Truth Magazine

By Donnie V. Rader

The writers of the Bible used the picture of right paths and by-paths to describe those who follow God’s way and those who depart. For example, Jeremiah said, “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it…” (Jer. 6:16). If we are not on the right path we are on the wrong paths. The Proverb writer spoke of those who “leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness” (Prov. 2:13).

Whether we are following some path through the woods or the inter-state highways, consciously or subconsciously, we will ask ourselves “Where are we headed?” In the course of any trip we ask ourselves some basic questions.

Let’s suppose that we are traveling from Birmingham, AL to Indianapolis, IN. (1) First, we get an atlas to see which road we need to be on. The map shows that we need to be on I-65 all the way. (2) After traveling a while we ask ourselves where we have been. Did we even get on the right road in Birmingham? It could be that we got on I-20 going toward Atlanta. As we reflect on where we have been, we remember seeing signs about Cullman and Athens, AL and Nashville, TN. We are assured we have been on the right path. (3) The next obvious question is, where are we now? Just because we have been on the right road doesn’t mean that we are still there. Someone in the car with us tells us that the last sign read “Jackson, TN this exit.” Wait a minute! Jackson, TN is on I-40. That’s not even close to I-65. (4) Now, we ask where are we headed if we continue on the same road? Following I- 40 will take us to Memphis then to Little Rock and on into Oklahoma. That puts us further and further away from where the map shows that we need to be.

These are the same four questions that we need to ask ourselves as we, the people of God, endeavor to serve him in our journey toward heaven. We must ask: (1) Where should we be in our attitude and approach to the word of God? (2) Where have we been? (3) Where are we now? and (4) Where are we headed if we continue on the present path?

It is imperative that we, the people of God, ask where we (as individuals and churches) are headed. I have be-come concerned in recent years about the attitude I have seen developing among God’s own people toward the word of God. I see an attitude that suggests that we are losing respect for the authority of God’s word. I do not consider myself as a pessimist that “blows a fuse” over ever disagreement and issue, thus making it a bigger matter than it really is. But, neither do

I consider myself as a blind optimist who ignores real indications of danger on the horizon. We must face reality and consider the problems that brethren are facing.

In this series of articles we are going to focus on our attitude toward the word of God. As you will see, that is the heart and core of all the problems we face.

Where We Ought To Be Let’s consider what our attitude toward the word of God should be.

1. The word of God is our authority. Our view of the Bible should be that it is the word of God. When Paul preached in Thessalonica his message was received, not as the word of men, but as the word of God (1 Thess. 2:13). We must recognized that the Bible is the inspired book of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). That is, the words of the Bible were given by the breath of God. That is the idea of inspiration. Even the words used by the writers of the New Testament were chosen by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13).

The word is absolute and unchanging. It does not need to be updated to fit modem man. Its principles cannot be altered by man’s advanced learning. What was true when it was written, is true when we read it. Peter said that the word lives and abides forever (1 Pet. 1:25).

2. We must respect the word. When Moses revealed the old covenant to the children of Israel, he told them how they should respect the law. “. . .these words . . . shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deut. 6:6-9). We too show respect for the law of Christ by how well we teach it to our children, how well we take it into our hearts and how we meditate on it day and night.

We must stand in awe of the word as the Psalmist did (Psa. 119:161). David also said, “Rivers of water run down from my eyes, Because men do not keep Your law” (Psa. 119:136). Yes, we ought to be bothered and disturbed when men depart from the pattern of God’s word. James P. Miller used to tell a story about his grandmother being present in an assembly when a piano was rolled down the aisle and used for worship. When she saw what they were doing, she went outside and sat on a stump and cried like a baby. Oh, how we ought to be moved by the departures that we are seeing.

3. We must be submissive to the word of God. Our attitude should be that as expressed by Josiah, “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found . . . to do according to all that is written concerning us” (2 Kings 22:13).

The church is to be “subject” (a military term meaning to line up under the authority of a superior) unto Christ in everything (Eph. 5:24).W e must abide within the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9). Our lives must be in harmony with the gospel of Christ (Phil. 1:27).

