Truth Magazine

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

By Mike Willis

The greatest invitation ever extended to man was not extended by a civil government ruler, benefactor of mankind, movie star, or rich man. It was extended by a poor, wandering preacher named Jesus of Nazareth. His invitation touches our hearts, draws us to Him, and offers us eternal salvation. Here is His blessed invitation: “Come unto me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30). Join with me in examining this invitation more closely.

It Invites Us To Jesus

The first thing that I notice about this invitation is that it invites men to Jesus. Seven times in three short verses, Jesus used the personal pronouns I-my-me) to invite men to come to Him. And why not? He is the Savior of the world (Jn. 4:42); He is the only way to the Father in heaven On. 14:6); He alone can save’ men from their sins (Matt. 1:21). His entire mission in life was to seek and to save that which is lost (Lk. 19:10). Hence, above all others, men need to come to Jesus!

The nature of Jesus is such that men are naturally drawn to Him. Many men who want to impose a yoke on their fellow man are arrogant, overbearing and harsh. Not so with Jesus. He is meek and lowly in heart. He is the one who “when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Matt. 9:36). “A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory” (Matt. 12:20). Who can read of Jesus’ life on this earth without saying to himself, “I surely would have liked to have known Jesus.”

We are drawn to His personality like a moth to a flame. Jesus said, “And 1, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (Jn. 12:32). He was lifted up and His love for man still draws men to Him. The love of Christ still constrains us (2 Cor: 5:14). Hence, it is only natural that in the great invitation Jesus invites all men to come to Him. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; He is the bright morning star; He is the Alpha and the Omega; He is the Word of God incarnate; He is the great Physician. And, He invites men to come to Him.

Who Is To Come?

The call of the gospel is, of course, universal. “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17). God’s grace through Jesus Christ has appeared to all men (Tit. 2:11); God wishes that no one perish (2 Pet. 3:9). Hence, whosoever wishes to come to the Christ may come. Yet, not all men will wish to come to Christ.

Let us consider the context of this invitation to notice who will be attracted to Jesus. In 11:20-24, Jesus upbraided Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their unbelief. He said that if Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom had witnessed the miracles which these cities witnessed they would have repented and not have been destroyed by the judgment of God. These cities had the opportunity to come to Christ but refused to do so. At this point, Jesus said,

I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him (11:25-27).

In this statement, Jesus emphasized that not all men would want to come to Him. The wise and prudent of this world would have little or no use for Jesus. The “babes,” the heavy laden, and those who labor would be the ones who would be attracted to the Lord. The wise consider the gospel foolishness (1 Cor. 1:21-29).

The wise of this world saw the same signs as the believers in Jesus. When they saw them, they plotted His death (Matt. 12:14); they charged that He was performing miracles by the power which He obtained by being in collusion with the devil (Matt. 12:24). The gospel is of such a nature that a man must empty himself of all of his own self-esteem and wisdom in order to accept the gracious offer of salvation through Christ. The gospel will never appeal to the rich, wise, and the some-whats of this world because they have too much pride in their own wisdom to come meekly before Jesus for salvation.

The men who respond to Christ’s invitation are those who labor and are heavy laden. “Those who labor” does not refer to men who earn their living through working; rather, it refers to those who are laboring for salvation. The Jews of Jesus’ day were laboring to be saved through obedience to the law of Moses. Theirs was a hopeless case; one disobedience made them guilty before the law as a transgressor (Gal. 3:10; Jas. 2:10-11). Like David, they cried, “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me” (Psa. 38:4). This was a yoke which no one could bear (Acts 15:10). The “heavy laden” were those men who had been made to bear all of the human traditions imposed on them by the Jews. “For they bind heavy burden and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders” (Matt. 23:4). The more conscientious a man was and the more he tried to do what was right for salvation, the more requirements were placed upon him. Soon, the poor man became heavy laden by all of the rituals imposed on him by Phariseeism. That coupled with his actual guilt which came because of his transgressions of the law, left the poor man frustrated and hopeless.

What a relief it was for such people to find Jesus. Jesus preached His gospel to the poor (Matt. 11:5) and downtrodden of this world (Matt. 12:20). The heavy laden and those who labor found hope in Jesus Christ. These were the ones particularly invited to come to Jesus.

What Shall They Receive?

What did Jesus promise to these people? if the message of Jesus is to be interpreted by modern man’s concept of Jesus, we would reach the conclusion that Jesus promised them social changes. For many, the message of Jesus is church sponsored recreation, orphan homes, homes for the aged, hospitals and schools. Yet Jesus did not promise these kinds of blessings to His audience! To others the message of Jesus is to be applied by “preachers” leading racial riots and other riots to clean up ghettos. Yet, Jesus did not so interpret His ministry. Others think that the message of Jesus is best applied when it is twisting the arm of Washington, D.C. Again, Jesus did not become involved in the clashes of politics.

