Truth Magazine

By Ron Halbrook

In May of 1992 brother Olen Holderby of Lakeport, California wrote to the elders of the church of Christ in West Columbia, Texas, commending them for exposing the errors of Don Givens in Hawaii on divorce and remarriage (Guardian of Truth, 7 May 1992, pp. 272-73). He added, “Those of us who fight that same error in California are much in the minority. With those in that error taking courage from the `fence-straddlers’ (or compromisers), it often becomes a discouraging fight.” Brother Holderby suggested that the elders and myself consider the possibility of my making a trip to California to preach during January of 1993. Our elders (Charlie Alexander, James Moore, and J.D. Harris) were sympathetic to this call. Brother Harris had lived in California and was aware firsthand of the need. After we agreed to this proposal, invitations came from several churches in California who wanted to be included on the itinerary. The trip was challenging, educational for me, and productive.

Brother Holderby is seventy-two years old, has spent most of his preaching life in California, and stands for all the truth of the gospel without compromise. In consulting with him and a number of other brethren in the state, I heard the judgment repeatedly expressed that more and more churches which have had a reputation for soundness are drifting in-to apostasy on moral issues (Rev. 3:1). The concerns expressed by many California saints can be summarized as follows. They have seen three groups develop over the years with regard to the subject of divorce and remarriage. Brethren who embrace error have put down roots, spread the error little by little, and made considerable gains. Of the approximately 120 non-institutional churches in the state, about 40 openly embrace apostate doctrines on divorce and remarriage. Through the years, a number of preachers have sown the seeds of error through the pulpit, classroom, tracts and booklets, and private avenues, all the while covering their tracks with the claim, “We do not make an issue of it.”

A second group embraces unity-in-diversity on divorce and remarriage. Approximately 40 churches are included in this number. The local preacher or one called in for a gospel meeting might hold to truth or error, and it would not matter to brethren in one of these churches. Members are accepted in these churches regardless of their marital status or doctrinal stand on divorce and remarriage. Such brethren are very vulnerable to error because it is free to work in their midst with little or no challenge.

The third group includes about 40 churches which basically believe the truth on what the Bible says about divorce and remarriage. Some take a stronger stand than others. Most of these churches would not want a local preacher who embraces doctrinal error on the subject, although some would accept him if he is not outspoken in teaching the error. A number of these churches would not hesitate to invite a preacher for a gospel meeting in spite of the error he holds, but there is an unspoken expectation that the subject would not be addressed. Some preachers who are basically sound in their convictions on divorce and remarriage freely have fellowship with unsound preachers and accept meeting invitations from unsound churches (generally with the same tacit understanding that the subject will not be addressed). Those who participate in this limited “open fellowship” on each side of the issue seem to think it provides opportunities to influence brethren one way or the other. Long time observers say this gives legitimacy to false teachers which they otherwise would not have, and this generally has worked to the detriment of the cause of truth.

The brethren and churches which attempt to uphold the truth on divorce and remarriage are outnumbered two to one. But because of the “open fellowship” policy of many, brethren who speak out for the truth and openly expose error are often an unwelcome minority within a minority. Because of the strong, uncompromising stand they take, they are regarded as “extremists” and “troublemakers” by nearly everyone. Out-of-state preachers who come for gospel meetings sometimes compound the problem by not discussing marriage and divorce, because either they do not under-stand the struggle which is occurring or they do not care. As long as they do not address the subject, they can be invited back time and again to churches of every variety. This gives unsound churches credibility, and is used to put in a bad light the small band of California preachers who speak out.

A Great Door Open

Paul said of his preaching in Ephesus, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (I Cor. 16:9). A great door is open in California for preaching the truth, but there are many adversaries. A great battle between truth and error is in progress, and the future looks dark and bleak in many ways. Sound brethren need all the help and encouragement they can get. We should be willing to make sacrifices to hold up their hands and to hold high the blood-stained banner of the cross of Christ.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom. 1:16). “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). The prevalence of sin and error in California (and elsewhere) makes the future look dark and bleak, but the power of the gospel puts the picture in a different light. Error cannot withstand the power of truth, if only we will preach and press the demands of truth!

“Is not my word like as fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jer. 23:29) Error cannot stand before the searing fire and the hammer blows of truth. Error hides behind a plea for “tolerance and fellowship.” Most of “the fellowship issue” will take care of itself if sound brethren will preach the truth plainly and boldly (2 Cor. 3:12; Acts 4:29). “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isa. 58:1). Error will not sit still under the pressure of truth, but will retreat or attempt to fight. In either case, it will be exposed and defeated.

