Truth Magazine

By Jeffery Kingry

As we pointed out in the previous article, anger has many forms. Anger also expresses itself in ways not easily recognized. Boredom, for instance, is a form of internalized anger. Most believe boredom to be an innocent, passive thing. Actually, it is a resentment against a situation that the person feels incapable of changing. The opposite of boredom is diligence. Instead of being bored, the Christian is to change the uninteresting or slow situation into a productive or beneficial one. (To fight boredom on an assembly line in an auto factory as a younger man, I used to memorize scripture or discuss the Bible with those that worked beside me.) “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold. . .I went by the field of the slothful and by the vineyard of the man without understanding, and to it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. . .(but) the slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. . .(so) the desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor. He coveteth greedily all the day long” (Prov. 20:4a; 24:30; 22:13; 21:25,26).

Most bored people could be diligently engaged in some form of work, study, or hobby, but prefer to find excuses to avoid changing their behavior (“It is too cold,” “There might be lions about. I could be attacked!”). Paul condemned the idleness and boredom of the Greeks, “All the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing” (Acts 17:21). Boredom leads to sinful pursuits: “We hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busy bodies” (2 Thess. 3:11). “They (young women) learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they should not” (1 Tim. 5:13). The Holy Spirit’s cure for this is work (2 Thess. 3:8,9) “that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread” (vs. 12). It is God’s will that young women “marry, bear children, guide the house, and give no occasion to the adversary for their railing” (1 Tim. 5:14).

Resentment is anger that is internalized. Grudge bearing is an attitude of “I will not forget this, and if opportunity provides a chance I will hurt in return for my hurt.” Herodias resented John the Baptist and held a grudge against him (Matt. 6:19). Eventually her resentment broke forth when she engineered John’s execution. There are modern Herodias’ that through anger, resentment, and grudge bearing have “engineered” the heads of preachers, elders, and teachers upon a silver platter. Their “behind the scene” wielding of a razor-edged tongue has severed many a head from the shoulder of an unsuspecting adversary. Brethren “grudge” when they do good, but resent the imposition upon their time, person, or finances (cf. 1 Pet. 4:9; Jas. 5:9).

God’s Solution

The first step in overcoming sinful anger is control. To many, this will seem simplistic: “Yeah! Control! If I knew how to control myself, I wouldn’t get angry to start with. What kind of an answer is that?” People fool themselves into thinking that they have no control of their minds, or the words they speak. God says that we do. In fact, we demonstrate our remarkable ability to control ourselves often. Consider the following scene: Dad or Mom is yelling at the kids and at each other. The things the others do just make them angrier and angrier. “I am going to kill you, if you say another word! Don’t talk back to me, I don’t want to hear it! You do as I say this instant, DO YOU HEAR ME! !” Of course, everyone can hear. Then, a knock at the door. Parents look at one another, shoo the kids out of the room, and open the door to the preacher, a neighbor, or a friend come to visit. “Oh! Its so good to see you. Won’t you come in.” The normal voice range is back in play, and everyone sits down to talk in perfect control. We generally control ourselves about those we wish to impress. Often we treat our boss, our friends, even complete strangers with more decency and control than we do those in our own family. Brethren often treat unbelievers better than they do their own brethren. Many times a preacher thinks more of and treats people in the world better than he does his brethren in the church. This wrong must be righted, for the way we treat one another is the same way we treat the Lord (Matt. 25:40; Acts 9:4).

Parents often abuse children verbally. Discipline is more than a rod. Neither parents nor the church should let their own attitude on the subject of child discipline degenerate to the point that they are actually just unthinkingly -victimizing weaker ones. Many times parents get the horse behind the cart in discipline. “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Prov. 22:15). The pattern usually observed and easiest to follow is to slap, spank, and holler and then try to strain out our own muddled thinking just what the lesson is we wanted the child to learn. In God’s dealing with his children he patiently explains and expects good. If His children are disobedient after instruction and rebuke, then he punishes them in His anger only as a last resort. We can be thankful that God has not vented His anger on us as we often vent our anger upon the young because they are weaker and often irritating. “Fathers, provoke not your children unto wrath.”

