Truth Magazine

By Andy Alexander

The United States was once a good nation as far as morality was concerned, but sadly, it is now quickly becoming a nation like so many of the heathen nations that have gone before. The institution of marriage was respected by most of the citizens of this country. The sin of homosexuality was unheard of except in rare instances. Abortion and single parenting were equally non-existent. Gambling was looked on as an evil and only the basest of people engaged in this vice. This is not to say that we were a totally pure country, but sin was not glorified, glamorized, and condoned by the majority of the people. Now, it is different. What has happened?

Sinners do not remain in a static state. We either repent and get better day by day as we let God’s word work in our lives, or we continue to live in sin and wax worse and worse as Paul told Timothy. “But evil men and women shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). This seems to be the case in our nation today. People in this land seem to be less sensitive to sin than ever before. We are tolerating things that our forefathers would have never dreamed of tolerating.

The Bible has been banned from the public schools. Homosexuals are paraded before us daily and we are told that their lifestyle is perfectly acceptable and moral. Gutter language has become the norm, even among the very young. The government has resorted to gambling as a means of sponsoring their many social programs which only encourage more slothfulness. Drunkenness and sexual promiscuity are at an all-time high among young people and no end is in sight.

In a recent television interview a cheerleader from the Hempstead High School cheerleading squad in Hempstead, Texas was pointing out that cheerleaders were still good role models for children, even though four of her squad mates had recently become pregnant and had to be dismissed from the squad. However, one was reinstated after she aborted her baby. The mentality that says an immodestly dressed girl, gyrating in lewd suggestive ways is a good role model illustrates the dearth of Bible knowledge throughout this land (Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Tim. 2:9-10). And, the fact that some Christians condone this activity is also a sign of Bible illiteracy and rebellion among the people of God.

Our nation seeks to glorify sin and make it more and more respectable. Government, the news media, television, movies, videos, schools, and sports are some of the avenues in which sin is glorified in our nation. This campaign has worked and many Christians have caved in to the idea that nothing can be done.

As Christians, we not only glorify sin when we allow our children to participate in activities such as cheerleading, but when we let them or encourage them to participate in any ungodly activity; or, when we ourselves engage in worldly practices, we are helping to glorify sin. Going to the local movie theater or renting videos to watch at home in which cursing, murder, nudity, and sexual permissiveness are not only endorsed but also glorified is another way in which we, as Christians, can be helping to promote these sinful activities. Remember what Paul said when he was exhorting the Ephesian brethren to walk in the light, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). Can these practices be any-thing other than “unfruitful works of darkness”?

When we participate in sinful worldly activities, we help to legitimize that activity in the eyes of the world. We could term this “acceptable worldliness.” It is acceptable in the eyes of the world and some worldly-minded Christians, but it is not acceptable in the eyes of our Creator and Judge (Jas. 4:4). False teaching on marriage, divorce, and remarriage and acceptance of those who teach this error by supposedly sound congregations is another instance where sin is made to appear respectable. Adultery is one of the foremost causes for the moral decline of our nation and the church which does not teach and uphold the doctrine of Christ in this realm is helping to glorify this sin among those whom they have the ability to influence.

Social drinking, mixed swimming, immodest apparel worn at sporting events, gambling, and filthy, suggestive language are other areas where Christians are being tempted to glorify sin. We must not lend support to the devil and his cause by participating in these or any other ungodly practice. We are to be lights in the world so that others may see our good works and glorify God who is in heaven (Matt. 5:16).

We, as God’s people, can stand up and oppose the onward march of Satan. We can teach our children and set the proper example before them (Eph. 6:4; Tit. 2:6-7). We can learn what they are being taught in school and counter-act the sinful teaching with the mighty word of God (2 Cor. 10:3-5). We can restrict them; not allow them to participate in sinful activities such as cheerleading and attendance at the school dances (Gen. 18:19; Josh. 24:15). We can be the pillar and support of the truth that we are to be as the children of God (1 Tim. 3:15). We can vote for candidates who, to the best of our knowledge, uphold the high standards of morality as taught in God’s word (Rom. 13:3-4). The moral health of our country is far more important than the physical health which is being discussed so much in the news of our day (Prov. 14:34). This moral health will only improve as we improve ourselves individually in the eyes of God.

