Truth Magazine

By Dick Blackford

This is the question of the Ages. Try as one might, it is an inescapable question. Whether he phrases the question orally or not, every man makes a decision concerning what he will do with Jesus. All are confronted by it. We are told that Moses made a decision regarding Christ (Heb. 11:24-26). As it appears in the title of this article, the question was first phrased by Pontius Pilate when he faced a blood thirsty mob who demanded the crucifixion of Jesus. Though he thought he had avoided the question, he had not. And though he thought he was dealing with a temporary problem of the moment, it had eternal consequences. And so it is with everyone.

Perhaps you have heard sermons on this subject that show how some in the Bible answered this question. The answer of Judas was sell him (Matt. 26:14-16). The Jews’ answer was crucify him (Matt. 27:22, 23). Peter dealt with the question by denying him (Matt. 26:69-75). Some of his disciples decided to walk no more with him (Jn. 6:66). Felix thought he could postpone a decision, but that was a decision! Agrippa was almost persuaded, but too many things stood in his way. Pilate thought he could be neutral, but his balancing act showed which side he was on (Matt. 27:24-26). It amounted to a rejection of Jesus. “He that is not with me is against me” (Matt. 12:30). The 3000 who obeyed on Pentecost will be eternally in the presence of God, if they kept their commitment to Jesus.

One may find himself described by one or more of these, for they cover all the basic reasons why men reject the Christ. However, this article is not about Moses or Pilate. Nor is it about Judas, Peter, or others. It is about you. What will you (put your name in the blank) do with Jesus?

Why You Should Make A

Decision Of Complete Acceptance

1. Because Jesus Deserves It. At any moment Jesus could have called a halt to the process that was pushing him toward the cross. He didn’t have to become a man. His doing so benefited us, not him. His ministry was spent in a struggle with the opposition who did not recognize him for who he was and is. “He went about doing good …” (Acts 10:38). The people he tried most to help treated him horribly. Nevertheless, his love for you was stronger than the opposition of the whole world and he forged on to a terrible destiny.

2. Because of the Value of Your Soul. Here is some-thing on which Jesus and Satan agree. Your soul is valuable. Consider the price Jesus paid for it. Would he have done such a thing if he didn’t believe in your soul’s worth? It was “redeemed, not with corruptible things .. . but with precious blood . . . even the blood of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:18, 19). If you lose your soul, God’s grace will have been in vain. He taught that it has more value than the whole world (Matt. 16:26). Men handle their money and other valuables with caution and care, but seem to give no thought for the soul. He said, “Fear not him who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28). It is more valuable than your body or any member of it (Matt. 5:29, 30). Men often spend great sums to insure the body (2 Cor. 4:16; 5:1).

The devil also knows your soul’s value. The powers of hell are constantly laboring for its everlasting ruin (1 Pet. 5:8, 9). Your soul is in imminent peril of being lost. The loss of your soul is a total loss. It is a loss irreparable. It is an eternal loss. You only have one soul. If it is lost, all is lost. It is the greatest of all tragedies possible that can hap-pen to a human being. Who can deny the value of the soul?

3. Because of the Brevity Of Life. Life is short (Jas. 4: 14). You live in an emergency situation. It is urgent that you become a Christian now. With every tick of the clock and with every beat of your heart your time to obey the gospel is running out. Both of these will eventually happen. The clock will stop ticking. Your heart will stop beating. Whichever happens first, the other won’t matter (Heb. 9:27). There are others whom you want to see go to heaven. You only have this chance to teach and be an influence upon them.

4. Because of the Certainty of The Judgment. When you appear before the judge of the universe it will not be to go on trial. You are on trial now. The purpose of the judgment day is to pass sentence. God has told us everything we need to know about heaven and hell. He has told us everything we need to know about the consequences of sin and the blessings of righteousness. He has not kept it back as a surprise to spring on us at the day of judgment.

