Truth Magazine

By Ken Cooper

The greatest need in the church today is not so much more preachers, elders, deacons, meeting houses or better Bible classes, etc. True, these are all needed, but one of the greatest needs in the Lord’s church is for more members to be personal evangelists. When we compare our efforts today with the successful efforts of the church of the first century (Acts 8.4;.17:6; Col. 1:23), we see that there is definitely something lacking. The great commission is one of the most familiar teachings of Jesus and yet, it is one of the mast neglected It says “go ye” but when we apply it to ourselves, it says, “go me” Possibly one reason why Christians are not going is due to indifference and/or a lack of motivation to be soul winners. That indifference can be removed by going to the Bible and there learn why every Christ to be a soul winner.

1. Christ n as a soul winner, He was always willing and ready to teach multitudes (Matt.S-7),oranindividaluwaJn.3:1-13:4:1 26),I3e r came to save sinners and his aim was always the same, that is to challenge every individual to obey God’s will. As Christians (which means Christ-like) we must strive to imitate the Lord’s example in seeking the lost.

2. Early Christians were soul winners. They were to In Jerusalem preaching the gospel to every creature in their generation. Even persecution did not keep them from their task for they taught “daily … in every house” (Acts 5:42) and “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:1-4). The Christians of the first century took the great commission seriously. They understood what the Lord cant when he said “go.” “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk.16:15).They did go, and so must we.

3. The Scriptures reveal that every Christian has a personal responsibility to seek the lost. By reading Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:2 and I Peter 3:15 we learn that every. Christian is implicated in the great commission. Each child of God is responsible m do his part. In fact, individual responsibility is emphasized throughout the New Testament; Notice what “many of the brethren” did in Philippians 1:14; and to whom Jude 3 (“earnestly contend for the faith’) was written (“to them that are sanctified.” v. I). Every Christian must shoulder his responsibility. If a congregation has 100 members, it should have 100 personal evangelists. Therefore, it is urgent that every Christian get involved and seeking the lost now, wherever they are or whatever they are doing. We can do what the Lord wants us to do!

4. Soul winning is good for the soul winner. It has been stated that “the saved are saved to save others!” Truly, every Christian needs to be faithful (in.15.1-5; Matt. 25: 14-46), but seeking the lost also pays great dividends in this life. Personal evangelism promotes consecration, dedication, faithfulness, prayer, more Bible study, as well as a sense of contributing to the cause of Christ. Thus, soul winning is a spiraling type of f encouragement which leads to eternal happiness.

Being a soul winner is important because it produces results. It helps every individual Christian as well as the local church to go, grow and glow for Christ. You can be a soul winner for Jesus Why not start today?

Guardian of Truth, XXXVII, No. 23, p. 4
December 2, 1993

By Kyle Pope

A recent program I watched on television focused its attention on the question of how parents should raise their children. The program began by looking at the fact that throughout history parents have held corporal punishment (spanking, whipping, etc.) to be an acceptable form of discipline. The program then pointed out that the Bible itself teaches physical punishment of children as a part of training them. The question was then asked (to the effect) “Can the Bible, history and tradition all be wrong?” The remainder of the program looked at the views of “experts” that answered this question in no uncertain terms  “Yes, spanking children is wrong!”

This may seem like a rather tame statement at first, but I’m afraid that as Christians we may not realize what we are conceding if we either: (I) accept this view to be true or, (2) allow it to go unchallenged. What we say is that God is wrong! He does not understand human nature and childhood development! He has instructed what is actually destructive to such development! And thus his admonitions must not be heeded on this subject, That may sound rather strong but I believe that is exactly what such a concession must confess.

What we must understand first are the claims of scripture. It does not purport to be man’s commentary on God’s will but rather the mind of God revealed to man directly. Thus 2 Peter 1:20,21 claims … No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (NKJV). Further, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 claims “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (NIV). So it is clear that the claim is that Scripture is God’s word. One can either accept that or not, but to be true to scripture one must admit at least what the Bible claims about itself!

So then, what are the claims of scripture about the concept of corporal punishment? (1) It is commanded by God  “Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die” (Prov. 23:13, NKJV). (2) It is constructive to a child “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him” (Prov. 22:15).

It can be a demonstration of love “He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly” (Prov. 13:24). It can lead to wisdom and (5) It is shameful to neglect it “The rod and reproof giveth wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother” (Prov. 29:15). (6) It must not be destructive to the child  “Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction” (Prov. 19:18). (7) It can benefit a child spiritually “You shall beat him with a rod and deliver his soul from hell [that is Sheol]” (Prov. 29:17). (9) It is a characteristic of God’s dealings with man  “For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives” (Heb. 12:6).(10)

Those without it are treated as illegitimate children  “But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons” (Heb. 12:9). (11) Though intended to be unpleasant it can produce righteous behavior “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:11).

