Truth Magazine

By Lewis Willis

One of the first lessons we learn from the Scriptures about the people of God is that they are to be different from the people who are in the world. The evidence is abundant that this is true. This distinctiveness is the demonstration that a change has been wrought in a person’s life.

 The Bible teaches us that one who is a Christian enjoys “newness of life.” When a person is raised from baptism, note what Paul said: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). Paul also wrote: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; be-hold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). Then, he said that from among the Jews and Gentiles, Christ made “one new man” (Eph. 2:15). Something about the life of a Christian is described by the Holy Spirit as “new.” It is that “newness” that makes the Christian different from those who are still in and of the world about us. Thus, it is imperative that Christians understand just what this difference is all about.

Peter taught, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy” (1 Pet. 2:9-10). Should we not reasonably expect that “the people of God” would be different from the “people of the Devil”? Paul said that Christians should “be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life” (Phil. 2:15-16). And, in that respect, we are taught a “new” conduct and relation to evil: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor. 6:17-18). Learning this lesson is the most difficult thing for new and old Christians.

We should be especially distinctive in our moral con-duct. Note the following Scriptures, and their emphasis on how we approach life and the evil things of the world. I shall list these passages without comment, for in reality, no comment is needed for those who desire to please God who saved us from the sins of the world.

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12); “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure” (1 Tim. 5:22); “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17); “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, accept-able unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:1-2); “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John. 15:19); “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you” (1 John. 3:13).

Obviously, there are numerous passages which teach this truth, so let us continue to note them: “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Tim. 2:19); “Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you” (1 Pet. 4:4); “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (Jas. 1:27); “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Tit. 2:11-12); and, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John. 2:15-17).

Now, I may be badly mistaken, but I believe that any and every child of God can understand these verses. We can easily see that a certain conduct is expected of us. We surely know that we are not at liberty to act the way we acted before we became Christians. It was that former way of life that brought us under the condemnation of God, and it was from that life that we sought deliverance when we obeyed the gospel. It is totally inappropriate that we should look back to that way of life, and engage ourselves in it again. If we do, we will surely bring ourselves again under condemnation. Peter taught that Christians have “escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Pet. 1:4), but he also said some will fall back into that way of life: “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the be-ginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire” (2 Pet. 2:20-22). Jesus said that those who will not maintain their distinctiveness “are not fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk. 9:62).

Thus, the message for us is the same as it was for Timothy, “that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). We must “put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Col. 3:10). Christ is the pattern  the image  which Christians try to duplicate in their lives (1 Pet. 2:21). He was certainly different than those of the world of his day. In like manner, so must we be different in our day. May God help us to be what we ought to be.

Guardian of Truth XL: 6 p. 6-7
March 21, 1996

By Andy Alexander

On Monday, November 6th, Marc Nations, Kenneth Steele, Jonathan Nations, Brad Soto, Byron Smith and myself traveled to Jamaica to preach the gospel. We landed in Montego Bay and traveled south across the island to the city of Savanna-La-Mar. Brother Errol Lawson met us at the airport and arranged for transportation. Brother Errol and his father J.S. Lawson work with the church in the Savanna-La-Mar area.

Brother J.S. Lawson owns and operates a small electrical business in Savanna-La-Mar. The church in Savanna-La-Mar meets in a small building behind the workshop of brother Lawson. Errol Lawson is working with a group in the Waterwheel area which is about ten miles East of Savanna-La-Mar and they are in the process of constructing a small meeting house. Several brethren were being transported from the Waterwheel vicinity to Savanna-La-Mar for each service. A congregation in that area will greatly help these brethren because of the transportation problem.

Several days prior to our arrival, Keith Burnett of Russellville, Kentucky and Clinton Douglas of South Bend, Indiana had already begun a two week meeting at the new location in Waterwheel. Services were held each evening in a temporary structure with open sides and a canvas top. The services lasted about two hours every night and many people from the area attended. Due to the method of trans-porting people to and from services, some of the members had about four hours a night invested in the meeting. The brethren did not seem to view this as any great hardship.

Transportation is one of the problems in Jamaica. The Lawsons are the only members of the church in the Savanna area that have automobiles. J.S. has a 1967 Chevy pickup and Errol drives a 1973 Ford Capri that is on its third motor. They also have a Mitsubishi pickup that was in the repair shop for our entire stay. The brethren come from several miles around the city and the Lawsons arrange for their travel each service.

The church now meeting in Savanna-La-Mar has about thirty to forty in attendance and the group meeting in Waterwheel has approximately twenty to twenty-five. Both churches are at peace and seem to be faithful in holding forth the gospel in their area. The Lawsons are a very stable family with an excellent reputation in and around the city. This has helped the Lord’s cause in that area and made our work among them much easier.

