Truth Magazine

By Ron Halbrook

Have you had your first drink of an intoxicating beverage such as wine, beer, or whiskey? Such alcoholic drinks are made to appear very appealing, but they are actually liquid drugs which have an adverse effect on our judgment. The beautiful color, sparkle, and gleam of such drinks and the apparent “fun” of tasting and testing them help to mask their dangers.

Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder (Prov. 23:31-32).

The intoxicant causes many vain and foolish imaginations and leads men to take many unnecessary risks involving both physical and moral dangers.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise (Prov. 20:1).

Drugs may be used as medicine for the sick and dying, but their power is abused when used for social and recreational purposes. The normal duties and activities of life, not to mention its temptations, require that we be alert physically and morally. We would not want to fly in an airplane piloted by someone who had had a few drinks, submit to surgery by a doctor who was even slightly intoxicated, or stand before a judge whose judgment was clouded by alcohol.

It is not for kings, 0 Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted (Prov. 31:4-5).

The common table drink of Bible times was not an intoxicant, but the Bible clearly and rightly warns about the dangers of intoxicating wines and other strong drinks. We need to heed those warnings.

When the Holy Spirit wanted to teach us to be sober or morally alert, he chose a word which in its literal meaning meant “to be free from the influence of intoxicants” and “to abstain from wine” (W. E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, IV:44, 201). “Be sober; be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). In order to be morally alert, we must be free from the influence of those things which cloud our judgment, such as alcohol, temper tantrums, sexual passions, covetous-ness, and the like. Satan knows that our moral senses cannot be fully alert when we begin to be intoxicated, and so he very much wants us to take our first drink.

A citizen of West Columbia, Texas published “an open letter to all teenagers” on the dangers of drinking alcohol (Brazoria County News, 30 September 1993, p. 11). Linda Baker had only two sons, Timmy and Patrick, both of whom were killed in separate accidents caused by drinking alcohol when they were teenagers. In a very simple and powerful way, she appeals to young people not to take that first drink. She gladly gave permission for her letter to be reproduced, explaining, “If it helps just one young person to refuse to take that first drink, it will be worth it.”

Those who have not taken the first drink should resolve never to do so. Those who have made the mistake of stepping across that line and taking the first drink can and should draw a new line by resolving never to take another drink. Let us all look to God for help and strength in order that we may avoid the snares set by Satan. Through Jesus Christ God forgives our past sins when we believe the gospel with all our heart, truly repent of our sins, sincerely confess Christ as the Son of God, and humbly submit to water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 8:35-38). When we are baptized into Christ, God delivers us “from the power of darkness” and translates us “into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Gal. 3:26 27; Col. 1:13). Not only does God forgive our past sins, but also he helps us to resist the devil and to overcome future temptations (1 Cor. 10:13). Those who put their faith in God, in his Son, and in his word can overcome the allure of alcohol and every other power of the devil. “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4).

A Mother’s Open Letter to Teenagers on Alcohol

Dear Editor,

An open letter to all teenagers.

I would like to talk to all of you about the dangers of drinking alcohol. I know from experience, because I lost my only two children, both teenagers to it.

Timmy was almost 19 when he accidentally drowned. He was normally a good swimmer, sober. Patrick was 16 years and 7 months, when he had a car accident, and normally a good driver when sober, when he and several of his friends decided to skip afternoon classes at school and go to Columbia Lakes and have a drinking party.

I am sure that when he took that first drink the thought of it being his last day alive never even entered his mind, or any of the other teenagers that were there that day.

I am writing this letter because I don’t want what happened to Patrick to happen to any of you.

Don’t give up your dreams of the future for alcohol or drugs.

Patrick had dreams for the future. He was looking forward to summer so he could get a job and start saving money to become a game-warden when he would graduate in two years. So please, before you take that first drink, please think about it, and say to yourself, “This could very well be the last day of my life.”

