Truth Magazine

By Norman E. Fultz

Faithful Christians do well to occasionally have their grand estate in Christ reaffirmed. Not only does it strengthen one’s own faith, it better prepares him to show the alien his condition out of Christ and compare it with what he could enjoy in Christ.

One of the difficulties with which we have to contend today, it appears to me, is showing folk that the “hereafter,” not just the “here and now,” is worthy of one’s attention. Particularly do young people have trouble becoming really concerned with eternal matters in a society where the getting of “things” consumes the greater part of man’s attention. Christianity often seems to be translated by them as applicable only to something which seems to them to be far removed and with which they are not presently concerned. But that it is applicable to the “here and now” we shall see.

Christianity is practical. But to properly appreciate the proposition, let us look at the terms. By Christianity, this article means the religion of Christ, true religion as revealed in the New Testament-not some watered-down version of it as seen in denominationalism and among many who claim to be “of Christ.” We shall be using “Christianity” and “godliness” as interchangeables. By practical, we mean that it is useful, workable, capable of being turned into use or account as opposed to that which is only theoretical or speculative. The religion of Christ is a taught religion-“teach . . . baptize . . . teach them” (Mat. 28:19-20); “the thing that thou hast heard . . . commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others” (2 Tim. 2:2j) “they shall be all taught of God” (Jn. 6:45)-but it is a system of teaching that is practical or useful because it meets definite needs.

1 Timothy 4:6-11

Please read this passage carefully. Space will not permit a lengthy exegesis, but note that Paul advises Timothy to “refuse profane and old wives’ fables.” This is in contrast to his being “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” which will enable him to “exercise thyself . . . unto godliness.” “Bodily excercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is (the here and now), and of that which is to come (the hereafter).” The “all things” in which godliness is said to profit is to be understood as meaning the life that now is and that is to come.

Christianity Is Practical Because It Meets The Needs of This Life

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psa. 84:11). The needs of man are many and they are as varied as they are many, but all man’s needs-whatever is really necessary-will be supplied. There is not a worthwhile interest of man that godliness will not promote.

Godliness will promote the health of the body. Abstinence from evil which harms is expected (1 Thes. 5:22). Moderation and temperance in all things is advised (Phil. 4:5; 1 Cor. 9:25), and physical excercise is profitable (1 Tim. 4:8).

Godliness is favorable to a clearness and vigor of the intellect as it sets before one the relative value of objects. The value of the soul is set over against the value of the world (Mat. 16:26). The use of the mind is encouraged in study and investigation (2 Tim. 2:15).

Godliness offers a recipe for happiness. For those who “would love life and see good days,” it is not a “do your own thing” philosophy of humanism. It rather involves compassion, loving as brethren, tenderheartedness, humblemindedness, a returning of blessing for evil and reviling, a controlled speech, doing of good, and seeking of peace. (See 1 Pet. 3:8-12.)

Christianity promotes a peace of conscience by leading to a faithful performance of one’s duties in all relationships of life (cf. Acts 24:16; 1 Jno. 3:18-21). There is instruction for the husband-wife relationship (Eph. 5:22-33; Gal. 3:18-19; 1 Pet. 3:1-7; 1 Cor. 7:1-5). The parent-child relationship is dealt with (Eph. 6:1-4; Col. 3:20-21). Under the figure of the servant and master, the employer and employee may learn how to treat each other (Col. 3:22-4:1; Eph. 6:5-9; 1 Pet. 2:18; Tit. 2:9-10). The citizen learns of his relationship to his government and how to fulfill his duty to it (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-17; 1 Tim. 2:1-2). Nor is one left uninformed as to how to live before and treat his fellowman generally (1 Pet. 2:11-12; Mat. 7:12). The relationship of the creature to the Creator is one of obedience and worship (Eccl. 12:13-14; Jn. 4:23-24).

Godliness will produce a good name (Prov. 22:1), because it leads to honesty, industry, and sobriety as a course of life. There are the promises of physical needs being met (Mat. 6:33; Phi. 4:19; Psa. 37:25). And, finally, in meeting the needs of the life that now is, godliness offers comfort in trial (Deut. 33:27; Psa. 46:1), calmness in death (Psa. 24:4), and immortal peace beyond the grave (Rev. 14:13).