The people of Jamaica are very open to Bible study. Each day we paired up and went door to door inviting people to the gospel meeting that was in progress at the new location in Waterwheel. We told them something about the church and asked if they would be interested in a personal Bible study. Quite a few accepted the Jamaica Report invitation to study. During the two weeks we had approximately thirty-six studies.

Brother Burnett and brother Douglas also had a number of studies that are not included in those listed above. They concentrated their efforts in Savanna-La-Mar during the day, as they stayed with the Lawsons, and the six of us who came later concentrated our work in the Waterwheel region. There were four baptized into Christ during the two weeks and several were very close to obeying the gospel. The brethren will follow up on those and hopefully they, too, will be added to the Lord.

Most of the Jamaicans that we studied with had Bibles, knew how to read, and were interested in doing right. Possibly this attitude comes from the fact that the Bible is used as a textbook in the public school system. Most of our studies began on a front porch with one or two people but ended with several more listening in. Frequently young children would run get their Bibles and follow along in the studies. Perhaps one reason for the interest shown in Bible study was that televisions, radios, and video games were almost non-existent.

Our private studies lasted about sixty to ninety minutes and consisted of a lesson that began with the subject of sin  what sin is and who is guilty of sin. Then, we discussed the penalty of sin and the torments of hell. Also, brought into the lesson was the fact that many religious people will be lost (Matt. 7:21-23). Following this, we studied vain worship, the danger of perverting the gospel, and scriptural names for God’s people, individually and collectively (Mark 7:7; Gal. 1:6-9; Acts 11:26; Rom. 16:16). The organization, work, and worship of the church of Christ, and the gospel plan of salvation were the concluding topics of our studies. Error was contrasted at every point and the lessons were well received because the people saw and heard every point read from God’s word.

Brother Marc Nations developed this particular format and while there are other methods of conveying these same thoughts, these were particularly effective. At each study, one would conduct the study and the other would write down the Scriptures that were used with a few notes. These notes were left behind for the people to look over and study. On several occasions as we walked up and down the roads past houses we had visited, we noticed some reading and going over the handwritten sheet that was left behind. It seemed such an oddity for those of us there the first time that so many people were interested in spiritual matters.

Lessons

There are several lessons that were reinforced during our two week visit, as well as memories and experiences that will go with us for a lifetime. Some of the lessons that were impressed upon our minds are listed below.

 The gospel mightily defeats every false doctrine (2 Cor. 10:3-6). Repeatedly, we met people who had embraced various forms of false teaching and the gospel answered every single one. Adventists, Baptists, Methodists, Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, members of the Salvation Army, and others were met and all their questions were answered with Scripture and the false doctrine involved was exposed. It is easy to argue with the thoughts, ideas, and opinions of man, but when people see that the doctrine they have embraced is opposed by God, they usually change their attitude. Many would have to think about what they had learned, some said they were wrong and would have to think about their next step, and some obeyed the gospel. Only in a few cases did some seem to totally close their eyes to what was presented from God’s word.

 The Salvation Army is a false denomination. This was something that was known but further impressed upon our minds. The Salvation Army has established churches in Jamaica and propagates its false doctrine of salvation by faith only just like any other religious body. One may as well drop thirty cents in the collection plate of the Baptist Church as to drop it in the bell ringer’s red bucket at the store front.

 Christians in America are too busy. Most of us think we are too busy to squeeze a two week meeting with two hour services into our schedules. We have deceived ourselves into thinking that we have so many important things to do that attending such a meeting would be out of the question. Our television habit, hobbies, recreation, and diligent search for the dollar have most of us just too busy to do the Lord’s work. Jamaicans have far less of this world’s goods than we do, but they are going to carry the same thing out of this life that we do  nothing. All that will matter in the end is what have we done to prepare our souls for the Judgment (Matt. 16:26).

 There are still people who will respond to the gospel invitation. In the United States it almost seems impossible to have any success knocking on doors. Bible studies seem to be few and far between, but in Jamaica and other places around the world, more people are hungering and thirsting for the gospel. That is a refreshing feeling. I would encourage any gospel preacher or other interested Christian to travel to Jamaica and work with brethren in that area. They will be encouraged and you will be strengthened in innumerable ways.

 Repentance is needed all over the world. The message of God’s prophets of old was repentance (Isa. 55:6-7). The message of John the Baptist and Jesus was, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt. 3:2; 4:17). Our time is no different and the same message of repentance is still needed. Jamaica is no different from any place in the world. Sin is prevalent and the need to repent is urgent. Alcohol, drugs, and fornication are some of the sins that must be dealt with when the subject of repentance is brought up in the plan of salvation. It does no good to baptize someone who does not intend to give up the sin they are engaged in.

