Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

One of the older hymns that we sing is “Worthy of Praise.” The thought for the song is taken from Revelation 5. In the fifth chapter, a glimpse into heaven is shown to man. There John saw a book that was written inside and out, sealed with seven seals. An angel asked, “Who is worthy to open the book and loose its seals?” John cried because no one was worthy to loose the seals and open the book. One of the 24 elders told him not to cry because the “lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David” was worthy to loose the seals and open the book.

John looked again and saw the “Lamb” having seven horns (his omnipotent power) and seven eyes (his omniscience) come to the throne of God and take the book from his hand. When he took the book the heavenly hosts sang,

Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hest redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation (Rev. 5:9).

Many angels joined the chorus and sang,

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing (Rev. 5:12).

Surely you recognize from these texts the familiar words to our hymn “Worthy Art Thou” by Tillit S. Teddlie. Jesus truly is worthy of our praise and for the reasons assigned to him in the text in Revelation.

Worthy of praise is Christ our Redeemer,

Worthy of glory, honor and pow’r!

Worthy of all our souls adoration,

Worthy art Thou! Worthy art Thou!

Life up the voice in praise and devotion,

Saints of earth before Him should bow;

Angels in heaven worship Him saying,

Worthy art Thou! Worthy art Thou!

Lord, may we come before Thee with singing,

Filled with Thy spirit, wisdom and pow’r’

May we ascribe Thee glory and honor,

Worthy art Thou! Worthy art Thou!

Worthy of riches, blessings and honor,

Worthy of wisdom glory and pow’r!

Worthy of earth and heaven’s thanksgiving

Worthy art Thou! Worthy art Thou!

1. He has redeemed us. He redeemed us from the curse of the Law (Gal. 3:13). He has redeemed us from all iniquity (Tit. 2:14). He redeemed us, not with corruptible things like silver and gold, but with his precious blood (1 Pet. 1:18-19). Thayer defines the word agorazo which is translated “redeem” as follows: “Christ is said to have purchased his disciples i.e. made them, as it were, his private property…. He is said to have bought them for God … by shedding his blood” (8). When we think of our salvation being purchased by God the Son taking upon himself human flesh, sacrificing his life to the miserable death of Calvary, indeed we can exclaim that Jesus is “worthy of praise.”

2. He has redeemed men of every nation under heaven. Salvation is not limited to the Jews. Salvation is available to men of every race. The gospel was sent toevery creature of every nation under heaven (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). “Whosoever will” may participate in its salvation (Rev. 22:17).

3. He has made us to be a kings and priests. He has exalted those whom he has redeemed to reign with him and to have access to God with him. We have not been consigned to the lowest positions. We have been elevated to be kings and priests.

He is Worthy To Receive

The text tells us that Jesus is worthy to receive “power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” If he is worthy to receive these things, let us bring them to him. Let us bring our power, riches, strength, honor, glory and blessing to him. As we offer our worship each day, let us remember that Jesus is worthy of it.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 14, p. 2
July 18, 1996

By James W. Hester

Under this caption we shall attempt to plead the cause of righteousness and show what abortion really is. Abortion is an outgrowth of immorality, a blight on society, and an octopus of evils encompassing the earth. Abortion is the taking of human life  it is murder. An older dictionary defines an “abortionist” as one who practices the crime of producing abortion. Like-wise, the Hippocratic Oath that has governed the medical profession says in part, “I will give no deadly drug to any . . . and especially, I will not aid a woman to procure abortion” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 1971). This oath given to young doctors was honorable. They would not commit the crime of abortion. Now, however, some medical schools have dropped this part of the oath, replacing it with, “I will do nothing that is illegal.” Yes, it is sad that doctors would abandon such a noble oath to embrace barbarity.

This change followed the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision to overturn a Texas law, in Roe versus Wade, where they determined that abortion was not a crime. The Supreme Court, who are interpreters of the law under the Constitution of the U.S., usurped the work of Congress by assuming the role of lawmaker. 1.5 million babies have died yearly since doctors have had the protection of this law. The abortionist is no longer considered a criminal, yet people have gone to jail for as little as killing a rat. If abortion was a crime before 1973, then it is still a crime, a crime against God and the nation.

What the Abortion Controversy is About and Not About

It is not about choice, not about rights, and not about a mother having control over her body; it is about what is right and what is wrong. Those who believe in the woman’s right to choose do not know the difference. If they believe it is alright to kill an unborn baby, would they condone killing a three-month son or daughter? They talk about the welfare of the mother in connection with abortion. What a lie. There is nothing about abortion that brings welfare to a mother. To the contrary, it is devastating to both body and mind. Many have been coerced into abortion and made to believe it is a way out, a solution to the problem. It is, in fact, the beginning of sorrows that are well documented. Consider these few excerpts:

“I was told by Planned Parenthood that this little `blob of tissue’ would be as easily removed as a wart. I was never told that I would have nightmares about babies crying in the night. Neither was it explained previous to the abortion that I would experience severe depressions in which I would contemplate suicide” (Congressional Record on p.S.10651).

