Truth Magazine

By Olen Holderby

“Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life” (Job 9:21). This statement is in the midst of Job’s reply to the speech of Bildad the Shuhite. We must keep in mind Job’ s suffering, and the efforts of his three friends to explain that suffering. Chapter 8 gives Bildad’s speech, while chapters 9-10 record Job’s reply. Job points out the extreme unlikeliness of man’s being able to answer God (9:3), and that no one can really prosper by hardening himself against God (9:4). Then he speaks of the great power and wisdom of God, and of God being able to do what he pleases without man being able to alter his action (9:5ff).

Job considers arguing his case with God; but he is at a loss for arguments with such a wise and powerful opponent. Even if God should hear his concern, Job’s own limitations preclude his knowing how to answer God. Further, he feels that his own mouth would condemn him. However, Job cannot accept responsibility for his suffering condition and, at the same time, be honest with himself. He thinks himself to be innocent, “I am blameless, yet I do not know myself; I despise my life” (NKJ). What does Job mean by saying, “I despise my life”?

Some have suggested that Job was saying that he despised his past life; while others have said that Job was declaring that his life was not worth striving for with God. Tome, it seems more likely that Job was drawing a contrast between self-importance and the importance of Gods plans for him. Perhaps the NIV is plainer for verse 21, “Although I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life.” If this be accurate, the verse appears to offer some good lessons for us today.

1. We do not argue with God. How well this is taught in the New Testament, “Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, 0 man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?” (Rom. 9:19-20) Whatever God says, on any subject, settles the matter on that subject. Will a man argue with God?

2. The relative insignificance of our life as compared with the plans of God for us. This, too, is well taught in the New Testament, “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal” (John12:25). Luke 14:26, Matthew16:24-25, and Luke 10:16, all reflect very pointedly on this thought. How is it that the creature who receives life from the Mighty God, can argue with the Giver over the use of that life?

Webster defines “despise” as “feel contempt for,” and offers as synonyms: abhor, disdain, scorn, look down, etc. Vine says that it means, “To make of no account, to regard as nothing.” One very important question is in order: In contrast with the plans of God for you, can you say, I despise my own life?

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 7 p. 6
April 6, 1995

By Jarod Jacobs

As a young person, it is a hard decision to “pick up and move” to a new area. It is, however, a necessary decision when making the choice to “preach the gospel” to a lost and dying world. My wife, Becky, has told me many times that 1 Timothy 4:12 is “my verse.” It describes how my attitude should be as well as the attitude of my peers in Christ.

Remember, the words of Paul in this passage are to a young preacher. “Let no man despise thy youth… .” In other words, do not let anyone look down on you because you are young. He continues, “. . . but be an example to the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” We can see a contrast in this verse. “Do not let any-one look down on you because you are young. To keep people from doing this, show the right example in every facet of your life.”

This is something all young Christians need to remember. It would be a good idea as well to commit 1 Timothy 4:12 to memory.

Paul said in Romans 1:15, “So as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are at Rome also.” He continued, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth: to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:16-17). After some hindrances, Paul was “ready to preach the gospel” (v. 15). He knew it was God’s power to save, and that it would save the world from sin. He considered himself the “chief ” of sinners, but was ready to preach (I Tim. 1:15). There is a shortage of gospel preachers in this country, and one important reason is that men with the ability to preach are not “ready to preach the gospel.”

Called Through The Gospel

Young men! There is a call from God through the gospel for sound preaching. Are you ready to answer that call (Matt. 28:18-20)7I heard this call of the gospel several years ago, but never felt “ready” until receiving the following advice from my best friend. He said, “If you wait until you `know it all,’ or until it feels right, you will never go.” He continued, “There will always be a subject you do not know, or an area you are not comfortable with. This is a part of life. When the time comes, you will know it and you will preach.” He continued to support me while I was preaching by “appointment” for over two years. He was the best man at my wedding, and continues to be my best friend and “brother in the faith.”