Our teaching at home, in the Bible classes, and from the pulpit should contain practical application that can be easily understood by the audience. Principles from God’s word must be plainly taught so that the practical application will have a sure foundation to rest upon. However, without clear, understandable application, many will not get the message. Preaching against lasciviousness is good, but without application that points to the local school dance, mixed swimming pool, gymnastic attire, or other forms of immodest clothing, some of the listeners will not receive the message. We, as teachers, must give the brethren something that they can take home and put to use.

Sin is indeed glorified by many in this land, but we must not become discouraged. A more determined spirit to combat Satan is needed. We can win the battle and help to save others in the process. Let us heed the advice of Paul when he exhorted Timothy to, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim. 4:16).

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 14, p. 19-20
July 21, 1994

By Johnie Paul Edwards

Well, according to local “clergy” and the coach himself. A recent article in the Indianapolis News said, “Coach Knight is going to heaven and there’s nothing we can do about it. Despite his sins  the so called head butting, cussing, chair throwing and alleged kick to his son’s leg  the hot tempered Indiana University basketball coach will likely be allowed to pass through the Pearly Gates, local clergy and theologians say.” One local minister was quoted as saying, “If that’s the worst he does, that’s not that bad.” Knight said of himself, “I think I’m a pretty good guy. I’ve often said this to some of the sanctimonious self-righteous critics that I have: `I would hope when judgment day comes, they don’t have to appear before St. Peter’s table with me and only one space available for both of us and the judgment being made on which of us has done the most for his fellow man. I have no doubt St. Peter will turn to me and say, `Robert, pass through the gate.”‘

In light of the foregoing statements, it would be a good time to see what the Bible has to say about who is going to heaven.

Heaven Not For The Unrighteous

Paul said, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, or thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10). Evidently, some don’t know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God! John wrote, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matt. 5:6), and, “. . . That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:20). The Psalmist said, “. . . for all thy commandments are righteousness” (Psa. 119:172). Righteousness, doing right and being right with the Lord, has to do with one keeping the Lord’s commandments. Jesus told his disciples, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Heaven is a reserved place for a righteous people. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:14).

Good Works Alone Are Not Enough

While the Bible upholds those who do good works (Acts 9:36), one’s salvation in heaven will not be determined solely upon who “has done the most for his fellow man.” The Hebrew writer recorded, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works” (Heb. 10:24). Love is as important as good works! Love involves doing the Lord’s commandments revealed within his word. Jesus said, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). While we must be “zealous of good works” we must be equally zealous of doing his commandments!

Heaven Is Reserved for Those in the Book

John, in his vision of the great white throne of Revelation 20, saw that “whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15). The Lord told the seventy who returned rejoicing in their achievements, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Lk. 10:20). Obedience to the words of the Lord are important, because the Lord says that “if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city” (Rev. 22:19).

The Faithful Shall Receive A Crown of Life

The Lord told John to write, “. . . be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). The Hebrew writer said, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). The faith that saves is the faith that obeys! Those great faith heron of Hebrews 11 were obedient to the word of the Lord. Abel “offered, “Noah “prepared,” and Abraham “obeyed” (Heb. 11:4, 7, 8). Therefore, they all “obtained a good report through faith” (Heb. 11:39) and “died in faith” (Heb. 11:13).

The Bible is plain about who it is that will go to heaven. Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:16). Let’s not accept what some basketball coach, even Bob Knight, or some denominational preacher has to say about who will go to heaven. The Lord, the righteous Judge, has revealed who it is that will go!

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 13, p. 23
July 7, 1994

By Randy Blackaby

The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 12 that he had a “thorn in the flesh,” some sort of physical malady that was most aggravating but which the Lord saw fit not to remove.

Do you have one of those? Perhaps an ailment, a physical weakness, an impairment?

Guesses at what Paul’s “thorn” was have filled the gamut from vision problems created by his Damascus road experience to sexual temptation connected with his unmarried state. We aren’t told what it was.

But, the fact of the matter is that Paul’s ambiguity regarding the nature of this “thorn” enhances the message he conveyed, because each of us can apply the principles to be learned to our own physical hindrances.

Paul identifies the source of the problem when he calls it “a messenger of Satan to buffet me.” Whatever the problem was, it no doubt annoyed, harassed, perhaps even depressed the great preacher unto the Gentiles.

However, despite this, three petitions to the Lord to remove it were denied, suggesting the Lord saw some value in leaving Satan’s annoyance in place.

