Truth Magazine

By William Y. Beasley

The book of 1 John was written that people living in the first century or in the twentieth century may know concerning eternal life. If in this series of studies you come to know that you have eternal life, keep the faith. If you learn or know you do not have eternal life, turn in obedience (“doeth righteousness”-1 John 2:29) and be saved.

Children of God (1 John 3:1-2)

The greatness of God’s love toward us is beyond full comprehension (John 3:16; 1 John 3:16). Perhaps we can get a glimpse of that love when we consider the exalted state to which we have been elevated: “. . . that we should be called children of God; and we are” (3:1). As children of God, we are to be an enigma to our neighbors (3:1, 13). This idea is presented not only by John (John 1:10; 16:3; 17:25) but also by Peter (1 Pet. 2:9; 4:3-4) and Paul (1 Cor. 2:14; 2 Cor. 6:9). I once read, I remember not where, that “the names of God’s greatest saints are not engraved on tablets of the world’s temple of fame.” This is true, but, beloved, God knows His own. We are children of God, but our glory is not yet complete. We shall be with Christ (John 17:24) and “be like him” (3:2).

“Purifieth Himself” (1 John 3:3-5)

The hope to “be like him” (3:2) causes each of us to `purifieth himself” (3:3). The word “purifieth” refers not to baptism (except it be as an initial step), but to the continual action (present tense) of obedience. “If this were perfectionalism,” R. C. H. Lenski says, “an aorist would be required: `did purify himself’ ” (Interpretation of Peter, John, Jude, pp. 453-454). The thought seems to be that when one stops purifying himself it indicates that he has lost the hope. The one who is purifying himself is the one who “doeth righteousness” (1 John 2:29; Psa. 119:172).

“Sin is lawlessness” (3:4) or a transgression of the law. Not necessarily the doing of that which is forbidden, but living where and doing that which law does not authorize (2 John 9). All sin is outside the protection of law. One commentator translated this (3:4): “Everyone who worketh sin . . .” and then explained its continual action by saying, “. . . he who worketh sin as one worketh a trade or occupation” (James Macknight, Macknight on the Epistles Vol. VI, p. 67). Christ came to “take away sin” (3:5) which is to “destroy the works of the devil” (3:8; see also John 1:29; 1 Pet. 2:24; Tit. 2:14). Jesus Christ in the flesh was sinless (1 Pet. 2:22) and in His spiritual body, the church, “Sin has no place” (3:5, TCNT).

“Sinneth Not” (I John 3:6-9)

The many expressions in this section, like “purifieth” (3:5) are present tense and denote continual action. This is not teaching that there is a state of total sanctification where it is impossible for a child of God to sin. Nor is it teaching that one sin shows that a person was not begotten of God-if it were the reverse (3:7) would of necessity also be true. It does teach that the one begotten of God cannot continue to live in sin-to do so is to be one who “hath not seen him, neither knoweth him” (3:6). The righteous individual is “he that doeth righteousness” (3:7; Psa. 119172). John tells us that the one begotten of God cannot continue in sin “because his seed abideth in him” (3:9). What does this mean? Whose seed? It is speaking not of the seed of man, but of the seed of God (see 1 Pet. 1:23; Psa. 119:11). Notice some other translations of this: (1) “. . . because the very nature of God dwells within him . . .” (TCNT), (2) “. . . for God’s nature abides in him” (RSV), (3) “A divine germ remains in him . . .” (Weymouth) and (4) “. . . because the God-given lifeprinciple continues to live in him. . .” (Williams).

The Divine Test (I John 3:10-12)

The one who does not continue in righteousness is not of God and neither is the one who “loveth not his brother” (3:10; John 13:34). God must have known that love of brethren was going to be a problem; He mentions it so often to warn us. Why do the unrighteous hate the righteous? Because they, like Cain, see themselves as they really are. Instead of changing their lives they try to destroy the contrast, the righteous.