Linda Baker, West Columbia, TX [Brazoria County (TX) News, 30 Sept. 1993, p. 11]

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 7, p. 10-11
April 7, 1994

By Robert L. McDonald

Far too many members among conservative congregations have cultivated an attitude that the battle for truth over liberalism has run its course. There is the thought that we should direct most of our attention to building local churches to a place of acceptability in the world. For the past twenty years there has been a decline in teaching the distinction between liberal and conservative attitudes toward truth. The institutional issues of years past have been pushed to the point of little importance. Two generations have increased the number of brethren who know little or nothing about the apostasy that scourged congregations throughout the United States during the period 1950-1970. With the lines of fellowship firmly drawn, conservative brethren gradually turned their attention to other matters. A new variety of preachers, knowing little of the controversies of forty years ago, choose to preach on subjects not so controversial. This new spirit of teaching has conditioned churches to become suitable for a gradual softening of an attitude toward truth. Briefly, this is in part what happened to a church in Texas.

Fifty-four years ago, Oscar Rossum and J.G. Glazierland and their families formed a new congregation (Rollins Addition Church of Christ) in Longview, Texas. This was while there were no kitchens in the buildings. There was no fraternizing with the denominations. Efforts by churches of Christ in those days were to do Bible things in Bible ways. Times were hard since the depression had taken its toll. These faithful brethren pressed on to build a congregation to the glory of God.

This congregation of black brethren grew in number and reached a financial ability to construct a brick building, a brick house for their preacher, and able to support their work without any outside help. The brethren at Rollins Addition were proud of what had been accomplished.

In 1964, L.W. Walters began his work of preaching at the Rollins Addition church. His relationship with this congregation continued for twenty-eight years until poor health demanded that he retire. He still lives at Longview.

L.W. Walters met Leon Odom in the early 1980s. This acquaintance led to a friendship that enabled Odom to show him the destructiveness of liberalism within churches of Christ. Odom’s teaching resulted in Walters making his stand to expose liberalism to the best of his ability.

In 1987, a terrible situation was uncovered at Rollins Addition. Some brethren had stolen thousands of dollars from the treasury of the church. Two of the elders, acknowledged they were involved in the crime. One of them repaid $2,000 of the $4,000 he had taken with an assurance that $2,000 more would be repaid. To this date there has been no repayment of the balance that was stolen.

On August 9, 1992 L.W. Walters had to resign from his work as local preacher due to poor health. He recommended that Clifford Sheffield of Dallas be invited to labor with the Rollins Addition congregation after his retirement. (The congregation had an attendance of more than a hundred at Walter’s retirement.) Sheffield is sound in the faith, with a strong conviction for truth, and involved in gospel meeting work in many quarters. He began his work with the Rollins Addition congregation in January, 1993.

Within two months after Sheffield began his work, a liberal element in the church began an active campaign against him. Further opposition came from liberal preachers in the Longview area. Other liberal members from Longview moved to “place membership” with the church. As their number increased harassment of Sheffield and any of the brethren who stood with him, became intense.

Robert McDonald, preacher for the Greggton congregation in Longview, taught a series of Bible studies (with an emphasis to expose liberalism) at the Rollins Addition church. Some liberal preachers from the immediate area were in the audience. Most of them remained silent during these studies with only two of them asking questions, or making comment. It became obvious that the underlying situation at Rollins Addition church was the invasion of extreme liberalism among many, and a spirit of racism was manifest with the adherents extremely vocal.

The racists told Clifford Sheffield that they did not want any “white man” to teach at Rollins Addition. These liberals were adamantly opposed to the studies by McDonald. The large number of liberal-minded members posed a problem to the growth and development of the church.