This is not so surprising to the Bible student who has observed how many times God has taken Satan’s attacks and transformed them into educational, strengthening tools.

Look at the case of God’s own Son. Facing imminent torture and execution, Jesus prayed three times to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane to relieve him of what was about to happen  if there was any alternative.

The Father did not relieve him of the cross but did give him the strength he needed, not only to persevere with one thorn but a crown of them. And, Hebrews 2:10 says Jesus was perfected by the things which he suffered.

What purposes do our “thorns” serve?

First, they serve as an antidote for pride. And pride, like fat, causes men to swell larger than they ought and is very painful to remove and keep removed.

Second, such thorns nurture our dependency upon God, humbling us and helping us recognize our need for God’s help.

Third, these physical problems build strength. A person builds strength purposefully only when he recognizes his weakness. Strength and endurance come only at the price of some suffering. Ask any athlete.

Our suffering in the flesh develops character, temper control and better dispositions, to name just a few things.

We must never forget that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. God is glorified most when our personal weakness is evident and his strength shines through in our life despite our personal impotency.

What is your thorn? Is it a sickness when you want to be well to serve the Lord? Or, might it be poverty, when you could wish to have money to help the Lord’s cause? An unbelieving spouse? Limited education or abilities?

Remember, God’s ways are not our ways. He has at times used the most unlikely men to accomplish his purposes. So, let us recognize that sometimes we may be praying for the removal of something from our lives for which God has a purpose.

Taking the burden away may be our answer but God’s answer may be giving us the strength to handle the burden, thus increasing our faith and that of others.

Don’t pray for an easy life. Pray for strength. Don’t pray for easy tasks. Pray for strength to do more.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 13, p. 21
July 7, 1994

By Mike Willis

Unity is precious to the saints of God. No man who claims to be a disciple of Jesus Christ can be content with division. The preciousness of unity was extolled in Psalm 133. David wrote,

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Unity has the double blessing of being both good and pleasant. There are some things pleasant that are not good for us and some things good for us that are not pleasant. But unity has the double blessing of being both good and pleasant.

The Bible Plan For Unity

Christians do not have an option of choosing to be for or against unity. The Christian must be obedient to the teaching of Christ which demands unity of his disciples. However, not every plan of unity is consistent with the teachings of Christ’s word. We, therefore, begin our quest for unity by considering several of the more important passages of Scripture which teach that Christians should be one. Only then can we know the kind of unity that Christ desires.

1. John 17:20-21: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”

a. The unity of saints is God’s will. The Lord prayed for his saints to be united. Contentment with division is not acceptable. How can we pray, “thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10), without praying for the unity of the saints? Any teaching that accepts the denominational divisions in Christianity as either a good or a necessary-. evil is inconsistent with Jesus’ prayer.

b. The unity is limited to those who believe on me. There can be no unity between Christians and non-Christians. Paul wrote,

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly be-loved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1).

The unity for which Christ prayed is limited to those who are Christians. The unity for which Christ prayed is not for religious people, professors of religion, professed Christians, Christian sects or denominations. It is for Christians. We must understand the conditions for salvation, for being a child of God or a Christian, in order to determine the limits of the unity for which Christ prayed. A person is a Christian who has believed the gospel of Jesus Christ, repented of his sins, confessed his faith in Christ, and been immersed in water for the remission of his sins (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; etc.). The unity of Christians is limited to those who have done this.

c. The unity of saints is to be like that between the Father and the Son. The unity between the Father and the Son is not an organic unity; it is a unity of will and purpose. Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Do you inquire how, or in what sense, he and his Father are one? They are one in mind, in the work of saving man, in the will of God to save men  one in the same Gospel, the same Church, ordinances, worship, and every thing. They work in perfect harmony, in the same mind and in the same judgment. There is not a jar nor a discord between them. They cooperate in the same work. This is the way in which the saints should be one  as Jesus and his Father are one  in the same work, in the same mind, and the same judgment, without a jar or discord” (The Gospel Preacher I:307-308). This unity needs to be distinguished from the unions of denominationalism.

d. This unity will lead to the conversion of the world. Jesus prayed for unity “that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” To the degree that the church is divided, Christians are responsible for the infidelity of the world. How many times have you tried to teach someone what to do to be saved and had to deal with the divisions in Christianity? You have to show them the differences between the Lord’s body and Roman Catholic and Protestant denominationalism, apostasies of brethren, cults, etc. These divisions lead men to throw up their hands in disgust. Were all Christians one, how great an impact this unity would have on the world!