5. So You Will Have Hope And Happiness. How can anyone be genuinely happy without hope? Jesus is the only one to die and be raised, never to die again. Thus, he is the only one who can give us hope of doing the same. No one can enjoy genuine happiness unless he is a Christian. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for the righteous (Jn. 14:1-3). In the black days as well as the bright days; in the days of fasting as well as the days of feasting; the dreary days of winter as well as the sunny days of summer, you can have hope.

6. So You Can Avoid Eternal Torment. Hell is depicted in the Bible as a place of punishment, torment, and suffering. All three of these words imply consciousness. There is not a word in human language that expresses duration with-out end that is not applied to the future punishment of the wicked. You can weaken the word hell to its lowest possible level and it still remains a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

If You Deny Jesus

You will be denying infallible proof of who he is (Acts 1:3). You must explain away what he did (Jno. 21:25). You must explain the empty tomb, which the enemies could not explain. You must line up with the scribes and Pharisees who said he was possessed by Beelzebub, the prince of demons (Matt. 12:24). You must put yourself with the cowardly rulers (Jno.12:42). Jesus will be ashamed of you (Mk. 8:38). You will die in your sins (Jn. 8:24).

What Is Your Excuse?

We can often “justify” ourselves before our boss, our friends and our judges in courts of law today. But is your excuse for not becoming a Christian one that can endure the all-seeing eye of God? God is not a man that can be deceived.

If we could call all of the most intelligent men together (all who ever lived)  the Solomons, the Einsteins, the Werner Von Brauns  and have them spend one year together devising the very best excuse for not becoming a Christian, guess what would happen to that excuse upon the day of judgment. It will fall just as flat as the one you are using! There is no excuse (Rom. 1:20).

Conclusion

I used to say, “I wish I possessed the right words that would cause a person to obey the gospel.” I have quit saying that. If I have preached the pure gospel then I have said the right words! It doesn’t depend on my intelligence or ability. It depends on your heart. If the words of Christ and the apostles are not enough, then there is very little that the feeble and frail children of dust, such as I am, could to do persuade you.

If you have any intention of obeying the gospel, do it now! You have no guarantee this offer will be extended after you pillow your head tonight. What will you do with Jesus who is called Christ? What will your answer be?

Finally, I plead with you to find a quiet place by yourself and give solemn consideration to the words of the hymn writer, Will Thompson.

There’s a great day coming, A great day coming,

There’s a great day coming by and by;

When the saints and the sinners shall be parted right and left,

Are you ready for that day to come?

There’s a bright day coming, A bright day coming,

There’s a bright day coming by and by;

But its brightness shall only come to them that love

the Lord, Are you ready for that day to come?

There’s a sad day coming, A sad day coming,

There’s a sad day coming by and by;

When the sinner shall hear his doom, “Depart, I know ye not,”

Are you ready for that day to come?

Are you ready? Are you ready? Are you ready for the judgment day?

(Author’s Note: I want to express my appreciation to the brethren who agreed to participate with me in compiling the material for this special issue of Guardian Of Truth. I have read all of the articles and believe it will be useful in our efforts to carry out the Great Commission. We regret that the article by David West would not fit with this issue. It will be printed in the next issues of Guardian of Truth.)

Guardian of Truth XL: 1 p. 22-23
January 4, 1996

By Andy Alexander

The Lord said of the church at Sardis, “that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” (Rev. 2:1). Sardis had been alive spiritually, for the Lord told them to remember how they had received and heard, but now, although they had a reputation for being alive, they were dead. Obviously, the Christians at Sardis were not aware of their dire condition.

It is a sad fact that local churches die from time to time, but what causes a thriving, spiritually alive, local church to die? What are some of the signs that point to this happening? We want to notice some of the possible warning signs of death in this article in hopes of strengthening the church of our Lord. A congregation may have some of the signs mentioned, but not all. Whatever the case, if there is improvement that we can make in our personal lives and we make it, then this improvement will strengthen the local church of which we are members.

Signs of Approaching Death

These are outward signs that warn of the approaching death of a congregation. These signs would suggest a deeper spiritual problem, which if corrected, could save a congregation from death.