There were signs that a large amount of money was still being stolen from the weekly contribution of the church. A local certified public accountant audited the records of the church with his professional opinion that thousands of dollars had been withheld for more than ten years. With the crime uncovered, and the identity of the guilty within the congregation exposed, the liberal members called a “rump meeting” to send a letter to the bank with instructions to change the signature cards that would enable them to withdraw the funds from the church account. By removing the names of the conservative brethren, and replacing the names of some liberal men, the scheme to withdraw funds were enacted. When the bank officials were informed of the unauthorized action of these men, they froze the account until the difficulties could be resolved. The frozen account is estimated to be about $30,000. In June, 1993, the situation had reached the point of no chance for a proper relationship with the two factions within the congregation. The liberals (some were not even members of the Rollins Addition church) outnumbered the conservative brethren in a show of strength to wrest control of to congregation. Working on numerical strength, the liberals ignored the conservative brethren in the affairs of the church. To have control of future funds of the church, a new account was established with another bank.

Since June of 1993, liberal preachers have been enlisted to the liberal churches of Longview. Some members, who feigned to be conservative, cast their lot with the liberal element. The Rollins Addition, congregation is lost to the influence of liberalism as she moves into complete apostasy.

The brethren who have stood for the truth are few, and have had to leave a congregation with whom they worshipped for many years. Their faith has been tried in spiritual battle for the right. This was hard for them to do. However, they would not compromise for a moment. Their determination is to remain faithful to our Lord in word and in deed. Their aim is to give God Almighty glory with their effort to form the Southeast Church of Christ in Longview.

If any of the readers want to contact these brethren, he may address his letter to Southeast Church of Christ, P.O. Box 12750, Longview, TX 75607. Your encouragement during these trying times would comfort them.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 7, p. 14
April 7, 1994

By Allan E. McNabb

I recently viewed a story on one of the network news shows exploring Gangster Rap. Gangster Rap is a new type of rap music that glorifies the violent crimes committed by gangsters. The news story attempted to uncover whether Gangster Rap promotes violence or simply serves as a vent for the frustrations of youth. You may also have heard about new video games released for the 1993 Christmas shopping season that allow interaction and fantasy with sex and violent crimes. The debate surrounding Gangster Rap and video games exploiting sex and violence is whether interaction through recreation increases one’s desire to carnally engage in similar “real life” activities.

The scientific, philosophical, and psychiatric communities will debate this question for years as they have debated it in the past with heavy metal music. But, God reveals the working of the human mind and body in such matters of association.

Gangster Rap and sexually violent video games are evil. There is little trouble establishing this fact since evil is defined as “morally reprehensible: sinful, wicked, arising from actual or imputed bad character or conduct, causing harm” (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary). I doubt that any honest and moral person would disagree that Gangster Rap and sexually violent video games qualify as evil and sinful.

The Bible explicitly teaches that Christians are to refrain from evil. John teaches in 3 John 11: “do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” Other translations of this passage read: “follow not that which is evil.” So, we learn that Christians should not imitate (or follow) that which is evil. And, since Gangster Rap and sexually violent video games are evil, Christians should not engage in the using of such evil devices.

Jesus teaches numerous lessons that Christians should flee from evil. In Matthew 7:17-18 Jesus says that every good tree bears good fruit and every bad tree bears bad fruit. So, if we are Christians, we will bear good fruit in avoiding such things that are evil. In Matthew 12:34-35 and Matthew 15:19 Jesus teaches that sin and evil come from a person’s heart. So, if we have a good heart we will do good things, but if we have an evil heart we will do evil things. Wherefore, if one is engaging in anything evil inclusive of Gangster Rap and sexually violent video games, it is because evil is in his heart, otherwise Gangster Rap and sexually violent video games would be shunned. Jesus says: “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matt. 15:19).

To answer the question as to whether Gangster Rap and sexually violent video games will promote evil and violence in society, we appeal to 1 Corinthians 15:33. Here, Paul writes the Corinthians regarding a dispute over the resurrection. In this verse he tells them that if a person associates with evil people that propagate heresies (there is no resurrection), the good person will eventually be corrupted. Paul says: “Do not be deceived: `Evil company corrupts good habits. ‘ Some people today are trying to deceive us into thinking that associating and recreating with such evil things as Gangster Rap and sexually violent video games will not corrupt society. But, the Bible warns that we are not to be deceived  we imitate the things with which we associate. For example, if you move to England for a few years, you will begin to develop an English accent. And, much to your surprise, your friends in the United States will be able to tell a significant difference in your speech, but you may only detect a minute change from your original speech. The same is true with everything we do. We naturally imitate the people with whom we associate. Often, we do not realize that changes have occurred until they have been drawn to our attention.