I grew up in a “Christian” environment, being the son of a deacon in the church. While I love my parents dearly, my faith is not inherited. Paul tells us, “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). My faith is mine, and the fact I am preaching is a decision I have made. One of the reasons I became a preacher was that I could see many being lost in sin, and without a person to help them. This is not just those who refuse to worship God, but those in denominations. While I worked in several jobs after school, then full-time secular work, I tried to talk to those outside of Christ, only to see they were “turned to fables” (2 Tim. 4:4). I only became more determined as I talked to those who did not know the church of Christ from a denomination. Can anyone relate? Young men who want to preach, have you experienced this?

I was baptized and a member of the Ellettsville church of Christ in Ellettsville, Indiana. There I received the training from Johnie Edwards who gave me the knowledge and boldness I needed to preach. As of February 1, 1995, I will have been preaching full-time for 8 1/2 months. If you add the total preaching experience, it has been just over three years. The more I preach, the more I see the need for young men strong in the faith ready to take up the sword of the Spirit and to war a good warfare (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; 1 Tim. 1:18). Friend, do not give up because some may discourage you, but be an “example to the believers” (1 Tim. 4:12; Tit. 2:15).

Preach The Word At All Costs

Remember what Paul said, “For the time will come when men will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2 Tim. 4:3). It is very important that young men do not give in to the crowd, but “preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2). Yes, there are many experienced gospel preachers who are sound and who do not compromise the truth for anyone’s sake, but some of our older preaching brethren do not wish to speak “sound doctrine” anymore. They let family concerns, concerns of the congregation, and views of other “distinguished brethren” sway their view on various Bible subjects. This must not be so if we wish to please God, no matter what our age may be. I learned early on that when a man preaches, he must not have a friend in the audience. This rule applies in the writing a man may do, in his relations with others, etc. When it comes to the Word of God, we cannot play favorites, just as God does not (Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; Eph. 6:9)!

The apostles spoke sound doctrine at all costs (Acts 5:40-42; I Cor. 1 I :23-28). Let us as preachers of the Word be no different. Let us not fall into the trap of “hero-worship.” You will be elevating a man above what he should be and you will be let down every time. We may speak the truth and alienate our friends and family (Matt. 10:21-22, 36-37), but the reward is much greater than the hurt you may endure (Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17; Phil. 3:13-14).

While thinking these things through, do not forget that “all the counsel of God” must be preached (Acts 20:27). As I said, a preacher must not have a friend in the audience. We need to preach the Word in its purity and simplicity. Paul preached to the Ephesians for three years (Acts 20:31). I am sure it made people mad at times, but it was for their own good. It was souls he was concerned about, not hurt feelings! After three years, he could say, “I kept back nothing from you that was profitable unto you, but have chewed you, and have taught you publicly and from house to house” (Acts 20:20). In verse 27, he said, “I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” 2 Timothy 4:2 teaches us to preach “in season and out of season.” Preach it when they like it and preach it when they do not like it, is the meaning of this text.

I remember a lady coming to me after I had preached a sermon from 1 Timothy 5:22 about purity and keeping oneself pure. One of the points I made was on immodest apparel. She came to me afterward and we had a discussion on that subject. It had never been an issue with her until she heard it preached from the Word of God. After a few minutes of discussion, she agreed to what the Bible said, and has made the necessary changes since then. Can we see from this the necessity of preaching “the whole counsel of God”? We can gain a soul from the Devil when we do as Paul and the other apostles did.

Are You Ready?

Young men who want to preach, do not be discouraged! If your wish is to preach the Word, you are surrounded by many opportunities if you will only look for them. Please do not try to simply impress people, or do it for money, but preach because that is all you can think about. Be a Jeremiah, who had to preach because the word was “as a burning fire shut up in my bones” (Jer. 20:9-12). Preach because you can see the “fields are white unto harvest” (Jn. 4:35). “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few” (Matt. 9:37). Be a preacher! Be a servant of God (Rom. 1:1). Do all you can to bring others to Jesus before it is too late!