Christianity Is Practical Because It Provides For The Life That Is To Come

Infidelity makes no promise of future happiness. The Madelain Murray O’Hairs live only for the “here and now.” A life of sin and lust promises nothing but remorse at death and in death. And though many things (beauty, wealth, fame, power) hold flattering hopes of happiness here, they offer nothing of eternal bliss. Nothing but godliness can so promise. A life without aim is like a ship without a rudder, but godliness offers aim and direction in life (Col. 3:1-2), and its promise of eternal life (1 Jn. 2:25) is a stabilizing force (Heb. 6:13-20). The hope we have in Christ is not in this life only (1 Cor. 15:19). We hope for something far better (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

Truly, Christianity is the only really sensible way for one to live. It enriches this life and promises bliss in that to come. Yet with all its promises, many defer it to the last period or life or reject it altogether. And some who once accepted it return to the weak and beggarly elements.

A Faithful Saying

Paul’s estimate of the promise in 1 Timothy 4:8 is found in verses nine and ten. It may be depended upon as true and it is worthy of being embraced. And that which godliness affords is worth one’s labor and even the suffering of reproach. “These things command and teach.”

Truth Magazine XXIII: 17, pp. 285-286
April 26, 1979

By Earl Robertson

The local church-congregation-is subject only to the Lord, and is independent of all other congregations. It is equal to every other church and is capable of governing its own affairs through its God-given organization. Each church being under Christ, functioning according to the commission of Christ, must, therefore, be governed alike and coo the same work. No differences obtain among the congregations identified in the New Testament as-pertaining to identity, organization, work and worship.

This being true, what is the sphere in which churches cooperated? The case of Antioch and Jerusalem will answer this question. “And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: which also they did, and s*t it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul”/(Acts 11:27-30). This is a case of one church helping another church in benevolence. Antioch contributed to Jerusalem only when Jerusalem was in need. The Jerusalem church was not trying to do a work for the whole brotherhood, it was merely trying to do its own work. This same truth is exemplified in 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:12-15; 9:12-15.

These scriptures do not support some church today becoming a sponsoring church io do the work of all the churches. No church in the New Testament sent funds to another church for that receiving church to forward the funds on to some place else for a work to be done. When funds were sent in the First Century from one church to another church, it was always sent directly to the need and never sent through another church! This way no church became the agent for another church. Do you believers in sponsoring churches know of a passage that either commands or gives an example of one church being the agent of another church? Why then depart from the Lord’s word in this matter and create something bigger than the local church? Equality is taught in the scriptures (2 Cor. 8:14).

If there is equality there can be no agency among congregations. Agency subordinates; subordination destroys equality!

Truth Magazine XXIII: 17, pp. 284-285
April 26, 1979

By Randy Blackaby

Do you fear death? Perhaps all of us do to some degree. However, a dread fear of that common facet we all will share shows a weakness in Christians. Such fear can show a lack of faith and understanding of what death means to a Christian. Physically, death’s definition remains a mystery. Students of medicine still question the immediate point when life leaves our body. Once thought to be when the heart stops pumping and later tied to brain function, recent medical discoveries show it is less than simple to determine. The Bible, however, though not pinpointing this medical quandary, tells us when a person is dead. James said, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James’ point concerned faith and works but in explaining that he shows that life is gone when the soul or spirit departs from the body.

The origin of death is traceable to the first chapters of the Bible where Adam and Eve transgressed God’s singularly simple legislation regarding the fruit of the tree in the midst of the Garden. He said they would surely die. Paul added, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Rom. 5:12). The writer makes clear that death is a fact common to us all, a happening that must be faced because of our sins.

Even Christ, in assuming the body of a human, suffered death for sin (not His own sin but for ours). “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that hath the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who though fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb. 2:14, 15).

That bondage again is a reference to sin, which has caused our required physical deaths and also our spiritual deaths, if sin continues unabated and unforgiven. Christ’s death was like ours, yet ‘he overcame physical death to set the precedent and the means for us to overcome the second death, referred to in Revelation, which is spiritual death.

If a Christian has such a terrible fear of death that he fears to even discuss the subject, he fails the test of faith. The writer of Hebrews noted Christ’s death and resurrection were for the purpose of destroying Satan’s power-not physical death, for it remains-but the fear of death which keeps men is bondage for a lifetime.

Lest we think it is impossible to face death without fear, the Bible gives us examples of men who calmly and righteously watched the moment approach with all godliness of attitude and action. In the Old Testament, David stands as such an example. The account of impending departure from this life is recorded in 1 Kings 2:1-11. David did not fear death. He said to his son, Solomon, “I go the way of all the earth. . . ,” possibly quoting the Death words of Joshua, who is recorded to have said, “And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; . . .”