The message of Jesus, His good news, was “rest.” Yet, even this was not rest from physical labor; it was “rest unto your souls.” The gospel brings rest to the man laboring to find salvation; it brings rest to the man who is heavy laden with the guilt of his own sins. The rest it brings is a rest unto the soul! To such a man, the gospel announces that Jesus has died on the cross to bear the punishment for our sins. By His stripes, we are healed. It announces that we can be saved by grace through His precious blood! It offers “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:4). It holds out a crown of life for all those who love His appearing (2 Tim. 4:6-8). This is the rest which the invitation of Jesus offers to give to mankind.

How Do We Receive This Rest?

Obviously, these blessings are given conditionally. Although salvation comes by the grace of God, it is given only to those who “come unto Me.” There is something expected of men in order for him to receive the blessings of Jesus Christ. In order to come to Christ, we must learn of Him. We must take His yoke upon us and learn of Him. No one can come to Christ except through the process of learning of Him (Jn. 6:44-45). As men are taught the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, they must believe it, repent of their sins, and be buried with Christ in baptism (cf. Acts 2:21, 36, 38). This is the manner in which men may come to Jesus.

Yet, men must bear the yoke of Jesus Christ. When we think of a yoke, we think of something that weighs heavily upon us. Jesus yoke, however, is altogether different from any other yoke known to men. Whereas other yokes weigh us down, the yoke of Christ gives us rest (Matt. 11:28-30). It alone lifts off of man the guilt of his sins, reconciles him to God, and gives to him the peace which passeth all understanding. Yet, this yoke also brings tribulations and persecutions-things concerning which we must count the cost (Matt. 9:18-22). Yet, even these things to the disciple of Christ are not galling and opprobrious. 1 am reminded that the apostles went away rejoicing after they had been beaten by the Jewish leaders, counting it a blessing to be considered worthy to suffer for Christ (Acts 5:41). You can understand, therefore, why John wrote, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 Jn. 5:2-3).

Though we must come to Christ, learn of Christ, and bear His yoke in order to receive “rest unto your souls,” these conditions are not a galling yoke to be borne. Rather this is an easy yoke and a light burden (Matt. 11:30).

Conclusion

Are you loaded down with the burden of sin in your life? Has guilt become unbearable? Do you have trouble sleeping at night because you think about the sins which you have committed. If so, listen to Jesus’ invitation to you: “Come unto me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. “

Are you a sinful man wanting to do better? Have you tried to quit sinning and reverted to your wicked ways time after time? Are you ready to give up and just accept the dominion of sin over your life? You cannot overcome Satan by yourself. Listen to Jesus’ invitation to you: “Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Are you thinking that life is not worth living? Are you torn by the loss of a loved one through death or divorce? Is your life worthless in your own eyes? Do you wish that you had never been born? Are you contemplating ending it all through suicide? If so, listen to the invitation of Jesus Christ which is extended to you: “Come unto me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:2830). Will you turn to Christ and find rest unto your soul?

Truth Magazine XXII: 48, pp. 771-773
December 7, 1978

By Frank Driver

David, the new king of Israel, had gathered thirty thousand chosen men to bring up the ark of the covenant, where God dwelt, to the new political and spiritual center of Israel, Jerusalem. The sacredness of the ark and the solemnity of the occasion justified the large number and the ceremony described in the record. But though zealous and pious, David did wrong by transporting the ark on a new cart rather than on the shoulders of the priests as God required. As one sin usually leads to another, this resulted in Uzzah’s conscientious and reasonable effort to “steady” the ark as it was carried. But he, too, violated the word of God (Num. 4:15-20) and was slain of God. Here was a “good work” performed in good faith, yet in violation of God’s word, which was punishable by death.

David reasoned that if God is so exacting in the conduct of His work, “how shall the ark come?” (2 Sam 6:9). He was afraid to move the ark further, left it three months in the house of a righteous man, and finally brought it to Jerusalem. Like many today, David thought if he could not do the work of God as it seemed best to him, it could not be done effectively at all. Those who are disposed to serve God in the ways of human wisdom, identify opposition to their violations of God’s word with “doing nothing.” With David they cry, “How shall we do the work?” But David learned that the ark indeed did reach its destination in God’s divinely appointed way.

There is a difference between that which God requires and what men are often inclined to do. If David had been careful to regard the ordinance of God in his movements, he would not have fallen victim to his own wisdom and pride, Uzzah would not have died, and the ark would have reached its destination much earlier.

Yes, there is a difference. Contrary to human wisdom, it does matter whether we sprinkle or immerse for baptism, whether we make music to God by singing only or by playing an instrument also. It makes a difference whether we serve God through the local church or though a conference, synod, or other organization of churches, or organization independent of the church. It is the difference between doing what God said and going beyond what He said (2 John 9, 10).

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