It is one thing to claim to believe the word of God; it is another to endeavor to obey it.

4. We must recognize that the word of God is strict and there is no room for compromise. The word draws a line between right and wrong and between truth and error. The word is not an elastic band that can be stretched to encompass anything we want it to.

We like Balaam must say, “I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more” and “I have received a command to . . . and I cannot reverse it” (Num. 22:18; 23:20).

The story of Uzzah and the ark well emphasizes that God means what he says (2 Sam. 6:3-7). His word is strict.

Thus, we have no room to make compromises with those who have little or no respect for the word.

5. We must have some conviction. We need to be people of conviction. We should be devoted to the cause of Christ. Paul urged the Corinthians to “be stedfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

God’s people must be willing to take a stand for what they believe, teach and practice. We must point to what is “written” for our faith and practice (2 Cor. 4:13). Our constant aim should be to be pleasing to the Lord (2 Cor. 5:9). We should live in view of the Lord’s return (2 Pet. 3:11-14).

In the next article will look at where we have been.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 10 p. 1
May 18, 1995

By Jarrod Jacobs

Could my worship keep me from an eternal home in Heaven? Is the worship I offer so important that I could spend an eternity in Hell for “vain” worship? Many today will say, “No it does not matter how you worship as long as you are honest and sincere.” Others try to play down this subject as being unimportant. My friends, this question is very important. We are duty-bound to make sure we worship God in a way that pleases him. It matters not what opinions I have on this subject, rather the deciding factor is “what saith the Scripture?” Let us see what the Bible says about my worship. As we think about this subject, I would like us to take an overview of the Bible and notice God’s attitude toward those who were not worshiping acceptably.

Exodus 20

Exodus 20 records the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses. I find it very interesting that the first seven verses have to do with the Jews’ actions and attitudes toward God. God told the people not to have any other gods, not to bow down to any graven images, nor serve them, and not to take God’s name in vain (Exod. 20:3-7). As God placed these Ten Commandments into effect, he let the Israelites know that there was only one way that they could please him. At this time, we see a God that expected his people to follow his commandments to the letter without variation. Why do we think that God has changed his mind concerning his worship? Yes, the Law has changed, but the fact that God expects us to obey him to the letter has not.

Jeremiah 10

At the beginning of this chapter, we read that God did not want the Israelites to become as the heathen in their idolatry. God, in the first five verses, shows the folly of the heathen for worshiping idols, and how the heathen have fooled themselves. God said, “The customs of the people are vain” (Jer. 10:3). As God continues to show the foolishness of these people, he says, “They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good” (Jer. 10:4-5). Jeremiah says something that we need to learn and learn well, “0 Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (10:23).

Why study this chapter? It is because during this time, the idolatrous cultures were known for worshiping which-ever gods they chose. There were so many gods at this time, you could choose to worship whichever god you wanted. Those living in Jeremiah’s time were truly trying to “direct their own steps.”

If it did not matter how you worshiped God, why was God legislating these cold, impersonal commandments to the people? Was God not wanting these people to do what seemed to be the best? Was God condemning the practices of an honest and sincere group of heathens? Why did not God simply teach them how to “get along,” and “love” one another, despite the “petty” differences these idolaters may have had with the Jews?

The Book of Malachi

This final book of the Old Testament is entirely devoted to the people’s rejection of God’s law. These people rejected and refused to worship God as he commanded. This is evident in the first chapter of the book. God charges these Jews with offering polluted bread, and offering the blind and lame as a sacrifice (Mal. 1:7-8). Why would God waste his time on this subject if it does not matter how the people worshiped him?

God continues to plead for the people to come back, and said in Malachi 3:10-12, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed  for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.” The Lord obviously wanted them to come back and receive that great blessing. However, if it did not matter how they worshiped, why was God pleading for them to repent in Malachi 3:7?

From these three Old Testament references, we can see that God expected his people to worship him in a certain way. When they refused, they were met with the deadliest force. You may doubt my word, but ask Nadab and Abihu about worshiping God. Ask them what God thinks of people operating in the silence of God’s word (Lev. 10:1-2).

