Truth Magazine

By Paul J. Casebolt

David L. Joy, of Paden City, West Virginia, was born into this present world July 6, 1953. After nearly 40 years, the spirit left his earthly tabernacle on April 12, 1993. In biblical history, several important events were circumscribed by a 40-year span. Our Savior lived upon this earth only 30-odd years, yet he finished a work which has impacted our lives for time and for eternity On. 17:1-4).

In contemporary times, with regard to both secular and church history, scarcely would you find a life such as the life of David Joy, which has had such an influence for good in such a short time. And that is because the life of David Joy was patterned after the life of Christ.

A few months after David was born in 1953, a daughter was born to Paul and Virginia Casebolt at Fairmont, West Virginia. In the 1960s, Patty Jo and David met in Paden City, were married, and had three children Jeremy, Jennifer, and Micah. This family personified the Bible relation-ship of husband and wife, parents and children.

In October of 1984, after an unexpected viral illness, David received a heart transplant at the age of 31. For the next eight and one-half years, David would experience countless hospital visits of varied lengths, tests, tubes, biopsies, catherizatons, and the daily intake, reaction, and interaction of several post-transplant drugs. And besides all of the physical and mental stress which would accompany such traumatic experiences and intrusions, there was the continual burden of medical bills above and beyond what his insurance would pay. And the continual avalanche of even the insurance-related bills and forms would have been sufficient to drive weaker individuals to despair, if not insanity. But David and his family were not weak.

If this report ended here, the stranger would conclude that the last eight years of David’s life were ones of total misery both for himself, his family, and all of those around him. But such was not the case. David made certain of that, and did so to the very end.

David and I enjoyed a relationship which went far beyond that of father-in-law/son-in-law, and I think that I can objectively assess his situation, his life, and some of his emotions. I was with David before, during, and after his first transplant. I say first, for he had been on the list for a second transplant which never materialized.

During those weeks in the fall of 1984, Daivd’s faith, hope, courage, and patience amazed me, humbled me, and sometimes shamed me. As we talked in the late-night hours of life, death, and eternity, his vital signs would stabilize as I watched the monitors above his bed. The nurses in ICU were watching the monitors at their station, and marveled at David’s positive attitude. For eight and one-half years, when folks asked David how he felt; his answer was, “Pretty good.”

Oh, David had his moments, even hours and days of anxiety, apprehension, and frightenings without and fears within (cf. 2 Cor. 7:5), the extent of which none of us will ever know. But he kept much of this to himself lest he burden his family and friends.

Time and time again, David went back to the hospital not knowing if he would return to his earthly home, family, and friends. But each time, the first thing he packed for his trip to Pittsburgh was his briefcase containing his Bible and note pads. He would do more studying and prepare to do more preaching as soon as he was released from the hospital. Even around the house, his books and typewriter would be on the kitchen table, or he would have some religious tract or publication in his hand. And for some eight years, David emerged from these hospital trips to live and to preach those truths which he had gleaned from God’s word while virtually balanced on the edge of eternity. And those of us who could not see the world beyond, or even our present world from his perspective, hungered, thirsted, and were filled by his teaching and preaching of “the words of this life” (Acts 5:20).

David decided from the beginning of his affliction that there was going to be some quality to what life he had left on this earth. He had time for his family, the church, and his neighbors, sorting out his priorities in what appeared to be a most admirable and flawless way.

David taught in the elementary schools of Wetzel County, and his students, their parents, and his fellow-teachers attest to his excellency as a teacher. But his first love was teaching and preaching the word of God. Though not fully supported by the church, he preached regularly for two congregationsFly and Mellott Ridge, Ohio (just across the Ohio River), for nine and seven years respectively. David conducted gospel meetings during summer vacations and even during school terms, taught special Bible classes, wrote articles for bulletins and newspapers, preached on the radio, and carried on extensive correspondence with advocates of false doctrine, both those in and out of the church. David was one of several “part-time” preachers in this area who were partially supported by the church, but who “fully preached the gospel of Christ” around their contemporary Jerusalems and Illyricums of the mid and upper-Ohio Valley (Rom. 15:19).

