Truth Magazine

By William V. Beasley

As far as your eternal soul is concerned, are you ready to die and stand before God in judgment? If you say “No” or “I don’t know,” then you do not “know that ye have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). Your soul’s salvation may indeed depend upon your knowing concerning “eternal life.” This is, according to 1 John 5:13, something we can know.

Begotten of God (1 John 5:1)

The statement, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God” (5:1) is not speaking of a speculative, wavering belief, but of a firm persuasion that causes one to obey Jesus Christ completely. The gospel of John, written by this same John, shows that to truly believe is to obey: “He that believes on the Son has life eternal; and he that is not subject to the Son shall not see life . . .” (John 3:36, Berry’s Greek-English Interlinear, pp. 248-249). A genuine belief that “Jesus is the Christ” will cause one to turn from sins in repentance (Luke 24:47), confess the name of Jesus (Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10), be buried with Him in baptism (Rom. 6:4) and to present his body “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” (Rom. 12: l; see also Rev. 2:10).

Love Of God And Brethren (1 John 5:1-3)

If we love God (“him that begat” – 5:Ib), we will also love His children (“him . . . that is begotten” – 5:1b), our brothers and sisters in Christ. Do you love the children of God? John tells us how to know: “Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments” (5:2), Many of God’s commandments to us involve His other children (Matt. 18:15; Gal. 6:1, 2; Eph. 4:25). We are commanded to love one another (John 13:34; I John 3:23) and to live as an example to others (Matt. 5:13-16; Rom. 14:21). Love for God is always shown by obedience (5:3). It is not possible to love God while living in disobedience. We can test our love for God: “How much do I love God?” and “How much do I obey God?” is really one question. This, brethren, is not a subjective test.

Faith Is The Victory (1 John 3-5)

If obedience to God is a heavy burden, a cause of grief, our faith is weak. Through faith we can overcome the world, temptation, trials and afflictions. Through faith we can bear the otherwise unbearable (see Rom. 8:18).

Witnesses To Our Faith (1 John 5:6-9)

Jesus Christ came “by water and blood” (5:6). .Jesus vas first acknowledged to be the Son of God at His Baptism (Matt. 3:17), and while on the cross both blood and water flowed from His side (John 19:34). In each of those, the Holy Spirit bore witness to His Sonship. At His baptism the Spirit descended as a dove (Matt. 3:,16) and by His resurrection Jesus was shown to be the Son of God (Rom. 1:4; 1 Pet. 3:8).

There are “three that bear record in heaven; the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost” (5:7, KJV). The Father bore witness verbally twice (Matt, 3:17; 17:5) and also at the crucifixion (three hours of darkness, earthquake, rending of rocks, splitting of the veil of the temple). The Word, Jesus, bore witness to His Sonship (1 Tim. 6:13; Matt. 27:11). The Holy Spirit bore witness, as we have already noted, in the baptism and resurrection.

There are also “three that bear witness in earth: the spirit, and the water, and the blood” (5:8, KJV). The Spirit continually witnesses through the word written at His direction by the apostles (John 16:13; 20:30f). The waters of baptism, not of Jesus but of penitent believers (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38) are a witness that Jesus is God’s Son. The blood, as commemorated by the fruit of the vine in the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-26) is the third witness. The witness of God is greater than man’s witness (I John 5:9) and God’s witness in that Jesus is His Son.

“Witness In Him” (1 John 5:10-12)

When one truly obeys the gospel of Christ, changes are brought about in His life. These changes serve as a witness. Paul’s change in his manner of life was witness to the validity of his conversion. The change in our lives is such a witness. The lack of change or refusal to obey calls God a liar. Life is “in his Son” (5:11; see Gal. 3:27). If we do not have Jesus, we do not have life, but abide in death.