John 4

Looking to the New Testament, we read that Jesus had encounters with those who were worshiping God in vain. John chapter four is but one example. This chapter records Jesus meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob. The Samaritan woman thought that it did not matter how or where you worship. You can see this when she told Jesus, “Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship” (In. 4:20). She gives the impression that it does not matter how one worships. “You worship in Jerusalem, and we worship here, what is the difference?”

Jesus tells her that it does matter, and in fact, there will soon be a change. True worshipers will no longer have to go to Jerusalem to worship God. Jesus said, “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:22-24).

Is it not amazing that the excuses we hear day by day concerning worship were present during the time of Jesus. “You worship where you want to, and I will worship where I want to,” would be the Samaritan’s reply today. Why would Jesus spend so much time with this Samaritan if she was worshiping in an acceptable way? Certainly, Jesus did not think that she was doing wrong, did he?

We hear a lot about how we (preachers) need to be like Christ, and not concentrate on the “petty” differences, but “preach on love” as Jesus did. Those who believe that standing on the truth is done without confrontation, and without hurt feelings at times, do not know my Lord.

“In Spirit and In Truth”

What did Jesus mean when he said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24)? These words have significant meaning, and must be understood if we wish to please God with our worship. The word “in,” means “in connection with.” It does not mean “inside of.” Jesus was literally saying that we must worship in connection with the spirit, and in connection with the truth.

What is the “spirit”? It is those things related to the spiritual realm. Jesus shows that the true worshipers need to be focused on spiritual matters, not physical. Paul tells us, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 14:17). That is why we do not have pie suppers, bingo, etc.! The church in its worship is not to cater to the physical needs, but the spiritual.

We have another responsibility. That is to worship “in connection with the truth.” What is the “truth”? Let Jesus answer, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). In order for our worship to be acceptable to God, we must worship with our focus on things spiritual, and worship in connection with what the Bible says! Peter said, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet. 4:11). The only truth we know is what has been revealed in God’s most Holy Word. Our worship must come from what has been revealed. For anyone to try to worship God based on what has not been said, or for anyone to teach others to worship God in that way, is to condemn himself to an eternity in Hell. To deviate from God’s plan of worship is to jeopardize your soul, and the souls that follow you!

1 Corinthians 11:20-30

Here Paul is recorded as rebuking the Corinthians for not partaking of the Lord’s supper as they should. Paul declares that in verse 23, the things he is saying are from the Lord. He appeals to the right authority. He then proceeded to correct these brethren for their unfaithfulness in taking the Lord’s supper. Here Paul tells these men and women that if they do not partake in a worthy manner, they are guilty of the body and blood of Christ and are eating and drinking damnation to themselves (1 Cor. 11:27, 29). Does this sound like it does not matter how we worship? Does this sound like our partaking of the Lord’s supper will not effect our eternal salvation? Paul ends this by telling the Corinthians that some of them are weak as a result of their unfaithfulness, while others sleep (spiritually dead while they live, 1 Cor. 11:30).

Conclusion

Yes, the worship we offer must please God, else we stand to lose our home in Heaven. How sad indeed to know that you could have made it to Heaven if you had only worshiped God as he commanded. Brethren, can we see the importance of teaching others this same truth? Can we see that there is a lost and dying world that needs to know that “honesty” and “sincerity” will not save a single soul from the burning fires of Hell? Yes, friends, our worship does make a difference, and it will affect our very soul! Please bear these things in mind as you strive to live for God from day to day.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 10 p. 11-12
May 18, 1995

By Connie W. Adams

Have you noticed how hard it is to say or do something in a way that pleases everybody? Preach or write on some controversial subject and you will hear, “I don’t disagree with your point, but I don’t like the way you said it.” Maybe it was too soft or too hard, too hazy or too pointed. Let a congregation exercise corrective discipline where doctrinal error or immoral conduct is involved and sure enough, some will say, “I just don’t like the way you went about it.”