Some folks, even some of David’s well-meaning friends, thought he should give up either his school teaching or preaching (or both), and “take care of himself.” The simple truth is, he couldn’t give up either. And he was “taking care of himself”  his soul which would return to God, and his family and friends whom he would leave behind. His school teaching provided insurance to pay the bulk of his medical bills, and his preaching provided insurance for heaven. And he paid the premiums on that heavenly insurance not only for himself, but for all who knew him and heard him preach.

David’s last sermon was “The Returning Christ,” based on 1 & 2 Thessalonians, preached at Cedar Avenue in Moundsville on March 28. Ironically (for lack of a better term), I had preached David’s outline in Manila as a tribute to him, only 12 hours before David preached it in Moundsville. Neither of us knew the other was going to preach that particular sermon, and I did not even know if David were still among the living, but that sermon was a favorite of both his and mine. David was insistent that I complete my preaching trip to the Philippines in spite of his weakened and tenuous condition, and he lived to see me come home just a few days before he entered the hospital for the last time.

From his hospital bed, only hours before his death, David was discussing the Book of Romans with Paul Rockwell, who had gone to visit him in Pittsburgh. But David’s preaching did not stop at Moundsville, nor did his teaching cease with his bedside dissertation on Romans.

Before entering the hospital, David had agreed to speak one night in a meeting at Belleville, West Virginia. But knowing his weakened condition, he scheduled the appointment with the stipulation that if he could not go, either his son Jeremy or I would honor his commitment. His subject  “The Returning Christ.” It fell my lot, privilege, and honor to preach that sermon to a full house at Belleville the day after David’s funeral. As was said of Abel, “he being dead yet speaketh” (Heb. 11:4). And by his life and through others whom he has influenced, David Joy will speak for generations to come, or until “The Returning Christ” appears in the clouds of heaven.

I have always tried to be objective in my assessment of David’s life and work, because our relationship went beyond that of any fleshly ties. But just in case some stranger thinks that this brief epitaph of a brief but full life is tempered only by the emotions of a doting father-in-law, let me tell you about the funeral itself.

A funeral service is supposed to be a memorial of the deceased’s life, and I have never seen a more fitting memorial than the one which dominated the better part of three days in Paden City. David’s wife, his children, his en-tire family and host of friends personified and exemplified his teaching, example, and influence.

Public schools were dismissed at noon on the day of the funeral, and unless my knowledge or memory fail me, this has never happened before in my 30-year sojourn in this area. On Wednesday night alone, those who came to pay their respects formed a line three and four deep. The line curled around inside the funeral home chapel, out the door, across the street by the funeral home, and into the next block. Elderly people and parents with small children stood in line for as long as two hours in chilly temperatures, and felt honored to do so. Some saw the long line or could not find a parking place and passed on.

Flowers, an open-Bible floral arrangement, a special gift from fellow-teachers (prepared before news of his death)  these and other tokens of appreciation accompanied David’s memorial service. As far as I know, there were no cameras to record any of these events, and in a way I am glad, lest it somehow detract from the spontaneous and sincere expressions of sympathy for the family and respect for David.

Am I not afraid that these literary bouquets will detract from David’s life, from his reward? Not in the least. David would not have sanctioned or allowed such tribute while he was in the flesh, and would have been embarrassed by any such attempt. But these things have already been credited to his eternal record, and there are many more like words and deeds which shall not be made manifest until the time of judgment (1 Tim. 5:25).

David favored congregational singing for his funeral, and that was ably conducted by Bob McKinney in the church building at Paden City, which was filled to capacity with some standing along the walls. Vernon Teagarden, of Morgantown (whose family had recently experienced a similar loss), read Ephesians 5:22-6:9 and offered the prayer. Paul Rockwell had the unenviable and difficult task of delivering the funeral sermon. Not only did Paul do his part well, but did it better than anyone else could have done it.

But all of this outward manifestation of tribute was over-shadowed by the pervading memories of a life which will influence other souls for time and eternity. And the life and works of David L. Joy will be overshadowed by “The Re-turning Christ” as he brings with him “them also which sleep in Jesus” (1 Thess. 4:14). We have reason to believe “by the word of the Lord” (v. 15), that David will be in that number.

And David would want me to ask, “Do you have that hope, dear reader?”