As David’s words indicated a calm acceptance of what he understood happens to all men, it is supported by God’s own words. In Gen. 3:19, God said, “In the sweat of thy face shah thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it writ thou taken: for dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.” Those are not inspiring words for sinners but remains a fact. David understood. That is what helped him be strong even when his body was so weak it would not stay warm.

David’s understanding of death and its implications, even in a time when God’s full plan of redemption was yet a mystery, is revealed in his psalms. One in particular notices that, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psa. 116:15). Even if David lacked an appreciation, because of lacking knowledge, of eternal reward, he knew death was God’s plan and not something to be dreaded. David was a man who lived in the midst of death, brushed with it often and was delivered, often miraculously. We can learn from him to be mindful of death’s uncertain coming. It is important not to dread death but likewise important to keep knowledge of its implications in a handy place in our minds.

When he saw his physical condition evidencing his approaching departure, David did not cry or withdraw from life. He prepared. It was no last minute attempt to clean up a sinful life but a putting in order of his house and kingdom. With the power that a king’s words on his deathbed would elicit, he exhorted Solomon to walk in the ways of the Lord.

He instructed his son to carry through promises made, to clear up matters of administering justice in the kingdom and warned of potential problems that only the wisdom of years and experience could tell. He used his last days profitably, not just for himself but for others. He saw to it his debts, whether of gratitude or others, were paid.

In the New Testament we find another example. It is in the life and teaching of the apostle Paul. His discussion in Phil. 1:20-24 stands as a model of faith. There Paul speaks of being “in a strait betwixt two,” the desire to live and serve the Lord longer and his desire to die and reap the rewards of his labor. For the apostle, unlike David, the future was much clearer. He had a genuine desire to depart, not simply to escape the harshness of a first century preacher’s life, but in expectation of heaven.

A simple lesson Paul teaches from this passage is in his readiness for either eventuality. Ready to magnify Christ in his life and teachings, which he realized would benefit others, he was prepared and willing to do so. Yet, he was prepared also if life left him. This is the key principle-being ready to live, or to die.

Paul’s calmness in contemplating death is explained further in his teaching. He says, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Cor. 2:9). While like us, Paul thought of what his death would take from loved ones, he was ever cognizant of God’s superior promises. And, if like David, we set our house in order and instruct our children to be righteous, the transition from this life to the next is yet made easier.

A student of God’s word realizes that death is a blessing of God. It is an end to labor, temptation, disease, sorrow, all the things that sin introduced to our lives. A place with God in heaven means what the writer of Revelation described this way: “And 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).

But a few people are able to contemplate death as a blessing, or like Paul, to determine that death was the better course if he considered only his personal well-being. Few can say as Paul, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

The ultimate question of this study is: Are you ready to die? Are you prepared like David and Paul? If not, an effort needs to be made to strengthen faith in the promises of God. Christ died to eliminate the necessity of a saved believer fearing the realities of death and existence beyond the grave. Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 15:53-57, “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Truth Magazine XXIII: 17, pp. 283-284
April 26, 1979

By Daniel H. King

Having been brought up around a Tennessee farm where “coon hounds” were very much a part of life, I can remember many times watching those old dogs clawing and scratching the sides of their heads frantically in the area about their oversized ears. Some unseen aggravation apparently was bringing them untold discomfort. They would shake their overabundant ears from side to side and rub the sides of their heads against whatever object was available in order to relieve in some small measure their obvious malaise. But it did little good except to momentarily ease the itching and burning sensation that they could never describe with words but which their actions so graphically portrayed as to leave little to the imagination.

Sometimes I would try to help by taking one of the poor creatures aside and raising the floppy ears and looking inside for the trouble. Always the animal would fight and try to escape from my clutches, as though I were trying to hurt him in some way. My good intentions did not make much of an impression on the thoughtless beast. The only thing that mattered to him was the momentary impeding of his freedom and the slight discomfort of that which he surely knew I was about to do.

But shortly I would get him hemmed up and restrained such that it was possible to go about my business. And, my examination almost inevitably revealed the same problem every time. Usually inside the convolutions of the canine’s hearing mechanism a little insect had attached itself and was gradually growing fat on the blood that it was drawing from the dog. It was a case of Dermacentor variabilis infestation. In other words, he had a tick. Sometimes he had several.

