Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

The 21 March 1980 issue of Christianity Today contained an article entitled “Belief and the Bible: A Crisis of Authority” by Walter A. Elwell which contained some interesting statistics. When Americans were asked, “What is the nature of the Bible?”, 42076 responded that the Bible is the Word of God and is never mistaken, 30076 said that the Bible is the Word of God but is sometimes mistaken, 23070 said that the Bible is a collection of ancient religious writings, and 5076 said they did not know. Though these statistics show an increase in the in-roads of modernism and other forms of infidelity, one might be somewhat encouraged that 42070 of the American people, despite all of the assaults of infidelity, still believe that the Bible is inerrant.

A somewhat more alarming statistic is that so few are reading their Bibles. “Only 11 percent read the Bible every day, compared to 10 percent who read it weekly and 7 percent monthly. Thirty-seven million adults never read the Bible” (Christianity Today, 21 December, 1979, p. 14). Consequently, when asked where they turn first when the need arose to test their own religious beliefs, Americans responded as follows: (1) The Bible: 40%; (2) Holy Spirit: 27%; (3) Church: 11%; (4) Other: 22%.

We are faced with a nation of people who outwardly revere the Bible but generally never read it. Many families purchase an expensively bound, large print edition of the Bible to place on the coffee table for everyone to see; few families are seeking to study their Bibles day-after day in order to learn its rich contents. The same thing which is happening to our society is also happening to Christians; many Christians revere the Bible as the word of God but go through their day-to-day lives without taking the time to read it. An unread, neglected Bible is no advantage to us; one might as well not have a Bible as .to have one and not read it.

Our great God in heaven expects us to study the word of God. Here are some pertinent Scriptures which show His attitude toward the study of His word.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart; and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which 1 command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up”: And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates (Deut. 6:4-9).

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night (Psa. 1:1-2).

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward (Psa. 19:7-I1).

Our New Testament Scriptures enjoin the study of God’s word just as much on God’s people.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so (Acts 17:11).

Those who claim to be the people of God must be characterized by an active program of Bible study, both at home and in their congregational capacity.

Knowledge Is Essential To True Religion

There are some, even among us, who would make salvation totally conditioned upon one’s sincerity. They say that if a man sincerely does not know about Jesus he can nevertheless be saved. Yet, the Scriptures clearly teach that one must know the truth in order to be free from sin (Jn. 8:32). One can have no faith without a knowledge of God’s word. Campbell wrote on this subject as follows:

Nothing is more demonstrable than that all true religion is founded upon the true knowledge of the true God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. The polar star of all our researches into this subject are the words of the Messiah: “It is eternal life to know thee the only true God, and Jesus the Messiah thy Apostle.” If “without faith it be impossible to please God,” as true it is, without knowledge there can be no faith. “How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard – of whom they know nothing?” “By the knowledge of him shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” “Now thanks be unto God who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place . . . .”

Now as this true knowledge of the true God and our Saviour Jesus Christ is in the Bible, and in the Bible alone, those ignorant of that book cannot possibly enjoy this knowledge; and, not possessing it, they cannot possess the benefits which it communicates. So that we are by an insuperable necessity constrained to deny the possibility of true faith and true religion without the knowledge of God and of Christ Jesus our Lord – without the knowledge and belief of the gospel as written in the New Covenant of our Lord and Saviour. From all which the reference is irresistible that all religion founded not upon right conceptions of God and of his Son, is delusion – rank delusion, and must leave the heart under the dominion of its own corruptions .

. . . . It is then demonstrated that knowledge, or illumination, in the being, perfections, and glory of God, in the person, mission, and character of the Messiah, is, in all cases, preliminary to true faith – to rational belief – to any acceptable worship: in one word, to true religion (Alexander Campbell, “Religious Excitment,” Millennial Harbinger, 1840, pp. 166-167).

Knowledge of the word of God is essential for the personal salvation of every individual Christian and the continuance of the Lord’s church! One is not saved because of his physical relationship to someone who was a Christian; he is saved because of his personal faith in the word of God and obedience to it. Consequently, we can easily perceive our need to continually teach the word of God to our children and to personally study it for ourselves.

