Truth Magazine

By Earl Robertson

Jesus said, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17). One must desire to do what God wants done for His service to be accepted by the Lord. Service to God is not by force; it is by choice! John says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3). If one looks at what God wants one to do, thinking it to be galling, he cannot do the will of God. When one gives even of his money, but gives it “grudgingly, or of necessity,” God refuses the service (2 Cor. 9:6, 7). The sour or reluctant mind will not be able to give so that God will accept his offering. Until the heart wills to respond to the calls of God one is wasting his time giving lip service. Initial obedience to God which saves alien sinners is by choice. Jesus says, “Whosoever will” may come (Rev. 22:17). Jesus further declares that some Jews were yet “not willing to come” that they might have life (John 5:39, 40). Many are lost in sin and on their way to hell because they do not wish to do what the Lord says that they might be saved in Christ.

After one becomes a Christian, acceptable living before God remains a choice. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1, 2). Some having been raised from baptism with Jesus keep Him enthroned in their heart (1 Pet. 3:15), while others choose to live in sin for the devil, but at the same time want all the blessings and freedoms enjoyed by the faithful. Whether sin comes alive within one or not is dependent upon one’s choice, sin always takes its toll; the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23).

The Lord wants a pure church (Eph. 5:26). Sin not only gets the one committing it but, if allowed to continue unchecked, it will destroy the congregation where that one is a member (1 Cor. 5:6). Christ gave Himself up in death “that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Eph. 5:25, l6). The words in the King James “and cleanse” translates the participle katharisas, which is aorist active. Paul affirms the Ephesians were sanctified having been cleansed. He does not tell the when of the cleansing, just the fact of it though the when of their cleansing took place in their baptism. The fact of the cleansing is the point we now emphasize and seek to show must remain with the child of God. Some Christians are careless about the way they live. Their lives are “spots, wrinkles, and blemishes” (Eph. 5:27). This is the course they have chosen and, too often, there is no blush or shame when approached about their sins. In fact, most of the times there is an effort to justify what has been done, or a denial altogether. But when this is the course of life so-called Christians want to live, it becomes a most difficult task for anyone to change because sin hardens the heart (Heb. 3:12, 13).

The influence of one who is pure in heart (Matt. 5:8), and wants his whole life to help others see the Way (nom. 12:1, 2), is unmeasurable by man. The exercise of heaven’s will in the heart of-a man produces influence and power-influence in turning men to God; turning cold, indifferent churches into churches of warmth, strength, evangelism and benevolence-such is the kingdom of God (Lk. 17:20, 21). We must learn that we can be no better than we truly want to be in the kingdom of God. What do you really desire before God (Psa. 27:4; 2 Cor. 5:2) as a parent? citizen? Christian?

Truth Magazine XXII: 30, pp. 488
August 3, 1978

By Irvin Himmel

The posture of one’s mind makes him what he is. Words and deeds are mere reflections of the heart. It is highly important to develop a good attitude. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7). Here are some ways in which it is imperative that one show a good attitude:

Toward the Word of God

God gave us the divine word to guide us. We are not capable of directing our own steps (Jer. 10:23). God’s revelation shows us the way out of darkness into light, out of sin into righteousness, out of gloom into hope, out of failure into success, out of misery into joy, out of the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of Christ.

When Paul preached the gospel to the Thessalonians long ago, they displayed a good attitude toward the truth. They received the word of God, “not as the word of men, but as it is in the truth, the word of God” (1 Thess. 2:13). God’s word is to be reverenced and obeyed because it is the word of God. To have the right attitude toward God necessitates the right attitude toward His word. This is the disposition to believe and yield to the authority of His will.

Toward Correcting Faults

No matter how terrible a mistake one may make, there is hope if he shows a good attitude. David did not have that kind of attitude immediately after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. For a time, he attempted to conceal his guilt. He wanted to shift the blame. It was not until Nathan the prophet pointed the finger of accusation straight toward David, using the parable of the little ewe lamb, that the proper attitude developed. David humbly admitted his guilt, God put away his sin, and from that time on, David was of a different disposition toward what he had done. If a person has a good attitude toward correcting his faults, he does not become angry with one who lovingly points out his sins, nor does he resent attempts to help him overcome his weaknesses.

Toward Daily Work

Every person is free to choose his occupation. Whether one decides to be a plumber, doctor, lawyer, salesman, farmer, teacher, engineer, policeman, or something else, his mental outlook toward his vocation has strong bearing on success versus failure. Some people complain constantly of their work, the low pay, the horrible conditions under which they labor day by day, and the general misery that they experience. One wonders why they do not change jobs. Is their work really all that bad, or is it a matter of attitude?

Other people have the kind of attitude that makes their daily work a joy. They have been careful to choose the kind of vocation that enables them to do what they really want to do. Their frame of mind contributes to their being successful and feeling a sense of accomplishment. This good attitude toward their chosen field of work enables them to cope with unpleasant situations which may arise.

