Truth Magazine

By Joe R. Price

It is often called “The Lord’s Prayer” because it was spoken by Jesus. But, a more appropriate description would be “The Model Prayer,” since it was spoken by Jesus to his disciples upon their request to “teach us to pray” (Lk.1 l : l ff). The model set forth by Jesus is as follows:

Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, soon earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen (Matt. 6:9-13).

J.W. McGarvey called this prayer “a model of matter, arrangements and expression.” The German theologian Helmut Thielicke described it as “great things and small things; spiritual things and material things; inward things and out-ward things  there is nothing that is not included in this prayer.” Truly, this prayer is a model of sincerity, simplicity and faith.

A Blueprint For Prayer

The importance of this prayer is found in the words which directly precede it in Matthew’s account: “After this manner therefore pray ye” (Matt. 6:9a). Jesus has put us under commandment to learn to pray from this blueprint he left us. By emulating this prayer when we pray, we will be communicating with God in the most effective way possible. People pray in all sorts of ways. We can have confidence that our prayers are honorable and honored by our heavenly Father when we pray to him in the Christ-approved way. Consider a brief outline of this prayer which may help us increase our understanding of how to pattern our prayers after this Model Prayer.

1. First, we should know that prayer is a matter of invoking God’s hearing and help (v. 9b). So, Jesus says to acknowledge this when we pray  “Our Father.” It is the Christian who is blessed with this unique relationship with God. God has bestowed upon us his love that we should be called his children (1 Jn. 3:1-2; Jn. 1:12). Prayer is given to God’s children to talk with their Heavenly Father! Our prayers must always give honor to God as our Provider, Protector and Sustainer (2 Cor. 6:18).

2. It is equally needful to exhibit reverent regard for our Heavenly Father  “Who art in heaven” (v. 9b). While we (as the children of God) love him, we must never be irreverent toward him. “… God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few” (Eccl. 5:2). As someone has said: “The familiarity of love must not forget the reverence due to holiness.”

Once we have invoked God’s hearing and help in our prayers, our attention should be given to petitioning God about himself and man’s response to him (v. 9c-10). Specifically.

a. That God’s name be hallowed (treated as holy): Hallowed be thy name. The glory of God should be in view when we pray. Not only should we acknowledge his holiness (Rev. 4:8), we should also pray that all men everywhere may revere him. “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee” (Psa.9:10).

b. That God’s kingdom come: Thy kingdom come. This element of prayer anticipates as well as announces the rule of God in the lives of men. God’s kingdom has come (Mk. 1:15; 9:1; Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4), and is identified as Christ’s church. Yet. there are billions who have not subjected them-selves to the rule which God exercises through his Son. That the lost might obey the rule of God in their lives must be our constant prayer.

c. That God’s will be done: Thy will be done. God’s children long for the purposes of God to be fully realized in every corner of this universe! As God’s will is done in heaven (completely, cheerfully and immediately), it is our prayer that things may be soon earth. We help matters when we conform ourselves to the will of God (Matt. 26:39; 9:36-38; Rom. 12:2).

4. We should petition God about ourselves (vv. 11-13):

a. Our physical provisions  Give us this day our daily bread. The things needful for life come from God (Matt. 6:31-32).

b. Our need for pardon  Forgive us our debts. We can never pay the debt we owe God due to our sin (Matt. 18:21-27). We must seek his mercy while understanding that our forgiveness is related to our own mercifulness (Matt. 18:28-35).

c. Our protection  Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matt. 26:41; 1 Cor. 10:13). We must be sober and watchful as we pray for strength and wisdom to withstand temptations (Eph. 6:18; 1 Pet. 5:8).

5. We should approach God with adoration (v. 13). Our prayers must pay homage to the majesty and grandeur of God. Sovereign rule, might, and honor belong to him (Rev. 4:10-11). A recognition of the position and attributes of God always has a place in the prayers which we lay before him.

Jesus teaches us sincerity, simplicity and faith through this “Model Prayer.” As we pray, let us remember this order: God, others and ourselves. Prayer is powerful when prayed to the All-Powerful God (v. 15) who is “our Father who art in heaven.”

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: No 19, p. 22
October 7, 1993

By Lewis Willis

CBS MORNING NEWS (4-2-92), conducted an inter-view based on the findings of a new report. The report found that 91% of Americans believe that religion is important. However, 63% reject moral absolutes for their lives. “Moral absolutes” are the statements in the Scriptures which say we must or must not do certain things.

What Americans want to do is make moral decisions about right or wrong, basing that decision on the situation or the circumstance which they encounter. This is what was called “situation ethics” in the 1960s. “Situation ethics” gave America that terrible time when everything seemed to come apart. All moral values were expelled, and people did anything they decided they wanted to do. Rebellion against every form of authority was rampant. Any established norm for human conduct was openly, and sometimes violently, opposed. Sexual freedoms were demanded and the world came to know American hippi-ism. Dirty, long-haired, idle youth roamed the country, making a nuisance of themselves. The drug scene was dumped on America by these rebels, and we still struggle with the burden. Every institution  government, home and family, social, educational, economic  came under the ridicule of people who wanted to do their own thing, without any rules governing or restricting their conduct.