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 6 p. 16-17
March 16, 1995

By Cindy Bryant

Dressing modestly is not a matter of choice, but a command of God. God has revealed how we are to dress and, if we are to be pleasing in his sight, we must do as he commands. In 1 Timothy 2:9, we are told that women are to adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words defines modesty as “orderly, well-arranged, decent” and he goes on to add that it is not only the outward dress and demeanor which are important, but also the inward spirit and how we use it to conduct our lives.

Much clothing that is readily accepted by the world would have to be rejected by the child of God. The world will think us strange for not going to the same extremes as they do in their dress, but one who has died to sin and been raised in Christ will seek to please God and not man (I Pet. 4:4; Rom. 6:3,4). The world accepts shorts, halter tops, swim suits, low cut blouses, see-through clothing, tight clothing, and other types of revealing apparel, but the child of God seeking to dress modestly and with shame fastness will not run with the world by wearing such clothes. The Christian’s attitude should be to shrink back from the line that separates modest and immodest clothing.

We are not to look to the world as our standard of dress, but let God’s Word be our guide. In today’s society, there is a great temptation to follow fashions and styles. How-ever, we must remember these fashions are set by the world, without God in mind. In 1 John 2:15-17, we are told not to love the world nor the things in it. We should “blush” at even the thought of dressing ungodly. If we get to the point where sin does not make us ashamed, that is when we will fall (Jer. 6:15). Worldly things are temporary, but those who obey the will of God will abide forever. If we truly love the Lord, we will be obedient to his commandments (Jn. 14:15).

Jesus tells us we are the light of the world and it is our responsibility to let our lights shine before others (Matt. 5:14,16). We are told to study God’s Word diligently, but we cannot stop there (2 Tim. 2:15). We must take what we learn and practice it. It is our duty as young people to be an example to those around us (1 Tim. 4:12). How will people in the world know we are Christians unless the proper example is set before them?

We must also think about how others will view us when choosing our dress. As Christians, we are to be the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13-16). If we dress immodestly, our influence will be severely damaged, besides causing others to sin (Matt. 5:28; Lk. 17:1,2). We are commanded to teach the lost and rebuke their sins (Mk. 16:15; 2 Tim. 4:2). We cannot do a very effective job if we are living just like them (Matt. 7:1-5).

In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, we are told that our “body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” and we belong to God. We should use our bodies to glorify God and not to shame him. Not only does God want us to do those things that are pleasing to him, but also he wants us to do them for our own good (Deut. 6:24). God tells us what is good for us just as our parents teach us things that are good for us. God looks down on us with love and he has made the greatest sacrifice for us in giving up his only Son. Our goal in life should be to please God in everything we do.

Sometimes we do things in our lives that we are ashamed to tell our parents and we know that if they find out they will be sorely disappointed. God is not only disappointed when we sin, but it grieves him, the Holy Spirit, and Christ, who have done so much to save us (Gen. 6:6; Eph. 4:30; Lk.19:41). We must always remember that if we will confess our faults to one another and repent of the sins we have committed, God will forgive us (1 Jn. 1:9; Jas. 5:16). He is always ready for us to come back to him (2 Pet. 3:9).

1 Peter 3:2-5 tell us that we are to be chaste, or pure, in our conduct. We are not to be overly concerned with outward beauty, for God looks at the inner spirit. He expects us to have a gentle and quiet spirit, not boisterous or loud. This is how the holy women who trusted in God adorned themselves. If we have the inward beauty de-scribed in this passage, it should be revealed in our outward person. How we act, dress, and speak will be brought forth from that inward beauty. Our bodies belong to God and they are to be used to his honor (1 Thess. 4:4).