We can control our anger, because God holds us responsible. The problem with wrath is that too many times we do not hold the object of our anger in high enough esteem to try and control our anger and direct it constructively.

In any relationship we can help one another direct anger correctly. “A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up strife” (Prov. 15:1). “A soft answer” is not sullen silence. Nothing is more provoking than that. But, a soft answer. An answer that is loving, conciliatory, and understanding blunts and deflects anger.

But when two “argue” like angry tennis players, each hitting the ball harder and harder, driving the other farther and farther away into the corner, then soon all ability to stop the exchange is gone. Prov. 17:14 says that the beginning of any fight is like a dike with a leak. If the leak is stopped and plugged right away, before it gets out of hand, it is easy to overcome the water. But, if the leak grows larger as sand and earth erode away, soon the water comes gushing over the dike sweeping it all away. Then it is too difficult to close up the dam. Therefore “leave off contention” before it gets too big. A soft answer is the plug in the dike. It stops the flood before it begins.

Retaliation, self-justification, and personal attack are just the thing to add fuel to the other’s anger-to provoke another angry response, and the two feed off one another like a fire gone out of control. When one starts all discussion mad, then there is no more place to go. It is much like two nations that begin their negotiations on a mutual problem by declaring war. Where can you go? The gradual increase of “godly pressure” described in Matt. 18:15-18 leaves room continually for the one rebuked to repent and come back. Rebuke that backs one into a corner, or “up a tree” with no way of honorably repenting is not right.

Don’t Let the Sun Set

The imperative nature of dealing with the cause of anger is very plainly stated in such passages as Matt. 5:23, 24 and Eph. 4:26. These passages demonstrate that matters must be straightened out, not ignored. The time element that God gives is immediately, before the day ends. Not all wrongs must be righted, for we would find it difficult to even live if every supposed hurt had to be confronted. “Love covers a multitude of sins.” But, those sins not covered by love must be reconciled and put to rest. Some may say, “I overlooked that.” when in reality they didn’t. To say, “I forgive” means to forget as well. Often brethren say “I forgive” but have no intention of forgetting what was done. They continue to use the sin of others as a tool of hurt to produce guilt. This is not forgiveness. We must forgive as God has forgiven us, forgetting and blotting out what has been repented of.

Finally, we must put a proper form of behavior in the place of that wrath we have left behind. We must learn to give of ourselves as a demonstration of our love. Giving must be real “If your enemy thirst, give him to drink” (Rom. 12:20). Baking a pie and taking it to one we are angry with, buying a present, or saying something nice to someone is a real example of a willingness to change. Developing “good will towards man” is a learned behavior. We can love in the face of anger only if we take the example of Jesus seriously and put it into effect in our lives.

Truth Magazine XXI: 32, pp. 502-503
August 18, 1977

By Mike Willis

I have worshiped with a number of congregations in which I have heard the complaint that there was a lack of visitation among the members. Situations have been related to me in which families have been members of a congregation for as much as two years and have been invited into only one or two homes out of a congregation of two hundred people. The same problem exists among many smaller congregations. What usually happens is that each family becomes intimately associated with one or two close friends and are perfectly happy with associating with each other to the exclusion of all other saints. The old-fashioned virtue of hospitality is sadly missing among the saints in many congregations.

What Is Hospitality?

The Greek word from which “hospitality” is translated is philoxenos, a compound word composed of philos (love) and xenos (stranger) which means “love of strangers.” To understand what this virtue is, we need to study how hospitality was practiced during biblical days. Too, the social customs of those in the Middle East are enlightening as to what genuine hospitality really is.

When an Arab greets a stranger, he greets him with the saying, “My house is yours” as a part of his salutation. One of their proverbs was, “The guest while in the house is its lord.” Furthermore, the guest was inviolable. What that meant was that he could not be harmed while in the house of the host. Even if the guest was the host’s meanest enemy, so long as he was in the house no one could hurt him. The practice of hospitality is still held in high esteem among Arabian people.

