Truth Magazine

By Gary N. Patton

We live in an age of “free love,” an open acceptance of adulterous relationships and the sin of fornication accepted as just a fact of life that “everybody” participates in and should not question. The vast majority of movies, T.V. shows and reading material published in great numbers today depict what the Bible calls “sin” as being the socially accepted way of life. Parents are encouraged by humanistically influenced counselors to let their children “explore” their friends’ bodies. Many counselors have been known to advise clients to have an “affair” as an answer to marital problems. With such thinking and advice glorified on a daily basis, no wonder marriage is seldom considered an “until death” commitment, but rather just a “temporary” relationship that one can discard when there are problems. Is it any wonder authorities tell us that the majority of marriages end in divorce?

Because of the lack of respect for the marriage bond, many begin to reason, why marry? If most people do not think it is wrong to commit fornication, then we see why many live and cohabit together rather than marry. God’s plan for sexual relations has always been approved only in the marriage (husband and wife) relationship. When-ever sexual relations are engaged in outside of marriage, God’s law has been violated. His plan has always been one of total commitment to him and each other, of purity, love and trust. Such passages as Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 19:3-9; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7; Ephesians 5:22-33 clearly teach this plan.

When faced with the facts, even those in the world agree that a commitment to God and his word can help keep one pure until marriage, thus laying a solid foundation for a successful marriage. If the world’s thinking is followed, failure is more often the result.

“Cohabitation” is a word the world likes to use to describe sexual relations. Though it can be rightfully used to refer to relations in the marriage relationship, much of the time when this word is used in the media, it is used instead of the words “fornication” or “adultery.” This is done not to sound judgmental toward one’s sexual actions outside the marriage relationship, but God’s word does not hide the terribleness of such action.

In trying to find things that bring about divorce in marriages, sociologists have made an interesting find in their research of cohabiting before marriage. In a recent project conducted two years ago, The National Institute For Healthcare Research in Washington, D.C. and Austin, Texas, released the following observations:

Making a lasting marriage commitment and avoiding the pitfalls of cohabitation is strongly associated with the degree of a person’s religious commitment …. Since cohabiting couples have a greater tendency to divorce if they eventually marry, researchers at the University of Michigan, the University of Chicago, and the University of Toledo investigated what factors help predict who is more likely to cohabit.

They found the cohabitation rate is seven times higher among persons who seldom or never attend religious services compared to persons who frequently attend. Religious commitment reduces cohabitation among both young men and young women, but the effect was found to be stronger among young women. The level of religious commitment was also a key. Women who attended religious services regularly were only one-third as likely to cohabit as those who attended church services less than once a month.

The religious commitment of parents was also found to be significant in determining whether an adult child will cohabit. If the mother frequently attended religious services, both sons and daughters were only 50 percent as likely to cohabit as adult children whose mothers were not actively religious.

The researchers noted that the tendency to cohabit increased in the early seventies, just at the time that religious commitment in young people began to decline. The higher divorce rate of the last 20 years is also consistent with the increased tendency of married couples who initially cohabited to divorce (Arland Thornton, William G. Axinn, Daniel H. Hill, “Reciprocal Effects of Religiosity, Cohabitation and Marriage,” American Journal of Sociology 98, 1992).

If we call and teach that fornication and adultery is sin, as God does in his word, then we will want to please him by abstaining from that which he condemns. We will strive to keep ourselves pure before marriage and committed to one another in marriage. If we want our children to avoid fornication then we must do every-thing we can to instill in their lives a desire to love and obey God. Remember we teach both by our words and by our actions. Do not be afraid to tell them that cohabiting outside of the marriage relationship is sin and that it can destroy that which God designed to be beautiful in our lives.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 15, p. 14
August 4, 1994

By Larry Ray Hafley

The number of reported child abuse cases in the USA rose 8% between 1991 and 1992, the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse reported Tuesday.

An estimated 2.9 million children were reported to child protective service agencies in 1992, says Deborah Daro  about 213,000 more than in 1991. Numbers have been rising for the last two years.

… Increasing abuse statistics don’t simply reflect improving reporting methods, Daro says. The country `truly has additional children at risk. The public is reporting things they have not seen before.