Toward Solving Problems

Perplexing and distressing developments have a way of surfacing in all human relationships. Problems may arise in the church, in the home, in our work, in school, in the neighborhood, in business transactions, and in numerous other connections. It is a bit unrealistic to expect life on this earth to be free of problems, and it is equally visionary to expect our problems to automatically vanish.

Like the poor, some problems are always with us. But the person who has a good frame of mind toward the solving of his problems, whatever they may be, is to be commended. In many cases, our attitude toward a problem is half the solution. With a good attitude we can approach the problem objectively, view it sensibly, and handle it wisely. Even if the problem is never fully solved, a good attitude will provide the means to forge ahead and not be unduly upset or hindered.

Toward Trials

The times in which we live are trying to our souls. Evil forces are pulling and tugging at us. On every hand there are temptations to sin. Young people who want to do right have an especially difficult task. So many of today’s youth have imbibed the “do as you please” philosophy. Drugs, illicit sex, insistence on one’s rights to gratify his lusts no matter how others may be injured, intoxication, profanity, lying, stealing-these and other evils are increasingly prevalent among young people.

The Bible warns that all who do right will be subjected to fiery trials. Old and young alike may expect pressures and temptations. We must learn to have a good attitude in the face of whatever trials come our way. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial . . .” (Jas. 1:12, NASB). With the proper attitude toward trials the Christian keeps his faith, prays for strength, rejoices that tribulations empower him to develop patience, and draws comfort from the promises of God.

What is your attitude toward the word of God, toward correcting your faults, toward your daily work, toward solving problems, and toward trials? May each one of us examine self and work to develop an improved attitude in all these vital areas.

Truth Magazine XXII: 30, pp. 488-489
August 3, 1978

By Donald P. Ames

A great deal of publicity has been given to our efforts through Viking I and II to find life on Mars. Now it looks like such efforts failed completely to produce any evidence of life there at all. While this might seem to merely be a disappointment to many, the actual significance of such reaches far deeper than many realize. In an article that appeared in the Gary, Ind. Post-Tribune, July 30, 1976, it was pointed out that if these efforts failed to find evidence of life, “it could drastically change man’s theories of evolution and the origin of life on earth, says the chief biologist on the Viking team” (Dr. Harold Klein). In fact, Dr. Klein admitted that since evolutionary scientists were so sure Mars was similar to earth in its beginnings, if they failed to find evidences of life, “then the prevalent theory of chemical evolution here on earth `would need another looking at.'” He added that “the processes should have gotten started on Mars if this theory is correct.” However, if life did not turn up (and it did not), then he would be forced to conclude that the chemical theory of evolution would be “disproven”! And, of course, if that happened (and it did), the very basis of evolution would have collapsed and been proven totally false.

It sometimes costs us a lot of money to learn a very simple truth which the word of God has affirmed all along. We had to pay to learn the moon was not of similar composition as the earth (thus destroying the “explosion” theory), and now to learn there is no life on Mars. Both lessons turned out to be fatal to evolution. Yet, in Gen. 1:1, the Bible contained the answer all along — “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” It would be nice — and worth it — if these experiments forever laid the dust over the false theories of evolution which explain away God; but, unfortunately, they will merely switch to another and quietly forget these tragic losses. Do not be deceived, evolution is not a fact! And certainly these startling discoveries (to them) is clear evidence of this truth.

Truth Magazine XXII: 30, p. 489
August 3, 1978

By Irven Lee

My generation is rapidly passing away. One who is some younger than I dies, and soon I hear of some who are older who have given up the ghost. “Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead” (2 Kings 16:20). This verse was selected as one of many that might have been quoted from the books of Kings in the Old Testament. Ahaz was not such a good man, and this article was not written to honor him, but he “slept with his fathers, and was buried.” He went “the way of all the earth” (Josh. 23:14). The good and the bad die, for “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Heb. 9:27). Words cannot adequately describe the difference in the destinies of the two groups of people.

Before men die they have an influence on many, but especially upon their own children. A worldly man cannot be expected to exert a wholesome spiritual influence upon those whose lives he touches. Some would like to deny their influence while they walk in darkness, but their example in word and in deed tends to leave its mark upon their children. This is a wicked world with mature men making merchandise of the souls of the young. Those who profit most financially in the sale of liquor and other harmful drugs are adults, and many of their customers are the young. Many young people are thieves, fornicators, drunkards, and blasphemers, but they are descendants of the generation that made idols of the dollar, worldly pleasures, power, and the praise of men.

The younger generation does not have to follow the older generation or there could be no converts. Paul and his wonderful companions saw many sons and daughters of pagans baptized into Christ. Many people have changed their course in repentance and walked in the way of the Lord after starting down the broad way in the steps of the adults who influenced them early in life (1 Cor. 6:11; Acts 18:8). “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” (Ezek. 18:20). The statement made here has been true in the past, and it is true at this time. Each man should examine himself for each shall give account for his own deeds (2 Cor. 5:10).