With this background, let us look at some biblical examples of hospitality. When Abraham dwelt by the oaks at Mamre, he received a visitation from the Lord. Three men appeared to him while he dwelt there. When Abraham saw them, “he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the earth, and said, ‘My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by’ ” (Gen. 18:2-3). This shows us how Abraham practiced hospitality and, thereby, “entertained angels without knowing it” (Heb. 13:2). When these same men went to Sodom, they met Lot sitting by the gates of Sodom; he said, ” ‘Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.’ They said however, ‘No, but we shall spend the night in the square.’ Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house; .and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate” (Gen. 19:2-3). As another case of an hospitable person, consider Job. When he was being charged with gross misconduct, he protested saying, “The alien has not lodged outside, for I have opened my doors to the traveler” (31:32).

From these biblical references and the knowledge of the customs in the Middle East, we can better understand what hospitality is; it is the receiving of strangers into our homes. “The hospitality of today, by which is meant the entertainment of friends or relatives, hardly comes within the Bib. usage of the term as denoting a special virtue” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. III, p. 1433). However, we see just how bad the situation is with reference to hospitality when we notice that many congregations are not even entertaining relatives and near friends, much less strangers!

Hospitality Is Commanded

The dedicated Christian has no choice as to whether he will practice hospitality or not. To practice hospitality is a commandment of God; hence, he can only choose to obey or to disobey. Let us consider some of the passages which speak of hospitality as a command. As one of the virtues by which we present our bodies as living sacrifices to God (Rom. 12:1-2), Paul said that Christians need to be “practicing hospitality” (12:13). Peter commanded, “Be hospitable to one another without complaint” (1 Pet. 4:9). The author of Hebrews wrote, “Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (13:1-2). When Jesus gave the parable of the separation of the sheep and goats, He showed that one’s treatment of the stranger was a determining factor in the eternal destiny of man. The saved person was the man who treated Jesus as follows: “I was a stranger, and you invited me in” (Mt. 25:35); the lost man was the man who treated Jesus as follows: “I was a stranger and you did not invite Me in” (v. 43). Of course, the one who treats his brother in the way described has treated Jesus that way. Hence, how we receive strangers will affect our eternal destiny.

Elders are to be “given to hospitality” (1 Tim. 3:2). Inasmuch as the elder is to be a man who has a goodly quantity of each of the virtues listed in 1 Tim. 3:1-8, he should be a man who habitually practices hospitality. He should be an example of an hospitable man. The elder who invites only his relatives and close friends into his home for his own social entertainment is not meeting this qualification! He is to be a man who invites the stranger (such as the member of the church who just moved into town or the person who was just recently baptized) into his home. Inviting one’s close friends into one’s house on Friday night to play cards is no special virtue.

The woman who can be put on the church roll for regular support must be one who has shown hospitality. Among the qualifications which the “widow indeed” must be able to meet are the following: “if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints feet” (1 Tim. 5:10). In twentieth century life, we have grown to depend upon social security for support in our old age. We have nearly forgotten the role which the early church played in supporting aged widows. I’ fear that we have also forgotten at least some of the virtues which qualified the “widow indeed” to be placed on the church’s roll. Since the one who does the work of making the home fit to receive guests is the woman, this was one of the qualifications for a “widow indeed.” Christian ladies, how many of you are going to be qualified to be a “widow indeed” in this area?

How To Exercise Hospitality

1. Regularly. Inasmuch as being hospitable is a part of Christian living, the Christian should regularly practice hospitality. The Christian who does not invite people into his home is guilty of sin; he is disregarding a commandment of God just as surely as Adam and Eve were when they ate the forbidden fruit.