… Eighty-four percent of fatalities are among children under 5; 43% under one year (USA Today, April 7, 1993, p. D 1).

Did we get cheated, or what? I thought abortion, nearly a million and a half per year, was supposed to take care of the problem of child abuse. I thought we were told that child abuse occurred because so many unwanted babies were being born. I thought we were told that if we could simply abort the unwanted ones we would lessen the problem of child abuse. That is what we were told. What is the result? According to the liberals, abuse is expanding. It is even worse, according to them, than before. What has happened to the abortionists’ argument?

The fact is that when you kill an unborn baby (Excuse me. I just had a momentary lapse in my sensitivity training. I should have said, “When you excise a mass of fetal material.” Saying that is less offensive to those who want to kill babies), you lessen respect for life, for babies, for children in general. So, why be surprised when the child abuse statistics sky rocket?

It is the same regarding capital punishment. When you contend against it, you are made to appear as one who is respectful of life. The opposite is true. You cheapen the value of life when you refuse to acknowledge that a murderer, one who has taken a life, has forfeited his right to live (Gen. 9:6). Some women, because of their “animal rights” philosophy, will not wear a fur coat lest a fox or a mink should die. That same woman, however, will go and have her unborn baby’s body suctioned or cut out of her body while she lights a candle for a murderer who is to be executed. Hey, lady, what if that murderer wore rabbit fur-lined gloves when he committed his crime? Can we execute him for causing a rabbit to die even if we cannot do so for his killing of a human being? It makes me so upset that I feel like eating a big steak, even though it may cause me to loosen my leather belt another notch to do so, not to mention the fact that I will have to take out my cowhide wallet to pay for it.

I am afraid to ask, but if it is proper to kill a four-month old fetus in order to prevent its abuse, could we kill a four day old baby to prevent it from being abused by unworthy parents?

Bigots Have Gone Too Far

Under the above heading, a letter to the editor appeared in the “Houston Chronicle,” April 8, 1993, p. 29A.

Bigots have gone too far. These hate-filled people are obviously unaware of the great level of self-respect gay men and lesbians have, particularly in the face of a society that works so hard to dehumanize them.

It is unfortunate that so many people cannot maintain self-respect through their own merits. Rather, they must maintain a sense of self-worth by arbitrarily defining as inferior those with characteristics different from their own.

Let us transfer the words above to pedophiles (those who crave fornication with children) and to “exhibitionists,” or “flashers” (those who achieve pleasure by exposing their bodies to others). If the writer of the letter cited above is opposed to pedophilia, child pornography and to those who expose themselves (I realize that is a big “if”), how would he answer his letter? Suppose we said of him and his opposition to sexual abusers of children:

Bigots have gone too far. These hate-filled people are obviously unaware of the great level of self-respect pedophiles, child-porno addicts and “flashers” have, particularly in the face of a society that works so hard to dehumanize them.

It is unfortunate that so many people cannot maintain self-respect through their own merits. Rather, they must maintain a sense of self-worth by arbitrarily defining as inferior those with characteristics different from their own.

It would be interesting for the letter writer to give an answer to his own words, would it not?

Anyone who disagrees with his judgment is a “bigot.” Anyone who does not hold to his views of immorality is “hate-filled.” Is the letter writer a “hate-filled” “bigot” who is “unaware of the great level of self-respect godly men and women have, particularly in the face of a society that works so hard to debauch them? It is unfortunate that so many people (like our letter writer) cannot maintain self-respect through their own merits. Rather, they must maintain a sense of self-worth by arbitrarily defining as inferior those with moral standards different from their own.

I am sure that homosexuals have a sense of self-respect and self-worth. I am sure that pedophiles, child pornography publishers and exhibitionist flashers who expose themselves to children on the school yard also have a high degree of self-respect and self-worth. Their “glory is in their shame” (Phil. 3:19). No one defines them as inferior or as sub-human. No one hates them. Their lusts and passions are sins. Their feelings about themselves, i.e., their self-worth or self-respect, are not the issue. One does not hate them because he opposes their immoral deeds. One does not seek to dehumanize a pedophile when he challenges his conduct (Eph. 5:11).