It is hard for a family of good people to bring up children in the way they should go if their children are with unbelieving teachers and with ungodly neighbors. If most people in a given community use liquor and lasciviousness for their pleasures, it is hard for a good mother to bring up a wonderful son or daughter who will follow the steps of Jesus. This is especially true if her husband is one of the common herd rather than the kind of man to bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Many things that are difficult are not impossible. Parents should put forth the effort it takes to see their little ones become adults who are Christians. This is the better life for them now, and only those who do the will of the Father in heaven while they are upon the earth shall enter in through the gates into the city.

The young often react in disgust to the “establishment.” This may be done by rebellion or by repentance and godliness. We saw the mobs of the sixties, but if we look we can find some of the finest young people who have ever walked upon the face of the earth. Some in our day are writing about the sad lack of young people at worship time. They must have been on some other planet or on a different part of this planet to the places I go. There is a larger percentage of young people among the devout and faithful servants of the Lord in our decade in the churches which I am privileged to observe than in any other decade that I have known. My path leads me in gospel meetings to small congregations and larger from the Great Lakes to Florida. Where do you men go who are so impressed by the lack of young people in the audiences? There are congregations without young adults, but these congregations are sick. Some of the most able and most unselfish gospel preachers are less than half my age. Let us give thanks to God for their unfeigned faith and love of the brethren. Why should any godly man fail to see them and to realize their existence? The wonderful young people who serve so well now in the Lord’s vineyard are the next generation after the one that produced the division and the back-to-denominationalism movement among churches of Christ.

Some of the very able young preachers have been swept into the tolerant grace-faith-unity movement of the “free people.” We must not close our eyes to this fact, either. There are more of them than we would like to think. This is another example of older apostates leading the fair young lambs away after them. It is amazing that Carl Ketcherside and others of his type and age group should be able to make such inroads among conservative brethren. Such belong among the “Disciples,” and some are leaving our brethren to work among the modernistic denominations. It is sad to see these able young people so deceived, but it is a wonderful relief to the faithful churches when they leave and go among those of their own kind. It would be better by far if the deceived could be awakened to repentance, but only the good soil will receive the word and bring forth fruit with patience. One cannot be taught the truth unless he has a willingness to learn or be corrected. Some of the most effective men who are working to rescue the young “unity” factionists are their peers. There are able young defenders of the truth as well as able promoters of this new apostasy.

It is the special responsibility of parents to train their children, but class teachers, elders, and preachers have their own duties to the young as well as to the older. The churches that did not follow the food-fun-frolic craze are seeing many devout and capable young people who are putting on the whole armor of God that they may be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Twenty-five years ago many were saying that we had better do something for the young or we would lose them. The thing the church should have done then was to teach them the whole counsel of God and demonstrate in conduct and attitude the right way of the Lord. The same is true today. No age group can be more disgusted with hypocrisy, nor have more respect for those who walk in the steps of Jesus than those who are in their teens who have had a chance to see the beauty of holiness.

Each church should develop a good number of song leaders. The death of one man should not leave the congregation without a capable song leader. If elders die or move, there should be good men who are established in the faith to take their places. Older people in the church have failed miserably if they have ignored the great potential among the children in their presence. The children of today will be the church of tomorrow. Let not those whose hair is white with age think that they are indispensable. Time will soon dispense with them and turn the children into adults. What will the next generations be? That depends upon the spiritual food and exercise they get while they are adding years to their young lives. They need to exercise their senses in developing their abilities. They need to be encouraged and appreciated. A large church that has trouble finding teachers, song leaders, and young preachers in their number should have a prayer meeting accompanied by some genuine repentance. There is something seriously wrong with the older people.

Those who are tender in years are tender of heart and they are, therefore, the easiest to lead to the Lord and into His vineyard. If Christians would save their own children, the church would grow from within. Many fail, but the fact that some do succeed proves that it is possible. There are worldly people who do not lie, steal, blaspheme, become intoxicated, or commit fornication. Their spiritual weakness lies in their dedication to “success,” sports, and other things of this life. They talk of money, entertainment, and success and not of Christ before their children. They have not set their affections on things above and, unfortunately, their children will likely look about them rather than up to God.

Those who teach Bible classes and those who preach have a fearful responsibility to teach the word as being the counsel of God. Much can be done to direct the thinking of the children toward spiritual things. Many classes are not well taught. This is a fact that should distress us. Do the pupils gain knowledge of and respect for the Bible as the word of God? All of us need to be very much interested in the next generations. They will be the product of the influences about them. Elders and parents should look in the mirror if the young in the church are not spiritually minded and willing to work in the Lord’s vineyard.

Truth Magazine XXII: 30, pp. 486-487
August 3, 1978