Truth Magazine

By Carl McMurray

.. You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and sky, but why do you not analyze this present time?” (Lk. 12:56, NASV).

As I view the church in different places, I se that the brethren are quite a varied and talented group. There are doctors and lawyers, office managers and supervisors, artists and sales help, scientists and secretaries, engineers and police officers. Every one of these sees a different segment of life and analyzes culture specimens, criminal justice or the business climate, however, I wonder if we are really seeing the “signs of the times.”

Do we see our homes being hurt? Note that I said “our” homes. The homes of the world have always been in disorder. Now the homes of more and more Christians are troubled. More of “our” children are growing up in the hands of others than their parents. The obvious result is a lack of discipline and failure to pass on the parents’ values. Husbands and wives drift apart because each is so busy that they have no time to spend with each other. We spend more time with and draw closer to the people with whom we work than with those whom we love and have responsibilities and commitments toward. Often the result is divorce! Even when a divorce does not take place so many of our children are lost to the kingdom of God.

Do we see our congregations suffering? If work calls, the Lord must wait, even if it is a second job, or the wife’s work (in the sense of “helping out,” not being the “bread winner”) or even a teenager’s job at Burger King. If we want to vacation or visit or just sit home, our seat in the assembly testifies to where our heart is. Our Bible classes suffer because of the lack of participation. The work in many places goes lacking because few who are unfaithful in attendance will be faithful in liberal giving. Our children observe and follow our example and are hurt thereby. Brethren watch and wonder and are discouraged.

Do we see ourselves hurting? The home (one’s spouse and children) is the center piece of one’s life. Success here is an everlasting joy and victory over life. Failure here is a failure that no other successes in life can take the sting from. Likewise, the church is not some institution or group we “join.” It is family, love, and our connection to eternity and salvation. When home or church is hurting  we are hurting. Sure, it can be ignored for a while or even covered up, buta price will be paid and it may be an everlasting one.

Let’s not be like the elderly fellow who can see and examine everything at a distance, but cannot see anything up close, where it really matters. Let’s not be like the Jews who could tell the weather by looking at the sky, but could not see the Son of God standing in front of them. Nor could they see what was coming for their nation as a result of their blindness. Instead, let’s open our eyes and see things as they really are. Jesus Christ will give us the clear vision to do so, if our hearts are truly intent on serving him.

 Guardian of Truth XXXVII, No. 23, p. 24
December 2, 1993

By Louis J. Sharp

The apostle Pail speaks of the difference of comprehension and understanding as relates to the adult and juvenile. It is not a statement of scorn or contempt, but one of the experiences. He said: “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (I Cor. 13:11). The following articles from The Hiding Place, via Readers Digest (July, 1993, p. 150), is an excellent example.

Corrie ten Boom:

“Father, what is sex sin?”

My father turned to look at me, as he always did when answering a question, but to my surprise he said nothing. At last he stood up, lifted his traveling case from the rack over our heads, and set it on the floor.

“Will you carry it of the train, Corrie?” he said. I stood up and tugged at it. It was crammed with watched and spare parts he had purchased that morning.

“Its too heavy,” I said.

“Yes,” he said, “And it would be pretty poor father who would ask a pretty little girl to carry such a load. Its the same way, Corrie, with knowledge. Some knowledge is too heavy for children. When you are older and stronger you can bear it. For now, you must trust me to carry it for you.

And I was satisfied. More than satisfied  wonderfully at peace. There were answers to this and all my hard questions  but now I was content to leave them in my fathers keeping.”

I feel for the child of our day who is asked to carry loads the fathers and mothers should be carrying for them. Our children are robbed of childhood as they are called upon to carry “adult” responsibilities. Paul teaches there is a time “to put away childish things,” but not when you are a child/ James Dobson wisely stated: “Sometimes we’re so concerned about giving our children what we never had growing up, we neglect to give Important goal then is to bring them up In the nurture and them what we did have growing up.” Even though a child may have the mental capacity to learn beyond their years, they are not capable of shouldering adult obligations.

Do you not fear, along with me, for the future of our families, our homes, our nation, when fools are situated in high places. The wise man wrestled with this problem long, long ago. He observed: “The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good” (Ecc. 9:17-18; NIV). Also, “There is art evil [have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: Fools are now put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones” (Etcl. 10:5-6; NIV).

