Truth Magazine

By Don Wright

Jesus had an humble beginning. He was not born in a palace fit for a king, but in a stable built for the lodging of animals. When our Lord was born he was not placed in a fancy crib suitable for the King of kings, but in a manger, i.e., a trough in the stable designed to hold the feed for the livestock (Lk. 2:1-7). Why did Mary and Joseph have to be content with such a situation? Were they relegated to the stable as a type of persecution? Was it because of the ill-feelings that others had for them? No! It was simply due to the fact that the small town of Bethlehem was over crowded because of the census demanded by Caesar Augustus. They were forced to the stable simply because there was no room for them in the inn. Was that the last time no room was found for Jesus? Again the answer is no. There are still countless numbers of people (both in and out of the church) who have no room for Jesus. Do you have room in your life for Jesus. Are you willing to make room in your life for Jesus? Consider the following thoughts with me.

Those Who Have No Room for Jesus

1.Those who love the world. There was a man by the name of Demas who was once a companion of Paul and a friend of the cause of Christ for which Paul stood. But he forsook Paul and the cause because he loved the world. Paul said, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10). Demas had no room in his life for Jesus, and the same is true of all who love this present world (1 Jn. 2:15). The world that we are forbidden to love is the realm of evil and ungodliness that includes everything that runs opposite to the will of God. It is the world over which Satan is god. Listen to Paul again: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not” (2 Cor. 4:3, 4). This is the world which we have no part of if we have room in our lives for Jesus. It involves the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 Jn. 2:16). To be involved in these things is to close the door of your life in the face of Jesus.

 2.Those who wish to serve two masters. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24). In the context of this statement, Jesus is referring to priorities and earthly riches. When someone covets material things, those things become his master. Now, it is impossible to serve both God and these material things referred to by Jesus as mammon. Why? Because God and Mammon are two masters that demand opposite things from their subjects. God demands that we walk by faith, while Mammon demands that we walk by sight. God demands that we set our affections on things above while Mammon demands that we set our affection on earthly things. God demands that we seek happiness in the Creator, while Mammon demands that we seek happiness in that which has been created by man. Is it not clear that we cannot serve two such masters simultaneously? Now the point is, if we even have a desire to do so, we have no room in our lives for Jesus. God is a jealous God! He will not tolerate idols in the secret chambers of our hearts. Nothing short of loving and serving God with all of our hearts will do (Matt. 22:37). Caleb once said, “I wholly follow the Lord my God.” Can you say that? David declared, “I will keep Thy precepts with my whole heart.” Is that the kind of resolution that you have? If not, you have no room in your life for Jesus.

 3.Those who do not love the brethren. Our relation-ship with each other in Christ is very important. How we get along will play a part in determining the destiny of our souls. If there is any group of people who should receive, accept, and love one another, it should be Christians. Do you care for brethren? Do you hold grudges against those in Christ who may have offended you? Do you have a problem with a brother or sister in Christ that you are unwilling to resolve? Do you have feelings of bitterness toward any brother or sister in Christ? If so, there is no room in your life for Jesus, for Jesus demands that we love one another (1 Jn. 4:7-21). Remember, love causes us to act in the best interest of others. While love is willing to forgive, it does not ignore sin, tolerate error, or fellowship darkness. If we love brethren, we will rebuke them when they go astray from God’s Word!

Places Where There Is No Room For Jesus

1. In the minds of some. A multitude of thoughts invade our minds every day. From the time we wake to the time we return to sleep, and even in our sleep, our minds are full. There are innumerable thoughts rushing through our minds, coming and going; some abiding and some fleeing as fast as they arrive on the scene. And yet in the minds of many, there is no room for Jesus. How sad it is for a Christian to have no room in his thought-life for the Son of God. We above all others should be thinking about Jesus all of the time. We think about our children, our spouses, ourselves, our jobs, our goals, our enemies, etc., but we do not think enough about Jesus. Brethren, if this is true of you, it must change!

 2. In the homes of some. Surely we see that in our society our homes are collapsing. I am persuaded that the collapse of our society in general and the weakening of some local churches, is related to the fall of home life in this country. And why are our homes collapsing? Because in many homes today there is no room for Jesus. “What homes have room for Jesus?” someone may ask. Homes that are built on and governed by the will of God. Homes where the husband and wife share a strong mutual love for each other (Eph. 5:25; Tit. 2:4). Homes where the husband is the head of the house, and the wife willingly submits herself to her own husband (Eph. 5:22-24). Homes where the parents bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). Homes where you find the proper kind of literature and language. Homes where you find hospitality. These are the kinds of homes that have room for Jesus. I am afraid, however, that we are finding fewer and fewer homes of this nature, and until we make more room in our homes for Jesus, our homes will continue in a declining direction.