Perhaps our letter writer does. I do not know about him, and I cannot speak for him. I would appreciate it if he would not presume to speak for me. Maybe, though, he cannot help it. Maybe he was born to so judge people. Maybe he did not seek to be a “hate-filled” “bigot” when it comes to those who disagree with his beliefs and opinions; maybe he was just “born that way.” (That is the reason homosexuals tell us that they are the way they are. They cannot help it. They were “born that way.”) Surely, he has a great level of self-respect and self-worth despite the fact that he must arbitrarily define as inferior those with moral standards different from his own.

What of those of us whom he labels as “hate filled” “bigots”? Did it ever occur to our letter writer that perhaps we, to, are “born” to be “hate filled” “bigots”? What if we seek to excuse our alleged hatred and bigotry with the plea that we cannot help it; we were born this way? Would that be sufficient justification? No, it would not. It is a moral choice. And, so, is morality and homosexuality. They are moral choices. We have made ours. They have made theirs. We will not be silenced into acceptance of their sins. Their attempts to belittle and humiliate us with their disparaging, pseudo-sophisticated terminology will not work. We shall continue to oppose and expose their immorality and to show the absolute foolishness of their lame and vain attempts to justify themselves in their sins.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 14, p. 22-23
July 21, 1994

By Connie W. Adams

Changes Of A Half-Century

During a recent meeting in Houston, Mississippi, we talked with a couple who attended their fiftieth high school graduation reunion held over the weekend our meeting began. The following item was handed out to those present. Young people of today have grown up in a world far different. Maybe this will help them to understand older people a little better. For those of us who are older, it will not only generate some nostalgia but also serve as an indicator of how far we have come from such times and what the implications of that really are.

We Are Survivors

Consider the Changes We Have Witnessed

We were born before television, before penicillin, before polio shots, before frozen food, Xerox, plastic, contact lens, freebies, and the pill. We were before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and ball point pens. Before pantyhose, dishwashers, clothes dryers, electric blankets, air conditioning, drip-dry clothes, and before man walked on the moon.

We got married first and then lived together. How quaint can you be? Bunnies were small rabbits, and rabbits were not Volkswagens. Designer jeans were scheming girls named Jean, and having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins.

We thought outer space was the back of the picture show. We were before house husbands, gay rights, computer dating, dual careers, and computer marriages. We were before day-care centers, group therapy and nursing homes. We never heard of FM radio, tape decks, electronic typewriters, artificial hearts, word processors, yogurt and guys wearing earrings. For us, time-sharing meant togetherness, not computers or condominiums. A chip was a piece of wood. Hardware meant hardware, and software wasn’t even a word.

Back then, “Made in Japan” meant junk and the term “making out” referred to how you did on your exam. Pizzas, McDonalds, and instant coffee were unheard of. We hit the scene where there were 5 and 10 cent Stores where you bought things for 5 or 10 cents. Houston Drug or Tabb Brothers Drug Store sold ice cream cones for a nickel or a dime. For one nickel you could make a phone call, buy a Pepsi or enough stamps to mail one letter and two postcards. You could buy a new Chevy coupe for $600, but who could afford one? Pity, too, because gas cost 11 cents a gallon!

In our day grass was mowed, coke was a cold drink, and pot was something you cooked in. Rock music was a grandmother’s lullaby and AIDS were helpers in the principal’s office. We were certainly not before the difference between the sexes was discovered, but we were surely before the sex change. We made do with what we had. And, we were the last generation that was so dumb as to think you needed a husband to have a baby.

No wonder we are so confused and there is such a generation gap today. But, we survived! What better reason to celebrate?

Report from India

John Humphries reports on his recent trip to India along with Bill Beasley. We rejoice that 21 were baptized in the meetings where John and Bill preached and Indian preachers who conducted meetings during the same time frame reported the same number baptized. As before, the emphasis of their work was to strengthen the hands of native preachers through intensive studies of the Bible to better equip them for their work. John reports that through the generosity of American brethren, they were able to provide 800 Telugu Bibles, 200 Hindu Bibles, 1,000 Telugu song books, 325,000 Telugu and Hindu gospel tracts, 1 mimeo-graph machine (and supplies) and 4 typewriters for Indian brethren. John also was able to visit Kilari, at the center of the devastating earthquake which struck India last fall. 33,000 people died in the city and the city is now reduced to rubble. Some brethren lost their lives and homes. Widows and children are now being cared for by other Christians with the financial help of other Christians.

