Truth Magazine

By William C. Sexton

If the phrase “a prophet of God” is spoken, the Bible student would likely think of Elijah. He was a powerful prophet in the Old Testament; when Jesus was transfigured before certain of the apostles (Mt. 17:1-5). He appeared with Elijah to represent the prophets Jesus referred to his acts (Lk. 4:24-26); James mentioned him as evidence of the powerful effect of a righteous man’s prayer (Jas. 5:16-18); Paul pointed to him as one being mistaken about his lonely state because many faithful peoples were serving God (Rom. 11:2-5).

Elijah was a great prophet, who achieved much, giving evidence that he was serving God and that God is powerful (1 Kings 18:21-46). He spoke out against evil, opposed the prophets of Baal, as a spokesman for God. Yet, Elijah was a human, with the weaknesses which characterize mankind. He was, like most of us are at some time, tempted to drop out and give up (1 Kings 19:1-21).

The character of this man and the occasion in his life (just after achieving a great victory) make us unprepared for what he does in this respect! Yet, I suspect that here is just one case of the many in the word of God which point each of us to self-examination, to discover our humanness, We sometimes miscalculate reality! If Elijah, a prophet of God could and did so misperceive things, then certainly we ought to recognize that we, too, may do the same and be in need of assistance!

His Character

He manifested his courage and determination in (1) announcing to wicked Ahab that there was going to be neither “dew nor rain” (1 Kings 17: 1) due to the evil behavior of the king, (2) challenging the people to make a choice to decide whether the Jehovah is God or Baal and to follow the real one (1 Kings 18:21ff). He had manifested his kindness and relationship to God in dealing with the widow and her child (1 Kings 17:17-24).

Depression After Having Gained A Decisive Victory

Elijah called the people together and asked for the prophets of Baal to call on their god to manifest himself to show that he was alive, able, and willing to respond to their needs. this allowed all to witness the complete failure of Baal. After the failure of Baal and his prophets, Elijah called on the Lord God and He responded, burning the sacrifice and drying up the water. This was a powerful demonstration of God’s power and Elijah’s relationship to Him. It would seem reasonable to expect all observers and knowledgeable people to recognize the power manifested and submit to it. One would expect Elijah to be elated, walking on cloud nine!

Yet when his work was conveyed to the king’s wicked wife, Jezebel, she promised to continue her opposition and resistence to him (1 Kings 19:2-3). With his experience and recent victory over Baal’s four hundred prophets, we would expect him to face up to the threat, pointing to the fact that God had manifested Himself in such a powerful way that it would be foolish and fatal to oppose Him in the manner she was threatening. However, we are surprised again! He runs for his life!

His Action Of Requesting To Die

It is hard to understand that this character at this time would run away from such a one as Jezebel and sit down under a tree requesting “for himself that he might die. . . ” (19:4). Even with such behavior, the Lord did not let him have his request. He sent an angel who “touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.” He was strengthened and traveled for forty days and nights to Horeb, the mount of God (19:8).

Yet, Elijah was not ready and prepared to face reality. Rather, he went into a cave. The Lord, as He had done before, challenged him as to what he was doing there. The answer was not really a response: “I have been jealous for the Lord of Host: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and 1, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (19:10, 14).

Truly, Elijah had been jealous for the Lord and such was both good and correct. It was sad that the people of Israel had forsaken the covenant, thrown down the altars built to God and slain the prophets. However, the question addressed to Elijah was: “What doeth thou here?” Why are you here and what are you doing here? Now, not yesterday or days gone by, is the period of time in question.

This is a rather common problem or response, I’m afraid, for any or all of us! We become obsessed with a response that is not really pertinent. When asked a question, we repeat that response!

Lessons To Be Learned From Elijah’s Action

I believe that we all can learn some valuable lessons from this account of his behavior on this occasion; perhaps that is the reason that it is recorded and preserved for us.

1. Like Elijah, all of usfail at times to live up to what we should do based on our knowledge and experience. Quite often, the unreasoned behavior occurs shortly after a victory! Man is more vulnerable right after a battle, even one which he has won! He is exhausted, with his guard down!

Many people have dropped out after great achievements! We expect an inexperienced person to become discouraged and give up and/or in; but the man who has been on the firing line and gained many battles of significance, too, can be overcome!

Each of us need to be challenged: “What doeth thou here?” We need to be challenged, repeatedly till we get off that obsession! We need,to have the significance of that challenge to penetrate our conscience!