Conclusion

“These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that Ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13). Do you know you have eternal life? Are you an enigma to your friends and neighbors, a peculiar person zealous of good works (Tit. 2:14)? Are you continually purifying self, continually doing righteousness? Are you walking under protection of law, doing only that which the law of Christ authorizes? Does the nature of God dwell in you to keep you from continuing in sin? Do you continually love your brothers and sisters in the Lord? By these you can know-yea or nay!

Truth Magazine XXII: 48, p. 770
December 7, 1978

By Ron Halbrook

For The Truth’s Sake, all men need to learn the sinfulness of drunkenness. Though Noah was a great man of faith, he stumbled on one occasion by this sin. A proper sense of restraint, caution, and modesty is weakened or destroyed by drunkenness–Noah laid naked, a thing he would not otherwise have done. His son Ham was led to gaze sinfully upon his father’s naked body and so was cursed (Gen. 9:18-27). In a drunken condition, Lot commited incest with his two daughters (Gen. 19:30-38). Husbands and wives, children and parents abuse one another while drunk. Marital promises are broken and purity violated by those in a drunken state’ divorces result, homes are destroyed, and children are deprived of family blessings.

“Who bath woe? who bath sorrow? who bath contentions? who bath babbling? who bath wounds without cause? who bath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine. . . At last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder” (Proverbs 23:29-35). The writer went on to explain some of the consequences of drunkenness: fornication and adultery, vile speech, lack of caution in the presence of danger, brawling and fighting, and addiction.

Drunkenness has been a common sin throughout man’s history. God’s people were warned against it in the first century A.D. when the New Testament was written. Aged, godly women who expected to set a good example were to be “not given to much wine” (Tit. 2:3), nor were mature men who desired to be special servants in the church (1 Tim. 3:8). The Lard directed that each local church be overseen by men of age, experience, and maturity; these overseers were variously known as elders, bishops, pastors, or presbyters (Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-2; Tit. 1:5,7). In no case could these leaders be “given to wine” or drunkards (See 1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7).

Drunkenness is sinful. Like any sin not repented of, it will bar us from heaven and condemn us to hell. Those who die guilty of such things “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21). The debauchery called “excess of wine” in 1 Pet. 4:3 rendered Alexander the Great senseless and killed him in the youth. of manhood. The world will “think it strange that ye run not with them” to the excesses of such sin, so that they will speak “evil of you.” Not only will they be judged for this evil speaking, but for their drunkenness as well (1 Pet. 4:1-5).

No matter what sin we are guilty of, we are all invited into the Lord’s family on the same terms: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Christians who sin must repent, pray God’s forgiveness, and turn away from their error (Acts 8:22-24; 1 John 1:6-9).

Truth Magazine XXII: 47, p. 763
November 30, 1978

By Don R. Hastings

Many people are concerned with the high cost of living today. However, few have paid any attention to the high cost of discipleship. Even many, who are the disciples of the Lord, have given very little thought to the cost for the privilege of being His disciples. One major reason for this unconcern is that many are unaware of the demands the Lord has placed upon His disciples. In our efforts to convert others, we emphasize the wonderful privileges that a Christian enjoys. However, we have failed to point out, with equal fervor, the great responsibilities imposed by the Lord upon those who would become His disciples! We have failed to present the complete picture. This ought not to be!

It seems to be a trait of mankind to want something for nothing. This is, particularly, true in the religious realm. We want the joy of wearing the name Christian, our sins washed away, fellowship with the Father, prayer, having hope of receiving the crown of life, etc. Yet, we do not want to accept the responsibilities that go along with such highly esteemed blessings.

What is the high cost of discipleship? The Lord has answered this question very clearly and emphatically. We must permit His answer to impress itself deeply upon our hearts that we may examine ourselves to see if we are paying the cost, and so we can teach others what ‘the Lord expects of them should they desire to become His followers. The Lord wants us to inform others of the cost. He did (Luke 9:57-62). Here is what it costs to be the Lord’s disciple:

We Must Place The Lord Above Everyone!