2. One to another. Peter said, “Be hospitable to one another . . .” (1 Pet. 4:9); hence, hospitality should be practiced within every local congregation. Paul commanded Christians to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15). This demands a level of intimacy which cannot be had by greeting each other at the door on the days on which the church assembles for services and never seeing each other at any other time. Just saying, “Good morning! It’s good to see you out today!” is not sufficient contact with our brethren to be able to share their joys and sorrows. We need to get to know each other better than that. This will demand constant association with each other.

3. Without murmuring. Again, Peter said, “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.” Sometimes hospitality is practiced because no one else will do it. I have known of congregations who scheduled a meeting but had no one willing to “keep the preacher.” Finally, someone begrudgingly said, “No one else will keep the preacher, so I guess that I am going to have to do it.” That, my brethren, is not the proper kind of hospitality. Today, in our affluence, we simply put the preacher in a motel. Personally, I think that it is a move away from a virtue commanded by God (i.e. to practice hospitality) when so many saints within the congregations have such ample facilities to receive a brother who is a stranger into their homes. I consider my home most richly blessed by the opportunity to keep a visiting preacher for a week of gospel meetings.

4. Not for recompense. On one occasion Jesus said, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and repayment come to you. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Lk. 14:12-14). Too much of our hospitality is of the “theyhad-us-over-so-we-should-have-them-over” variety. This is not the kind of hospitality which Jesus asked of us.

Conclusion

Frankly, I have always found that inviting a person whom I am trying to convert into my home has been advantageous to winning that person to Christ. Too, new members of the congregation should be quickly received by the saints. Through this kind of reception of strangers, the Lord’s church can be aided in its growth. I cannot understand a situation in which a visitor goes away from the services of the Lord’s church feeling that the church was not friendly. If that happens, something is wrong, assuming that the visitor did not make a mad dash for the door.

Furthermore, let me add that the virtue of practicing hospitality does not belong to a select few in the congregation; it belongs to every saint. I say that because I have generally found that those who complain the loudest about the fact that no one has them over generally have no one over. Somewhere down the line, this complaining Christian is going to have to look at himself. Does he not have an obligation to serve just as much as any other saint? God did not send us to be served; He sent us to serve. Hence, if the congregation where you attend is not hospitable, quit complaining and get started doing something to correct the situation!

Truth Magazine XXI: 32, pp. 499-501
August 18, 1977

By William C. Sexton

It has been said that one can prove anything by the Bible. If such were true, then the book would not be worth anything to man. So, the charge is false. However, if one will take a part of it, twist, pervert, and distort, then it may appear to be such a book. Satan, of course should be expected to so misuse the book, and we see him so doing in Matt. 4:3, 6 in his attempt to lead the Son of God against His Father. However, the should be surprised to find one who claims to be a “believer in the Bible” to so misuse the Bible. Nevertheless, I suggest that we would do well to be on the look out for such misuse in our day. There is a group of people, who claim to be Bible scholars, who have no reluctance to saying that the Bible contradicts itself. In The Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. VII, page 8, we have these words, “There is also a strange contradiction in Luke’s account of the differing reactions in the mind of the spectators. In Acts 2:6 it is said that ‘the multitude gathered in bewilderment, for each heard them speak in his own language’; and in vs. 11, ‘We hear these men talking of the triumphs of God in our own languages!’ On the other hand we are told immediately afterwards that all were ‘amazed and quite at a loss. ‘What can it mean?’ they said to one another.” He who sees a “strange contradiction” in those words, seems to me, was looking for one, already having his mind made up that such was to be found there. His reading only confirms his preconception.

1. Many people want to live by only some of the words-those that satisfy them. However, we are told “The sum of thy word is truth” (Pas. 119:160). The KJV renders it, “thy word is true from the beginning.” The idea is the same as that expressed by Jesus, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). If the Bible is the word of God, then all of it harmonizes and when seen in its proper setting, it constitutes one complete whole-there are no contradictions. We need to be honest with ourselves, with the word of God and take all of it rather than some. If we feel that the word does indeed contradict itself, then we ought to be honest and say that we do not believe that it is the word of God. I truly have no respect for the man who claims to be a “believer” and at the same time speak of the Bible as having “contradictions.” I deny that it does, or that one can be found that a reasonable explanation cannot be offered for the apparent discrepancy.