All of this makes it abundantly clear that scripture teaches there is a place for the physical discipline of children in proper parenting. That is not to sanction all that is done in the name of discipline. Nor does teach that abuse is to be treated lightly. But simply that if we claim to accept the Bible as God’s word we must accept with it what it teaches us about how to raise our children. This calls on us to place great confidence in the authority of scripture and sometimes to reject the notions of the so-called “experts.”

But what about abuse? Our generation has seen examples of perhaps the most horrifying treatment of children imaginable. Sometimes in the name of discipline and sometimes out of some perverse pleasure in the inflicting of pain children have been brutalized. As Christians we must stand against this! There is a difference between the moderate application of discomfort by loving parents and the enduring scars of brutality inflicted by disturbed and ungodly souls!

Perhaps the following questions would be good to ask ourselves the next time we discipline our children:

Why are we spanking them? (Simply out of anger or in an attempt to shape their behavior?)

What do we want them to learn from this? (Do we have a conscious objective?)

Have we given plenty of positive reinforcement to balance things? (Do they see our love for them?)

Do they understand our expectations of them? (Have we talked with them enough?)

I pray that godly mothers and fathers who love the Lord will boldly and courageously stand up for the unfailing truth of Gods word. At stake is not only our belief in the inspiration of scripture but our children themselves!

 Guardian of Truth XXXVII, No. 23, p.1
December 2, 1993

By Connie W. Adams

Do It for the Children

A southern Indiana county (just across the Ohio River from Louisville) has just voted on whether to allow riverboat gambling. The advertisement in favor of this has been intense. A Baptist preacher has led the flight against it and has been openly attacked by the pro-gambling forces as a religious fanatic, bigot and a few other choice terms. The pro-gambling people have made the usual arguments about tax revenue, jobs and helping the economy. But the strangest twist of all has been the campaign ploy to “do it for the children.” Ostensibly they are to benefit from added revenue for education.

This makes about as much sense as it would to promote riverboat prostitution or drugs. Think of all the jobs that would create. Why people would have not to slip around on the seamier side of town to find a prostitute or to get their drugs from some shady character on the street. They could enter the glittering world of the riverboat, obtain what they want, the county would profit from the taxes, schools could be helped and we could do it all “for the children.” If this is not an abuse of children, pray tell, what is? Gambling keeps bad company. Corruption of every sort surrounds it. It is not “for the children.” The promoters don’t give a hoot about the children. It feeds off the desire to get something for nothing, minimizes the virtue of honest work for honest pay and the whole thing is about greed. What is good “for the children” has nothing to do with it.

For a Season

Moses chose rather to “suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Deb. 11:25). The NASB reads “the passing pleasures of sin” as does the NKJV. But I like the old KJV rendition. What better describes the transitory nature of sin and its pleasure than “for a season”? As this is written, autumn has passed its peak in Kentucky. The brilliant artistry of the Almighty which dazzled the eye from early October has given way to the rains of late fall and several hard freezes. Leaves are falling and by the time you read this, the cold naked branches, once so gorgeously arrayed, will stretch their boney fingers toward heaven as if in supplication for the return of spring. Autumn is an exciting time. But it is a passing season. Before long the landscape will be draped in a dazzling carpet of white. But that too shall pass. Sin promises much but delivers misery and death. Whatever pleasure it provides is soon gone and we are left with its bitter aftertaste. “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). The flush of its color, the excitement it offers, is only “for a season.”

Glad the Old Law Has Passed

Lowell Sallee was preaching on “Children Obey Your Parents” and read Exodus 21:15 and 17 to show how seriously God regarded smiting or cursing parents. In both cases the law of Moses mandated the death penalty. A nine-year-old boy listened intently and afterward commented to Lowell, “I’m sure glad we are not under the old law for I would have been dead for three years.”

While the law of Moses has been nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14-17), the New Testament still teaches “Children, obey your parents for this is right. Honor thy father and mother that it may be well with thee, for this is the first commandment with promise” (Eph. 6:1-2). This is a divine responsibility and the Child’s Rights Movement cannot set it aside. And it is not child abuse to teach our children this principle with enforcement when necessary. Respect for parents is the beginning place for respect for all authority, domestically, in the civil realm and in the spiritual domain.