As Christians, we are “to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reason-able service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:1,2). This will mean that we will give up wearing immodest clothes which are popular in the eyes of the world. Considering the sacrifice God made on our behalf and the reward that God has for those who love him, this truly is a minor sacrifice. Modest dress is a must for the child of God modest apparel, with propriety and moderation.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 6 p. 21
March 16, 1995

By Ryan Lindsey

Excuses are an everyday aspect of life. All people have made excuses at one time or another. Little children have made excuses when they did something they know is wrong. They pointed their finger at their brother or sister and said, “He (or she) did that.” The same thing applies to men when confronted with their sins. Instead of admitting that they did wrong, instead of confessing their sins, they try to justify their sins through the use of excuses. Excuses can be made for all types of sin. The sin we are discussing, the sin that is affecting young people, is the sin of dancing.

“They All . . . Began to Make Excuse”

In God’s sight, excuses are foolish and ridiculous. When considering this foolishness, I am reminded of a parable in Luke 14:16-24. From these verses, we can see that a certain man made a great feast, a great supper, and he bade all his friends to come. You would think that their reaction would be that they would be thrilled to come to this great feast. Instead, they all offered excuses:

And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

All these people that the man invited made excuses.

Let us take a look at these excuses. The first excuse was that he bought a piece of property, and he had to go see it. Well, if somebody bought a piece of property, you would think he already would have taken a look at it in the first place. The next excuse was that he bought five yoke of oxen, and he had to go prove them or test them out. To compare this to an example today, if you buy a car, do you just listen to what the dealer says and trust what the dealer says, or do you want to test drive it first? The last excuse that was used was that he married a wife and therefore he cannot come. Well, this is ridiculous in that he could have brought the wife along as well. The master then invited the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind, and even those passing on the highways. “For I say unto you, that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.” We see the sadness here in that all of his friends rejected him and the only ones that would come to his supper were the dregs of society.

Daniel: Courage, Not Excuses

Excuses are the cowardly way. We as Christians must not be cowards, but we must have courage in order to take a stand for what we believe. In the Bible we have many examples of courageous men, many people that were not afraid to take a stand for what they believed in. The first example that I can think of is that of Daniel.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself (Dan. 1:8).

From this verse we see that Daniel could easily have made excuses. He could have said, “Well, I am in a foreign country, I am miles away from home. Therefore it will not hurt me to do it just this once.” But he did not do this; he did not make excuses. Instead he took a stand for what he believed in and he did not defile himself.

We can also see another example of Daniel’s courage in Daniel 6:7 when the leaders of Babylon persuaded the king “to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, 0 king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.” Now Daniel could very well have given in to this decree. But let’s read what he did in verses 10-11.

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

From these verses we see Daniel’s courage in that he was willing to go the lion’s den for what he believed. He would not give up his praying; he continued praying three times a day. You know what happened then, how that Daniel was indeed thrown into the lion’s den and that he was delivered because of his faith.

Another example of a man that had courage was Moses. We read in Hebrews 11:24-25,

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

From this verse we see that Moses had it all. He was the son of the Pharaoh’s daughter, but he chose rather not be with God’s people and to suffer affliction with his people than to enjoy the pleasures of sin.

We as Christians must look at these examples, and we should be as courageous as these men. Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). We should not be afraid to take a stand for the gospel of Christ because it is the power of God to save our souls.

“I Do Not Want to Feel Left Out”

But now that we have looked at how we should be courageous in examples of courage, let us look into the excuses that young people give for going to the prom. One widely used excuse is, “I do not want to feel left out.” They are afraid of the persecutions, the ridicule, the peer pressure, that they face in school. But we remember how the early Christians went through many persecutions. Paul was afflicted, he was tormented, he was in prison, he was scourged, yet he never gave in. He kept on preaching the gospel. Stephen was the first Christian martyr, and he, on the very edge of death, never gave in. When we look at the many persecutions suffered by the early Christians, we can see that they cannot compare to some small ridicule and teasing that we may face today. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, them am I strong.” From this verse, we as Christians should rejoice when we are persecuted, when we are in infirmities, because they make us stronger in the faith. If we are strong in the faith, we should be able to resist the devil’s temptations and should not have trouble in taking a stand for Christ.

