Truth Magazine

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

By Dick Blackford

The new morality may be a change from that of the former generation but it is not new. “The thing that has been, it is that which shall be. And that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath been already of old time, which was before us” (Eccl. 1:9, 10). The new morality was being practiced in Corinth 2000 years ago. It was practiced in Sodom and Gomorrah before that. The Israelites were practicing a 64new morality” when Moses came down from Mount Sinai. Today, we have an old idea renewed as this generation continues its search for truth apart from the Bible. This search has been indicated in the popular music of the day, “How Can I Be Sure In A World That Is Constantly Changing?” Everything has been made vague in the area of morals. The word “love” describes everything from a young boy’s fond affection for pizza to an older boy’s interest in premarital sex, neither of which is correct.

What Is Morality?

Morality is the system that distinguishes right and wrong. It is that sense of “oughtness” or “ought-notness” by which one decides things, depending upon his standard. The Bible contains a number of “shalts” and “shalt nots” as well as “oughts” and “ought nots” (Rom. 13:8,9; Mt. 23:23; Eccl. 2:3; 1 Tim. 3:15; etc.). Every man has a standard of morality, even if it is himself.

What Is Situation Ethics?

This is the popular view that there are no moral absolutes. Nothing is right or wrong; it just depends on the situation. “Circumstances alter cases” is a way of saying that stealing, lying, adultery, or any other thing may be right in a given situation. What is moral is “what you feel good after.” What is immoral is “what you feel bad after.”(1) Rules can be cast aside when love can be better served. Regardless of the rules, one should do the loving thing. One should love people and use things. “For the situationist there are no rules . . . none at all. . .”(2) “It means too, that there are no universals of any kind. . .”(3)

Joseph Fletcher, well known theologian, author and leader in trying to remove the ancient landmarks in the area of morality, has had a great impact on the thinking of religious leaders. Many have been influenced, especially in the field of sex, where the most damage has been done. The subject of sex perversion is somewhat taboo in most family circles and it’s not exactly one we like to discuss at the dinner table, especially in mixed company. But we may as well face it. Sex in its perverted forms has pressed itself into the daily lives of people of all ages. It’s not wrong to talk about when done respectably. We have to in order to deal with it. Many think nothing of having it piped into their living rooms in its perverted form but they don’t want the preacher to even hint at it. It is quite ironic that the people of Israel (male and female alike) stood from morning til midday before the water gate and listened to Ezra read the law (Neh. 8). If you have read the law you know it deals with sexual perversion in very explicit terms. We must be. careful in trying to improve on the manners of God, especially when it causes our children to suffer for lack of proper training. The Father knows best. It would shock most parents if they knew how much knowledge their children have gained about sex (unaccompanied by proper teaching on morality and responsibility). Parents often wonder where they went wrong and don’t know they did until they see the wild oats growing.

Fletcher’s Example of Situationism

Fletcher captures his readers’ emotions with a sad story about a woman who was separated from her family at the Battle of the Buldge and imprisoned in the Ukraine. During these months of captivity she learned that her husband, also a prisoner of war, had been released from another camp and had located their children in Berlin. There were two reasons why the Russians would release a prisoner: need for extensive medical treatment or pregnancy. The woman, Mrs. Bergmeier, persuaded a German guard to impregnate her and she was returned to Germany, as a liability. The family was reunited and they all loved her and the child born out of adultery for it. Keep this case in mind as we will discuss it more thoroughly in the third part of this series.