Conclusion

Do you know concerning eternal life? Do you believe that “Jesus is the Christ?” Do you love the brethren (i.e., love God and keep His commandments)? Is faith your victory over the world? Do you have the witness of a reformed life? Are you “in His Son” where there is life? If you do not know, you can, yea must, do something about it.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 5, p. 82
February 1, 1979

By Earl E. Robertson

Without fear of successful contradiction we affirm that we live in a permissive society. Frequently we observe permissive actions stemming from what religious guides identify as sufferance conditions. This behavior is situational and these people know it. They allow a situation to determine whether God’s word is standard or not; that is, whether the word of God will apply to one and all alike under all circumstances and conditions. To illustrate the point: men who are convinced that the New Testament word “baptism” means a “burial” (Rom. 6:3, 4; Col. 2:12), will grant, under certain situations, a substitute-pouring or sprinkling. Some allege to believe the sufficiency and independency of churches of Christ in their government, work, and worship. But through efforts of the churches in subsidizing human organizations, and the hierarchical arrangements called sponsoring churches, they belie this allegation.

Some refuse to accept the truth because they believe they already have it. One’s honesty is not attacked in this statement. We only say he is honestly mistaken in his religious thinking and convictions. The Eunuch in Acts 8 well illustrates this point. This man was deeply religious. He had gone to Jerusalem “for to worship” and was returning home. This distance was about 1500 miles. He was a Bible reader! He was honest. But he was wrong! When Philip the evangelist taught him the truth, he not only believed it but obeyed it before he got home. He told no experience of grace and no church voted as to whether he might obey Christ in baptism for the remission of his sins. Up to the time of Philip instructing him correctly, this man thought he had the truth.

Others are prejudiced. They have already made up their minds and quickly tell you they are satisfied and do not care to be bothered. Like Nathanael, when first approached, these quickly declare their minds are made up and closed. Nathanael was told by Philip, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” But this man replies, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:45-51). Prejudice is one of the world’s greatest robbers! Let it not rob you of what Jesus came to give: truth and life!

Truth Magazine XXIII: 4, p. 76
January 25, 1979

By Irvin Himmel

By words and actions, Christians are making some kind of an impression on people around them. Our neighbors who are outside the kingdom of Christ are being influenced, either for good or for bad, by what we say and do. True enough, some may pay little attention to us, but others take more notice of our way of life than we may suppose.

Paul admonished the saints at Colosse, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without . . .” (Col. 4:5). When the apostle wrote concerning “them that are without” versus “them that are within” (1 Cor. 5:12), he was referring to brethren in the Lord in contrast to people out of Christ. To Christians, “them that are without” means people who have not embraced the truth and, therefore, remain outside the body of our Lord. The following are some of the principles involved in our conducting ourselves wisely toward outsiders:

Practice Honesty

Honesty should be viewed as a basic law of right conduct, not a matter of mere policy. We should show integrity and freedom from deceit in all our business transactions. Our means of livelihood must be honorable. Writing along this line to the Thessalonians, Paul said, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have need of nothing” (1 Thess. 4:11, 12). A Christian quickly kills his influence for good when he acts deceitfully, becomes involved in shady dealings, or pursues a course that is less than honorable.

Live Consistently

Everything which the Christian does should be consistent with the teaching of Jesus Christ. Some things are so manifestly contrary to right that they should never be named as befitting saints (Eph. 5:3). In doctrine, in worship, in our individual work, in all that we do – there must be harmony with the will of God. Outsiders may not know much about the Bible, but they soon detect inconsistency between teaching and practice on the part of professed believers in Jesus.

Consistency demands constancy. Some members of the church live one way on Sunday and another way on Monday; one way when in the company of other Christians but differently before the worldly. This is plain hypocrisy and is detested by both the Lord and the world.

Show Understanding And Sympathy

Outsiders need help. Some of them are engulfed in immorality and unbelief. Some have high moral principles but are ignorant of God’s positive divine laws. Others are caught up in religious errors – perhaps Catholicism, Protestant denominationalism, or the false concepts of some cult. True Christians must try to understand their plight. We must teach rather than berate, lift rather than crush, pointing to the Lamb of God as the means of salvation and hope eternal. We can show sympathy without compromise. We need not abandon the truth to defend it in love.

