Truth Magazine

By Lewis Willis

That seems to be a good question. I know what people in the world frequently think of us. They think we are “just another denomination” among the many others that are there. Some think us to be extremely radical be-cause we stand for what the Bible teaches. We would expect such from people who neither know nor respect the Divine Revelation.

No matter what the world might think, the important thing is, what do we think. Who are we? What are we? Do we have a clear view of who we are? I am convinced that we will never succeed in the view of God, either individually or congregationally, until and unless we understand who we are. Thus, let’s study together on this important theme. I will list some things the Scriptures say we are.

We Are Disciples of Christ

The word translated disciple, mathetes, is a word that literally means “a learner” (Vine, 316). Jesus invites us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matt. 11:28-29). Because we are to learn of him, Jesus commanded the apostles to go forth teaching all nations (Matt. 28:19). We are taught so that we can learn and be disciples of Christ. Unless we realize that we are disciples or learners, we will not take the time to study or put ourselves in a place and position to learn  as in Bible classes, worship, gospel meetings, etc.

We Are Servants of Christ

Paul called himself “a servant of Jesus Christ,” whom God had separated for the work of preaching the gospel (Rom. 1:1). Paul was a servant because he had a work to do. Obviously, servants are to serve or work. All Christians are to serve (Gal. 5:13). We have a work to do: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). Who are we? We are servants who do the work of the Lord. If we are not doing that work, how could we think we are acceptable as servants?

We Are Soldiers of Christ

Here is the evidence, “Thou there-fore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:3). Also, Paul charged Timothy, “. . . that thou by them mightest war a good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18). He told him to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12). To the Ephesians he said that this was a spiritual battle (Eph. 6:12). To Corinth, Paul said “. . . we do not war after the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal . . .” (2 Cor. 10:3-4). We are soldiers of the Cross. We are peace-makers with everyone except Satan and sin. With them, we are in a war!

We Are Saints

The word translated saint, hagios, “fundamentally signifies separated …, and hence, in Scripture in its moral and spiritual significance, separated from sin and therefore consecrated to God, sacred” (Vine, 226). The word is also translated “holy.” Now what does all of this mean? It means that in “character” we are saints, that is, we are separated from sin and consecrated to God. We are holy. Twice Paul says that Christians are “called to be saints” (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2). Again, what does this mean? If we have problems fitting the things of God into our lives, we have not yet recognized what it means to be a saint. Being separated unto God, his demands on us take priority over all other demands. How can we live as saints without understanding this? Let each of us examine himself.

We Are God’s Children

I particularly like the statement of Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:18. He said when we separate ourselves from the world (by obeying the Gospel) that God will be our father, and we will be sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. Also, Paul said the Holy Spirit (through the Divine Revelation) bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Rom. 8:16). In every thought, word and deed, Christians are to demonstrate that they are God’s children. What a blessing! What a responsibility!

We Are Brethren to Each Other

When Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees who wanted special treatment and titles, He said, “. . . all ye are brethren” (Matt. 23:8). Throughout the New Testament, reference is made to “brethren” (Rom. 12:1; 1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Cor. 8:1; Gal. 1:2; Phil. 3:1). There is no place for the elevation of one of us over the other. None of us is deserving of titles which make us more important than others. We are all brothers and sisters in the great family of God  equally blessed.

We are Christians

Let me again define the word. The word for Christian, christianos, signifies “an adherent of Jesus.” Webster says an “adherent” is a follower. So a Christian is a follower of Jesus. The word is used three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16). Peter said that Christ left us an example, “that ye should follow His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). Christ is not to follow us, we are to follow him. We should each look at our lives, as we try to figure out who we are, and determine if we are indeed following Christ.

We Are Heirs of God

This simply says that we are a people living in the hope of being with God after awhile. God’s children are his heirs (Rom. 8:17). Note how Pe-ter refers to the Christian’s estate: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Pet. 1:3-5). Paul says we are saved by this hope (Rom. 8:24). He also says that faithful Christians will receive their inheritance because God does not lie (Tit. 1:2). We are a people waiting to receive the inheritance of eternal life in heaven which God has promised to his children who live as he appoints.

We Are Pilgrims on the Earth

Note that Peter says, “Dearly be-loved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11). As “strangers and pilgrims,” we are only here a brief time (James 4:13-14; Job 14:1). Sometimes we put our “roots” down too deeply in this world. We act as though this world is all there is. Christians know that we are only visiting here; we are actually on a journey to heaven.

In conclusion, I pointed out that we will never live as we should until we know who we are. These things we have looked at summarize who the Christian is. Does your life resemble the kind of life described in this article? If not, hasten to make it conform to the will of God.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 18, p. 16-17
September 19, 1996

By Connie W. Adams

The Corinthian church had many faults to overcome, not the least of which was the tendency to exalt human wisdom above divine simplicity. The simple gospel was foolishness unto the Greeks (1 Cor. 1:23). Apparently, some in the church in Corinth sought a synthesis between the gospel and Greek philosophy. In that number were some who were “puffed up” with human wisdom and who looked with disdain upon Paul and the other apostles. In a passage filled with irony, Paul checks this notion. He said:

For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, be ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; and labor, working with our hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things unto this day (1 Cor. 4:9-13).