Necessary Inference

Of late, necessary inference, as a means of establishing divine authority has come under at-tack from advocates of the “new hermeneutic.” But I have often marvelled at the force of some-thing I heard the late A.C. Grider say. He said that when we come to the word “therefore” in the text, we ought to see “what it is there for.” Peter drew such an inference in Acts 15:10. He had shown that God put no difference between Jew and Gentile when the gospel was itnroduced to both. In each case God poured out the Holy Spirit. Since God put no difference, Peter said, “Now there-fore, why tempt ye God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples. . . .But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they” (Acts 15:10-1 1).

The Hebrew writer said, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we let them slip” (Heb. 2:1). What is “therefore” there for? The preceding chapter had shown that God speaks in these last days through his Son who is superior to both prophets and angels. Even the Father himself addressed him as “0 God.” His eternity was argued (“thy years shall not fail”) and his rank established in that the Father said to him, “Sit thou on my right hand.” Being so qualified as heaven’s spokesman “in these last days” “there-fore” we ought (obligation, moral imperative) to give earnest heed to what he said. Now do you see what “therefore” is there for? All you aspiring experts in hermeneutics who have been reading the likes of The Core Gospel, The Cruciform Church, and The Second Incarnation would do well to ponder brother Grider’s advice.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII, No. 23, p. 3-4
December 2, 1993

By Pam Martin

On September 12, 1992, Devin Augusta Kleckner, my first granddaughter was born. Following two very complicated pregnancies with only one live birth, the doctors had anticipated that my daughter would have serious problems with this one, too. Surprisingly, not only did this one proceed without serious problems but the delivery itself was fairly easy. Devin’s father and I were told that she was fine and that there were no problems. Within a matter of four hours we would not only be told that she was dying, but that they honestly didn’t know what to do to save her.

As I waited outside the neo-natel intensive care unit, my daughter and son-in-law by their daughter’s side, I began to visualize all of the things this small child would never see, of all the wonders she would never know.

As I prayed for her life, it wasn’t for years or decades. But, rather, it was for just one more hour. Just one more hour in which to tell her all about God and all the beauty he created for mortal man. To tell her about the gift he gave to us of his Son who died on Calvary for sinners like me. To tell her about all the wonders God left here on earth; and of the love I have for God, before she had to leave. Just one more hour, please.

Lord, I asked, in just one hour I could paint her pictures of the Bible she’ll never read; of her Mother’s face she’ll never see. I could sing to her the hymns she’ll never sing; and, tell her of the promises of the Bible that we mortals sometimes take for granted.

Lord, I pleaded, let me have just one more hour to hold her with these earthly arms; You see you’ll have her for all eternity. Let me share with her the joy of seeing a new day bloom, and of the colors of the horizon as the sun begins its descent at the end of the day and of the moon as it begins to rise at sunset. And of the sounds the ocean makes as it breaks on the beach. Let me tell her of the thrill of seeing the first snow flake as winter’s morning wakes. Or the first blades of grass as spring brings new life to this world she would never know.

Just one more hour to assure this small child that when she left this earthly realm that she would be with her Heavenly Father. And that although those she left behind would mourn her leaving, we would know that there were no better hands that she could be in. That we loved her and would miss her and that her leaving would leave an empty place in all of our lives. Was I asking too much, Lord, for just one more hour? I knew that children are only on loan to us, but she was only a few hours old. Was it too much to ask for one more hour to tell her a lifetime she would never know; just one more hour in which to let her go?

Six days later for reasons her doctors did not understand, Devin’s condition had improved to the point that she was removed from the critical-intensive care list to stable condition. She went home when she was twelve days old. There were people in four congregations praying for his small child; praying that if it was the Lord’s will that she would be healed. One in every million babies are born with some measure of Devin’s problem. Hers was so severe that she deteriorated from healthy to extremely critical in less than two hours. That fragile baby is now a healthy little crawler with a one hundred percent perfect bill of health.

Our children are on loan to us from God. In modern day language, if you fail to take care of a loan then you must pay the penalty. If we fail properly to take care of the loan God has given us of our children, we will pay a very heavy penalty when the final judgment comes to pass. Never forget the heartache that can and will occur in this lifetime if we fail our children spiritually.

Have you taken care of your precious loan? Have you treated it as though it were the most precious thing you could ever receive? Or, have you neglected your loan to the point that you are now in default? If so, it is now time to refinance your loan and start anew today with the support of God and his word to show you the way he wants his children to live. Remember, children do learn what they live and you never know if this is indeed your last hour.

Don’t find yourself begging for one more hour to make right with your children what you have had a lifetime to do as the years have passed you by.

(Written after the birth of my granddaughter. What at first appeared to be a time of great joy quickly turned into a drastic test of my faith. A few short words brought me face to face with how quickly a young life can end.)

Guaridan of Truth XXXVII, No. 22, p. 22
November 18, 1993