Care Should be Taken

Not only should we be ready “to give an answer” (1 Pet. 3:15) and be set for “the defense of the gospel” (Phil 1:17), prudence should be exercised. “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Col. 4:6). On the limited commission the disciples were charged, “Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16). If there is a wise way to do or say something, then there is also an unwise way to do or say it. “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Tim. 2:24-26). Those overtaken in sin are to be restored “in the spirit of meekness” (Gal. 6:1).

But such care does not rule out the need for scriptural action when error is taught or when sinful behavior must be corrected. The Jewish rulers “saw the boldness of Peter and John” (Acts 4:13). Upon their release from the authorities they met with the brethren and prayed, “. . .grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word” (Acts 4:29). Paul asked the Ephesians to pray “that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Eph. 6:20).

Honoring the Charge

Fidelity to the Lord leaves us with no choice but to honor the charge to “preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). The charge is to “reprove, rebuke and exhort.” The manner of it is “with longsuffering and doctrine.” Neither part of this excludes the other. “Longsuffering and doctrine” does not mean we are exempted from reproving error, rebuking those who teach it and exhorting all to be faithful to the Lord.

“Selling the Sizzle”

A popular motivational speaker urged advertisers to “sell the sizzle, not the steak.” The “sizzle” whets the appetite but it is the steak that satisfies the hunger. You don’t digest the sizzle. This has become the approach in much of modem-day preaching. Like boxes of cereal, wrap it in an attractive package, sugar coat it and offer a prize. Never mind the substance. Preaching without substance will starve the hearers. We may keep it short and sweet, adorn it in flattering words, elegantly phrased but with any real sub-stance removed.

History Lesson

During the heat of the institutional battle when many were confused and when congregations were on the fence, there were some undecided brethren who said, “‘We don’t disagree with what you say, we just don’t like the way you say it.” I would be the last to defend exactly how every-thing was said and done in those turbulent times, but the truth had to be taught and error had to be exposed.

A younger generation today reaps the benefits of the labors of those who went before them and fought battles for truth and right. The “sizzle” might not have always been heard, but I’ll guarantee you the steak was there.

When I edited Searching the Scriptures I found out there was no way to deal with controversial subjects, and especially when some had to be identified with the controversy, so as to please everyone. I had one word of advice for all such critics. “If you don’t like the way it was done, then you write an article and deal with it the right way so we can all learn from you.”

The same thing holds true with discipline within a congregation. It must be done or else we are in rebellion against the Lord who ordered it. The purity and safety of the rest of the church must be protected. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (I Cor. 5: 6). It must be clone with as much understanding as possible, but don’t forget that it must be done.

Sitting in the Editor’s Chair

Some of our readers may at times disapprove of the way in which some matters are handled in this paper. No editor is infallible. Hind-sight is 20/20. But I can tell:. you one thing. Mike Willis is a godly and honorable man who genuinely loves the Lord and wants to please him above all else. He often calls me to get my input on potentially explosive matters. I am sure he advises with others as well. When all that has been heard, he alone must decide what course to pursue. I sat in such a place for 20 years and it was not always easy. Editing a paper is one of the quickest ways I know to make enemies and lose friends. Some cynics are of the opinion, which they freely express, that controversy is sometimes stirred to sell papers. That may work in the secular press but it has the opposite effect in religious journalism in the last decade of the twentieth century. The mind set of many these days is “don’t rock the boat. If you do, I’ll cancel my subscription.”

But when sin runs naked through the streets and error raises it head and threatens the very identity of the Lord’s people, men of conscience will be heard. Their motives may be maligned. Their meetings may be canceled. Their articles may be castigated and the papers that publish them may be ostracized. But they will be heard. Count on it.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 10 p. 3-4
May 18, 1995

By Lewis Willis

Memorial Day and June 1 mark the beginning of vacation time in America. It is a special time when families lay aside normal responsibilities for a brief time spent in relaxation and enjoyment. Depending on the approach we make to our vacations, they can be either a blessing or a curse. It seems appropriate, since this time has just arrived, to remind us all of the pitfalls before us.