What Can I Do?

We can easily see that spiritual ignorance permeates our society. Our religious neighbors know very little about the word of God; indeed, some of those who claim to be Christians know little about the word of God. What can we do?

1. We can turn off the television. The hours which we spend in front of our televisions are consuming the time we have to serve God and study His word. The moral filth which we are piping into our homes cannot edify us; it can only destroy our morals. Consequently, we need to exercise enough personal discipline to order our lives to find time to study God’s word. To do that, we need to turn off the television.

2. We can teach our children the word of God. Gather your children around the kitchen table after supper and study God’s word with them. Tell them about Daniel, Joseph, David, Paul, and other men of strong faith. Acquaint them with the history of Israel.

3. We can personally feed our own spirits. We can take some time out of every day to study the word of God for our own benefit. Each of us has a need to feed his spirit the inspired word of God. The person who does not feed his spirit the word of God will soon lose what he formerly had in growth in the knowledge of the revelation of God.

4. We can attempt to teach others the word of God. Each of us knows someone who is not a Christian. We can talk to him about his soul, salvation, judgment, and moral righteousness. We can offer to conduct a home Bible study with him. By so doing, we will be obeying the Great Commission ourselves.

Conclusion

The word of God is the only guide we have to spiritual life. If we want to direct our children and ourselves to heaven, we are simply going to have to devote some time to learning the content of God’s word. Does eternal life mean enough to you to spend time learning the word of God?

Truth Magazine XXIV: 18, pp. 291-292
May 1, 1980

By Ron Halbrook

For the truth’s sake, the gospel of Jesus Christ must be proclaimed. Gospel means “good news,” and Jesus means “savior” (Matt. 1:21). The good news is that God has sent a Savior into the world to save us from our sins (Lk. 1:77; Matt. 26:28). When Jesus was ,born, angels announced “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people . . .

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Lk. 2:10-14). Early in His public work, Jesus read God’s prophecy through Isaiah: “. . . he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor . . . .” Jesus explained, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears” (Lk. 4:16-21). To the poor of heart, meek of spirit, and humble of mind, Jesus Christ offered through Himself God’s grace in the forgiveness of sins (Matt. 5:3-12; 18:1-6; Jn. 14:1-6).

Why is this message good news?

1. Jesus Christ does for man what man cannot do for himself. “Sin entered the world” through Adam, but he is not the only sinner in history! “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” so that “one man’s disobedience” has been imitated again and again (Rom. 3:23; 5:12, 19). “Sin is the transgression of the law,” and one sin is enough to convict and condemn us as “transgressors” (1 Jn. 3:4; Ja. 2:9-10). When Jesus died for our sins, He made it possible for “the children of disobedience” to find forgiveness in God’s grace. “It is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:1-9; Isa. 53). Man cannot offer a record of perfection to God, for he stands before Him as a lawbreaker. What power does man have to remove or erase violations from his record before God? None. Only in Christ do “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7).

2. Jesus Christ reveals the love of God. “God is love” and His love has been set forth clearly in the sacrifice of His Son for our sins. “herein is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 Jn. 4:8-10). When Jesus preached “the gospel to the poor,” He preached “the acceptable year of the Lord” (Lk. 4:19). Though our sins separate us from God, He shows His love because in Christ Jesus “he hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6). When Christ returns, He will judge the world (Jn. 12:48; Acts 17:31). But first, “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (Jn. 3:16-17). While God’s love is proclaimed in Jesus Christ, “Now is the accepted time . . . now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).

The message is good for other reasons, too. But, each who hears must accept or reject Jesus Christ. His love calls for our love, “for the love, of Christ constraineth us”.. (2 Cor. 5:14). If we reject Him now, He will reject us “when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to- be admired in all them that believe” (2 Thess. 1:7-10). “For by grace are ye saved ,through faith” when we are “buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Eph. 2:8;. Col.’2:12). “They have not all obeyed the gospel” (Rom. 10:16), but will you accept and obey the Good Message?