 3.In some churches. This might sound strange to some, but it is true. We know that there is no room for Jesus in man-made churches, but I am talking about local churches of Christ. Here are the local churches that have no room for Jesus:

 a. Churches that act without authority (Col. 3:17). We must have Bible authority for all that we preach and practice in local churches. We must do all that God has authorized the church to do (evangelism, edification, and benevolence [Eph. 4:12]), but we must not do any more. If we do, we have no room for Jesus. Some churches have room for worldly recreation and entertainment, but no room for Jesus.

b.Churches that teach or tolerate false teaching (2 Jn. 9-11). Jesus hates false doctrine! He never taught it during his personal ministry, and he will never tolerate it now. Any local church that tolerates it, regardless of who is doing the teaching, has shut Jesus out. They have no room for Jesus.

c.Churches that tolerate immorality (1 Cor. 5). Some churches are shy about enforcing disciplinary action. As a result they tolerate open sin in the camp. Paul said that those living in sin should be delivered to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. We must be willing to do it. Sin in local churches gives Jesus a bad name and hinders his cause. Faithful churches with-draw fellowship from those living contrary to the truth. Churches that do not punish evil doers have no room for Jesus.

d.Churches that grow cold and indifferent (Rev. 2:1-5). Zeal in local churches is needed and expected by Jesus. We must serve God with all of our hearts if we are to serve him at all (Col. 3:23). When a church has a membership in which the majority has simply lost interest in doing right, they have ostracized the Son of God from their midst. When error is no longer offensive and evil is no longer abhorred, there is no longer room for Jesus!

Conclusion

We understand why there was no room for Jesus in the inn at Bethlehem. It was not anyone’s fault. There was not anyone to blame. Such is not the case today. There is someone to blame if there is no room in our lives, in our minds, in our homes, and in our churches for Jesus. We are to blame! The question is, “Do you have room in your life for Jesus?” cr

When. a church has a

membership in which the majority, has

simply lost interest in doing right, they have

ostracized the Son of God from their midst. When error

is no longer offensive and evil is no’ longer abhorred,

there is no longer room far Jesus!

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 17, p. 16-17
September 2, 1993

By Karjor A. Caldwell

Greetings from Sturgis. We continue to enjoy good health and rejoice in God’s continued blessings. I thank God so much for good, faithful brethren who have sup-ported me financially in preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. This help came from all over the U.S.A. May the Lord of heaven bless everyone of you.

The work here in Sturgis, Mississippi is coming along slowly but just fine. I am doing all the preaching, teaching, song leading and praying but I do not mind that one bit. With God’s help, we’re working to change that situation. In the meantime, the Lord’s work must go on! Sometimes I get a little discouraged because I am alone (single) but with God’s help and your prayers I can make it. Please remember me in your prayers.

Our regular attendance is between 17-20 members every Lord’s day. Two weeks ago our attendance reached its highest at about 30. All praise unto God for that. The brethren here (mostly sisters) are growing in the Lord’s word every time we meet. We have just finished studying brother Roy E. Cogdill’s book on The New Testament Church and now we are studying Walking By Faith. These brethren have come a long way in a short time. We praise God for this. By building up our own faith, we are preparing ourselves to be able to convert others. That is our goal, make no mistake about it! I have done some out-of-town preaching in the last three months in Jackson, Mississippi; Louisville, Kentucky; Memphis, Tennessee; and Alabama. I am willing to preach the gospel of Christ anywhere I am needed, but at this point it is necessary for me to concentrate my efforts here at Sturgis. The Lord willing, now that the weather is warming up, I want to do some more personal work here in the Sturgis area. Pray for this effort.

Brethren, I wrote this letter to let all of you know how the work in Sturgis, Mississippi is coming along and how much I appreciate your help and financial support and prayers. Thanks to all of you brethren, I am now fully supported financially for this year. All praise and thanks go to God for his wonderful blessings. I will send a quarterly report to Guardian of Truth about the work here in Sturgis because of the interest already shown by its readers regarding our work. Thank you so very much for your help in everything.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 17, p. 19
September 2, 1993

By Tim Haile

Some local churches of Christ have become like the city dogpound. They take in all the strays that have been “run off’ from the other churches. These “dogpound” churches have the tolerance of the Corinthians when it comes to sin and immorality (1 Cor. 5:2). The purpose and importance of church discipline is clearly taught in the New Testament. It saves souls, aids in keeping the church pure, and the identity of the church is preserved and maintained (Acts 5:1-11; 1 Con 5:3-8 K 2 Cor. 2:6; Matt. 18:17; 2 Thess. 3:6,14). The 2 Thessalonians 3:6 passage makes it clear that churches do not have some type of “exempt option” by which they “opt out of practicing discipline.” Paul said, “We command you by the authority of Jesus Christ.” A church simply has no right to fellowship those who are not in fellowship with God (Eph. 5:11).

Are We Stronger Than God? (1 Cor. 10:22)

It is against God’s nature to forgive an unrepentant person, whether an alien sinner or a child of God (Acts 2:38; 8:22), but some Christians have the idea that they can “go the extra mile” and forgive the sinner regardless of his unwillingness to repent! They view themselves as “Christ-like” when in reality they are violating the very words of Christ. Jesus said, “If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him” (Lk. 17:3). We simply have no right to forgive those who will not repent of their sins! We are certainly taught to have a forgiving disposition. That is, we should be ready and willing to forgive when repentance does occur, but to do more is to “go beyond the doctrine of Christ” (Col. 3:13; 2 Jn. 9). This is thelesson that some churches have notlearned. Theyfeel they are doing a great service to God and man by taking people into their fellowship who have been “disfellowshipped” elsewhere. It is true that there are times when the righteous are withdrawn from by congregations that are ruled by the wicked (3 Jn. 9-11). I am not condemning their admittance. I am questioning the “open-arms” policy of so many churches of Christ which overlooks sin and its dangerous consequences. A little yeast will eventually “work through the whole batch of dough” (1 Cor. 5:6). When we knowingly and willingly receive sinners, then we are sinners!