One sign that indicated the Hebrew brethren were drifting was that some were forsaking the assembly (Heb. 10:25). Our love for our brethren and the Lord will naturally grow cold if we cease to assemble regularly with them (Heb. 10:23-24). As the passage teaches, we are to be present to stir each other up unto love and good works. If we forsake the assembling of the saints, then we cannot be encouraged by them and they cannot be encouraged by us. In fact, we would be a discouragement to those who do faithfully assemble to worship God.

The figures on the attendance board can be an indicator of a serious problem. When gaps begin to appear between different services of the church, then we can know that a problem exists that needs attention.

Another warning sign closely associated with forsaking the assembly is if only very few are concerned about those who miss regularly. Concerned enough, that is, to call or visit and inquire as to the reason for their absence and rebuke if necessary (2 Tim. 4:2). A love for the Lord is waning in the life of those who forsake the assembly, but also in the life of their brethren who feel no compulsion to try to save their lost soul (Gal. 6:1; John 13:34-35).

The cares and pleasures of life are an ever present danger for the children of God (Luke 8:14). Satan has infiltrated many local churches via this avenue. He has been successful in convincing us that the pursuit of material goods and fun and games is more important than working diligently for the Lord in his vineyard (1 Cor. 3:9; John 9:4). This is not to say that material goods and recreation are sinful, but they can become such if we get our lives out of balance and begin to place more emphasis on these earthly treasures than on the kingdom of God.

How many Christians can find time to play softball, soccer, or golf two or three times a week, work overtime or take on a second job, but can barely work in enough time to assemble with saints? And when we do squeeze the services into our hectic schedules, our lessons are not done and our children are not prepared for class. If we find ourselves so busy or so tired that at-tending services is a burden and we are rarely, if ever, prepared when we do attend, then could we possibly be doing other things the Lord has commanded of us? Jesus commands us to read and meditate on his word, to visit the widows and orphans in their affliction, to teach our neighbors and our children the gospel, to encourage our brethren, to be hospitable, to restore those who have erred from the truth, and to care for our aged parents (1 Tim. 4:13-16; Jas. 1:27; Matt. 28:19-20; Eph. 6:4; Heb. 10:23-25; 1 Pet. 4:9; Jas. 5:19-20; 1 Tim. 5:16). This list is not exhaustive, but how many who have difficulty attending because of the cares and pleasures of life are actively carrying out any of these commands? “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3). No, God’s commandments are not grievous, they just get in the way of secular things we would rather be doing.

Another sign of approaching death can be seen in our close associates. Jesus associated with sinners with one goal in mind  saving their souls (Matt. 9:10-12). His closest friends and those he associated with on a regular basis were his disciples (Matt. 12:46-50; John 11:1-5; 15:14). Our close friends may be good, moral people in the eyes of the world, but do they strengthen us in Christ? Do we open our mouth and try to teach them the truth as Jesus did when he encountered those in the world? If we are actively trying to teach them the truth, one of two things will likely occur: they will either obey the gospel or begin to shun us. This is a natural consequence of teaching the gospel; either people obey Christ or they reject him (Matt. 12:30). Those who reject him usually feel condemned by those who accept him, and they generally do not want to keep company with those they feel condemned by.

How does this relate to our topic about a dying church? If we find ourselves readily accepted by those in the world, maybe we are not actively trying to reach them with the gospel. And, just maybe, they are pulling us away from those we ought to be associating with  our brethren. The more we are separated from our brethren, the more likely our love for them will grow cold.

We are commanded to exhort one another daily according to Hebrews 3:13. Yet, the only time we see our brethren is three times a week at most and that for only a few brief minutes after services, then how can we do much exhorting. It is a serious problem and needs more than a Band-Aid to repair it when most members of a congregation would rather be with worldly people instead of their brethren.

Another sign of approaching death is when the church produces more coaches, fishermen, hunters, ball players, shoppers, and such like than Bible class teachers, elders, preachers, and godly women. The Hebrew brethren were rebuked for their lack of growth in this area (Heb. 5:12-14). There had been sufficient time for them to have matured in Christ to the point where they could be teachers, but instead, they were in need of someone teaching them the first principles of the oracles of God.