“If any man cometh unto me, and hateth not his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). No one is permitted to come between the Lord and our worship and service to Him. He demands, and deserves, first place in our lives (Matt. 6:33; 22:37). We must not allow our parents to hinder our obedience to Him. We cannot permit our husband, wife, or children to interfere with our faithful service to Him (Matt. 10:37). Many have allowed others to keep them from obeying the Lord and becoming His disciples. Some, who have become Christians, are not worthy to be the Lord’s disciples for they have allowed others to hinder them from doing their Master’s will.

We Must Sacrifice Worldly Pleasures, Desires, Passions, and Live For Him!

“Then said Jesus unto His disciples, if any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). It is hard to practice self-denial, but we must. We must put to death our old man of sin (Rom. 6:6; Gal. 5:24). Paul was a wonderful child of God because he had accomplished this difficult task (Gal. 2:20). We must crucify our fleshly desires if Christ is going to live, and reign, within us. Our first thought, in every situation, should always be, “What would Christ want me to do?” Having discerned His will in the matter, we should proceed to do it. The cross which we are called to bear is an emblem of sacrifice. Christ sacrificed His life on His cross for us. What are we sacrificing on our cross for Him? When we refuse to assemble with the saints because we are too tired, have company, the weather is bad, want to go somewhere else, etc., are we practicing self-denial? No! When we look at some filthy picture at the theater, on television, in a book, etc., are we practicing self-denial? No! You can make further application of this principle.

We Must Renounce All That Is Ours For Him!

“So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). Paul said, “. . . I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ . . . ” (Phil. 3:8). This is the precise attitude every disciple must possess towards his wordly attainments and possessions if he is to be a worthy disciple. With this attitude, we will not permit the pursuit of worldly riches, knowledge, fame, etc., to come above our service to the Lord. Nothing on this earth is as valuable as the Lord’s approval of us. We must be willing to give up anything that hinders us from putting “on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 13:14).

We Must Continually Abide In His Word!

“Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples” (John 8:31). We must not go beyond the teachings of Christ (2 John 9). This means that we must have book, chapter and verse for everything we believe and practice. The silence of the Lord is prohibitive. If what we are doing cannot be found in His Work, we are not His true disciples.

Are You Paying the Price of Discipleship?

Examine yourself and see. If you are not, do not expect the Lord to reward you. If you are paying the cost, you should not feel that you are earning the “crown of life” (Luke 17:10). However, because you are doing your part, God through His grace, will give it to you (Eph. 2:8,9). If you think the cost is too great, then think about the consequences of refusing to pay 2 Thess. 1:7-9).

Truth Magazine XXII: 48, p. 777
December 7, 1978

By Irven Lee

We have many things that we may use as tools in the service to God. We do not buy heaven or earn its glories, but each will be judged according to the deeds done in his body. Only good stewards of God’s blessings will receive God’s great gift of eternal life. No man will be lost because of neglect on the part of the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit, but many will be lost because of their own neglect of the great salvation.

A great contribution is made to our peace of mind and genuine happiness by wise and unselfish use of the tools and blessings that God places at our disposal. We cannot enrich the lives of others without being blessed ourselves. God has promised to openly reward those who learn to share and serve. God is not served by men’s hands as though He needed anything, but He is pleased as we make acceptable sacrifices in service to our fellow man. When we work with God, it is in an effort to make a better world for ourselves and others.

He that would be great is to be servant of all, but when he uses the things given to him by the Father above, he is left with no room to boast. He has only done his duty. It is required of stewards that they be faithful in the use of the things committed unto them. Let there be less thought given to receiving the proper praise and credit, and more thought given to the many things we need to do to the glory of God. Men may see our good works and glorify God. We seek not position, pay, or praise when we realize that we are servants of God purchased by the blood of Christ.

So often men complain of their inability to do great things so they bury their one talent. Life is made up of little words and small deeds, but great things may come of the cup of cold water given or by the word fitly spoken. Let us fill the moments of time with the little things that please God, and let the great goal be reached by always abounding in the work of the Lord that we can do. Servants generally busy themselves with small tasks that do not make head lines. Be good servants. Be faithful stewards. This is done by meeting and accepting opportunities that come our way. There is room for the small things that we can do.