2. By gathering the “sum” of what the Bible says on any and all subjects and properly arranging that sum total, one can see that there are no discrepancies. Also, by this method, one can understand what God would have man do to be saved and be fruitful in the service to God. One can, and many do, draw false conclusions from passages. The best way to avoid this, I believe, is to gather all that inspiration has said on the subject, then it can be seen that it all fits together perfectly. Many take the “faith” passages, without their associates, and conclude wrongly that one is saved at the poi~t of faith before and without baptism, which contradicts James (James 2:24). Such need not be; neither is such proof that the Bible does contradict. It only proves that many will believe what they want to, and take only that which fits in with their scheme. By taking Acts 2:36-41; Gal. 3:26-27; 2 Cor. 5:17 and other passages, one need not be in the dark about how to become a Christian.

3. By complying with all that the scriptures say relative to becoming a child of God and worshiping God and serving Him, one is living by the word of God, and thus he is alive spiritually (Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 8:10-17). He can know “of the doctrine” (J4, 7:17). However, if one is not willing to do the will of the .father (Matt. 7:21), then he can and will be satisfied to continue in disobedience (2 Thess. 2:10-12). We will have trouble with saying and doing not (Matt. 23:3), but if we do riot try to do what we preach, then we condemn ourselves and are not deserving of being heard.

So, in regard to your activities and dour treatment of the Bible: are you taking the sum of it, or, are you trying to get by with reading, believing, ~and obeying only some of it? If the latter, then I pray that you will understand that you are stopping short of the mask, and when the “deeds” are judged, you will come up short. If we make that mistake, we will have an awful lone time to think about it, but no time to correct it. Which is it?

Truth Magazine XXI: 32, p. 498
August 18, 1977

By P. J. Casebolt

Introduction

For the past several years I have watched the Lord’s work in the Philippine Islands with special interest, since I spent several months there at the close of World War II. About three years ago I began making plans to return,. after having received an invitation from brethren there to preach the gospel in their country. During the month of April, 1977, those plans were translated into reality. Others will make a more detailed report, but I would like to share my impressions of the work there with all who may be interested.

Originally, Brother Wallace Little and I planned to go this year. Later, he had the opportunity to go for an extended stay, so preceded tme by about two months. Keith Burnett also decided to go, but had returned to the U.S. by the time I arrived in the Philippines. Meantime, Brother James Puterbaugh was invited to teach some classes designed especially for preachers, and decided to spend about one year with the Filipino brethren for this purpose.

“I Lie Not” (2 Cor. 11:31). I have often wondered why Paul had to make this statement several times in his epistles. Would not the brethren believe an apostle of Christ? I think I understand his position a little better now. I hesitate to tell brethren some of the things which I saw, heard, felt, did, and some of the things done to me, for fear they will not believe me. If I tell in detail about some of the hardships experienced by Filipino brethren and the Americans who go there to preach, some will think I am complaining. If I tell about the remarkable growth of the Lord’s work in that country, some may think I am boasting. All I can say is, “I lie not.” Those who know me will believe me; those who do not will just have to go and see for themselves.

“We Thanked God, And Took Courage” (Acts 28:15). Regardless of how self-disciplined one may be, there is always a feeling of loneliness when loved ones are left behind, and the uncertainty of a venture lies ahead. There is nothing quite like a Filipino welcome to make one feel that his efforts are not in vain. Even when we know the Lord is with us as He has promised, the sight of faithful brethren brings a lump to the throat and tears to the eyes. With all our conveniences here in America, we feel so self-sufficient that the companionship of good brethren is not appreciated, I fear. Maybe a few hardships would cause us to depend on God and our good brethren a little more.