Further, numerous studies reveal that women who have had an abortion experience a high incidence of depression, stress, low self-esteem, suicidal feelings and substance abuse (Report on the Committee on the Operation of the Abortion Law, 321. Ottawa, 1977).

“After 5-10 years, 54 percent of mothers choosing abortion had night-mares and 96 percent felt they had taken a human life.”  from a study done by Anne Speckhard, University of Minnesota

Fetal Development

“By the end of the second week of pregnancy, there is a distinct embryo present. The fetus has a developing brain and a rudimentary heart. By the end of the third week of pregnancy, the fetus has the beginning of vertebrae, developing eyes and ears, a closed circulatory system (separate from the mother’s), a working heart, the beginnings of lungs, and budding limbs. By the end of the fourth week of pregnancy, the fetus has the beginnings of vertebrae, developing eyes and ears, a closed circulatory, a working heart, lungs, a developing nose, and a pancreas” (Gray’s Anatomy).

This is the beginning of a human being. Yet those who believe in the woman’s right to choose disregard the fact that after only nine weeks, unborn babies can feel pain; yet 48 percent of all abortions are done after this point (U.S. Department of Health and Hu-man Services).

Concerning a scientific point of view, Dr. Matthews-Roth of Harvard University says, “It is scientifically correct to say that individual human life begins at conception.” Addition-ally, from a respected source of information, “a new individual is created when the elements of a potent sperm merge with those of a fertile egg” (from an article on Pregnancy in the Encyclopedia Britannica, 15th ed., Vol. 14 968, 1974).

The Forming of an Infant is the Work of God

David tells us in Psalm 139:13-16: “Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb … I am fearfully and wonder-fully made . . . My frame was not hidden from thee . . . Thine eyes did see my unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, even thedays that were ordained for me. When as yet there was none of them.” God told Jeremiah “before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I ordained you” (1:5). But an an-gel told Zacharias that Elizabeth would bear a son that would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15). Now was the Holy Spirit to dwell in a lifeless being, or a living being? Verse 17 says “the babe leaped in the womb.” A lifeless being cannot leap. Matthew 1:18 declares that Mary was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was the child and he was alive. In Romans 9:11 Paul speaks of Jacob and Esau as the children being not yet born. Before birth, they were called “children.” As David reminds us: “It is He that made us and not we ourselves” (Psa. 100:3). For we are also his off-spring (Acts 17:28). Then we read the beautiful words of David in Psalm 127:3, “Lo children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is His reward.” Yet in open rebellion against our God and Father, this great truth is denied.

What Happens to Aborted Babies?

Unborn babies are alive, before and after birth. Thus, when the abortionist commits his crime of killing an unborn baby, the soul or spirit goes back to God, just the same as if he, or she, were of school age. Note what the Bible says:

There is a spirit within man … (Job 32:8);

The Lord God formed the spirit within man (Zech. 12:1);

God is the Father of our spirits (Heb. 12:9);

And James tells us that the body apart from the spirit is dead (James 2:26);

The soul (spirit) is the only thing that man cannot kill (Matt. 10:28);

And just as John saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus (Rev. 20:4), having been killed after they lived and walked on the earth.

The aborted infants are killed not having walked on the earth. So, the soul being the part of man that does not die, the murdered infants are alive forevermore, being in a blessed state with the Lord!

Abortion is the largest uncontrolled industry in our nation. Most of the clinics are run in chains because it is so profitable. They are funded by big industry, welfare, and Medicaid pro-grams and so forth.

Sincere thanks to the Oregon Citizen ‘s Alliance for their large packet on abortion and also to Frieda Vanover for her computer research on the Internet.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 13, p. 14-15
July 4, 1996

By Carlos M. Aguilar

Those that inhale, inject, drink, snort, or by whatever means they put chemicals into their bodies have become a tragedy, spinning uncontrollably towards death. Not only do drug users destroy their own lives, but the effect of their dependence stretches out to many people. It is to this lifestyle that many succumb everyday and cannot by themselves escape it. When one is serving God correctly his life must demonstrate the basic principles taught within his sacred writings. Matthew 7:14 instills within us the importance of faithful living knowing that the way unto heaven is a narrow and difficult one, and it is for this reason that a strong devotion and commitment to God is critical. The Apostle Peter begins his second epistle by referring to the brethren as “those who have obtained like precious faith” and have “escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Pet. 1:1-4).