Is it becoming more difficult to find among our own members those who will put forth the time and effort necessary to work up a sermon or teach a Bible class for a quarter? Are teachers coming to class prepared? Are we challenging our class or the congregation? Does our class invite discussion and comments, or snores and dreams?

When we have members who are capable of teaching in the local schools or willing to coach just about any recreational activity, then ability to teach is not the problem. A knowledge of the subject may be lacking, but that can be remedied with a regular study period each day. The problem is willingness. Some are willing to study and teach secular subjects for money. Others are willing to learn about and teach recreational activities because their children are involved, and they believe that wholesome recreation is a must for a child to grow up normal in the twentieth century. Granted, there is nothing wrong with some wholesome recreation, but do our children witness us placing more emphasis on earthly exercise than godly exercise?

There seems to be no shortage of coaches, school teachers, and recreational directors, but there does seem to be a dearth when it comes to Bible class teachers, elders, preachers, and godly mothers who work at home. Do we have to be lying on our death bed before we recognize the importance of learning, obeying, and teaching God’s word to the next generation?

A lack of discipline will cause a congregation to weaken and be susceptible to death. The church of Christ in Corinth was admonished to withdraw from an erring brother in order to save his soul. An additional reason for purging out the wicked from among them was “that a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Cor. 5:6). When there is no enforcement of the law, sin will spread. For example, if some young people are permitted to dress immodestly, others will ultimately follow their example. When the first group is not disciplined for their sinful actions, then the second group will usually be allowed their indiscretions and generations to come will likely follow these bad examples. When one group’s sins are not addressed as they should be, then another group with different sins will be strengthened to continue in their evil ways.

In Kentucky the speed limit is rarely enforced. The result: nearly everyone speeds. Likewise, if God’s laws are not enforced, then sin will be the result and “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). We need to see God’s law will eventually be enforced (John 5:28-29). Many are not disciplined in local congregations because some are afraid that discipline will bring trouble, or that the one who needs to be disciplined is a family member. Discipline will strengthen the local church and love for our erring family members ought to cause us to want to do all we can to bring about their salvation. Besides, our failure to discipline is disobedience to God (2 Cor. 2:9).

Another sign of spiritual illness is when a local church begins to take in sinful members from other congregations. Problems are welcomed into the local body that may not show up for several years. If one congregation takes in leaven that has been purged from another congregation, the leavening process will continue wherever the leaven is allowed to do its evil work. Leaven imported from another congregation will destroy a church just as fast as the home-grown variety.

A congregation is also in danger of death when it de-sires weak, watered-down preaching and the preacher fulfills their desire. Timothy was taught to stand firm and “preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; re-prove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching” (2 Tim. 4 :2). Paul warns us that some will not want sound doctrine, but the evangelist is to preach to please God and not men (2 Tim. 4:3-4; 1 Thess. 2:4).

Preaching like Jesus, Peter, Stephen, and Paul will be offensive to some in the church today, but God will be pleased and honest hearts will respond to God’s call (Matt. 5:8; Lk. 8:15). Sermons that exposed error and pointed the way to salvation caused the first century church to be persecuted, but it also brought on unprecedented growth (Eph. 5:11; Acts 19:1-20). God’s word is just as powerful today, and if we would wield the sword God has given us as the first century Christians wielded it, then perhaps we would see similar results (Rom. 1:16; Eph. 6:17).

Conclusion

This list of warning signs is not exhaustive. Hopefully, we will examine ourselves and make correction where correction is needed (2 Cor. 13:5). No congregation has to die, but die it will if its members drift through life and never make any self-examination and correction. James warns about those who look into God’s mirror, the Word, and see flaws, but do not make the needed correction (Jas. 1:23-24). Let us be wise hearers of the Word and strengthen the church of our Lord. “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

Guardian of Truth XL: 2 p. 6-7
January 18, 1996

By Irvin Himmel

All who obey the gospel are blessed by the grace of God. It is the grace of God that brings salvation (Tit. 2:11). We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8, 9). To re-pent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins is to respond to the grace of God.