2. Christians, like Elijah, need to see that there is and will remain temptations, but there is no justification for dropping out, till God calls us home!

We need, therefore, to allow the double challenge to sink in: Just what are we doing where we are? It does not matter how much we have done; rather, it’s what are we doing now? There is never a time when we can stop and rely on the past record – till our time alloted here expires, and God is the judge and determiner of that.

3. Like Elijah, we need to climb a mountain, get a different view!

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord, And behold the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountain, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice …. And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on the way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou cometh, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: and Jehu the son of Nimshi shall thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-me-holah shall thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him (19:11-12, 15-18).

It is evidence that Elijah has miscalculated: he was not the only one left faithfully serving God! Seven thousand others were alive and serving. We, too, when we get so discouraged, thinking that we are the only one left, need to look again! Somewhere, out of our sight, there are others!

At times we need to climb a mountain and get a view from a different prospective! Hear the Lord say, “Go!” Get back into the stream of activity! Go about doing your job, and see that you can still do something for the Lord’s cause! We can assist others. We can still tell the story of Jesus (Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-16).

Conclusion

Every person who has served God, will at times feel as Elijah, feel like dropping out! I’m no better than the others who have gone before me, they suffered and died, I might as well die now! But the Lord is the, only one who can decide that accurately. So, let us keep on being faithful as long as we are allowed to live and serve. Let us ask ourselves: are we doing what we can now according to His word and directions?

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 20, pp. 622-623
October 20, 1983

By M. Thaxter Dickey

The need to think properly during the Lord’s Supper is illustrated in 1 Corinthians 11: 17-34. Misuse of the Lord’s Supper results in serious consequences for those who partake unworthily. In this case many members of the church were sick and some even dead because of abusing the Lord’s supper. Note that the passage does not condemn those who are unworthy to partake for so we all are. If the requirement were worthiness then no one would qualify for “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:25).

What is condemned is partaking in an unworthy manner. Now that doesn’t mean that only a specific form of ritual is acceptable but rather that the condition of the heart must be right. Matthew 5:23,24 gives us an example of engaging in service to God in a worthy way. We cannot enter into His presence with sins that are unrepented. Nor are we participating worthily if our thoughts are far from him (Matt. 15:7, 8).

But keeping our thoughts from straying is a difficult task. It is impossible if we only try to get rid of the worldly thoughts that fill our minds. For each time we chase one away several return to plague us (Lk. 11:25). What we must do if we are to participate with our minds as well as our bodies is to find some positive thoughts on which to concentrate. And there are many topics worthy of thought during the Lord’s Supper.

1. Remember Jesus (Lk. 22:14-20, Matt. 26.26-28). The purpose of the Supper is that we might remember Jesus. It is in fact the only memorial He left. But small mementoes can powerfully bring back memories as anyone who treasures a small belonging left them by a departed parent can testify. In the same way by our participation in the communion Jesus should be vividly real to us not just a dusty historic figure. It is impressive to think that His living memorial in the form of the Supper has outlasted what were at one time more physically impressive and seemingly permanent stone monuments.

What should we remember of Him? First of all, we can remember events of His life: how He cried over Lazarus even though He had power over disease and sin and even death. We can remember His compassion for the Widow of Nain, the careful attention to small things which brought to His notice the widow’s mite, His righteous wrath in cleansing the temple, and His continued mastery over the Pharisees as they tried to humiliate him, His concern for the little man, Zaccheus, who was pariah to everyone else.

We can also remember His suffering and death. Paul calls these thoughts to the minds of the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 11:23 when he writes: “The Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed . . . .” And which Christian does not have graphically impressed in his memory the hours of Jesus’ humiliation and mistreatment during the trials, His glance at Peter as the cock crew, His domination of Pilate in their moments together, His gracious “Father forgive them they know not what they do,” His responsible concern for the care of His mother as He hung on the cross, or His final triumphant shout as He “gave up the ghost,”? How easily we should be able to fill our minds with these scenes.

We could remember, too, that He inaugurated the New Covenant of His Blood (Matt. 26:28). By His death He put -into effect “His last will and testament.” A will is made by one person for the benefit of the other and the beneficiary can only accept or reject those benefits and the conditions of the will. lie cannot alter the terms. And how much better are the terms of the New Testament than those of the old (Heb. 8:6-13; 9:15-17,22).