During the past few years, I tried to communicate to David in poetry some of my own feelings, as well as the feelings of others who were unable to put their feelings into words. One of those poems, a rather lengthy one of 13 stanzas, was read by brother Rockwell at the conclusion of his remarks. The poem was written in 1988, but Paul and others thought that it summarized the general sentiment which fills the hearts and memories of so many people, for David’s life affected and belonged to many people. I trust that the reader will appreciate the last stanza of that poem, which summarizes not only the poem itself, but the life of David Joy.

“Our Savior lived the perfect life in less than half of our allotted span

And no one else will match this deed  not you, not I, not any mortal man;

But we envision David’s life as it now blends and merges with our own,

A life as nearly like our Lord’s as few terrestrial beings we have known.”

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 12, p. 10-12
June 17, 1993

By Tim Stevens

Good and law abiding people in this country are being confronted by a “movement” (the “gay movement”) that insists on making homosexuality legal and socially acceptable. Will you stand back and allow this to happen, without uttering a word? You will if your view differs from God’s view. The purpose of this article is to show God’s strict law concerning homosexuality and to encourage you, the reader, to share in the same view as his, if you don’t already. “So speak and so do, as those who will be judged by the law of liberty” (Jas. 2:12).

From the beginning of time, mankind has always “balked” at following God’s way. For example, before God destroyed the wickedness of the world by flood during the days of Noah, his word tells us, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually

.. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth” (Gen. 6:5,12). Some men seem to think they have a better way than God’s, and under the influence of Satan, manage to turn other people around to their way of thinking. God tells us, “`For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8,9). Also the Bible says, “0 Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself,. It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23). It is evident that the ways of God are far superior to the ways of man.

Today, “the gay community” is attempting to tell us that homosexuality is an “alternate lifestyle” chosen with God’s approval. Without a doubt, those who advocate such an idea are either without knowledge of God’s teaching or simply rejecting God’s teaching on the subject.

God views homosexuality as a violation of natural law and a violation of his law. Until recently, homosexuality was a violation of the law in various states of our country. When people refuse God’s will for the sake of their own way, he “gives them up.” From his word, we find (50-60 A.D.), “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting . . . who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve (“con-sent”  ASV) of those who practice them” (Rom. 1:26-28,32). The bottom line is that God views homosexuality as sin. Please read further as to what God’s word continues to say concerning this matter:

When Lot (1898 B.C.) entertained the messengers of the Lord in his home in Sodom, the men of the town said, “Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally” (Gen. 19:5). Lot offered his virgin daughters to them, but they wanted the men (vv. 8-9). From the city of Sodom comes the word “sodomy.” Sodomy is defined: “Unnatural sexual relations, especially between male persons or between a human being and an animal” (definition from The Reader’s Digest Great Encyclopedia Dictionary). As homosexuality then was an abomination (detestable) unto God, so it has ever been.

In God’s law to Israel (1450 B.C.) it was written, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. Nor shall you mate with any beast, to defile yourself with it. Nor shall any woman stand before a breast to mate with it. It is perversion. Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you” (Lev. 18:22-24). In Leviticus 20:13, “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.”

The aforementioned passages from God’s word, the Bible, reveal his attitude toward homosexuality. Some may have you believe that God feels and looks at things differently today, or that his word just doesn’t apply to the changing and modern times in which we live. That’s the way Satan would have men believe, but notice again from Divine Scripture: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16,17). And, “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Pet. 1:24-25).

Can people change from such a lifestyle? They most certainly can! There were Christians in the church at Corinth during the first century (50-60 A.D.) who had departed from such sinful conduct. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:9-11). It is as sinful to practice homosexuality as it is to practice stealing, etc. Notice the doom in store for those who choose to continue living such sinful lives: “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8).

Now that God’s view and attitude regarding homosexuality can clearly be seen from his word, what will your view and attitude be? Hopefully, the same as God’s! If not, it can be. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). God proved his love for all sinners by giving His Son Jesus on Calvary’s cross. “For God so loved the word that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16). “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us” (I Jn. 3:16). It is God’s desire that men believe, repent and become obedient to his will in order to be forgiven.

(This article was prepared in tract form by Tim Stevens, local evangelist for the Church of Christ in Belen, NM. This tract is being distributed door to door in a personal work effort designed to make people aware of the stand taken by the church and to offer Bible studies to them. Brother Stevens has given other brethren permission to reproduce and use this material.)

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 12, p. 8-9
June 17, 1993

By Norman Midgette

Lot had guests in his home one evening in the city of Sodom and the following happened: “Before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; and they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men that came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them.”