How To Escape and Avoid “The Dogpound Syndrome”

1. Let us not become so concerned about numerical growth that we lose sight of the importance of the purity of the church (Eph. 5:25-27). One saved is better than one hundred lost. Churches sometimes lose their spiritual sense and objectivity when faced with the possibility of gaining a new family.

2. Question the new prospect(s). Sometimes people have just moved, and they are looking for a church to work and worship with. Sometimes people havebeen withdrawn from because of lying, sexual immorality, teaching false doctrine or other sins resulting in that person “walking disorderly” (Acts 5:3-5; 1 Cor. 5:1; Rom. 16:17; 2 Thess. 3:6). The only way to find out is to ask! In my experience, those Christians who are dedicated and conscientious are happy to answer background questions. They are happy to know that this church is concerned about its own purity and standing with God.

Follow the Jerusalem church example. After Paul’s conversion (“Saul” at that time), he “straightway preached Christ in the synagogues” (Acts 9:20). When Paul went to Jerusalem and “tried to join the disciples,” they were “afraid of him and believed not that he was a disciple” (Acts 9:26). It was necessary for Barnabas to explain Paul’s situation to the Apostles at Jerusalem before they were willing to accept Paul. We read nothing in the New Testament that would indicate that the Jerusalem church was wrong in their refusal to accept Paul into their fellow-ship. They acted in accordance with their own best knowledge of the situation. In this case, the prospective member was in fellowship with God, but at that time the church did not know it. They refused fellowship until they found out the facts! By the way, this is an approved apostolic example since there were “apostles” in that Jerusalem church (Acts 9:27). We need to study, learn, and apply the New Testament lessons of the nature and extent of church fellowship. We need to understand the importance of the purity of the church and the purpose of church discipline. The failure to act may cost us our souls.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 17, p. 15
September 2, 1993

By Bobbie Jean Cook Burnett

Much is said today about surviving. We hear educators saying, “In order for our children to do more than just survive in today’s schools, teachers must challenge them each day to achieve their potential and soar to newer heights of learning.”

Business men emphasize the need for employers to do all they can to make sure their workplace is one that will survive when others may fail.

The entertainment world spends billions of dollars to ensure that their ratings will be at the top. Each network wishes to be the one that excels all others. They know that this is what they must do to survive.

Have you ever taken the time to really look at that word survive? Look at it closely, and you will notice the two ingredients that are necessary for any survival of perilous situations. They are U and I. Yes, you and I are the ingredients to assure survival.

You and I are the ones who must “be diligent to present ourselves approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” as Timothy reminds us in 2 Timothy 2:15.

Through diligent study we can provide the spiritual nourishment that will help us survive in a world so full of sin. As we fortify ourselves, we will be able to instruct others to godliness and faithfulness and thereby help them to survive so they, too, may teach others about God’s grace which called us to be saints (2 Tim. 2:2; Rom. 1:7).

You and I can strengthen our chances to survive wickedness by having faith which is the route to God’s saving grace that Paul told the Romans about (Rom. 5:1-2).

Only when we acted upon our faith did we repent of our sins as Luke tells us in Luke 13:3,5. Also, Peter told the people on the day of Pentecost, the birthday of the church of our Lord, that they would have to repent if they wished to survive damnation (Acts 2:38).

Once we acted upon that faith which caused us to repent, we confessed that precious name of Jesus as the Ethiopian eunuch did in Acts 8:37.

This same faith catapulted us to be baptized for the remission of sins as commanded of us in Acts 10:48 and 2:38.

You and I can continue to survive when we show love for our brethren as we read in Romans 13:8, 1 Peter 1:22, Hebrews 13:1, and many other places too numerous to mention in this short article. You and I can survive many obstacles if we would practice hospitality in our homes. This would eliminate even the thoughts of brethren engaging in social activities in the church buildings. We would avoid the condemning words of Paul when he wrote to the Corinthian brethren in 1 Corinthians 11:22. Also, we would do well to remember Paul’s words in Romans 12:13.

Elders can help the church survive slumps of spiritual depression by adhering to the admonition of Paul to Titus when the Holy Spirit guided him to write that :hey were to be hospitable.

You and I can assist spiritually to survive in our lives if we practice what Peter said in 1 Peter 4:9. It is one thing for you and me to be hospitable, but when we practice hospitality, Peter reminds us that it is not to be done by grumbling about having to do it but rather do it without grumbling.

Why not now resolve to do all we can to help the church survive in this old world of sin an strife? Remember it is us, U and I who can do this.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 17, p. 23-24
September 2, 1993