The Prevalence of Situationism

Remember the West Virginia textbook controversy? From a third grade text there was a discussion question to go with a story about a little boy who cheated and felt bad about it: “Most people think that cheating is wrong, even if it is only to get a penny, which is what Shan did. Do you think there is ever a time when it might be right? Tell when it is. Tell why you think it is right.”(4) A television program about Robin Hood “justified” his stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Defending the morality of the Watergate break-in (planned by G. Gordon Liddy) and other aborted 1972 campaign schemes to kidnap antiRepublican radicals and entice Democratic politicians with prostitutes, Liddy said, “If Watergate is all its alledged to be, it was an intelligence gathering operation of one group of persons who were seeking power … against another group of persons who were seeking to acquire power … It’s like brushing your teeth . . . It’s basic.”(5) Popular music: “If it feels good do it. Do it if it’s what you feel . . .” “We’re living in a,world of rules, breaking us down, when they all should let us be . . .”, etc. Popular expression: “Do your own thing.” The crime rate: Since 1968 violent crimes increased 47% and property crimes 28%. There is one violent crime every 36 seconds.(6)

Our second article will deal with attempts of situationists to justify their teaching from the Bible and some consequences of the new morality will be discussed.

Endnotes

1. Christianity and Hedonism, A Clash of Philosophies. Discussion between Anson Mount, religion editor for Playboy Magazine, and Dr. William S. Banowsky, minister of Broadway Church of Christ, Lubbock, Texas, published by Christian Chronicle, Austin, Texas.

2. Joseph Fletcher, Situation Ethics, p. 55. Fletcher is Professor of Social Ethics at Episcopal Theology School in Cambridge, Mass. Quoted here from The “New Morality ” Reviewed, a tract by Cecil Willis.

3. Ibid., p. 64.

4. Schoolbooks Stir A Storm,” U.S. News and World Report, Nov. 4, 1974, p. 61.

5. The Evansville Press (UPI), Evansville, IN, Jan. 5, 1975.

6. Clarence M. Kelley, Director FBI, Crime In The U.S., 1973 (released Sept. 6, 1974).

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 2, pp. 37-38
January 19, 1984

By Hoyt Houchen

Question: What does Jesus mean in Matthew 23.24? How does this apply to us today?

Reply: In Matthew 23, Jesus pronounced a series of woes upon the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees. He gave them a scathing rebuke because they would “say, and do not” (v. 3). They would bind heavy burdens upon others, but they themselves would “not move them with their finger” (v. 4). Their works were done to be seen of men (v. 5) and Jesus gave some examples. They loved preeminence, so Jesus proceeded to teach them a lesson on humility (vv. 8-12). Beginning with verse 13, Jesus pointed out their inconsistencies and saying they were blind guides in verse 16. Then in verse 23 and 24 Jesus said to them, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone. Ye blind guides, that strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel!”

Jesus was dealing with a group of men to whom religion had become merely a matter of outward observance. They were interested in many little rules of conduct, but were neglecting the chief things in the law (Matt. 23:23; Lk. 11:42). In doing this, they were straining out the gnat and swallowing the camel. The Greek word for “strain” (diulize) means “to filter through, strain thoroughly, pour through a filter” (Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon, p. 153). The expression used by Jesus was proverbial. It simply means that they were nice, scrupulous and zealous about the little things but unconcerned about the greater matters. They were stressing outward rites and ceremonies but neglecting a proper attitude af the heart. It is significant to note, that while they were meticulous in straining out a gnat (which was unclean, Lev. 11:42), they were gulping down a large animal, a camel (also unclean, Lev. 11:4). They did this by tithing mint, dill and cummin but ignoring justice, mercy and faith. Their time was utilized with what was less important, in contrast to the really important commands of God’s law. The Arabians have a similar proverb to the one Jesus used: “He swallowed an elephant, but was strangled by a flea.” The conduct of these scribes and Pharisees is well expressed by Lenski: “Could blindness go farther? To fail to pay the full tenth of tiny garden herbs a mortal crime! to disregard the heavenly virtues themselves – not a qualm, not even a thought” (The Interpretation of Matthew, p. 910). Jesus indeed used a very impressive image to illustrate how a set of men were so conscientious about small matters, and yet so careless about the more important.

Having interpreted the meaning of the passage, there are many examples of how some are doing what those rebuked by Jesus were doing. Many today are much more concerned about the material things of life rather than spiritual matters. This is true of the non-Christian, who is very scrupulous about making a living and providing physical needs for his family, yet neglects the soul (see Matt. 16:26). Too often brethren are more mindful of their businesses, pleasures and sports than they are in serving God. The things they are fervently zealous about are trivial when compared to the business of the Lord.