How do we take this stand for Christ? In Ephesians 6:13-17 we read,

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins gin about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness: and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

If we are going to resist and defeat the devil, then we must take the whole armor of God.

“Dancing is Fun”

Another excuse that is widely used is, “Dancing is fun.” Well, all sin is fun temporarily. Knowing that, Moses chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” In the last part of the verse, we see that sin indeed is pleasurable, but it is only for a short time. We must ask ourselves whether we want the temporary pleasures of sin or treasures laid up in heaven and the promise of eternal life. “It is fun,” is a poor argument when one’s soul is in danger.

“What Can One Dance Hurt?”

Another excuse that is used is, “What can one dance hurt?” That is what everyone says when trying to justify committing sin. When an alcoholic looks back at his life, he probably thought at one time, “Well, what can one drink hurt?” That one drink led to other drinks, and so on, until he ruined his life. Satan wants us to “try it once” in the hope that we will be hooked and snared. When I think about this, I think about Jesus in Matthew 4 and how that he was tempted of the devil. He could very easily have just given in once. If he had, where would we be today? We would no longer have the perfect sacrifice; we would no longer have the remission of sins that we have today.

“I Go Just to Socialize”

Another excuse that people use is, “I am just going there for the socialization. I am not going to dance.” If you do this, you subject yourself to unnecessary temptation. You first of all subject yourself to the temptation to dance, and when you see other people dancing, you are tempted to lust after them. Finally, you are not just subjecting yourself to temptation, but you are subjecting others to temptation if people see you there. Jesus taught in Matthew 18:5-7,

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

From this we see God’s disgust when people offend other people by causing them to stumble. He even said that it was better for them to be drowned with a stone wrapped around their neck. If we go to this dance, we may think nobody will see us, nobody we know will be there, and nobody will care. But we must remember that we are always being looked upon and our influence is making a profound impression on everyone.

“I Can Dance and Not Lust”

Another excuse that is used is, “I can dance with my girlfriend (or boyfriend) and not lust after them.” It would be hard, but even if you could, how do you know that your partner and others watching you are not lusting after you? We can see the seriousness of lusting in Matthew 5:27-28.

Ye have heard that is was said by them of old time, thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

From these verses we see the sin of adultery. In old times adultery was indeed a sin. But we must realize that if we lust after someone in our heart, it is just as bad as committing adultery.

“I Am a Senior Only Once”

Another excuse that is used is, “It is my senior prom; I am only a high school senior once.” But we ask ourselves, “Is one night of sin worth losing an eternity in heaven?” In Hebrews 11:25 Moses did not think that sin was worth losing his soul.

Someone Danced and “Nothing Happened”

A last excuse that people might use is, “I have seen people dance and nothing went wrong, nothing happened to them.” Let us consider this excuse. Do we judge war as harmless because we can say, “Look how many people came back alive; look how many people survived”? What about those people who died, and their families? Would they have the same viewpoint? Dancing like war leaves many victims; some we see, some we do not. How can you read other people’s minds and thoughts? Only God can read our minds and thoughts. And how do you know that no one was thinking evil thoughts? How do you know what happened after the dance? Dancing often opens the door to drinking, at the dance or later which causes other sins. Young people drinking is one of the leading causes of car wrecks and fatalities. Just like any other sin, the sin of modem dancing developed slowly, but over a period of time it has become more dangerous and more accepted. In fact, couple dancing with partners is fairly new; it did not exist until about the 15th century. It is more vulgar and harmful today than ever before.

David Halbrook explained the basic reasons why people should not go to the prom. I have looked at answering excuses that people give for going to the prom. We as young people must ask ourselves just like Moses did, “Is one night of sin worth losing an eternity in heaven?” Excuses in God’s sight are foolish and ridiculous. In fact, they make God angry at us, and in the end we can lose our soul because of our excuses. If you are an erring Christian, and have been making excuses for sin in your life, please confess those sins so that you might be right with God. If you are not a Christian, then please, confess Christ, and be baptized for remission of sins.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 6 p. 13-15
March 16, 1995