Truth Magazine XXIV: 18, p. 290
May 1, 1980

By Daniel H. King

One of the marvels of the great book that we call the “Bible,” and which gives us the clear impression that it comes from God, is its ability to rise above the false theories and foolish ideas that characterized the people who lived when it was written. This is a unique quality. It is singularly difficult even for Christians today to avoid being tarnished by the sophisticated-sounding “science that is falsely so-called” which places all kinds of question marks around the faith that we cherish and hold dear.

Yet the Bible possesses that quality and exhibits it in a number of ways. One very important and fascinating doctrine of the Old Testament is the concept of creatio ex nihilo, or “creation out of nothing.” Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was shapeless and void. And darkness was upon the face of the deep.” The use of the word bara in the Kal form “always means to create, and is only applied to a divine creation, the production of that which had no existence before” (Delitzsch). The philosophical depth of this doctrine is incredible and completely inexplicable under any evolutionary and developmental hypothesis of ideas. It appears in Gen. 1:1 without precedent and without parallel in the ancient world. In fact, examination of texts from Babylonia, Assyria, and Egypt evince quaint and curious notions of creation. Yet they all possess a common feature: creation is always “out of something” rather than “out of nothing.” In other words, matter of one type or another is always pre-existent. Pagan theologians could never divorce their gods from the physical realm long enough to answer the question regarding the origin of matter itself: “Where did it come from?”

In the Babylonian creation epic Enuma Elish, the world is said to have arisen out of pre-existent water. Apsu the fresh water and the Tiamat the salt water divinity are said to have mingled the waters and the result was the creation of all that is. In Egypt, Atum, the primal god of the Heliopolitan pantheon, after self-gratification took his own seed into his mouth and spewed forth the first pair of gods, from whence derived the rest of creation. At Memphis in Egypt, Ptah created all things by the “mouth which named all things.” But the word of creation is in all Egyptian religion a fluid substance emanating from the mouth of the god. Thus there is, in reality, no creation in our sense but an emanation whgreby one material is changed into another.

The biblical doctrine of creation from nothing stands as convincing testimony of the inspiration and authority of Holy Scripture. The penman of Genesis 1:1 rose above the reprehensible conceptions of heathen idolatry only because the artificer of the universe and man’s own maker lifted him to that great height.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 18, p. 289
May 1, 1980

By Mike Willis

Having previously defined apathy, shown how it manifests itself in a local congregation, and discussed its causes, we are now prepared to consider what is the cure for apathy. If a person is looking for profound cures, he will not find them in this article. There are no shortcuts to spirituality; there are no glamourous methods of curing it. Rather, what is required is plainly revealed on the pages of God’s word in simple terms for everyone to understand. As I understand the word of God, these are the cures to apathy.

Repentance

That repentance is the first cure to apathy is seen by the. two examples in the book of Revelation. When John wrote to the church in Ephesus, a church which had left its first love, he revealed God’s word to them in these terms: “Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen; and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent” (Rev. 2:4-5) .. Later, he wrote to the church in Laodicea which was described as lukewarm. Here are his words to that church:

I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot. I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent (Rev. 3:15-19).

John admonished both groups of brethren who were filled with apathy to repent.

No major changes in one’s conduct will occur without repentance. The process of repentance is simple: (1) one must recognize that his present conduct is sinful and will result in eternal damnation; (2) he must hate the sin in his life and resolve to put it behind him; and (3) he must follow this resolution through with action. With reference to the religious apathy which is manifesting itself in the congregations, a man must realize that absenting himself from the assemblies of the church, failing to study God’s word, neglecting prayer, and omitting good works from his life will result in eternal damnation. He must learn to hate these things as sinful conduct in his life and resolve to change them. This must then be followed through with action.

A person might not always have a warm feeling in his heart as he is doing the work of God. I should not expect that I will live my entire life of service to God on “cloud nine.” Hence, God never conditioned acceptability before Him on some warm, syrupy feeling in a man’s heart. One must simply accept his responsibility before God and do what God commanded him: He must discipline his life to worship God through good times and bad times, to study his Bible day in and day out regardless of the external circumstances, to habitually pray to God and to be active in good works.