Brethren frequently become so absorbed in unrevealed matters that they spend more time speculating rather than giving attention to the salvation of their own soul and others. Much valuable time has been spent on arguing and speculating about Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7) and other such passages, while giving little or no time to teaching the lost.

So many brethren are meticulous about how they dress, what they eat, what kind of house they live in and what kind of automobile they drive, but unmindful of their faithfulness to God. They will miss assembling with the saints for the most trivial excuses. Then there are others who would not think of missing any service, but they are penurious about their giving and they never think about talking to someone about his soul.

Too many of us are like Martha, who was “anxious and troubled about many things,” while neglecting the one thing that is needful (see Lk. 10:41,42). We become so absorbed with little things (those which are trivial) that we neglect our more important obligation – our duty to God. We misplace our priorities and become inconsistent like the scribes and Pharisees in this regard – we “strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel.” Many more examples could be given, but these are a few that illustrate how Matthew 23:24 applies to us today.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 2, p. 36
January 19, 1984

By Larry Ray Hafley

In the Firm Foundation (October 25, 1983), Fred Davis had an excellent outline entitled, “What Is The Church of Christ?” Section three of his sketch in defining and describing the, church was especially beneficial. Note it:

III. The Church of Christ Is God’s Missionary Society.

I . It has the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the lost (Mark 16:15; 1 Tim. 3:15).

2. Every member has a responsibility in this work (Matthew 28:19,20; Titus 3:1,3; Romans 7:4; John 15:1-19).

3. The church is all sufficient to do the work God has outlined – it needs no crutch to lean upon (Eph. 3:10; 3:21).

4. The church is God’s teaching institution and its success depends upon it (John 6:44,45; Romans 10:13-17; 1 Cor. 1:21; Eph. 4:15,16).

5. This teaching demands:

(1) Preparation (James 3:1,2; 2 Timothy 2:2,15; Eph. 5:17).

(2) It should be safe-guarded by the elders (1 Peter 5:2; Acts 20;28; Titus 1:9).

(3) Going to the lost (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 20:20-27; Luke 15:8-10).

(4) Consecrated living (Romans 2:21,23; 2 Cor. 3:2; Matthew 5:16),

Now, observe, please, a sequel to the above material.

III. The Church Of Christ Is God’s Benevolent Society

1. It has the responsibility of helping certain needy ones (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:16).

2. Every member has a responsibility in this work (Acts 6:2-5; 11:29; 1 Tim. 5:16).

3. The church is all sufficient to do the work God has outlined – it needs no crutch to lean upon (Eph. 3:10; 3:21).

4. The church is God’s benevolent institution and its success depends upon it (1 Tim. 5:16; Acts 6:1,5; Rom. 15:27,31).

5. This teaching demands:

(1) Preparation (Acts 6:3,5; 11:29; 2 Cor. 8:10; 9:2).

(2) It should be safe-guarded by the elders (Acts 11:29; 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2; Titus 1:9).

(3) Going to the needy saints (Acts 6:1; 11:29; Rom. 15:25,26; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9:1, 12, 13).

(4) Consecrated living (Rom. 2:21-23; 2 Cor. 3:2; Matt. 5:16).

Carefully examine the parallel outlines. The first one by Fred Davis shows that the church is God’s missionary society. The church is the organization God has provided to preach the gospel to the lost as brother Davis has so ably demonstrated. Human societies built, maintained and sustained by churches of Christ are unnecessary, unscriptural additions to do the work God assigned and designed the church to do. The second, parallel segment shows that the church is God’s benevolent society. The church is the organization God has provided to care for certain needy ones. Human societies built, maintained and sustained by churches of Christ are unnecessary, unscriptural additions to do the work God assigned and designed the church to do.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 2, pp. 35-36
January 19, 1984