We can remember that He is the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world (Jn. 1:29). It is for this purpose that He came into the world. And remembering this we can remember that our sins have been forgiven. And if that is not a compelling thought on which we may well spend a few minutes then something surely is missing from our spiritual lives.

2. Recognize Jesus as the Source of Life and Nourishment (Jn. 6.-47-58). Another train of thought which would be proper during the Lord’s supper is this: that we are what we eat and so we become like Him as we eat of His body and’drink of His blood (Jn. 6:35). This may seem to some an unpleasant picture but we are alive by His death. Some unbelievers may try to confound us by saying that the communion is a cannibalistic ritual. Yes and nol Never has it been truer than of Christians that we live because someone else died. But it is also true that Jesus loved us enough to freely offer Himself in our place (Rom. 5:8 and 1 Jn. 2:2) and our parlicipation in the Lord’s Supper is a means of being made alive “in Him.” But we also die so that He may live in us (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 6:2).

This convinces me that we ought to learn the habit of regular devotions – and an essential one is this weekly breaking of bread. If it represents the bread by which we are made spiritually alive then we cannot afford to miss it. A life preserving ritual is not one easily forgotten orlightly forsaken. That is why the early church, by God’s plan, participated in weekly observance. To miss deliberately is to spurn the blood of Christ, the only thing which can save us (Heb. 10:29).

But we do partake of these emblems and He dwells in us and so we no longer live the same kind of life (Gal. 2:20 and Jn. 6:36). Communing with the Lord in the Lord’s Supper is then a time for renewing our commitment (1 Cor. 10:21). If we are honest in it we can profitably pray to God while we are engaged in the breaking of bread vowing to be as Christ like as possible in the week to come.

3. We Share Here With Others (1 Cor. 10:16, 17). Paul condemned the Corinthians for not communing together (1 Cor. 11:20, 21). Christians are set apart by their participation in this breaking of bread. The Supper is a communion and we share with Christ in it (1 Cor. 10:16) as we share with Him in our lives (Phil. 3:8, 10). And thus we are not liked by the world (Jn. 15:18; Lk. 6:26) because, by our observance of His memorial feast, we show His death till He comes again (1 Cor. 11:26).

It is a proclamation to the world. By partaking we say to the world: “I believe: that He lived and died as the Son of God, that He rose from the grave by the power of God, and that He’s coming again (Acts 1:10,11) to claim His own Qn. 14:1-3; Matt. 26:29) and to judge the world (Acts 10:42). And thus there is a glorious hope on which to fix our minds during the Lord’s Supper. It is wonderful to think on and draws us closer to Him. The feast then is anticipatory as well as commerative (Matt. 26:29).

We should also remind ourselves that as Christians, partaking of the Supper together, we are one body (Eph. 4:4) of which Christ is the Head (Col. 1: 18). There is peace among us (Eph. 2:14-17). And unity is our sign of godliness (Jn. 17:20, 21). If we are to love each other as Jesus loved us (1 Jn. 4:9-11), how can we sit week after week and year after year without getting to know those who share this precious moment with us and without learning to care for them? It is said that families who share together stay together. And what greater thing to share together than this participation in the communion with Christ death? And what greater family ‘unity could there be than that among the family of God?

4. Examine Ourselves Individually (2 Cor. 11:27; 13:5). We must participate in the communion in the right manner, as is true of all worship (Matt. 5:23,24). So it is fitting as we engage our minds in this act of worship that we examine ourselves (2 Cor. 11:27). Self-examination prevents rashness and promotes solemnity, a necessary ingredient of sound worship. No progress is ever made without regular examination. We really should prepare for this moment before we come if it is to be of maximum value to us and acceptable to God. For if we’ve not given a thought beforehand to our purpose for coming then it is unlikely that we are participating in a worthy manner.

During the Lord’s Supper itself is a good time to continue this self-examination (1 Cor. 11:28). Here are some questions which may help in that endeavor.

(1) Do I really desire to follow Christ (Matt. 16:24)?

(2) Do I fully appreciate what Christ has done for me (Rom. 5:6-10)?

(3) Am I truly repentant of my sins (Acts 3:19)?

(4) Am I humbled by this supper (Lk. 17:10)?

(5) Do I love my fellow participants (1 Jn. 4: 11)?