Some about us who profess to be Christians do not carry their part of the load and do not live as they should. They will give account to God for their own failures. We cannot please God by pointing to their failures while we do nothing ourselves. We cannot go to heaven by the sins of others. We have sins enough of our own in duties we overlook. Each servant stands or falls before his own Master, and neither of us has been appointed judge. Let us busy our hands and minds with our own responsibilities. There may be times when we may provoke others to love and good works. We are allowed to think of others with the idea of helping them, but not for the purpose of excusing ourselves by their weaknesses.

Christ is head of His church and in charge of His vineyard. Faithful servants carry out orders rather than seeking to rearrange and change the plans of the Master. Some may report that they have done great things only to hear that they were workers of iniquity. Calling a work a good work will not make it acceptable to God if He did not authorize it. Very much thought and concern should be given to staying within the doctrine of Christ in whatever we undertake. The steward does not own the property which is given into his charge, and he is not free to use it except as directed. Many religious people are evidently very busy supporting and upholding the doctrines of men rather than the doctrine of God. Let the owner of the house plan the work. We busy ourselves carrying out His plans.

In God’s house there are many who are workers together with God. A man is a poor example as a steward or servant if he cannot work with the other servants peacefully. Industry is forced to let some workers go because they cannot get along with their fellows. The Lord delights in those who are peace makers rather than in those who sow discord. Let us be busy and happy workers who enjoy the fellowship with other workers in the vineyard. Work becomes a great pleasure when there is happiness among all who are involved in the tasks at hand.

The Lord has planned for there to be overseers in each church. They are shepherds who work under the chief Shepherd and at His direction. Many of the things that the Lord wants done may be done quietly by the individual workers without the left hand knowing what the right hand does, but there are things to be done together. We need to be able to follow the scriptural leaders in such a way that their work will be a joy. They watch for our souls as they that must give account. They are not out of place when they in wisdom and kindness offer their counsel to us or to our children. In fact, we may exhort one another, or even reprove and rebuke, if we remember to do so with reverence and godly fear. In any work men may learn from one another. The church may edify itself in love and all grow stronger. We are to be able to take suggestions as well as to give them.

When we speak of the various topics discussed in the Bible we may call it preaching. To keep the servants zealous and informed as to the work to be done, there should be some servants who instruct, correct, warn, encourage, and seek to enlist new workers in public and private efforts. Paul’s work as a steward of God was especially in this field. This is a great work. Evangelists are not the only teachers. The giving of proper instructions is an important aspect of God’s plan. It calls for our coming together often. None should feel that his private efforts excuse him from the public gatherings. It is true that the private efforts are important, but they are not likely to continue if the workers neglect the assembling of themselves together. God knows we need to exhort one another because there is danger from the deceitfulness of sin. We honor God and edify one another when we do the things commanded in the assemblies. A good steward in God’s work is not a lone wolf.

We are to lift up our eyes and look on the fields that are white unto harvest. The Lord wants laborers in His vineyard. Some complain that they are never given anything to do. They are bored by not having anything to do as perhaps preachers or other members of the church have. This is ridiculous! When they lift up their eyes and look, can they not see a white harvest ready for workers? Find something to do that needs doing and do it with your might. If you will look and then work, you will see more and more to do. Be faithful stewards. Do not be too blind to see the many things that need to be done.

Carpenters work with wood. Masons work with brick and stone. These materials are lifeless, and they do not fight back. The servants of the Lord do many things, but their great work is with people, and this requires patience, wisdom, love, self-control, knowledge, and any other legitimate tool. Two people are not as much alike as two bricks or two boards, so some efforts may bring surprises for which we are not prepared. We may have to pray, study, and make many efforts before finally seeing another living stone added to the temple of God. W e may need to become all things to all men that we may by all means save some. Let all things be done decently and in order.

Truth Magazine XXII: 47, pp. 761-762
November 30, 1978