Preaching: More or Less?

Why are brethren having shorter and shorter meetings? Why have some concluded that the day of gospel meetings is over? Why is there such a problem, in some places, getting people to come to a Sunday evening meeting where the gospel is preached? Is it because too much preaching is mediocre, or fails to make contact with the real spiritual needs of those who hear? By the way, what, exactly, are those needs? Or is it that our lives have become so crowded and cluttered that occasions for hearing the gospel are simply inconvenient? With all our modem gadgets and labor saving devices, why is it that this generation of Americans, including many Christians, has so over-committed their time that sports, social activities, careers, extra jobs, houses, yards, and trips have crowded the gospel and interest in it off into a very small corner of our lives?

Is this not what Jesus meant when he spoke of the seed of the kingdom falling into “thorny ground”? Is it not still true that “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe”? Is not the gospel still “the power of God unto salvation”? (1 Cor. 1:21; Rom. 1:16) Is the gospel less powerful? Or, are we just less inclined to hear it?

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 15, p. 3-4
August 4, 1994

By James F. Miller

It has been the observation of not only this writer but others within the Lord’s church that there are two kinds of last-minute worshipers. There are those who wait till the very last minute to show up for services and usually miss Bible study altogether; then they are usually the first to leave the building so they can get on with whatever plans they have made for the day. Then there is the second type, the one who doesn’t see the need to assemble themselves with the saints at all, except on what they consider, and by what the world would consider as, special days (aka “holy days”). Then on their death bed, they expect God to over-look their life of sin and pleasure, thus forgiving them and having the best of both realms.

Let me state at this time that it is not my intent to stand in judgment of such people, for just as I will, they too will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give ac-count of the things done in this life (Rom. 14:10-12). How-ever, all Christians are responsible for seeing that the word of God is spread through-out the world, and we are to correct error whenever possible. Having established the intent of this article, lets look at what the Scriptures say about what and who a true worshiper of God is, and let his word be the judge.

According to our Lord in John 4:23 the Father (God) is seeking those who will worship him “in spirit and in truth.” The 24th verse clearly teaches that if we are going to worship God in a manner that will be pleasing to him that it will have to be in this manner. The apostles taught that the assembling together of the saints was an important part of the Christian life. Look at what was said in Hebrews 10:25. In Romans 12:1-2 Paul teaches that we are to be “living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God” and that this is really nothing more than our “reasonable service.” Paul goes on to warn us not to be “conformed to this world” but to “be transformed by the renewing of our minds so we can prove the acceptable and perfect will of God.” In the par-able of the two foundations, Jesus asked, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things I say?” (Lk. 6:46) And then continuing with this same line of reasoning he goes on to teach that those who hear him and do the things he says will be like the man who built his house on the rock (Lk. 6:47-49).

Anyone who wants to be a member of God’s family must first realize that they must do things in the manner set within the pages of the New Testament. In Acts 2, the clear plan of how to become a Christian is given to us by Peter in his first sermon. I would urge you to read this chapter and pay close attention to verses 42-47 for this is the theme of the Bible to teach man how to live in accordance with God’s will that he might inherit a home in heaven. I submit to you that the manner in which we live our lives while here upon this earth directly effects where we will spend our eternity. If we only give God lip service can we really expect our worship to be pleasing to him? This writer cannot honestly say that God can’t or won’t save those who call on him when they are on their death bed, or that he will turn those away who are al-ways waiting till the last minute to serve him in true worship. Such is God’s decision alone. But in light of what the Scriptures teach about the way we are to live in order to please God, doesn’t it make more sense to live our lives by the examples given to us within the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and his inspired apostles? If we can be pleasing to God by doing Bible things in Bible ways and worshiping him in the manner he wants why would we want to take the chance of missing a home in heaven by not doing all that we can now to serve him and our fellow man?

It is this writer’s plea that everyone who reads this will be reminded of what is taught in James 1:22, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only deceiving your-selves.” And remember our Lord taught in Matthew 7:21-23 that “not all who say to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my Father in heaven.” Cr

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 14, p. 21
July 21, 1994