If the answer to any of these questions is negative then we have something to work on before we next gather to break bread. And the occasion of the Communion itself can be a source of spiritual strength for learning these things or coming to feel them more deeply. If all of our answers are yes then the Lord’s Supper will be a meaningful experience for us each Lord’s day – one from which we will draw great encouragement and comfort.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 20, pp. 620-621
October 20, 1983

By Lewis Willis

Having observed a rather significant shift in public thought during my life-time regarding a question of morality, I decided that something needed to be done to bring the practice of the church into conformity with the thinking of the world about us. The particular issue to which I have reference is the issue of homosexuality. It was my thinking that brethren have assumed a rather arrogant attitude toward the homosexuals of the, world. Brethren have continued to smugly and arrogantly look down their collective noses at the ever-growing crowd of homosexuals around us. The Akron Beacon Journal (6/26/83) referred to the size of this growing segment of society. The paper reported a Sunday “Gay Freedom Day Parade” in San Francisco with 300,000 expected celebrants participating. The National Gay Task force expected 200,000 people “for New York City’s ‘Gay Pride’ March and Rally.” New York’s Mayor, Ed Koch, had even gone so far as to declare the entire week to be “Gay and Lesbian Pride Week.”

It seemed to me that 500,000 people in our society could not just be ignored – it is certainly unthinkable that they should all be condemned. A listener to our radio program sent me a tract published by Last Days Ministries in Lindale, Texas in which the author referred to information published by the David Wilkerson Crusade. Wilkerson, in speaking against homosexuality, noted that homosexual churches now claim 50,000 members. How could 50,000 people be wrong?

Since it is necessary to deal with reality, I assembled several brethren from the area, renowned and respected, to discuss this issue, ala Jerusalem style (Acts 15). Explaining the realities of the situation, they all agreed that a statement should be issued representing our view that homosexuality not be considered “a sinful condition” any longer. We concluded instead, that homosexuals should be accorded compassion and understanding. Furthermore, we decided that we should be less judgmental and not condemn them, exercising care to avoid alienating them from other church members. We concluded that efforts should be made to make them feel welcome in our midst. Therefore, be it known to all brethren that such is the official policy of the church.

Such Things Do Happen

Let me carefully and pointedly assure you that the scenario referred ‘to above did not happen! That is, not among God’s people! It did happen in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco.

I have before me an article from the Wichita Eagle Beacon (6/11/83), entitled “Homosexuality Not Sinful State, Says San Francisco Archdiocese. ” A new report, “approved by Archbishop John Quinn . . . is the official policy of the Archdiocese.” The report says “that homosexual orientation ‘is not held to be a sinful condition,’ although it says the church can never endorse homosexual activity.” Catholics were urged to treat their homosexual brethren “with the same compassion and understanding accorded other members of the church.” Catholic spokesman Miles Riley said, “We need to be much more non-judgmental and not condemn them or judge them.” Riley said the report will guide the clergy so as “to avoid the alienation” of homosexuals; so that “homosexual men and women will feel welcome” and that they “will see themselves as genuinely an important part of the church.”

How will such a policy work? Probably like the one David Wilkerson referred to in connection with the Metropolitan Community Church which held a convention in Dallas, Texas not long ago. Wilkerson reported the following in connection with an annual convention they held:

Each delegate, as they registered, was given a packet which included, among other things, two “boy” magazines of all nude men and a list of all the gay bars in Dallas – so that delegates could leave the evening service, go to their selected bar, and connect with a lover for the night., And, those delegates call themselves ,’ministers.” How they did sing! They praised the Lord with enthusiasm; but their evangelist corrupted the Gospel beyond comprehension. He said, “Sure, Paul condemned men who changed the natural use and burned one toward another. But that’s not us. We didn’t change anything. We were born this way. So, come out of your closets. Be filled with the Holy Ghost, and enjoy your homosexuality! “

If this what Catholics want to embrace? Is this what their compassion and understanding buys? Is this what the Catholic church wants to “feel welcome” among them?

Does that make you sick or does that make you sick? To say that homosexuals “have come out of the closet” is an understatement! And, many politicians and supposed religious leaders haven’t enough guts to step on the sinful “roaches” when they appear. As noted, Roman Catholicism has thrown down its sword on this subject. Some of our own brethren who preach so loudly about showing understanding and compassion for people who sin if they supposedly know no better are going to find themselves hard-pressed to speak out on this subject. Be aware that some of these creatures get into the church. Some homosexuals sincerely believe that theirs is but an alternate lifestyle into which they were born. They, therefore, deny their practice is sinful. Those who try so hard to accommodate Christians who sin in ignorance, have no basis whatsoever to withhold fellowship from the so-called Christian (?) homosexual. For the life of me, the only posture they can have is one similar to the Catholic position discussed therein.