Paul and the other apostles were ambassadors or good-will messengers to show people how to be reconciled to God. Their entreaty was, “We pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20).

“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor. 6:1). Paul and his fellow-workers were cooperating with God by declaring the word of his grace, the word of reconciliation. Paul pleaded with others “that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.”

There are several ways in which reception of the grace of God may be in vain or to no useful purpose.

1. By turning to a different gospel. After being called into the grace of Christ, the Galatians were quickly re-moving to “another gospel,” a perversion of the gospel of Christ (Gal. 1:6, 7). Paul’s assessment of their situation was this: “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain” (Gal. 4:11).

2. By failure to bear fruit. A fruit tree is expected to produce fruit. “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire” (Matt. 7:19). The Christian who fails to be fruitful is barren. Jesus said, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:8). Read Galatians 5:22, 23 to learn more about the fruit of the Spirit.

3. By permitting God’s word to be choked. In the par-able of the sower and the soils, the seed falling among thorns illustrates one who hears God’s word, but “the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful” (Mk. 4:18,19).

4. By turning back to worldly pollutions. Some who have escaped the pollutions of the world are again en-tangled therein and overcome. Peter compares such per-sons to a sow that was washed and returns to wallowing in the mire (2 Pet. 2:20-22). One’s receiving God’s grace is indeed in vain if he goes back to his old vile way of life.

5. By losing faith. The Israelites were delivered from Egypt by the grace of God. Most of them perished in the wilderness. Why could they not enter the promised land? Because of unbelief (Heb. 3:19). In this there is a lesson for Christians. “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Heb. 3:12).

6. By beginning in the Spirit and ending in the flesh. Paul asked the Galatians, “Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:3). The apostle was determined to keep his body in subjection, not allowing the flesh to become the master, lest he be rejected (1 Cor. 9:27).

Many people who have received the grace of God have nullified the effect of that grace in such ways as these listed above. Now is the day of salvation! Now is the time to give earnest heed to our calling and our election (2 Pet. 1:5-10).

Guardian of Truth XL: 2 p. 13
January 18, 1996

By John White

(Reproduced from Good News published by Timberland Dr. Church of Christ)

As I reread the account of Israel’s wanderings in the wilderness, I was impressed again with how fiercely God responded to grumbling. Paul too, warns Christians to learn a lesson from the wrath that fell on Israelites who grumbled: “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer” (1 Cor. 10:10). Why such strong condemnation?

Grumbling denies God’s ability to provide. Pressed against the shore of the Red Sea with the Egyptians closing in, many Israelites grumbled against Moses. Forgetting what they had witnessed of God’s power against Pharaoh, they lost their courage and lashed out at the most convenient target.

Grumbling may be an attempt to intimidate. In Exodus 16, the Israelites grumbled, pressing Moses to return them to Egypt rather than proceed into the wilderness.

Grumblers debilitate God’s leaders. In Number 11, the Israelites pushed Moses to the point that he wanted God to take his life. Many church members view grumbling as normal church behavior. There is a need to point out the harm grumbling may inflict upon individuals and upon the church.

Complaining replaces prayer. Prayer, not grumbling, is the way God intends to change things.

Grumblers earn a bad reputation. In a church that values community, agitators will find themselves ostracized.

Grumbling seduces people away from Jesus’ model for handling conflict. An issue that could be put to rest quickly through one-on-one conversation (as Jesus taught in Matt. 18:15-17) can be kept alive indefinitely by grumblers.

Grumbling weakens a congregation’s confidence in its leaders. While grumbling too often comes naturally to us, it is unhealthy to believe negative, unfounded reports about others  to presume guilt rather than innocence. Healthy churches, like emotionally healthy individuals, will assume the best rather than the worst.

Guardian of Truth XL: 2 p. 9
January 18, 1996