If a man can so conduct himself with reference to temporal responsibilities, he can also conduct himself that way with reference to ‘his responsibility before God. A man does not go to work only when he has a warm feeling toward his work; a man does not provide for his family only when the kids are conducting themselves as little angels; he does not love his wife only when she is dressed like a gorgeous model. He realizes his responsibilities before God and fulfills them at all times. He should act in a similar manner with reference to his responsibilities before God.

Resolve in your heart that you are going to change your conduct before God. Be present at every service; if you feel well enough to go to work on a given day, normally you should feel well enough to worship God. Study your Bible every day; if you can find time to read the daily newspaper, you should be able to find time to read God’s word. Pray daily; if you have the time to talk to your earthly friends, you should be able to find time to talk to your heavenly Father. Abound in good works (1 Cor. 15:58).

Reaffirm Your Priorities In Life

A Christian must be a man who has his priorities in life straight. He must put God first (Matt. 6:33; 22:34-40), his family second (Eph. 5:22-6:4), the needs of others third (Matt. 20:26-28), and himself last. Satisfying one’s personal lusts cannot take priority over service to God, service to one’s family, or service to others.

When I consider why members are missing worship services, neglecting Bible study at home, failing to pray, and omitting good works, I am forced to the conclusion that this is being done because members are more concerned about personal gratification than the worship and service of God. I do not find members of the church missing worship in order to care for the needy, to provide for their families, and otherwise discharge obligations imposed on them through God’s word. When the rare occasions occur when this must be done, everyone is understanding toward such a person. However, what I see occurring is that members are neglecting worship and other responsibilities in order to stay at home and watch TV, to go to recreational outings, to work a second job in order to accumulate more wealth, and such like things. This plainly shows that God has taken a subordinate place in one’s life to some other activity.

God’s attitude toward such people is plainly revealed. Consider the statement made in Philippians 3:18-19.

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things.

Consider the things said about these people. (1) They are enemies of the cross of Christ. (2) Their eternal destiny is damnation in hell. (3) Their god is their belly (i.e., any earthly thing which gives them pleasure). (4) Their glory is their shame. (How many times have you heard men brag about things of which they should be ashamed? For example, a man might forsake the Lord in order to work overtime because he is covetous; then, he buys a shiny, new car with his additional income. He then glories in his raw car whereas he ought to be ashamed of having forsaken the Lord in order to obtain such a material item.) (5) They mind earthly things. These men were enemies of the cross of Christ because they had their affections set upon things of this world.

Later Paul described another group of men as “lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof?” (2 Tim. 3:4-5). From such men, Paul warned that Christians should stay away.

Christians need to go to God’s eternal word to establish a system of values in life. That word will tell them that one’s obedience to God is more important than any temporal matter. All that one does in life is vain, with the exception of what he does for God (Ecc. 12:13-14). There is no profit in gaining the entire world and losing one’s soul (Mt. 16:26).

A high priority must be placed on communicating this idea to our children. We must bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4). I must communicate a knowledge of Christ to my children (2 Tim. 3:14-17). I must teach them how to pray, trust in God, lay up treasures in heaven, and otherwise place God first in their lives. If I rear a child with a good education, making loads of money, who is popular among his peers, and who participates in every form of legitimate recreation but who has no time or appreciation for God, I will have failed as a parent. I want to make the beauty of holiness attractive enough to him that he will desire to live in holiness himself.

Brethren, we need to re-evaluate where we are placing our priorities in life.

Be Devoted To The Lord

The foremost commandment in all the Bible is that a man should love God. Jesus was asked, “What is the great commandment in the law?” To this question, He responded, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment” (Matt. 22:36-37). One’s love for God is based on his knowledge of God; one cannot love one whom he does not know. One can know God through the revelation of Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:7-9). Hence, to know God better, one needs to know more about Jesus. Only as one comes to a deeper knowledge of the life of Christ and what God hays done for us through Christ can he increase his loye for, God and Christ.

In love to God, one must present his body as a living sacrifice to the God who gave His only begotten Son for our sins (Rom. 12:1-2; Jn. 3:16). Hence, he must make a personal commitment to serve God. Many know right from wrong without being committed to doing that which is right. It is one thing to teach our children the difference between right and wrong; it is another thing to rear our children to be devoted to that which is right. Similarly, we need to not only know God but to be devoted to His service. You and I need to make a personal commitment of ourselves to the Lord.

