Truth Magazine

By Gary L. Coles

Arnie was suddenly awakened by a terrifying wail. As the fog of sleep began to lift from his mind, he immediately became aware of his surroundings. The first thing he noticed was he was wringing wet with perspiration. He could never remember being as hot as he was now. In fact, the heat had a smothering effect. The intense heat made each breath an act of agony. He also became aware of a parched throat and swollen tongue. At that moment he would have given a million dollars for drink of water.

He then began to notice screams of anguish. There were people all around him. Millions and millions of people. Perhaps, even billions. What was going on? Where was he? Suddenly he knew. But it couldn’t be. He had always laughed at anyone whoever spoke of Hell. He must be dreaming. That’s it. It’s just a dream. But something deep down inside told him otherwise. Pain and remorse began to envelop him. This was not a dream. This was for real, and even worse, it was for all eternity. Suddenly, he heard a blood curdling scream. A scream of terror and panic. A scream that came from Arnie’s throat.

Although the illustration is fictitious, the Bible indicates that it will be the ultimate fate of most people. How about you? Do you really believe Hell exists? Many in the church say they believe in Hell while their actions indicate otherwise. It is quite obvious that those Christians who refuse to regularly attend the worship services, study their Bibles with any degree of consistency, maintain a life of moral integrity, or display an attitude of love and compassion to others do not really believe in hell. If they did, their lives would reflect it.

One encouraging sign is that more Americans seem to believe that there is some type of Hell. According to a 1991 Gallup Pole, 60 percent of Americans believe in hell, up from 54 percent in 1965. The down side is that most Americans do not believe in the hell that is described in the Bible.

Recently, I ran across an interesting quotation made by Augustine DiNoia, a theologian for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops: “The popular image of hell has next to nothing to do with the doctrine of it. Not only is it flame-free, but people who go there do so by choice. God isn’t some vindictive judge sending humans to a place of punishment. If that were the case, he would be a monster.”

The March 25, 1991 issue of U.S. News and World Report devoted several pages to the subject of hell. A few important quotations are listed below:

Kenneth S. Kantzer, a former Christianity Today editor confessed, “he hadn’t preached a sermon on hell in more than three decades.”

Martin Marty, University of Chicago professor said, “Hell had disappeared and no one noticed . . . If people really believed in hell, they wouldn’t be watching basketball or even the TV preachers. They’d be out rescuing people.”

C.S. Lewis was quoted as saying, “Hell was not made for man.”

Mary Krus, pastor of Dumbarton Methodist church in Washington, D.C. said, “My congregation would be stunned to hear a sermon on hell.”

Avery Dulles, professor of theology at Fordham University in New York said, “It’s quite possible that no one will really go there.”

The Justice of Hell

Is God a monster? Is condemning a person to hell for eternity unfair? To answer these questions, there are a few things we need to consider. If you were God, what would you do with all of the wicked disobedient people of the world? Keep in mind that you have done everything possible to deter these people from their destructive path. You even sent your only son to die an unimaginable death on the cross. Yet, these people stubbornly refused to live a Godly life. Do you give them a second chance via a thousand years and then give them time off for good behavior? When I begin to consider all of the possibilities, there is one thing I am certain of: I have no desire to be in God’s place!

If God failed to punish the wicked and disobedient of the world  he could no longer claim to be a just and fair God. In Psalms 89:14 we can read, “righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne; Loving- kindness and truth go before Thee.” It is impossible for God to be anything but just and fair.

God’s ultimate desire is for every-one to be spared the pain and anguish of hell. “. . . not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Yet, the next verse speaks of God destroying the earth and its works. Matthew 7:13,14 in-forms us that the majority of people will find themselves on the broad way leading to destruction. The Bible does not portray God as an evil sadistic monster just waiting to torch his people. God is represented as a Being who cannot coexist with sin and will eternally punish any of his people who spurn and reject his offer for salvation. Is that unfair?

 Hell is Eternal (Matt. 25:46)

 Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:14)

 Extreme Anguish (Matt. 13:42)

 The Second Death (Rev. 20:14)

 Eternal Separation from God (Matt. 25:41)

 Loathsome Inhabitants (Rev. 21:8)

Hell is for Real

The preceding illustration gives a brief overview of what the Bible says about hell. If you believe in God, Jesus, and the Bible, you must also believe in hell. Hell is for real! It does exist!

It is unfortunate that many people live a life that reflects a complete disbelief in hell  including some Christians.