The following letter to the editor of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette (July 17, 1993), is worthy of reprint. It was written by brother Marvin Cossey who used to worship with this congregation. Under the caption, Does Dr. Elders know whats best for Children? He wrote:

Dr. Joycelyn Elders talks about a goal of making every child in America a wanted child.

Some would consider her a crusader for children. But does she really know whats best for children? Based on her opinions on related issues, I doubt that she does.

She favors passing out condoms to students in public schools. In an effort to reduce teen pregnancies, Elders would aid and abet students in committing fornication. This I like the program in New York where they passed out hypodermic needles to drug addicts. You do not encourage people to do right by assisting them in doing wrong.

In case her condoms dont succeed, this arrogant doctor has another cure for unwanted pregnancies. She would simple kill the unborn child by abortion.

Her “cure” is worse than the illness. Apparently, she is unable to see that human life is more important than whether a child is wanted or unwanted.

Liberals such as Elders have a flawed concept of right. They support a mothers right to kill her child in the womb, but not a fathers right to preserve it. They have an abortionists right to kill for profit, but not the babys right to live.

Elders goal for children to be wanted is way down on the list of whats best for children. Without the right to life itself, all other goals are meaningless. Once children are born, the most important goal, then, is to “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

True advocates for children will stress morality, not condoms; they will promote life, not abortion.

It was a sad day for our nation when the decision was made to allow rank humanists to take charge of and control the curriculum and teaching of our children. The wise man warned long ago, “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding” (Prov. 23:23). And, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34).

Lord, help us to guide our children aright!

 Guardian of Truth, XXXVII, No. 23, p.21
December 2, 1993

By Greg Litmer

Last week I had the opportunity to visit with an older brother in Christ. For him things are not the same as they used to be. Various parts of his body are not working properly any more and his mind is starting to fail him too. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the visit very much. As I left and was driving back to the church building, I noticed the slowly changing color of the leaves on the trees. Autumn, in my opinion the most beautiful time of the year, is upon us. How interesting that the most majestic beauty of the leaves is not seen until the autumn, until the time when they are about to fall to the ground and be swept away. The last days of their lives are the most beautiful to behold. There is no sadness at this time, however, because we know that when the spring comes, the leaves will live again and the trees will be full.

How similar are the latter days of the faithful Christian. When the earlier days of toil and labor are but a memory and the promised rest does not appear to be too far in the future – is there ever a time when the Christian is more beautiful than in the autumn years, especially in those days when the leaf is about to fall to the ground? What a joy to speak to a brother or sister who has just about completed the race, who has almost finished fighting the battle, and who knows that henceforth there is laid up for them a crown that the righteous judge will give them at that day. Can anything make us feel better than the smile on the face of such a brother or sister in Christ? Can anything make us more confident of what lies beyond than the blessed assurance of one who has lived his or her life as a faithful servant of the Lord?

In 2 Corinthians 1:3,4, Paul wrote, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we our-selves are comforted of God.” “The God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation …”

I strongly suspect that those autumn years, and the days right before the leaf falls, are the time of life when the faithful Christian really comes to understand the meaning of “The God of all comfort.” Yes, parents and friends may be long gone; spouses may have passed away too; maybe the body has worn out and doesn’t function as it once did; maybe the mind wanders and conversations are hard to have – but in the lucid moments there is that comfort that comes only from a life of service to our God, the God of all comfort. I strongly suspect that is why so many autumnal Christians have a smile on their faces.

I am not going to mention any names here, but my older, faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, when I grow old, and as Paul said, “the time of my departing is at hand …,” I pray to God I’ll be just like you.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 24, p. 1
December 16, 1993

By Marc W. Gibson

One of the greatest events a person is privileged to witness is the union of a man and a woman in marriage and the beginning of a new home. It is a time of happiness and joy. Much thought, through, needs to be given before and after the wedding to the great responsibilities involved. Many take their marriage and their home too lightly. Too many marriages end in divorce, homes are broken up and children are neglected. God will hold us responsible for how we fulfill (or not fulfill) our obligations. If we follow his instructions, we can be successful and happy. If we do not, heartache and disaster will lurk around every corner.

Marriage

From the very beginning of time, we learn that it was not good for man to be alone. Therefore, a woman, a helper comparable to him, was made for him (Gen. 2:18-23). When God joined the first man and woman in the first marriage relationship, it was said, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). This is the institution of marriage: a man and a woman leaving all others to cleave to one another, being joined together by God. Any other joining, such as a man with a man or a woman with a woman is an abomination before God (Lev. 18:22; Rom. 1:26-27). God set the pattern when he joined one man and one woman.