Some brethren have the mistaken idea that we should teach repentance but not go into detail about known specific sins in the lives of the people we teach. The idea is that these people can learn about their specific sins little by little and hopefully repent when they learn they have been continuing in their sins. This only complicates matters and makes for problems in the local church later when these sins come to light. People need to know what repentance is and what it means in their life before they can properly obey the command to repent. This is obvious from such passages as Acts 2 where the Apostles directly addressed prominent sins of which the people in the audience were guilty. Brethren approaching the people in Jamaica will readily recognize several sins that are very open and prominent such as fornication, drinking, and smoking marijuana. No extra insight is needed to know that these sins are being committed. Avoiding teaching on these particular sins can lead people to the false conclusion that baptism saves without turning from sins. As we discussed the plan of salvation in each Bible study, we made sure that they were aware of what repentance was and what it meant in their life. This was usually the point where they needed time to think. Obeying the Lord cost something and they could see that cost in their lives. We tried to emphasize with Scripture that heaven is well worth the earthly cost.

 A more zealous spirit to spread the gospel is needed at home. We arrived home after our two week trip with a more determined spirit to spread the gospel. It is encouraging to work two weeks with those of like precious faith in an area where the people desire to hear the gospel. It gave us some good experience in sharing the gospel on a daily basis both in personal teaching situations and meeting many people in such a short time from different religious backgrounds. The experience will never be forgotten and hopefully future trips can be planned and executed.

 The cost of the entire trip was surprisingly low. For two weeks stay in a local hotel, airfare, and food less than six hundred dollars was needed. All foreign trips can-not be done for this low amount, but travel to Jamaica and several other Caribbean islands is unusually inexpensive. Americans are generally well-accepted in Jamaica. No real problems were encountered. The water on the island is chlorinated and safe to drink. The hotels in the rural areas are adequate and food can be found that is not much different from what we eat in this country.

The trip was successful from a human point of view. God knows the spiritual success that has and will come from such a trip. I personally benefited and the others who traveled along for the first time seemed to be of the same mind. Marc has traveled to Jamaica on a number of different trips and was a great help to the rest of us who were there for the first time. He knows the country and the people of Jamaica and is well aware of the spiritual needs on the island. There were no gifts of any kind offered other than the gospel of Christ. Denominations and some members of the church make the mistake of giving material things away. As long as the free goods are flowing, people are interested, but when the gifts cease, the people lose interest. We offered the gospel of Jesus Christ, the free gift of God, to a lost and dying world and quite a few were interested and did study the Bible. Let us all continue to study and teach others the soul-saving gospel of Christ.

Guardian of Truth XL: 6 p. 4-6
March 21, 1996

By Mike Willis

Peace is one of life’s most precious possessions. Everyone wants it but not everyone has it or knows how to get it. Peace is not so much the absence of conflict as it is an inner state of the mind. A man can be at peace when all of the world around him is in shambles, as the reading of Paul’s prison epistles clearly demonstrate. Inasmuch as everyone has a quest for peace, let us see what the Bible tells us about how to attain it.

Peace Can Be Found By Obedience to the Lord’s Word

One of the blessings given to those who follow God’s word is “peace.” Consider the following precious promises from God’s word:

The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace (Psa. 29:11).

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace…: Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace (Psa. 37:11, 37).

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them”(Psa. 119:165).

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: be-cause he trusteth in thee (Isa. 26:3).

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever (Isa. 32:17).

For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee…. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace (Prov. 3:2, 17).

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6).

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith (Gal. 5:22).

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God (Gal. 6:16).

As we approach the subject of peace, we have the firm conviction that the greatest peace to be found in this life is found in obedience to the Lord’s word.

Peace Because All Is Right With God

One’s inner peace begins with the assurance that one is at peace with God. Eliphaz said, “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee” (Job 22:21). One attains his peach with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember these passages.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh (Eph. 2:14-17).

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) (Acts 10:36).

When one obeys the gospel, he is appealing for God to forgive him of his sins so that he can be at peace with God (see 1 Pet. 3:21). Having found that peace that comes from knowing that all is right with God, one can say like David, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psa. 4:8).

Peace Because All Is Right With Oneself

A person must learn to live at peace with himself before he will have much peace with others. The idea of contentment is related to inner peace. Paul wrote, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil. 4:11). Here is an inner peace that is not dependent upon outward circumstances.

A person can find inner contentment with the knowledge that he has a pure conscience. A person needs a good conscience to have inner peace (1 Tim. 1:5).