How many of us would turn an oven up to the maximum temperature, and then place our head in the oven. We would all admit, anyone doing this would be considered abnormal. Yet, there are many today, including Christians, who are doing the same with their soul. It is quite evident that many Christians lack any fear of hell. One of the reasons for this has been the neglect of preachers and teachers to speak of this topic. It is time for preachers and teachers to let their listeners know what God has said on this vitally important topic. God chose to inform us of hell through his written word. God wanted us to be so frightened of hell that we would do anything to avoid it. Unfortunately, many of us banish any thought of hell from our minds. We would rather consider more pleasant thoughts. We feel as if we have plenty of time to bring our lives into conformity with God’s will. However, James tells us that life is like a vapor that appears for a little while and then disappears. Life is uncertain. A person should take not chances with his soul.

The choice is yours. What will it be? If you awaken and find yourself in hell  you will have no one to blame but yourself.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 22, p. 6-7
November 21, 1996

By Donnie V. Rader

Worldliness is eating us alive. Like cancer that destroys the organs and then the whole body, worldliness is destroying God’s people. Oh, I’m not talking about the “ugly” worldliness that involves the forbidden things like drinking, cursing, lying and immorality. There is also worldliness that involves things that are not wrong within themselves. That makes it “respectable.” As long as what we are doing is not forbidden, we feel comfortable in doing it. Let’s explore the thought.

Demas had a problem with worldliness. Paul said, “Demas has forsaken me having loved the present world” (2 Tim. 4:10). There is nothing in this text to suggest that Demas loved anything that was sinful in and of itself. It was just that his love for the present life (the temporal over the spiritual) was misplaced. His priorities were wrong.

More and more I’m seeing Christians who wouldn’t think of participating in the forbidden worldliness like dancing, drinking, or immodesty, but are being consumed with another form of the same problem. Maybe the parable of the sower would help us better appreciate the point. Some seed fell among the thorns which represented those who are “choked with cares, riches and pleasures of life” (Luke 8:14). The cares, riches, and pleasures are not wrong in themselves, but they crowd out spiritual things in our lives.

The rat race we live in has robbed families of time that they need together just to be families. Our involvement in sports, school activities, our jobs, and our care for our-selves at times crowd in on our service to God. Evidence is seen in attendance. We miss for things that wouldn’t keep us from work or school. As I travel in meetings I see more and more occasions when the local members don’t show up during the meeting. They have other things to do.

Minor aches and pains keep us away from the service. If we are tired or have a slight sniffle that’s enough to not be at worship. When we keep our children home for “sickness” that they themselves know is minor or not contagious, they are learning how to be worldly.

We see this spirit displayed in the apathy that some have. When our care and concern for material things like cars, clothes, houses, and money exceeds interest in the gospel and spiritual things, worldliness has already taken its toll. When greater preparation is given to see that our children have their homework than to learning their Bibles, worldly minded.

In meetings I’m disappointed to see that members think nothing of taking their vacation time during the meeting and miss most, if not all, of the services. We allow our teenage children (whose working is for extra spending money) to work and miss services during meetings (to say nothing of the regular times on Sunday and Wednesday).

In some places it is difficult to find to a good time to schedule a meeting or VBS. If it conflicts with ball games or other personal plans, attendance may be slim or some of the young folks and their parents may be frustrated.

Learning to get our priorities straight would go a long way toward solving our problem. Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). Peter told his readers to “sanctify the Lord God in your heart” (1 Pet 3:15). May we grow in our fear of God. As someone said long ago, “The main things is to keep the main thing, the main thing!” I say, “Amen!”

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 22, p. 5
November 21, 1996

By Dick Lambert

The term “Politically Correct” today appears to carry the same connotation as the philosophy of “situation ethics” from the seventies. The end of both ideologies is that there are no absolutes. Everything is said to be relative dependent on the person and the circumstance. What is wrong for one person may be right for an-other. Society in general is expected to tolerate and accept most anything that is sincerely believed or practiced at the moment .

There are churches that are embracing the “Politically Correct Idea” and abandoning the absolutes taught in the Bible. For example, the government has endorsed homosexuality and other acts of perversion and calls them alternative life styles. This politically correct idea has crept into some churches. Instead of teaching what the Bible says about this they have not only accepted homosexuals into the church but have appointed them as priests and to other leadership rolls. The Bible teaches us that this deplorable practice is an abomination to the Lord God of heaven. It also says it is an unnatural act, it is lust, it is sexually immoral, it is unclean and dishonorable. The Bible further teaches that if one doesn’t repent of homosexuality they will not inherit the kingdom of God but will have their place in the lake which burns with fire and brim-stone (1 Cor. 6:9-10).