It is God’s plan for a man and a woman to be married for life. Jesus admonished, “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matt. 19:6). This is a warning we should heed. An individual is bound to his mate for life by the law of God (Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:39).

What about divorce? A divorce for any reason other than for the cause of fornication is sin and any subsequent remarriage is adultery (Mk. 10:1 1-12; Lk. 16:18; Matt. 5:32; 19:9). God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16). It is a breakdown of the beautiful union he joined. It is sickening to hear of the number of divorces today and the carnage they leave behind in confused children, broken hearts, and lost souls. God will not tolerate any divorce unless it be for the cause of fornication. There are many today who live in adultery with mates they have no scriptural right to. They need to repent and cease that adulterous relationship. Some may be in a position where they cannot marry again. Jesus said these would be hard sayings for some, but that the kingdom of heaven must be first in our lives (Matt. 19:11-12). Let us respect and follow God’s revealed will. Sin can have hard consequences, but heaven is worth it all (Matt. 6:33). Do you agree?

Who can many? The one who has never married, has lost a mate to death (Rom. 7:2-3), or has divorced his or her mate for the cause of fornication (Matt. 5:32; 19:9) has the scriptural right to marry. This is God’s revealed will on this question. We cannot add nor subtract.

Sex

The sexual desire of a man and a woman must be fulfilled in the marriage relationship (1 Cor. 7:2-5). Also, marriage is the only relationship in which sexual desires can be fulfilled. I say this not to be a prude, but because it is God’s law. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4). Fornication is all forms of sexual immorality. Sexual intercourse between two unmarried people is fornication, and this sin will keep one from inheriting the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9). Adultery is a form of fornication and refers to sexual relations of a married person with someone other than his spouse. This will also cause one to lose his soul if not repented of and stopped (1 Cor. 6:9-11). With peer pressure, easy access to birth control, and the general immorality of the world, it is hard to resist this terrible temptation of Satan. We need to do whatever is necessary to “flee fornication” (Gen. 39:7-12; 1 Cor. 6:18). Instead of living with guilt or an unwanted child, make up your mind (and teach your children) to keep the precious gift of virginity for the person you marry.

The Home

When a man and a woman unite in marriage, they unite their lives. God described it as becoming “one flesh” (Matt. 19:5-6). I believe this involves more than just the sexual relationship. They become one in mind, purpose, will and direction. If this type of relationship is never formed or developed, the marriage is in serious trouble. A husband and wife have certain obligations toward one another that work for a successful home. A home is more than just the house you live in. As someone once said, the home is where the heart is. Is your heart in your home?

The husband has the God-given responsibility to be the head of the home. The husband is the head of the wife, but not as an iron-willed dictator. Paul compares the headship of a husband to the headship of Christ over the church (Eph. 5:23). If men would care for their wives as Christ cares for the church, we would see a lot of happy, content wives. Husbands are told to love their wives even as their own bodies (Eph. 5:25,28). A godly husband will nourish and cherish his wife, making her feel important and loved. He would do anything for her, even give his life for her. Husbands are you treating your wives right? A man is to take care of and provide for his household, for “if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8). A faithful man will also bring up his children in the “training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

The wife is taught to be in submission to her husband as head, respecting him in that position God gave him (Eph. 5:22, 33). This is easily and happily done when the husband loves her as he ought. The home breaks down when either party refuses to work with the other as God directs. Women are to love their children (which includes discipline) and take care of the home (Tit. 2:4-5). If you think this is unimportant, look at what has happened to our society in general and our children in particular. Much of the crime and social problems we have today have their root in bad homes.

Children should obey their parents. If not, they disobey God (Eph. 6:1-4). Children should be the objects of love and care and be treated as human beings. They should never be the victims of physical or mental abuse.

If all parts of the marriage and home work together as God directs, there is harmony and happiness. If sin has caused heartache in your home, do what you can to correct your own life and influence godly change in your loved ones. Even the most godly people will sometimes have to endure heartache and sadness because of sin that touches close to home. Keep your eyes focused on God and heaven. The toils and the troubles of this life will seem as nothing when we get to the end of the way.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII, No. 23, p. 9-11
December 2, 1993