Glee club because such would have necessitated my singing religious songs for entertainment, and using mechanical instrumental music in singing spiritual songs. As a new testament Christian I could not do these things in good conscience, so I declined. Oh, what a fool I am.

In the ninth grade at Marietta High School in Marietta Georgia, I played the clarinet and enjoyed it immensely. The next year I moved up to the Varsity Band, and we got a new band instructor. The new instructor harshly announced that if I could not play for the school activities on Wednesday evenings I could get out of the band. I got out. Bible study is more important than football games. Oh, what a fool I am.

If you were not in band at Marietta High, you had to be in physical education. That meant dressing out in shorts for coeducational PE activities. I refused. More problem . Finally, Mrs. Swaim, the principal, gave me special permission to participate in “phys ed” wearing long pants. Oh, what a fool I am.

But, in physical education, ballroom dancing was a coeducational activity for rainy and cold days, and everyone was expected to participate. More problems. Finally, I was allowed to sit out the dancing since, as a Christian, I could not participate. Oh, what a fool I am.

Surely, as an adult, things must get better! But, not so. In mid- 1960, as a fledgling young preacher, I needed a real job to try to get some of my bills paid up. Most of the jobs I qualified for required me to miss worship. I turned away from one job after another although I needed one desperately. Finally, I went to work at a General Motors manufacturing plant in Dayton, Ohio. After a few weeks at work it came inventory time in the fall of 1960. Everyone would have to come in and work on Sunday. I would be glad to work in the afternoon, or at night, I said, but I could not miss worship either morning or evening. But, we were told, those who did not come to work would be fired. I was sorry, but I said I wouldn’t be there. I didn’t go. I went to work on Monday. I wasn’t fired and nothing was ever said about it again.

Another interesting event occurred at the GM plant. Everyone was advised that it was time to collect for the United Fund. Everyone was expected to give some from his paycheck because the general foreman of our department wanted 100% cooperation. I could not give, I said, because the United Fund divided its moneys among Catholic, Jewish, and protestant denominational agencies. I did not deny that possibly many good works were done, but I could not contribute to religious groups whose doctrines I did not believe. To do so was inconsistent, and it would constitute “bidding godspeed” to false doctrines. A simple “No” did not suffice. Even though I was running a six-man production line on a tight schedule, the general foreman shut down my whole operation and called me into his office to give an explanation for my refusal. Although much pressure was brought to bear, and my production line was shut down for 45 minutes, I did not consent to give! Even if I lost my job, I would not give. (I thought that I was going to lose my job.) Finally, I was allowed to go back to work. Nothing more was ever said, and I did not lose my job. For years afterward, however, Mr. Crutchfield, the foreman, continued to inquire after my welfare from other mutual friends who were Christians, Oh, what a fool I am.

During the years 1972-1975, 1 worked with the Nebraska Avenue church in Tampa, Florida, and sold real estate to earn my living. It soon became apparent that one of the best days for real estate sales was Sunday. In fact, many real estate people earned more commissions on Sunday afternoon and evening than they did in all the rest of the week combined. People were off work on Sundays and willing to inspect property. Although the prospects of earning a week’s wages in one afternoon was very attractive, I always tried to avoid even showing property at all on Sunday afternoon because I knew when time came for evening worship I would walk away from the customer. Writing the offer is one of the most important parts of the real estate transaction, and it must be done while the customer is in the mood. To walk away from a “hot prospect” to go to church would end the chance for a sale so I just didn’t show property on Sunday even though it was an attractive opportunity! Oh, what a fool I am.

In 1968, while preaching for the Lutz, Florida, church I earned my living by working for Florida College. That year I negotiated a contract between FC and Hillsborough Junior College, a state funded community college which was opening new.- FC would provide bookstore services and sell college textbooks to HJC. HJC began as an evening school with classes being conducted in Hillsborough High School. Since I was a Christian and my employees were Christians and students at FC, I carefully negotiated a contract which provided for our being CLOSED on Wednesday nights. The VicePresident of HJC did not view this as a serious problem since school was scheduled to begin on Monday evening and most text sales should have been made before Wednesday night. However, school opening was delayed until Wednesday night because of technical problems. Nevertheless, we closed the bookstore in time for all our employees to get to Wednesday night Bible study as the contract had provided. When Mr. B. came by for a routine check of our operations on Wednesday night and found the bookstore closed, he was furious (to put it mildly)! The next day I received a red hot letter at FC hand delivered by special messenger. I held the messenger until I could read the letter and prepare my reply. I wrote simply, “Read the contract!” One might expect that all havoc broke loose, but Mr. B. knew that I had him dead to rights. All’s well that ends well. The next year Mr. B. hired me to serve as Coordinator of Campus Business Services at HJC at more than twice the salary I had been earning at FC … and he never expected me to miss worship to do my job! Oh, what a fool I am.

During these same years in the early 70’s, my sons, Kent and Paul, were playing Little League baseball in north Tampa. Both were pitchers and, if I say so myself, they were pretty good. One of the boys would pitch a “no-hitter” fairly often. Both boys frequently won. We had an understanding with the managers and coaches: on Wednesday nights, the boys went to mid-week Bible study. No matter how the game was going or what the score, the boys went to Bible study. On more than one occasion a boy was taken off the pitcher’s mound at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday night in the middle of a game to go to Bible study. The coach knew what to expect but sometimes the other parents in the bleachers got pretty unkind! Oh, what a fool I am.