As another example of being politically correct the government rewards laziness and calls it welfare. There are churches that do the same and call it a ministry to the disadvantaged. The Bible teaches that the church is to help the needy saints, however if able bodied folk won’t work, neither should they eat (2 Thess. 3:10).

It isn’t politically correct to call people what the Bible calls them. Society says that alcoholism is a sickness or an alcohol problem. The Bible calls such people drunkards. It is sin and such will not inherit the kingdom of God. Many churches choose the politically correct approach which is to ignore it and not teach on drunkenness.

Jesus wasn’t politically correct to the chief priests, the scribes, or the Pharisees and he certainly wouldn’t be in our day. He told the Pharisees that they honored him with their lips but their hearts were far from him. Their worship was in vain because they were teaching the commandments of men instead of the commandments of God. His disciples came to him and asked him if he knew that this had offended the Pharisees? Jesus didn’t apologize for teaching the truth but told them they were like blind guides leading the blind and both would fall into a pit (Matt.15:8-9, 12-14).

On another occasion he told the scribes and the Pharisees that they were serpents, a generation of vipers and asked them how they thought they would escape the judgment of hell. He did not take the politically correct approach and tell them what they were teaching and saying was their freedom of expression. I wonder what Jesus would say if he visited many churches today?

The philosophy of political correctness idea is a determent to society and will certainly destroy the church. Instead of solving problems it intensifies them and creates more. The church needs to call Bible things by Bible names and teach the precepts of God from Scripture. God’s word spans the bridge of time and gives solutions to our problems as well as the problems of society.

God so loved the world (people) that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Therein lies the hope, the peace, the contentment and salvation for those who believe and obey the gospel. Churches need to preach and teach “Thus saith the Lord” and forget about what man thinks is politically correct!

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 21, p. 5
November 7, 1996

By Wayne Fancher, Jr.

Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God” (NKJV).

Unfortunately there are times in our lives when the peace that exists between ourselves and others is disrupted with strife, contention, and division. When an estrangement takes place because of strife, there is often a desire on the part of many to try to make peace, which is indeed a noble desire. Even though the desire for being a peace-maker exists in the hearts of many, quite often they do not know how to go about making the peace.

Proverbs 26:17, “He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears” (NKJV).

If you do not know how to make peace between two parties that are estranged, you may find yourself adding to the strife rather than making peace. It can become as the proverb says, “like taking a dog by the ears.” You better look out or you will get pulled into the fight and end up getting bitten.

Romans 14:19, ” Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (NKJV).

Since we should be pursuing the things which make for peace, it is vitally important that we know how to pursue it. I believe there are six steps that the two estranged parties must go through for there truly to be peace between them. (1) A desire for peace from both of the estranged parties, (2) Humility, (3) Meaningful communication, (4) A willingness to face the truth, (5) A willingness to change where one is wrong, and (6) A willingness to forgive. Taking two or three of these steps is not enough. All six of these steps must be taken for there to be true peace.

A Desire for Peace from Both of the

Estranged Parties

Psalm 120:7, ” I am for peace; But when I speak, they are for war” (NKJV).

Even though the peacemaker may want peace, unless both of the estranged parties want peace, one is wasting his time in trying to make peace between them. True peace cannot be forced; it must be desired before it can be pursued. Therefore the peacemaker must talk with both of the estranged parties separately and confirm that they are both truly desiring to have peace made between them.

Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (NKJV).

If peace is not initially desired by both of the estranged parties, that does not mean that one should give up on his efforts to make peace. Instead he should work on trying to create the desire for peace in their hearts. This can be done by trying to help them see how good and how pleasant it is to dwell together in unity and peace.

Proverbs 16:28, “A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.”

Being a peacemaker quite often requires spending many hours laying the proper ground work in preparing the hearts of the estranged parties for the making of peace. Preparing this ground work is done the opposite of the way a gossiper separates best friends. A gossiper will wait for you to say anything bad about your friend and then he will go tell him what you said. When your friend says anything negative in response to what the gossiper has told him, then the gossiper comes and tells you what bad things he said about you, waiting for you to respond with something else bad. Back and forth he goes carrying these bad reports preparing the ground work for the separation of two dear friends. The peacemaker, on the other hand, takes the two friends who are separated and tries to bring them back together. When talking to the estranged parties, you must look for any and everything that they say that is good about the other. Take the good things they say and the good feelings back and forth between the separated friends to help them remember and see how good it was and is to be at peace with their friend. Help to create in their hearts the proper desire for peace.