Very carefully I would remove each one and crush it. But even that was quite a chore. Anyone who has ever tried to kill one of the little pests knows that they are as tough an insect as is to be found anywhere. And it is plain why they are. They have to remain attached to the animal for several days in order to draw out a large enough supply of blood to engorge themselves. During that time the scratching, clawing, and head shaking constantly goes on. Yet it brings them little difficulty. Their armaments are sufficient to withstand not only this – but sometimes even several attempts on my part to crush them with all of my weight against a hard-soled shoe.

The bug’s life is spent in making a nuisance of himself sucking the blood from the veins of his host. It does not matter to him that he drives the animal to the periphery of insanity. All that matters to him is that he gets what he wants out of the deal. The poor dog is none of his concern. He carries numerous diseases, secretes neurotoxins (nerve poisons) that sometimes cause paralysis or even death, and causes terrible pain to “man’s best friend.” But he does not give any of that a second thought. He is concerned only for himself and getting his.

Now, to my mind at least, it appears that a very real parallel exists between the blood-sucking vermin that inhabits the interior of a dog’s ear and some people and the problems that they create in the church of Christ. I know that some will doubtless think me harsh in drawing such an “unkind” parallel. However, I think it is altogether in the scriptural tradition to do so. Jesus called Herod a “fox” (Luke 13:22), the unfaithful in Israel “vipers” (Matt. 12:34; 23:33); He likened the heathen gentiles to “dogs” (Matt. 15:26), and those who rejected the truth to “swine” (Matt. 7:6). Peter said those who return to a life of sin are like dogs lapping up their own vomit and a washed hog returning to the mire (2 Pet. 2:22). So then, I think it very much in line to liken church troubles and especially trouble makers to a tick in a dog’s ear.

How are they similar? In many ways. To begin with, the troubles that occur within churches are most irritating and vexing. God placed the church in this sin-ridden world for the purpose of holding forth the Word of Life, Jesus and His message (Phil. 2:15-16). Yet, who would not admit that the strifes that have arisen in local congregations have restrained and even squelched the work of Christ among men? Brethren spend much of their time arguing, bickering and fighting one another, instead of carrying the gospel to others. We are like that poor canine that should be out hot on the trail of a raccoon – but spends much of his “dog’s life” clawing and scratching and whining. Poor creature! But how much more pitiable is the congregation irritated by the troublemaker! When John the apostle gave thought to one such menance to the common good, he made all aware that action was the answer: “Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth . . .” (3 Jn. 10).

But it must also be noted that the mar. or woman or group that makes trouble is much like the little tick in that they are tough. Many times they have struggled through a number of previous battles and, though scarmd and bleeding, they have been toughened and made meaner by the skirmishes of yesteryear. Every new preacher that moves in thinks that he will be able to handle the problem. Poor fellow! Soon he will also be a victim of the toxins that they emit – each in his turn. Most go down fighting, but they go down.

Too, there is similarity between the two in the fact that the tick and the troublemaker both can, and at times do, kill their host. The host of the tick is a mere dog. But the host of the troublemaker is a congregation of the household of faith. And, dear reader, there is not a thing upon the face of this earth that is more precious. For that usually small body is made up of the saved from that community and is the hope of that village or city or town. Jesus is preached there. The Bible is studied there. God is glorified in word and deed by those that worship there. It may be that the hope of the world will be sounded forth from there and a whole multitude will hear and believe and become obedient. They are the body of Christ among men. But sometimes they all become discouraged and quit because of a single troublemaker who cares only for himself and getting his. He kills his host. Howbeit, his host is not a worthless canine. It is the church of our Savior. And when he kills it he kills the spiritual body of Jesus: The lowliest of vermin are more to be pitied and deemed less reprehensible than that person or group. For ticks kill their host for the sake of their own life and the lives of their offspring. He who troubles the body of Christ, however, has only pride to defend and save. Surely the tick is more to be admired!

Also, there is a solution, though. It is not an easy one. Nor is it pleasant. On that account it usually is put off until it either is not possible or would not do any good. Simply put, it is this: get rid of the trouble maker. Listen to Jesus: “let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican” (Matt. 18:17); and to Paul: “mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Rom. 16:17-18); “A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse; knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned” (Titus 3:10).

There are so many (one would be too many) congregations where there will be no success or progress until “the tick is pulled out”, so to speak. I am not talking about the congregation where you worship, am I? Worse yet, I am not talking about you, am I?

Truth Magazine XXIII: 17, pp. 281-282
April 26, 1979