I think it was hoped that, when these people grew up, they would abandon this approach to life. It is safe to say that most of them have cut their hair and started wearing decent clothes. However, the results of this study indicate that most of them held on to their rebellious spirit where moral rules are concerned. They still do not want some-body to tell them that it is wrong to lie, steal, cheat, commit fornication, etc. They refuse any system that tells them they must do certain things that are required of them by the Word of God, such as worshiping, serving, contributing to the betterment of society, etc. Joseph Fletcher, in his 1966 book, Situation Ethics, called these things “iron-clad do’s and don’ts” which people rejected. Anything that pre-vented people from doing whatever they wanted to do was totally unacceptable. It appears that that situation has not changed. Is it any wonder that our nation is in the mess it is in today?

The Bible tells us that there is a way to determine what we should do. It even tells us that there are “rules” by which we must all live. Obviously, the American people do not know this, or they do not accept it. Nonetheless, the Word of God still says, ” let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing” (Phil. 3:16). We will never reach our potential, until we decide to live by the law of God!

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: No 19, p. 21
October 7, 1993

By Tommy Glendol McClure

As the morals of this nation and the world continue to decline, many professed Christians have either completely lost or are on the road to losing their righteous indignation. I recently heard an excellent sermon where the preacher stressed the fact that many are not willing to accept God’s Word and the principles of Truth contained therein are the absolute standard of authority. Therefore, they are not willing to make a logical decision based on Bible principles concerning a practice but resort to situation ethics to make their determination.

Some of our so called “conservative” brethren, who stand opposed to institutional issues are rather liberal in their thinking and practice on moral issues. It has been reported of late that several gospel preachers in California participate in the social consumption of alcoholic beverages publicly and privately, some serving such in their own homes. A man told me that his son was advised by an “elder” of a local congregation that there was nothing wrong with drinking beer socially. Not so surprising is the fact that these brethren are often the proponents of error on marriage, divorce and remarriage.

Some gospel preachers and brethren have resorted to what I call “Loophole Logic” in their justification of immoral practices. A gospel preacher in California was recently asked this question: “At what point does the drinking of alcohol become sinful?” In his answer he cited Rom. 13:13; Eph. 5:18; Gal. 5:21; Deut. 21:18-21; and Prov. 23:20-21, which specifically condemns drunkenness and no one would disagree. However, he also cited Luke 21:34 implying that this is Christ’s final word on the matter stating, “The simple answer to the question, then, is, ‘When the drinking becomes drunkenness, it is a sin(Contender! January/February 1993, p. 5). He also taught that to cast a stumbling block and cause a brother to fall would be sinful. Therefore, the conclusion reached from his answer is, drinking strong drink is sinful only if one becomes drunk or if a brother is offended and caused to stumble?

Nowhere in his answer does he mention the dangers of the brewers art (strong drink), but only seeks to justify its use by implying the Scriptures condemn only drunkenness. The answers given are very dangerous in light of the blight inflicted on society in general, and especially teen-agers, from the consumption of alcohol. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reported in the 1992 Driver Handbook (p.76), “In 1990, there were 4,600 fatal collisions in California, killing 5,173 persons. Alcohol was found to be the main cause of 46 percent of the accidents.” More importantly, God’s Word warns of the dangers of strong drink (Prov. 20:1; 23:20-34; Isa. 5:11). The gospel demands soberness, holiness, the presentation of our bodies as a living sacrifice, and abstinence from all appearance of evil (1 Tim. 3:2-I1; Titus 1:7-8; 2:11-12; Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 ‘Mess. 5:22; 1 Pet. 1:13-10, 22; 2:5-10; 4:7; 5:6-8). The warnings in the Scriptures, the debauchery, doom and death caused by the use of alcohol should cause all accountable people of God to realize the dangers of this poison. For Christians and especially gospel preachers, to attempt to justify the social consumption of alcohol using “Loophole Logic” and neglecting to warn of the dangers of its use makes for a shameful disgrace!

This same preacher again used “Loophole Logic” when asked this question: “Does the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:27-32 and 19:3-12 prohibit the one put away for fornication from marrying again?” He answers 

Dear reader and questioner, please turn now in your Bible and read the above cited passages. Does your Bible say such sinners cannot marry again? The “putting away” is the sin, not marrying . . . If these passages prohibit one from marrying, then the Apostle Paul should have said in 1 Corinthians 7:2, “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man (except those the Catholics have determined cannot many) have his own wife, and let every woman (same exception) have her own husband” (Contender! March/April, 1993, p. 5).

You will notice that his argument is based on what the Bible does not say. The same sort of logic could be used in an attempt to justify instrumental music, social drinking and a host of other practices which are not authorized in the Scriptures. Where is the positive divine authority that allows the one put away for fornication to marry again? When God specifies a thing in a class, is not everything else in that class eliminated? Jesus specified in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9, the one exception for putting away, and further stated that when one marries the guilty one put away for the only lawful exception (for fornication), adultery is committed. Only the innocent party who puts away the guilty party is free to marry again.