Humility

Proverbs 13:10, “By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom” (NKJV).

The strange things about separations between people, is that it is never any one’s fault. Or so it would seem that way, from talking to those involved. Each side will say, “I didn’t do anything wrong, it’s their fault.” Because separations are accompanied with so much pain and anger, those involved get their feelings hurt and become very defensive. This defensiveness and pride prevents many people from ever seeing the true nature of how the separation came about or how their actions affected those from whom they are estranged. Pride prevents many people from ever being willing to take the first steps toward peace.

Philippians 2:3, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself’ (NKJV).

Sometimes a peacemaker must try to help the estranged parties take their eyes off themselves and their feelings and try to help them look at how the other side is hurting as well. If we can encourage and help those estranged to humble their hearts, then the rest of the process of peacemaking will be much easier and go much faster.

Meaningful Communication

James 1:19, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (NKJV).

Once the peacemaker has laid the ground work of desire and humility then arrange a meeting together with the estranged parties. The next big step toward peace is done with what I call “Meaningful Communication.” Meaningful communication involves both of the estranged parties being (1) swift to hear, (2) slow to speak, and (3)slow to wrath. The role of the peacemaker in this step is simply to act as a referee to make sure that both side are truly communicating with each other with respect. If at any point in the discussion the peacemaker sees that meaningful communication has broken down, then he must step in as referee and not allow things to get out of hand, otherwise before you know it you will have a dog by the ear.

Proverbs 18:13, “He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him” (NKJV).

One of the biggest problems people have in talking about things where emotions are involved, is that we don’t listen to what the other people are saying. The first step in meaningful communication is learning to be swift to hear. Even though you may have had your feelings hurt, stop and listen to what the other person is saying. Open your ears and your heart and hear what they say before you answer. Try as best you can to understand what the per-son is saying, how they saw the situation, and how they truly feel.

Proverbs 15:28, “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil” (NKJV).

After you have heard what the other person has said and you think you fully understand, then take your time and learn to be slow to speak. Being slow to speak means that you think about what you are going to say before you say it. So think seriously about what they have said to you, then take your time to make sure your response to them is exactly what you want to say.

Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger” (NKJV).

How you say what you say is just as important as what you say. Because the separation involved so much emotional pain and anger, at this stage of peacemaking you must be extra careful not to allow these emotions to take over in the communication process. When people speak in anger, the anger is heard louder than the words and meaningful communication has stopped. Harsh words will only make the fire bigger and more difficult to put out. Both of the estranged parties must be slow to wrath, speaking with a soft controlled answers. When communication is meaningful and with respect, then the estranged parties can truly understand each other and hopefully put out the fires that separate them.

A Willingness to Face The Truth

Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise” (NKJV).

The fact that a separation has taken place between people tells you that someone somewhere has done something wrong. Sometimes the fault is only on one side and easy to see. Other times both sides are at fault, and trying to deter-mine what really happened as an outsider is almost impossible. It is not the job of a peacemaker to become a private investigator to try to find out what all really happened. One of the purposes of meaningful communication is to help the estranged parties understand clearly how their actions effected the separation. Very often, if the first three steps to peacemaking are taken properly, after hearing the truth, those in the wrong are willing to acknowledge the truth of their wrongdoing and you have taken a giant step toward peace. Sometimes unfortunately, the one who has done wrong refuses to face the reality and the results of his actions. In this case there is no hope of peace because those who have done wrong are right in their own eyes.

A Willingness to Change Where One Is Wrong

Proverbs 28:13, “He who covers his sins will not pros-per, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (NKJV).

If someone acknowledges where he is wrong, but feels no remorse for his actions, obviously there will be no peace. It is not enough to just acknowledge where you were wrong in your actions, there must also be a humbling of oneself to where they can learn to simply say, “I’m sorry, please forgive me.” It is also understood whatever actions one may be doing that have caused the separation are not to continue. They must be stopped for there to be hope for peace.

A Willingness to Forgive

Colossians 3:13, “Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (NKJV) .

Forgiveness is the last but not the least important step of peace. True forgiveness must take place in the hearts of those who have been wronged in any way. Otherwise, what caused the separation will continue to ferment in the heart of the offended person, until one day it is brought up again and again. We are to forgive one another as Christ forgave us. When Christ forgive us, our sin is removed as far as the east is from the west, and it’s not going to be brought up again ever. Only with true forgiveness from the heart can we remove the separation and truly be at peace with those from whom we were estranged, and be at peace with our-selves and at peace with God.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 21, p. 6-7
November 7, 1996