“I Know Thy Poverty” (Rev. 2:9). I only know of one brother in the Philippines who owns an automobile, or has access to one. It is an old model (1962), and the good brother put it at our disposal while we were in the Manila area. Most places of worship I visited were of bamboo or rough wood frame, open at the sides, with thatched roof and dirt floors. But, the brethren are rich in faith, zeal, and self-sacrifice. Their main concern, and ours, is not for comfortable places of worship, but for the well-being of the inward man. Both we and they are emphasizing the preaching of the gospel above all else. Let those of us in our comfortable buildings make certain that some do not “rise up in judgment” and condemn us (Mt. 12:41,42).

“Fellowship In The Gospel” (Phil. 1:3-7). May God bless those who have had fellowship with us in the preaching of the gospel. In my own case, I did not have to beg brethren to support the gospel. They asked me to let them participate in the work, when they heard I wanted to go. There are many places where the gospel needs to be preached, but I can say to those who have had a part in the Philippine work that they have done well to communicate with those who preach the gospel there.

“God That Giveth The Increase” (1 Cor. 3:7). There are many able preachers of the gospel in the Philippines. Two of these, Brethren Tibayan and Hayuhay, traveled with us extensively, Others prepared the ground, helped to sow the seed, and watered that which had been sown. About two hundred and thirty souls were baptized into Christ as a result of our combined efforts. I say about because people are obeying the gospel and congregations are being established at such a rate that it is impossible to keep an accurate count. Several liberal brethren confessed error, including one preacher. One debate was conducted, and arrangements are being made for two more. We made a special effort in our sermons to strengthen the brethren in the faith. It is a wonderful experience to lose track of the number being baptized, and not to wonder who is responsible for their obedience. God gave the increase, so give him the glory through Christ and the church. (Eph. 3:21).

“I Have Somewhat Against Thee” (Rev. 2:4). The Filipino brethren are not perfect. Neither were the Ephesian brethren. Nor, are we American brethren perfect. Some American preachers are not without fault in matters of doctrine and morals. The same standard applies to all. We tried to apply this same measure to our Filipino brethren (2 Cor. 10:13, 14). They want, and for the most part, appreciate our help. We learned of some who had sinned in word or in deed, and tried to help them make corrections. But, these were few in number indeed, compared to those who are making a sincere effort to save their souls and go to heaven.

“A Second Benefit” (2 Cor. 1:15). Many are benefitted directly and indirectly by their involvement in the Philippine work. The Filipino brethren are encouraged. The preachers who go are better because they went, and should be of more benefit to the brethren when they return home. Congregations and individuals who have fellowship in the work are encouraged. Others may be provoked to good works by these examples, and God is glorified (2 Cor. 9:2, 13).

But, I believe there is a second benefit if we will pursue it. I was personally able to make several contacts on the plane while traveling to and from the Philippines, that resulted in prospects to be pursued here in the United States. Many Filipinos or their relatives live in America, and many of our fellow travelers on these flights were in the process of going home or visiting friends and relatives. Most will gladly give you their own name and address, or that of a friend or relative. They seem to appreciate a tract or any other information concerning the Lord’s church. Maybe we can convert our neighbor through contacts that began ten thousand miles away.

“I Give My Advice” (2 Cor. 8:10). Having spent several months in the Philippine Islands, I was not a complete stranger to the people and their customs. I feel I know them better now, and am better acquainted with the situation there pertaining to the Lord’s work. Others also have valuable information and advice, including the Filipino brethren themselves. Here is mine:

The day has passed when American preachers can visit all the churches in the Philippines on one trip. We need to try concentrating on definite areas, which generally would mean islands. We need to emphasize the training of Filipino brethren to carry on the work, which is being done. Not every American preacher is suited for this work. Any who would think it is a vacation, or a short-cut to fame and prominence will do themselves and the work there a favor by staying home. One needs to be prepared mentally and physically for this effort. To those who are faithful, able, suited for this kind of work, and invited by the Filipino brethren, I say “Go.” If I can be of any help to those who would contemplate going, or to congregations interested in sending someone, I will do what I can. May the gospel have free course, and be received in all the world, as it appears to have been in the Philippines.

Truth Magazine XXI: 31, pp. 492-493
August 11, 1977