All, of course, made possible “through His divine power” (2 Pet. 1:3). But Peter doesn’t stop there. In v. 5 he tells them to now do their part, God has already done his part, man’s participation is trivial compared to what God has done but nonetheless it is absolutely essential and he admonishes them to act with “all diligence” so that they might enjoy the blessing which the Father had made available to them. They were to demonstrate diligence by adding the following characteristics to their faith; virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. These are all characteristics which we must constantly build upon in order not to be lacking or short-sighted to the point of blindness (v. 9).

It is this blindness created by the world that forces many into a destructive lifestyle, a lifestyle which is nearly impossible to escape. One particular Christian grace which Peter mentions is self-control. Literally it means “one who holds himself in.” It denotes self government, discipline, the ability of one to control his own life. The drug user lacks this characteristic in his life. He would argue that he is in control, but take away his drugs and the effects of his dependence are evident. Withdrawal from narcotics will cause his muscles to ache, chills to occur, fevers, and stomach cramps; the dependence becomes very evident. Withdrawal illness from sedatives causes a high fever and convulsions, it also causes a condition in which the victim is shaky and sees and hears things that are not present. Too swift a withdrawal from sedatives can cause death. The addict would say, “. . . but, I’m in control.”

Many addicts spend so much time under the influence of drugs that they neglect their health, work, family, and friends. They find it difficult to keep a job or to handle family responsibilities. They fail to eat well and to maintain personal cleanliness. As a result, many addicts suffer from malnutrition. Addicts who inject drugs may get any number of diseases from an unsterile needle. For most addicts, the chief goal in life is obtaining more drugs. Since this addiction is costly and many cannot keep their jobs, they turn to crime to support their habit. Hollywood portrays the prostitute as glamorous and appealing, engaging in prostitution to maintain her lavish lifestyle. The truth is seen everyday on certain streets of just about every town. Tragic lives are sustained by an even more tragic lifestyle. It is the drug addict that must engage in prostitution, not to live in wealth, but to maintain her heroin dependence, to provide a rat infested roof over her and her family’s head.

Yes, a family! Yes, a husband! Yes, children! Not quite the glamorous life that is portrayed. But before I forget, let the addict respond, “. . . but, I’m in control.” Control? There is definitely control. This is the “corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Pet. 1:4). We are told in 2 Thessalonians 2 that the coming of the lawless one will be a direct result of Satan himself, “with all power, signs, and lying wonders and with all unrighteous deception” (vv. 9-10). For those who did not receive the love of the truth it will be particularly tempting, and God says that he “will send strong delusion, that they should believe the lie” (v. 11).1 John 5:3 says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments,” and Romans 1:18 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”

This is possibly one of the most dangerous conditions a man can enter into, to know the truth and not obey it. If one does this he will make his eternal condemnation sure. When one is in this condition he is ripe for the picking when sin enters the field. He is seeking to satisfy his lusts and desires and not that of God. Isaiah 66:3, 4 teaches the very principle discussed in 2 Thessalonians. All too often man thinks he is in control of his life. He gives himself credit for his accomplishments and does not acknowledge God. It is this man who sins and becomes ensnared by its deceitfulness. While it is true that any one who has sunk to the level of drug use has certainly “believed the lie” and has made every provision for sin to take a hold of his life, it is equally true of any sin, and the way of escape is also similarly found. The world has spent much effort in writing laws to make drug use and drug sales illegal, but it has not put an end to it. The only laws that will prevent and end it is the spiritual law found within God’s inspired word.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:29-30, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” What sinners’ heart cannot be touched by those words? What sinner has not spent many hours in sorrow not knowing how or what to do next? God has promised that he will make the way of escape from sin possible for us (1 Cor. 10:13). But it takes a willingness on the sinners part to acknowledge his sin, to humble himself before God and pray  pray for forgiveness and for help. We all are susceptible to sin, that is why Peter admonishes us in 2 Peter 1:10, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.”

The road back from drug dependence is not an easy one, it is one which will have to be traveled one day at time, one step at a time, one prayer at a time. It will mean letting Christ rule your heart and allowing him to be in control. The apostle Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” These are words for all of us to live by.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 13, p. 12-13
July 4, 1996

By Jeff Griess

Before we answer this question, we must first under-stand that some forms of dancing do not involve male and female interaction, and are not sinful (Exod. 15:20; 2 Sam. 6:14; Psa. 149:3; 150:4; Jer. 31:13; Ecc. 3:4); while others most certainly do involve sin (Matt. 14:1-12; Exod. 32:19). After reading the latter two references in which Herodias danced before Herod and his guests, and the children of Israel were involved in revelry around the golden calf, we should realize that there are several factors involved in dancing that contribute to making it ungodly. They are as follows:

The Emotional State of the People Involved

Dancing invokes emotions that are either sinful in nature, or sinful due to circumstances. These sinful emotions include lust and jealousy (envy), which can also include anger and even hatred. Passions such as these need to be subdued.

“Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11).

Adultery, fornication, divorce, pregnancy out of wedlock, and many acts of hatred and violence, including murder take place as a result of emotions stirred up on the dance floor. Even Christians can get caught up in these sins if they are not attentive to God’s word.

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15).

Paul has some good advice for someone who “is drawn away by his own desires.”

“. . . but if they cannot excercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion” (1 Cor. 7:9).

Men and women need to stop dancing in harmony with Satan’s rhythm, and start marching down the aisle to avoid sin. For those who cannot enter into a scriptural marriage, let them learn to live like the apostle Paul in dedication to the Lord and in abstinence from licentious acts such as dancing.

The Destructive Influence of Dancing

First, let’s talk about the important role of parents in teaching their children not to dance. Many Christian parents allow their children to attend dances. Most of them will not openly acknowledge that they do so, but I have seen the prom pictures hanging on their walls. Other parents will allow their teen-agers to attend as long as they don’t take part in the actual dancing. These parents are either afraid that their children will be considered social outcasts if they do not attend these events, or they do not comprehend the danger involved. We need to remind our-selves of who we are.

“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:13-14).

Brethren, dancing is a “lawless deed.” We need to teach our children to “purify” themselves, and to act like God’s “special people,” instead of teaching them to be conformed to this world (Rom. 12:2). It is even wrong for parents to allow their children to “just attend” a dance. Even if their child does not dance, he or she will still be exposed to the lust and the other elements that exist in and around the dance.

Even people who are not members of our Lord’s church recognize dancing for what it is.

William Prynne (1600-1669) wrote:

“Dancing is for the most part attended with many amorous smiles, wanton compliments, unchaste kisses, scurrilous songs and sonnets, effeminate music, lust-provoking attire, ridiculous love pranks, all of which savour only of sensuality, of raging fleshly lusts. There-fore it is wholly to be abandoned of all good Christians. Dancing serves no necessary use, no profitable, laud-able or pious end at all. It is used only from the inbred depravity, vanity, wantoness, incontinency, pride, profaneness or madness of men’s depraved natures. Therefore it must needs be unlawful unto Christians. The way to Heaven is too steep, too narrow for men to dance in and keep revel rout. No way is large or smooth enough for capering roisters, for jumping, skipping, dancing dames but that broad, beaten, pleasant road that leads to Hell. The gate of Heaven is too narrow for whole rounds, whole troupes of dancers to march in together. Histriomastix (1632)

Now, if men who were not Christians in the true sense, such as William Prynne, and who lived during a time when the dances were not half as lust provoking as they are today understood the dangers involved in dancing, just think about how people outside the Lord’s church must consider Christians who participate in the modern dances of our time.

What is the Christian’s Responsibility Concerning Sinful Activities?

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth, finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Eph. 5:8-11).

Paul said that we are to “expose” the “unfruitful works of darkness.” Let’s “expose” the “darkness” of dancing rather than trying to illuminate it.

Is the Dancing Environment Hazardous to a Christian’s Spiritual Health?

We have already revealed some of the lusts that are associated with the act of dancing itself; now let’s take a look at some other sinful elements that are usually present at a dance.

1. Revelry and Drunkenness (Rom. 13:13). Modern dances almost always include or incite revelry (carousing) and drunkenness. Revelry can include all types of disruptive, destructive, partying behavior. Even the music used in some dances can influence people’s behavior in a negetive way. Drunkenness can be brought about through the means of either alcohol or drugs. When people are under this type of influence they will do things that under normal circumstances they would not even consider. The end result of this behavior at the very least will result in a hangover, at the most it can result in death, both physical and spiritual (1 Cor. 6:9-10).

2. Immodest Clothing. What does a dance and a beach have in common? They are both places where people try to see how little clothing they can get away with wearing in a public place. Immodest dressing is not approved by God’s word (1 Tim. 2:9-10). Even men are expected to dress modestly (Exod. 28:42-43).

3.Filthiness/Foolish Talking/Coarse Jesting (Eph. 5:4). A dance can also be conducive to the same type of verbal activity as a shipyard full of drunken sailors. Foul language and dirty jokes go hand in hand with revelry and drunkenness, and Christians should not willingly subject themselves to this type of atmosphere.

What is Wrong With Dancing?

On the surface dancing may appear innocent to the naive, but even a non-Christian can explain what dancing is all about.

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

On dancing: “A perpendicular expression of a horizontal desire” quoted in the New Statesman, March 1962.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 13, p. 10-11
July 4, 1996