As for me, I shall continue my attempts to practice what Paul taught when he said, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). 1 shall continue to affirm that sinful relationships involving women with women Oesbians) and men with men (homosexuals) is unseemly error, unnatural and condemned (Rom. 1:27-28). 1 shall not miss an opportunity to inform the effeminate and those who abuse themselves with mankind that their practice is unrighteousness gone to seed and such people shall not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9). To imply that God sanctions such filth is an insult to Him! Psychologists and some preachers might call it a “disease” but I am committed to calling it what God calls it – sin! God’s people would be well advised to do more than shake our heads in disgust when confronted with this junk. Let us not miss a single opportunity to identify it for what it is. No conference of men, political or ecclesiastical, can alter the word of God. Attempts to do so are simply continuing efforts to pervert the Gospel of Christ (Gal. 1:7).

If any homosexual should perchance read this, please do the world a favor and stay in your closet until you have decided to repent of your sin and reform your corrupt life!

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 20, pp. 619-620
October 20, 1983

By Randy Harshbarger

Because of trying circumstances of life, some Christians grow tired of living the kind of life God desires; their despair sometimes leads them to give up all together. Because of persecution, peer pressure, lack of faith, opposition of family, etc., some Christians think it is impossible to fight the good fight and remain faithful to the end. Of course, this problem is not new. Christians of the first century were plagued with some of the same obstacles that present themselves to Christians of the twentieth century.

Paul, and the Christians he was associated with at Phlippi, present a good example of this. In the book of Philipians, Paul suggests to us, that one can be a Christian regardless of the circumstances in life. He closes the book by saying: “Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren that are with me salute you. All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (4:21-23). Paul addresses this letter to the “saints” at Philippi. A saint is a person who has been set apart or consecrated to the Lord. All who have obeyed the gospel have been set apart in Christ. With faith in Christ and His word, we can remain faithful, even in the face of opposition. The Christians at Philippi demonstrated this. The Caesars were not known for their spirituality. They did not appreciate Christianity. Nero and other Roman kings were avowed enemies of Christ and His church. And yet, these Christians in Caesar’s household were able to remain faithful; they even demonstrated love and concern for those in other places.

Other examples of those who had to stand alone in the midst of opposition come to mind. Joseph, who at the hand of ungodly brothers, was sold into Egyptian slavery. He was forced to serve at the feet of a man who had contempt for the God of heaven. Joseph was tempted to commit adultery by the enticement of an ungodly woman. He seemed to suffer for the right he tried to do. But the main thing we need to remember about Joseph is this: he did not lose God’s respect! What about the three Hebrew boys who were thrown into the fiery furnace? Surely they had the right to say: “Well, everybody else is doing it!” Consider Daniel, who faced certain death in the lion’s den. He stood and faced the crowd with “open windows.” All of these men took their religion with them.

There are, of course, some Saints in Caesar’s household today. Sometimes, in the home or family relationship, one mate is faithful to God and faces an uphill battle in order to remain faithful. Often an ungodly companion presents strong pressure to give up and in. Paul believed that women could be faithful in spite of their unfavorable circumstances (1 Cor. 7:12-14). Peter suggests the same thing; in fact, she can use her life to convert her husband (1 Pet. 3:1-3). Many times Christians have to work with those who curse, swear, etc. Sometimes the pressure to drink alcoholic beverages is strong. And yet, there are those who withstand this type of pressure and harassment. Men and women in military service are exposed to many temptations. Yet, Cornelius was a military man and who could deny that he -was dedicated to God. Young people are tempted with pressure to conform. Pressure of peers to dance, engage in drug abuse, and illicit sex is strong. And yet, young people also have a responsibility to live right before God and man. “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of fife, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).

We thrill at the triumphs of faith that Daniel, Joseph, and Paul furnish us. Their examples tell us that we too can remain faithful, even in the midst of severe opposition and unfavorable circumstances. We can do right if the determination is strong enough. “I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.”

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 20, p. 618
October 20, 1983