Therefore, Christians are to put away all evil inclusive of Gangster Rap and sexually violent video games. Let us as Christians attend to our duty to: “Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good” (Rom. 12:9). And, “we should not lust after evil things” (1 Cor. 10:6). Also, “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5: 21 – 22). Furthermore, let us make known to all of the world that evil and violence will be propagated in society which allows Gangster Rap and sexually violent video games to exist as well as all else that is evil.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 7, p. 15
April 7, 1994

By Olen Holderby

Debtor

The Greek word means, “One who owes any-thing to another,” or “a person who is under an obligation.” W. E. Vine offers six instances of the metaphorical use of this word (opheiletes) in the New Testament; they follow: Matt.6:12  Here it refers to those who have not, as yet, made amends to those whom they have injured. They owe a debt to the offended to make those amends. Lk.13:4  It is referring to those whose disaster was liable to be regarded as punishment for their offences. The word “sinners” has a marginal reading of “debtors.” Rom. 1:14 Paul uses the word in reference to himself in the preaching of the gospel. He considered himself owing a debt which could be met only by preaching the gospel. Rom.8:12  Here an obligation is placed upon the believers to mortify the deeds of the flesh. Rom.15:27  Gentile believers were obligated to assist Jewish believers. Gal.5:3  Those who would be justified by circumcision were duty bound to keep the whole law. These six verses are enough to establish our own debtorship; and, as was Paul, we need to be deeply aware of that obligation, that debt that we owe to others. But, to what, or to whom are we debtors?

When we are neglectful or fail to obey him, we jeopardize our own salvation (Heb.2:3; 5:9).

We are debtors to our loved ones. God has plainly stated the obligations of all family members: Parents to children (Prov.22:6; Eph.6:4; Col.3:21); children to parents (Col.3:20; Eph.6: 1-3); husbands and wives to each other (Eph.5:22-33; Col.3:18-19; 1 Pet.3:1-2). Timothy learned the “holy scriptures” from his youth (2 Tim.3:15). Being a good example cannot be more important anywhere else than in the home (1 Tim. 4:12).

We are debtors to the church. In Ephesians 5:25-27 we have God’s intended purity of the church plainly stated; and, we are debtors to see that it meets this high standard. We must use all of our talents to edify the church (Matt.25:14:30). We must strive to make sure that the organization, worship, and work of the church is exactly as the first-century church (2 Jno.9; 1 Cor.4:6). We are debtors to cooperate within, and to do all things to edify one another (Rom.14:19).

We are debtors to God. This is true because we receive from him “every good and every perfect gift” (Jas.1:17); and, our continuing existence depends upon him (Job 34:15). Creatures ought to already know that they must not forget their Creator.

We are debtors to the world of the lost. This is Paul’s emphasis in Romans 1:14-15. The lost need the gospel of Christ for it is God’s power to save them (Rom.1:16; Mk.16:15-16). We are debtors to carry that gospel to them; and, we are lost unless we produce fruit unto the Lord (Jn.15:2).

Accepting our debtorship in all facets of our lives ought to be a pleasure. Christ died for us while we were yet sinners (Rom. 5:8). He bare our sins in his own body on the Cross (I Pet. 2:24); and, we are saved, now and eternally, by his “precious blood” (1 Pet.1:19).

We are debtors to ourselves. We do have to give an account to God (2 Cor.5:10). We must not permit the cares of this world to choke the Word from our hearts (Mk.8:36); and, we must be doers of that Word and not hearers only (Jan.1:22).

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 7, p. 13
April 7, 1994