Brethren, we need to respect the principles of divine Truth and severe all sinful relationships which place our soul in eternal jeopardy. Let us cease excusing sin, let us rid our minds of “Loophole Logic” and let us strive with all diligence to “come to the knowledge of the Truth” (1 Tim. 2:4)!

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: No 19, p. 23-25
October 7, 1993

By Paul Williams

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14, NASB) In the margin of the NASB there is a note concerning the words “bound together” which states, “Lit., unequally yoked,” and this is how the phrase is translated in the King James Version.

This verse does not mean that a person married to an unbeliever is sinning by being married to him. This is clear from what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7:12-13: “But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, let her not send her husband away.” Paul’s instructions to the one unequally yoked to an unbeliever are: “Therefore, ‘come out from their midst and be separate,’ says the Lord” (2 Cor. 7:17) If one is unequally yoked to an unbeliever, one must come out from that yoke and be separate; however a believer yoked to an unbeliever in marriage is to remain in that marriage if the unbeliever is content to allow the marriage to continue. Therefore, being married to an unbeliever is not, in itself the unequal yoke Paul writes about in 2 Corinthians 7:14.

However, marriage to an unbeliever can become an unequal yoke. This is what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 7:15: “Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.” Under certain circumstances a Christian married to an unbeliever must choose not to continue in that marriage. This happens when the marriage is an unequal yoke.

I know a young woman who is planning to marry a man who opposes the church of the Lord and has told her that he will not allow her to go to church after they are married. If she marries him she will have entered into a yoke which will require her to do evil in order to stay married. If she marries the man under these circumstances she will be rebelling against God. If after she marries she repents of her sin, and the man will not change his opposition to the Lord, she will have to insist on going to church even if it means he leaves her. Following Christ is more important than keeping a marriage together!

In Columbus, Ohio I called on a member of the church who had not attended services in the years she had lived in that city. She explained that she was married to a Roman Catholic. He insisted that the children be reared as Catholics and did not want her to go to church. She explained to me that since it was important for her to obey her husband she was sending the children to a Catholic school and not going to church herself. That woman was doing evil in order to obey her husband even though the apostles said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29) What she should have done was to choose to obey God. If her husband would not then allow her to live with him, she should have “let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace” (I Cor. 7:15).

Therefore 2 Corinthians 6:14 applies to marriage just as it does to any other relationship. When a Christian is forced to do evil in order to keep any relationship from breaking up that Christian is unequally yoked, and if a Christian is unequally yoked he or she must come out of that relation-ship. If you have to lie in order to keep your job, you must refuse to lie and must let your boss fire you. If your parents command you to do wrong, you must refuse even if they disown you. If your husband demands that you not follow Christ, you must follow Christ even if he divorces you.

I knew a woman in Columbus, Ohio who was fired when she refused to give to the Community Chest. I know a young man in South Africa who refused to lie for his boss over the telephone and was fired on the spot. I know a number of young people who have had to leave home because their parents will not let them stay at home unless they worship ancestors. A young girl had to leave her mother because her mother insisted that the girl commit fornication with a certain man. These Christians obeyed God rather than man and came out from unequal yokes. Working for a boss is not an unequal yoke unless it causes you to do wrong in order to keep the job. Having parents does not cause an unequal yoke unless the parents insist that the child does evil. Marriage is not an unequal yoke unless one partner insists that the other disobey God. But when any relationship becomes an unequal yoke, the believer must obey God rather than man even if obeying God destroys a precious relationship.

Paul wrote, “the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace” (1 Cor. 7:15) The woman who obeyed her Roman Catholic husband by sending her children to Catholic schools and staying home from church misunderstood the nature of her bondage to her husband. We are not under bondage to anyone that we should sin. We have never been under such bondage. Even in marriage we are not under bondage to keep the marriage together at the price of sinning against God.

But don’t read more into what Paul wrote in I Corinthians 7:15 than what he actually wrote. The verse does not say that the believer is free to remarry if the unbeliever departs. The only thing Paul says is that the believer must not feel guilty if, by following the Lord, he or she causes the unbeliever to leave. Paul already told the Corinthians what the divorced person must do. “But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband (but if she does leave, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not send his wife away” (1 Cor. 7:10-71). The only time a divorced person has the right to remarry is when the person divorces his or her mate for the cause of fornication (Matt. 19:9). All other divorced persons do not have the right to remarry and must “remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband.”

How careful we should be, therefore, when we plan to get married. We must understand thoroughly that no matter what happens we must obey God. If this leads to trouble in the marriage, we have no choice. God must come first. Therefore we should be as careful as we can be to marry one who will assist us in obeying God, not to hinder us. It is sinful foolishness to think that love will overcome all obstacles. If you marry an obstinate unbeliever, you are either going to disobey God or be left by the unbeliever. Be as sure as you can. Don’t enter into the yoke of marriage if there is the likelihood that it will become an unequal yoke.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: No 19, p. 20-21
October 7, 1993