Yes, in the eyes of the world, what a fool I am! Speaking of the things which the apostles suffered in the service of Christ. Paul sod, “We are fools for Christ’s sake . . . . (1 Cor. 4: 10).

Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (Matt. 6:33-34).

Yes, I am a fool in the eyes of the world … but I trust my God! The thing that hurts me often is … that I am also seen as a fool in the eyes of my brethren, at least, in the eyes of some of my brethren.

Brethren, I have not been tempted above what I am able to bear (1 Cor. 10: 13), and my God has always supplied my needs. Neither I nor my family has ever been denied a meal. We have stayed warm. And there is a roof over our heads. My assets are greater than my liabilities. What more can I ask?

David said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 2, pp. 40-41
January 19, 1984

By Johnie Edwards

The phrase “believer in God” is a descriptive term of all a child of God does in obeying God. Peter said, “Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God” (1 Pet. 1:21).

The “believer in God” is not one who just believes in God as many are often lead to believe. Many times the word believe includes obedience. Take a look at this: “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which, the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner” (1 Pet. 2:7). It seems that the word believe and obedience are the same since he refers to the disobedient in the same sentence. Read it and see. Now take a look at John 3:36 in the American Standard Version. “He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life-, but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” It can be easily seen from this passage that the believer in God is an obedient believer. Let’s take a look at one more instance of where the believer in God has obeyed God. When the Philippian jail keeper asked what to do to be saved, he was told, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). By reading more of his conversion, it can be seen that he “washed -their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway” (Acts 16:33). After the jailor had heard the word of God and had obeyed it, inspiration records that he “rejoiced believing in God with all his house” (Acts 16:34).

Now let’s take a look at the believer in God from the book of God.

Believes There Is A God

The believer in God believes there is a God and has his faith in God. Peter said, “Who by him do believe in God (1 Pet. 1:21). Perhaps one reason that many never obey the Lord is due to their lack of faith in God. The apostle to the Hebrews made it clear, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). Too many have their faith in men rather than in God. Paul told the Corinthians, “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:5). One cannot read but three words in the Bible without realizing there is a God. “In the beginning God … ! ” (Gen. 1: 1). We need to believe that God “created” us (Gen. 1:27); and it is “in him we live, and move, and have our being . . . ” (Acts 17:28). Only “the fool hath said in his heart, there is no God” (Psa. 14:1).

Believes In The Resurrection

The “believer in God” believes that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. Again Peter said, “Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory. . .” (1 Peter 1:21). Many people, who claim to be believers, deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave! There is just no way that a person can really believe in God and not believe what God says about the resurrection. Paul said, “We have testified of God that he raised up Christ. . . ” (1 Cor. 15:15). If Jesus was not raised, then there is no assurance that any of us will ever be resurrected from the grave. But the Bible says, “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power” (1 Cor. 6:14). You see, if there was no resurrection, “your faith is vain, ye are yet in your sins, they which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished, and we who have our hope in Christ, are of all men most miserable. . . ” (1 Cor. 15:13-19).

Has Purified His Soul

The “believer in God” is one who has purified his own soul. Peter further states, “Seeing ye have purified your souls . . .” (1 Pet. 2:22). The word “soul” in this passage simply refers to the inner man – the spirit which Zechariah meant when he said that God “formeth the spirit of man within him” (Zech. 12: 1). Every person is responsible for seeing to it that his soul is made clean. How does one go about purifying his soul? The Psalmist said, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psa. 119:9). If one is to be clean he must take heed to the word of God. Jesus put it this way, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you”(Jno. 15:3). When death coines, “the dust shall return to the earth as it was: and-the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” (Eccl. 12:7). The soul that shall return to God and expects to enjoy the bliss of eternity must purify his soul while he lives and keep it clean for “there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 20:27).

Obeys The Truth

The “believer of God” is one who has obeyed the truth. “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit . . .” (1 Pet. 1:22). There is no way that one can claim to be a believer in God, in the real sense of the word, without doing what God says! Jesus said, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say” (Lk. 6:46)? Salvation is promised to those who obey. The Hebrew writer said that Jesus is the “author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:9). The believer in God does not obey just anything but he obeys the truth. Jesus said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). You know the Bible refers to those who “have not obeyed the gospel” (Rom. 10: 16). New Testament believers heard the word of God, believed the word of God and obeyed the word of God. This obedience includes being “baptized into Christ” (Gal. 3:27). The believer in God continues to obey the truth after he has been baptized for the remission of his past sins. Paul in writing the Galatians said, “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth” (Gal. 5:7)?

Loves Others

The “believer in God” has a loving heart. Peter said, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Pet. 1:22). Love must be with sincerity and without hypocrisy. Fervency must characterize the love that the believer in God has for his fellow Christians. Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (Jn. 13:35). There are too many places where brethren “bite and devour one another” and Paul told the Galatians to “take heed that ye be not consumed one of another” (Gal. 5:15). One reason a lot of churches have so many internal problems is that brethren have just not learned to love each other enough.

Are you a “believer in God”?

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 2, pp. 38-39
January 19, 1984