A person will find peace with himself only after he learns to be content with his wages (Luke 3:14). Solomon wrote, “He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live” (Prov. 15:27). The greedy will never find that inner contentment associated with peace. Paul taught men to be content with the necessities of life. He said, “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Tim. 6:8). The author of Hebrews added, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5). Much of our absence of peace is created by greed, covetousness, lack of trust in God’s providence, and other manifestations of a weak faith.

Much inner peace is lost because men have such high, unreasonable goals that they can never accomplish the goals they set before themselves. Interruptions interfere with their attaining their goals and create turmoil in their life. People  even those whom they love, such as the wife and children  are thrown aside in the quest to achieve unrealistic goals. One throws away his inner peace to sacrifice himself on the altar of his own ambitions.

Peace Because All Is Right With Those Around Us

The Bible exhorts men to live at peace with one’s fellowman.

Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it (1 Pet. 3:11).

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltiness, where with will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another (Mark 9:50).

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Rom. 14:17).

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another (Rom. 14:19).

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints (1 Cor. 14:33).

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful (Col. 3:15).

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves (1 Thess. 5:13).

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb. 12:14).

When we learn to identify the things that disturb the peace, we can work toward correcting it. Here are some things that disturb peace among brethren: offences (whether intended or unintended), sinful attitudes such as arrogance, condescension, bitterness, malice, hatred, strife, sedition, etc.

A person cannot always control the circumstances about him. However, he can find more peace by focusing on his own attitudes toward those circumstances. Here are some things one can do:

 Develop a sense of self-esteem that enables one to look at himself and know that he has done all that he can to promote and keep the peace. Not even Jesus was able to live at peace with all men. Remember that they crucified him! Paul wrote, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 12:18). One must not God. Eliphaz said, “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee” (Job 22:21). One attains his peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember these passages: allow his own inner peace to await the approval of every-one about him. It will never come.

 Be considerate of the feelings of others. Learn to be concerned, not only with what you want, but also with what others wish. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Phil. 2:3-4). Selfishness destroys peace.

 Be forebearing (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13).

 Go the second mile (Matt. 5:41).

 Pass over an infraction. “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression” (Prov. 19:11).

 Forgive those who sin against you (Matt. 6:12-15).

 Be obliging. Be ready to forego the use of your liberties for the sake of peace (see 1 Cor. 8:10-12). What is the joy of getting one’s way if it leads to confusion and trouble accompanies it?

 Avoid known sources of trouble. “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul” (Prov. 22:24-25).

Conclusion

When a person does these things, the Lord has promised to give him peace. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). Moses wrote, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (Num. 6:24-26).

(Some of the ideas for this article are taken from the lesson “Seek Peace and Pursue It” from Better Than Medicine by Leroy Brownlow.)

Guardian of Truth XL: 6 p. 2
March 21, 1996

By Randy Blackaby

As God and Scripture are rejected by an ever widening segment of our population so is the biblical concept that man is created in the image of God and filled with spirit and soul. The loss of such ancient truths has led to the gross trivialization of life and an undervaluing of this greatest of human assets.

Certainly this is reflected in our millions of abortion murders. But it also is seen in the killings perpetrated by anti-abortion zealots. Increasing suicide among teens, the popularity of entertainment that depicts savage and bloody killings, and the increasing approval given to so-called “mercy killings” all give evidence to a change in American thinking about the value of life.

This trivialization of human life is not new. It was and is a common part of pagan life. But it is new to a nation, such as ours, which originally was built on biblical principles. Our changing view of life is evidence of our own paganization.

Justified nearly every day by politicians, talk show hosts, collegians and sometimes “religious” leaders is the idea that life must be pleasant and enjoyable to be valuable. If a newborn will “burden” its parent(s) or have a chance of living a less-than-ideal existence, today’s pagans justify killing the infant in the womb. It would not have had a “quality life,” they say.

When mom and dad grow old, when granddad and grandma require more help than they produce, it is only sensible to put them out of their misery like we would Rover or Spot. At least that is the Dr. Jack Kevorkian view.

The role of suffering in human development is totally misunderstood. Patience in tribulation is a mystery unknown. Life is considered only from the selfish perspective of the immediate.

I wonder how Job would have fared had he lived in the last decade of the 20th Century. Would his three friends have come to comfort him or shoot him? Would Job have searched for the purpose and meaning of human suffering or would he have called Dr. Death?

If God offered his own Son to live a life of suffering and to ultimately die for our benefit, what does that say about the value God places on human life? Jesus himself said it best. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Perhaps we had better listen to what he had to say.

Guardian of Truth XL: 6 p. 3
March 21, 1996