1. There is no such thing as a vacation from God. It is not uncommon for some members of the church to abandon God in the summertime. These are the folks who are too busy with other things to even assemble for worship. The church must get along without them until vacation time is over. I read a bulletin from a Christian Church in our city which dismissed Bible classes for the summer. A large liberal church of Christ (?) in our city has made other plans and will discontinue evening worship for the summer. These are examples of accommodations de-nominations make because their members are busy with other things and have taken a vacation from God. The season is a curse to people who conduct themselves in this way.

2. There should be no vacation from worshipping at a faithful church. Some Christians would never think of missing worship on Sunday. However, they frequently take a vacation from worship with a faithful church. This is a strange thing about vacation planning for many church members. They are very careful to select a vacation destination that has beautiful sightseeing, good fishing/golfing, etc., good restaurants, and good motel/camping facilities. These are essentials to a good vacation. However, many of these families never ask, “Is there a faithful church nearby where we can worship?” Brethren, it says something about us when we are more interested in good food and a bed to sleep in than we are in a place to worship. Did we just forget, or was that the last thing on our minds? In either case, it manifests a serious spiritual problem.

Many think it’s alright to attend liberal churches, if there is not a faithful church nearby. Where did we get the idea that this is acceptable with God? Brethren, if it is accept-able on vacation, it is acceptable the rest of the time as well! I have heard members say, “If you didn’t know it was liberal, you would not notice any difference.” There really isn’t much difference. They just participated with the Devil in the division of the body of Christ. These liberal churches support human institutions and participate in unscriptural cooperation or have sympathy for such. Most of them have fellowship halls in which the members play and eat. Do those who visit these liberal churches never hear the announcements promoting these sins? All of these things are still violations of the Scriptures. So, there isn’t much difference, is there? I have often wondered how brethren can overlook such obvious violations of God’s Word, simply because they are on vacation.

I do not see why the same reasoning would not work with the Christian Church. If it were not for instrumental music, most would see no difference. They still observe the Lord’s supper, give, pray, and teach that baptism is necessary to salvation. I suppose there is some similarity between the Lord’s church and the average Catholic church. They both have front doors and pews. I guess it would be alright to worship with the Catholics also, provided, of course, you are on vacation. Right?

Many members overlook a Bible truth. It goes like this: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). When we attend a denomination (even one which has “Church of Christ” written over the door), we are violating this pas-sage! We are committing a sin in the sight of God. We are having fellowship with them, and because we are on vacation does not change that fact. We are told in Gods word to “abhor” evil (Rom. 12:9) and “eschew” or avoid it (1 Pet. 3:11). I would like someone to explain to me how one can abhor and avoid the evil in liberal churches, and still worship with them while on vacation. I would like to see the Scripture they would use to justify the practice. What passages teach that the practice is acceptable with God? Keep in mind that Paul said we are to prove that the Lord accepts the practice (Eph. 5:10; 1 Thess. 5:21). Brethren, if you are going to attend liberal churches while you are on vacation, you had better get ready with an answer that God will accept at the Judgment!

Others wonder what to do, then, if there is no faithful church nearby. May I suggest that a good thing to do would be to select another vacation destination? Would it not be better to miss seeing some wonder of the world than to miss Heaven? Is it worth seeing if it means you will spend eternity in Hell, because you had worship fellowship with evil?

3. Some take a vacation from modesty. All the rest of the year they are careful to adorn themselves in modest apparel (1 Tim. 2:9). Why is it acceptable to wear immodest clothing like bathing suits and shorts, simply because you are on vacation? (Some parents permit their children to go swimming in public while on vacation.) And, if you regard such apparel to be modest, would it be alright if everyone wore such to worship? Are we to dress modestly only for worship? Brethren, stop and think!

Because so many are out-of-town during this time of year, it is important that we all put forth our best effort in support of the work and worship of the church. Also, the financial obligations of the church continue, even if we are out-of-town for a couple of weeks. Make sure you are carrying your part of the responsibility.

It’s vacation time! It is my prayer that all will enjoy and be strengthened by the few days of relaxation. But, let’s not forget the truths discussed here. No one wants to lose his soul for a few moments of pleasure (Heb. 11:24-25).

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 10 p. 4-5
May 18, 1995