Be Distinct

Christians are a called-out people. Through the gospel we are called out of Satan’s kingdom to serve in the kingdom of Christ. We must keep ourselves unspotted from the world (Jas. 1:27). “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened . . .” (Eph. 4:17). Whatever time we spent in sinful living prior to our conversion to Christ ought to suffice (1 Pet. 4:3).

It is sometimes hard to live among outsiders, to work among them, and be sympathetic toward them without partaking of their deeds that are evil. The Christian’s watchword is “vigilance.” We must be watchful over our own conduct to prevent our losing those distinct qualities that make us God’s people.

Exercise Good Judgment

Wisdom means prudence. James said, “if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (Jas. 1:5). Often sincere attempts to do good end in failure for lack of sound judgment. The Christian needs discernment, practical and well-informed wisdom – the good sense to apply the word of God. Paul walked with wisdom when he was “made all things to all men” that he might by all means save some (1 Cor. 9:22).

Let us pray that God will help us to conduct ourselves prudently toward outsiders that our influence might be to His honor.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 4, p. 75
January 25, 1979

By Harold Hancock

We live in a time in which time to forget rather than confession is the path of restoration sought by many Christians, and accepted by some churches. Many questions have been asked about the Christian’s confession of sin, especially the “public confession.”

The Bible teaches that Christians ought always confess his faults unto God, and sometimes unto men. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9). “Confess your faults one to another, that ye may be healed” (Jas. 5:16). In the parable of the prodigal son (Lk. 15:21), the son returned confessing, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight.”

Sometimes the knowledge and effect of our sins travel much faster and further than news of our repentance and confession. I remember the story of a lady who traveled through a certain town dropping feathers as she went. She then returned trying to recover them. Many had been blown by the wind and were irretrievable. So it is with some of our sins. Our best efforts can not undo all the harm that has been done.

A good rule to follow when possible is that the confession be as broad as the knowledge of the sin. This would assure us of always confessing our sins unto God, for He always knows of our sins (Heb. 4:13, 14). It would mean that sins that were public, or generally known, would be confessed publicly, or generally. I think we see this principle applied in the scriptures. In Mt. 18:15, we read, “Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained a brother.” All responsibility toward men can be fulfilled by letting one person know of our repentance if our trespass is against one, and only one knows of it. In Gal. 2:12, we are told that Peter sinned before all; Paul rebuked him before all (Gal. 2:14). Could Peter’s confession have been less than before all to be effective? When a sin is carried before the church (Mt. 18:17), should not the church also be informed of the repentance?

Suppose that a teacher sees a student at his desk write 2+2=5. The teacher may inform the student of his mistake, and the student may correct it without anyone other than the teacher knowing of it. No harm will come. However, if the mistake is made at the board before all, then it must be corrected before all.

Are we saying one must “walk down the aisle” to confess sin? We care not how one goes about confessing his sins – whether he calls each individual and informs them, or acknowledges to all at once while they are assembled together. Just remember that when possible the confession should be as broad as the knowledge of the sin.

I am not sure all have grasped the importance of the confession. We must confess our sins to God to have forgiveness of them (1 Jn. 1:9). Without confession unto God, there is no forgiveness. We confess our faults one to another that we may be healed (Jas. 5:16). Again to be healed is to be forgiven. Compare Mt. 13:15 and Mk. 4:12. This is God’s plan of restoration. We have no more right to change it than to change the command of baptism for the remission of sins. The confession also relieves one of the burden of sin. David felt the hand of God pressing upon him while he kept silent about his sin. The burden was lifted when he acknowledged his sin and confessed his transgressions (Psa. 32:1-5).

A confession of sin lets all know where one stands. I like the story of the man with a peg leg who answered the invitation after a sermon on worldliness. He wanted all to know that he no longer danced just because he could not, but because he now felt it was wrong as well. All knew where he stood. What kind of a Christian are we if we are afraid to let all know where we stand? All of us sin (1 Jn. 1:8, 10). We need to make some kind of a confession. May we all make the ones we need to. It has long been said, “Confession is good for the soul.” Truly it is.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 4, p. 74
January 25, 1979