2. John 10:16. Jesus said, “There shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” He foretold the unity which would come when all of God’s people would be united in one church. There were sheep among the Jews and sheep among the Gentiles, but in Christ there would be “one fold and one shepherd.” The unity of saints occurs in the one body (1 Cor. 10:17; 12:12; Eph. 4:4). Paul emphasized that God would “reconcile both (Jew and Gentile, mw) unto God in one body by the cross” (Eph. 2:16). How could this unity occur?

a. The sheep hear the voice of one shepherd. In comparing Christians to sheep and a shepherd, Jesus emphasized that this unity could only be attained and maintained so long as the sheep heard and followed the voice of the one shepherd. The Lord’s sheep do not recognize the voice of a stranger and will not follow him (10:4-5). The Good Shepherd is Christ. When sheep hearken to the voice of strangers rather than the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep, division results.

b. The sheep follow the one shepherd. When the sheep quit following the shepherd, division comes.

3. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13. This text addresses the divisions in the church at Corinth. Here is how it reads:

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Notice these pertinent points from this text:

a. Christ expects doctrinal unity. He expects his children to “speak the same thing” and be of the “same mind” and the “same judgment.” How different this sounds from the modem mockery that says, “We can no more think alike than we can look alike.” The modem unity-in diversity advocates among us are inconsistent in their application of the idea that men cannot think alike. They expect all men to be of the same mind and judgment and to speak the same things about such things as: the existence of God, the deity of Christ, the inspiration of the Scriptures, the virgin birth, the resurrection, and a few other subjectively chosen “fundamental” doctrines. Of course, the unity-in-diversity advocates expect that every person will become just like them in believing and teaching that “we can no more think alike than we can look alike.” On these matters they expect all men to be “clones” one of another. However, when one moves away from their subjectively chosen list, they belittle the idea that men can understand the Bible alike. In contrast to the unity-in diversity activists, Paul expected the Corinthians not only to be of the same mind and same judgment, but also to speak the same thing.

b. Speaking the same thing. The context of 1 Corinthians helps us to understand how we can arrive at the oneness demanded by Scripture. Paul contrasts man’s wisdom with the wisdom of God, insisting that Christians must confine themselves to the doctrine of Christ (2:4; 4:6). The man who confines himself to the revelation of God has the “mind of Christ” (2:16). To be of the “same mind” Christians must have the “mind of Christ”  i.e., confine themselves to the revelation of God’s word.

Having confined ourselves to the revelation of God’s word, Christians can reach the same judgment. Because God’s word does not teach conflicting and contradictory doctrines about any subject. When we abide in the revelation of God’s word, we will reach the same judgment. What other judgment can men who confine themselves to the mind of Christ reach about stealing (murder, adultery, fornication, etc.) except that it is sinful? What other judgment can men who confine themselves to the mind of Christ reach about the action of baptism except that New Testament baptism was immersion in water? Division comes when men cease to have the mind of Christ. Having reached the same conclusion, we can therefore speak the same thing.

Men reject the idea that doctrinal unity is possible because of infidelity based on human experience. They cite the obvious divisions which exist among us as proof that men cannot understand the Bible alike. First, this is inconsistently applied. The same evidences could be used to prove that we can never agree on the existence of God, deity of Christ, virgin birth, resurrection, etc. for men also disagree on these subjects. Second, this impugns the omnipotence and/or goodness of God. Why can’t men understand the Bible alike? God created the Bible as it is for man as he is. Is there a defect in man or the Bible? In either case, God the Creator is at fault. If God wished to make the Bible as it is as a revelation for man as he is, but could not, he is not omnipotent; if God did not choose to give man an understandable revelation and then holds him accountable for obeying it, he is not good. The only alternative to these unacceptable conclusions is to recognize that men can understand the Bible alike and have doctrinal unity.

c. Loyalty to men creates division. When Christians begin to think of men more highly than they ought to think saying, “I am of Paul,” “I am of Cephas,” and “I am Apollos,” they manifest a carnal spirit (1 Cor. 3:3-5). The same carnality is shown when men boast in being a Methodist, Episcopalian, Catholic, Baptist, etc. Paul taught that Christians should only follow him who died for us and in whose name we were baptized (1:13). (Continued in the next issue.)

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 14, p. 2
July 21, 1994