Lot refused their demand and accused them of wickedness. Little did Lot know this was the wrong thing to say to these determined people. With force and ridicule they said, “Stand back. This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and drew near to break the door.”

Lot’s guests rescued him, secured the door and blinded the homosexuals and that still did not stop them. In their blindness they still “wearied themselves to find the door” (Gen. 19:1-11). The next morning God turned Sodom, Gomorrah and the cities of the Plain into ashes and smoke (Gen. 19:27,28).

One thing that is so interesting to me in this story is the similarity in the homosexuals in Sodom and the homosexuals of today. Observe carefully the following:

The “young and old” were involved in this lifestyle in Sodom and how the gays would like to make this teaching a part of the public educational system of today. As “Gay Families” they are already talking of adopting children.

The gays of Sodom came “from every quarter.” There was no “Red Light” district where these people lived together; no living in the “closet.” They were open and brazen with their sodomy, publicly and everywhere. Seem familiar?

In Sodom they were determined to get their way. Today it is exactly the same. Then they used force. Today they are trying to do it by law. And with the current lawmakers the majority of our voters sent to Washington, they may succeed.

Finally, Lot was severely ridiculed and threatened and for what? For passing judgment on their perverted conduct and accusing them of acting “wickedly.” How much like today!

Whether in Sodom or San Francisco; whether ancient or modern, the homosexual mind and tactics have not changed.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 12, p. 9
June 17, 1993

By By Mason Harris

One who grew up in a home with godly parents and grand-parents asked me recently, “What is grace? All I have heard about it is something you can fall from?” That started me to thinking about my own youth and first exposure to the preaching of the gospel. How much and what had I heard about this grand subject?

The preaching I heard as a youth was pretty much limited to the summer meetings when the crops were laid by. Occasionally a preacher would show up on Sunday, and by the time I reached high school I remember that we had preaching on a regular basis once a month. But even in the limited amount of preaching I heard, I remember hearing them define grace as unmerited favor and illustrating it with the grace period when a note comes due. That was when I learned my salvation was made possible by the grace of God. And I do not recall thinking my baptism nullified his grace. And, yes, I did hear them talk about being able to fall from grace, but I never thought of it as just being something you can fall from.

As I have pondered this young man’s statement I have also given consideration to my own preaching. Have I been giving the proper emphasis to the subject of God’s grace? After giving my own teaching careful consideration, I have decided that for whatever faults I have, neglecting the grace of God is not one of them. And what about other preachers? I am in no position to judge them since I do not sit at their feet for long periods of time. I do not know of any that I would charge with negligence, though it would not surprise me greatly if some fail to give it due consideration. But this question occurs to me: What determines neglect of the subject?

For the writing of this article I have pulled Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible from the shelf and it is open before me at the word “grace.” I am surprised. Of all the times the word appears in the New Testament, it appears only once in the book of Luke, three times in the book of John, and not at all in Matthew and Mark. And of these four appearances in the books that tell us about the things Jesus did and taught, not a one of them is an utterance from Jesus. Consider them.

Of Jesus it is said, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him” (Lk. 2:40).

Again, of Jesus it is written, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

And again, “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” On. 1:16,17).

For the purpose of this article I am going to assume Young has given an accurate listing of the number of times this word is used in these four books of the life of Jesus. If he is right, that means we do not have one mention of the word in the Sermon on the Mount, a sermon that ended with a reference to the wise and the foolish builders saying, “Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock … And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand” (Matt. 7:24,26).

Would Jesus be called a legalist because he closed his lesson with a reference to the need of doing what he said while failing to mention the word grace? Yet, who could read the first part of that sermon without seeing the idea of grace echoing throughout the beatitudes? Furthermore, I find no mention of the word grace in his cutting remarks to the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23. Neither do I find it in his prayers nor at the performance of his miracles. Not even in his letter to the seven churches (Rev. 2,3) is it mentioned by name.

If Jesus spoke of it by name these writers did not record it. But does this mean he, or they, neglected this subject? Certainly not! His life, including his teaching, was the very epitome of grace. John said he dwelt among us, full of grace and truth, and grace and truth came by him. He said of his own purpose, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).

So, does the failure to mention thy word grace always mean it is a neglected subject? Obviously not always.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 12, p. 1
June 17, 1993