As gladiators sent into the arena to be slain and devoured by wild beasts as a spectacle to those in the stands, even so, the apostles were looked upon as a curiosity to the world and their debasement provided amusement for the worldly wise. They were counted as filth washed from the body, unworthy of the slightest respect. Paul and his companions suffered such indignity for the sake of the Corinthians and others they taught in order to enhance their spiritual state. It was through the labor of such a despised one that they had received the gospel. “For in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel” (4:15).

The world still considers those who live by the principles of the gospel to be “fools.” Let some high ranking official state a religious conviction and watch the secular press go into orbit. A recent instance of this was found in a speech made on April 9, 1996 by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia before the Mississippi College School of Law. He said, “Devout Christians are destined to be regarded as fools in modern society … We are fools for Christ’s sake . . .We must pray for courage to endure the scorn of the sophisticated world . . . Surely those who adhere to all or most of these traditional Christian beliefs are to be regarded as simple-minded.” Some of his remarks were draped in sarcasm aimed directly at those worldly sophisticates who deprecate the principles and values which believers in Christ hold dear.

That was enough to start a firestorm. Richard Cohen of the Washington Post wrote: “I think this Supreme Court justice is a cheap shot artist.” He characterized Scalia’s remarks as “foolishness,” said they were “jarring” and suggested that the judge was not suited to sit in on any case involving the separation of church and state. Jamin B. Raskin, professor of constitutional law at American University in Washington, D.C. said Scalia “stepped over the line of what is proper . . . we expect Supreme Court justices to be the most secular of our public servants.”

You would think that expressions of faith were new to this justice of the court or to other leaders in our nation. Not so. The first chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court was John Jay who was also governor of New York at one time. In 1816 he said, “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers” (Johnston, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Vol. 4, p. 393). As late as 1952, justice William O. Douglas wrote: “We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being” (Case of Zorach vs. Clauson). One of the more liberal judges we have ever had was chief justice Earl Warren. Yet, in a speech in 1954 which was reported in Time magazine, he said:

I believe no one can read the history of our country without realizing that the Good Book and the spirit of the Savior have from the beginning been our guiding geniuses … whether we look to the first Charter of Virginia . . . or to the Charter of New England . . . or to the Charter of Massachusetts Bay . . . or to the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut . . . the same objective is present … a Christian land governed by Christian principles. I believe the entire Bill of Rights came into being because of the knowledge our forefathers had of the Bible and their belief in it: freedom of belief, of expression, of assembly, of petition, the dignity of the individual, the sanctity of the home, equal justice under law, and the reservation of powers to the people . . . I like to believe we are living today in the spirit of the Christian religion. I like also to believe that as long as we do so, no great harm can come to our country (“Breakfast in Washington,” Time, February 14, 1954, p. 49).

We could multiply quotes from George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Ronald Reagan all of whom made public their views concerning the need for adherence to the principles of the Bible and a conviction that there is a divine Providence that guides the destiny of nations. Are we to write them all off as “fools”?

The most despised and scorned people in our land today, the most maligned and misrepresented are those who stand up for Bible principles whether in matters of morals or doctrine. Movies and television shows habitually depict religious figures who represent any aspect of so-called Christianity as hypocritical, wimps, or simpletons. Academia is notorious for heaping scorn upon Bible believers. The press has an obvious bias against Bible believers. They are unable to completely disguise their disdain. Watch for buzz words or phrases which are dead give-ways. “Fire and brimstone fundamentalists” or “Biblical literalists” or “rightwing radical fundamentalists.”

Even in conflicts among brethren which involve a liberal vs. conservative stance, those who insist on adherence to what the Bible teaches are described as “legalists,” “antis,” “theological backwaters.” In the nineteenth century conflict over instrumental music and missionary societies, David Lipscomb was caricatured as an old woman trying to sweep back the ocean with a broom. He was “non-progressive.” It is not popular to be a faithful Christian. Even among those who profess to follow the Lord, scorn is heaped upon those who are outspoken about what all of us used to consider plain, everyday godly character. Preach on modesty and make it plain enough to be clearly understood and you will soon learn what I mean. Speak on women’s role in either the church or the home and be prepared to either take it on the chin or duck! Preach forceful and clear sermons on fundamental truths that draw a line between denominational error and the will of God and then brace yourself. Warn of dangers and trends among us and then be prepared.

Well, brethren, with Paul, if the world, or the brethren, think us “beside ourselves” or consider us “a spectacle” fit only for sport and destruction, then we will just have to be “fools for Christ’s sake.” Are you willing to pay the price?