One Must Labor In His Vineyard

In order to overcome apathy, you need to be involved in the work of the Lord. Teach your neighbor the gospel of Christ (2 Tim. 2:2). Volunteer to teach a Bible class on Sunday morning or Wednesday night. Check on the people who are not attending regularly as they should. Visit the sick in the congregation to see what you can do to help them through this troubled time in life (Jas. 1:26-27).

As you become involved in the work of the Lord, you will develop a better appreciation of the church as a body in which every individual member has a work which it does to enable the body to function properly. The whole body works when it is “fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part” (Eph. 4:16; cf. 1 Cor. 12:12-20).

People are involved in those things in which they are interested. Hence, if you have any interest in Christ, you will want to be involved in His work. If you want to see people converted, you will support gospel preaching and gospel preachers as well as being actively involved in the work of teaching others. Hence, you need to personally be involved in the work which the church is trying to do. Instead of making noble resolutions which never result in positive action, become involved in the work which is being done in your community. Volunteer for every work project which you can.

Be Other-Worldly Minded

Think of heaven. I am afraid that most of us are so content with life on this earth that we think very little of heaven. Let us be reminded of the beauties and blessings reserved for us in heaven. The Lord has gone away to prepare a mansion for us in order that we might be with Him (Jn. 14:1-2). I am anxiously awaiting that inheritance which is “incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth riot away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith” (1 Pet. 1:4-5). The beautiful description of heaven makes me long for it. I long for that time when “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4). Although the description of heaven in the book of Revelation might be figurative, I am appalled at the beauty of that place (Rev. 21:10-27). I certainly want to go to heaven when I die. I do not want to miss heaven.

Long for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The early saints wanted the Lord to return to take them with Him into heaven (Rev. 22:20; 1 Cor. 16:22). They realized that when He returned, the wicked would be punished and the righteous would be rewarded (2 Thess. 1:6-10). As saints, they had a good hope in Christ (2 Thess. 2:16; 1 Thess. 4:13-17). The hope which one has in Christ needs to be understood; hope is simply desire plus expectation. Having hope in Christ, I desire heaven and expect to receive it when Jesus returns. Therefore, I should long for the return of the Lord. What other things do we hope for but do not desire to see come to us?

Setting my mind on these things will help me to keep matters pertaining to this temporal life in focus. I certainly would not entangle myself (2 Tim. 2:4) in anything which would jeopardize my salvation. Therefore, this would be another cure for apathy.

Conclusion

Are you genuinely concerned about apathy in the church? If so, will you join me in personally striving to eradicate apathy toward spiritual things from our own lives? Then, will you join me in working to help others root it out of their lives? Help me to talk to those who are forsaking the assembly, neglecting Bible study and prayer, and otherwise acting indifferently toward the Lord and His cause. Our own salvation depends upon it! Let us be concerned about our spiritual attitudes.

Questions

1. Define “repentance.” What mental steps does one take in order to repent?
2. Should one expect to have warm feeling about everything he does in service to God?
3. Can one be faithful to God while doing the following:

a. Allowing a headache to keep him from worship services but not from work?

b. Going all week without studying his Bible other than when at worship?

c. Neglecting the needs of others?

d. Assembling just on Sunday morning?

e. Taking a second job which causes one to miss mid-week worship services?

1. What is the most important thing in your life? Second most important? Third most important?
2. Does your life reflect the order of priorities which you just named?
3. What percentage of the Sunday morning attendance is present for Sunday evening and mid-week worship services? Why is there a difference in these attendances?
4. What kind of. person is described in Phil. 3:18-19 and 2 Tim. 3:4-5?
5. What is the difference in teaching your children the difference in right and wrong and teaching them to do right? How can you accomplish the latter?
6. How does one increase his love for God?
7. What can you do in service to the Lord? How many of these things are you now doing?
8. How will working for the Lord help overcome apathy?
9. What is “other-worldly mindedness”?
10. What is “hope”? Do we hope for the return of the Lord if we do not want it to happen now?

Truth Magazine XXIV: 17, pp. 285-287
April 24, 1980