(Thanks to the June, 1996 issue of Focus On The Family newsletter by James Dobson for quotes and documentation from justices and presidents.)

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 19, p. 3-4
October 3, 1996

By Jarrod Jacobs

As we know, the Centennial Olympic Games were played in Atlanta, Georgia. As I watched these fine athletes compete in their respective events, I could not help but think of their drive and determination that got them there. You see, one does not simply “show up” and compete in the Olympics! Each Olympian had trained for many years and had sacrificed family and social life to get a chance to compete with the world’s best athletes.

As noble as their drive and de-termination for the gold medal was, my thoughts turn to the spiritual “competition” that all Christians must endure. The Bible compares our living for Christ to a “race” (Heb. 12:1; 2 Tim. 4:7). It also compares our living for Christ as “a fight” (1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Tim. 4:7). I wonder if we truly can appreciate what this means. If we did, why do we not have more Christians who are “in shape” spiritually? Why do we have to constantly remind fellow Christians to be faithful to God? The Bible says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). Is this our goal?

Each Olympian in Atlanta had trained and had been working very hard to reach the gold medal. How great it must be to feel that gold around the neck, and know that this was the end result of hard work and determination for those many years. When thinking of spiritual matters, how great it will be someday to know that the hard work and determination we put forth in this life has been worth it all. I would suggest to you that the reward we receive as Christians will be far greater than a room full of gold medals! Paul teaches, “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation” (1 Cor. 9:25; 1 Tim. 4:7-9).

How much greater our heavenly reward will be than that which the Olympians received. However, we must remember that we must train our bodies and minds to be in sub-mission to God (1 Cor. 9:27; Rom. 12:1-2). Paul said, “if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully” (2 Tim. 2:5). In other words, we have a standard, or rule, that we must follow just as the Olympians do. Our standard is the Bible. It is inspired of God, and reveals all we need to know to get to heaven (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3; Phil. 2:12).

Are you in shape, spiritually? Are you looking, training, and striving “for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10)? Paul said, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). When your life is nearing its end, will you only have memories to give you comfort, or will you have hopes to give you comfort? What is your goal in life? Is it for the gold medal, or the streets of gold?

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 19, p. 1
October 3, 1996

By Mike Willis

The Law of Moses demanded that the children of Israel have a year of Jubilee every 50 years. The instructions for how this year was to be observed are revealed in Leviticus 25. Among other things, the Law required that all debts be canceled and that all property revert to the families to whom it was parceled out when Israel conquered the land of Canaan. There are many good things that could be said about the concept of a year of Jubilee: (a) It prevented too large a concentration of wealth into the hands of a few; (b) It gave poor people something to hope for and an opportunity for a fresh start; etc.

However, one verse in this context draws our attention. In explaining why a person’s inherited property could not be sold forever, but could only be sold for the period until the next year of Jubilee, the Lord said, “The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land” (Lev. 25:23-24).

Notice what the Lord said in these verses: (a) The land is mine; (b) You are strangers and sojourners. I suspect that we need to be reminded of these two truths.

The Land Is Mine

Sometimes we act as if we own our possessions. The truth is that we are granted the opportunity to use them for a brief span of time. After we are gone, the land will continue and someone else will have the use of it for a span of time. The land continues; men come and go.

In some countries in a previous time, a person took on the name of the estate on which he lived because the land would continue, but he would soon pass from this earth.

Even during the time that we have use of land, we need to remember that it belongs to the Lord.

You Are Strangers and Sojourners With Me

We are just guests on the Lord’s property. A stranger or sojourner was someone who was not a citizen of a given country but was an alien living in another land. We are like military personnel who are stationed in such far away countries as Japan, Bosnia, Germany, and other places. They do not apply for citizenship in the land where they are stationed. Generally, they do not learn its language or its customs because they know that they will be there for a short time.

Christians are to accept their life on earth as a pilgrimage and sojourney. Peter wrote, “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear” (1 Pet. 1:17).

The writer of Hebrews wrote, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (11:13-16).

One of our songs says, “Here we are but straying pilgrims; Here our path is often dim; But to cheer us on our journey, Still we sing this way-side hymn: Yonder over the rolling river, Where the shining mansions rise, Soon will be our home forever, And the smile of the blessed Giver Glad-dens all our longing eyes” (“Here We Are But Straying Pilgrims”).

Do your view your life as a pilgrimage and sojourney?

Our Jubilee

The Old Law has passed away but we still look for “heaven’s jubilee” when our redemption comes. The years of our pilgrimage will end and we will be taken away to our eternal home, Even as the poor Jewish man looked forward to the year of Jubilee when all of his debts would be canceled and he would be reinstated to his inheritance, so also we who are Christians look forward to our year of Jubilee. Our debt of sin is canceled and we will be given our eternal home.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 19, p. 2
October 3, 1996