God’s Law Too Strict, Unfair?

Attentive audiences in California showed excellent interest in the preaching of the gospel. A wide range of thoughtful questions was asked during the question-and-answer sessions after the lessons. Underlying several questions was the notion that God’s law seems too strict and unfair. Jesus taught the rule of one man for one woman for life, with only one exception, that being that the innocent mate can put away an immoral one and marry another person (Matt. 5:32; 19:9). People in adulterous marriages must “repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance,” which means getting out of the unscriptural marriage with its bed of adultery (Acts 26:20; Mk. 6:18; Heb. 13:4). God’s law is strict and we had better obey it, if we want to be right with him. It is better to give up an adulterous marriage than to “be cast into hell,” even if this seems to be “a hard saying” (Matt. 5:29-30; Jn. 6:60,66). If men consider God’s marriage law too strict, then they should not marry (Matt. 19:10-12).

God’s way is fair and just, but our sinful says are not. When men of old complained, “The way of the Lord is not equal,” God answered,

O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?

Therefore I will judge you, 0 house of Israel, everyone according to this ways, saith the Lord God.

Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin (Ezek. 18:29-30).

Whose fault is it if men have not sought and found God, and therefore end up in adulterous marriages and other sins with painful consequences? God is seeking men with good and honest hearts to worship him On. 4:23). God rules over the nations in such a way that men can find him if only they will seek him, “though he be not far from every one of us” (Acts 17:26-27). God is fair and just from start to finish, but men are unfair and unjust toward God in refusing to seek him.

Man’s injustice toward God and his fellowman creates the painful consequences and complications of homosexual marriage, polygamous marriage, incestuous marriage, and other forms of adulterous marriage. The consequences are

“A great baffle between
God and Satan for the souls of men is
always raging. We are warned against the danger
of compromising the gospel in its purity for ‘another gospel:
which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and
would pervert the gospel of Christ’ We are to reject all
such as ‘accursed.'”

more painful in polygamy than in the typical adulterous marriage in our society, because more wives and children are involved in a case of polygamy. If the emotional pain of ending a typical adulterous marriage justifies staying in it, then the many fold pains involved in ending a polygamous marriage justify even more staving in it. No matter how painful the consequences, people must get out of adulterous marriages in order to be right with God.

A Great Battle for Souls

A great battle between God and Satan for the souls of men is always raging. We are warned against the danger of compromising the gospel in its purity for “another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” We are to reject all such as “accursed” (Gal. 1:6-9). Among people professing to be Christians, three groups existed in the early church. 1. There were false brethren, “to whom,” Paul said, “we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (2:3-5). 2. There were faithful brethren like Paul who were determined to uphold the truth of the gospel at all costs (2:3-5,14). 3. There were flip-flop brethren who compromised the truth when under pressure. Peter fell into this trap on one occasion, was rebuked openly by Paul, corrected his sin, and later spoke warmly of “our beloved brother Paul” (2:11-14; 2 Pet. 3:15). Some brethren continued on the course of compromise. Perhaps some protested that Paul had unfairly at-tacked a dearly beloved brother. They may have resented Paul’s efforts and labelled him “a brotherhood watchdog,” “a narrow-minded legalist,” or “a troublemaker.”

The same three groups exist among professed Christians everywhere today in different concentrations and distributions. The combination of false and flip-flop brethren leave faithful brethren badly outnumbered in California, and those who speak out are increasingly isolated and ostracized. Informed Christians know that this battle has spread well beyond the borders of California.

Brethren openly committed to false doctrine are getting bolder all across the country. After teaching his theories in assemblies in El Cajon, California and Belen, New Mexico in 1988, Homer Hailey (of Tucson, AZ) published an 85-page book in 1991 entitled The Divorced and Remarried Who Would Come to God. During 1990, I had two debates on divorce and remarriage with Jack Freeman (of Las Vegas, NV); the second one is being published by the Guardian of Truth Foundation and should be available soon. In 1991 Jerry F. Bassett (of Eugene, OR) published an 149-page book of his theories entitled Rethinking Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage, with the help of his brother Don (of Brent-wood, TN). Jerry Bassett had two debates in 1992 defending his error. Don was deeply involved in assisting Jerry.

W.L. Wharton (of San Antonio, TX) shocked many brethren by moderating for Jerry in the first debate and then by preaching this error in the pulpit. In the wake of these events, brother Wharton’s close friend and associate Terry Sumerlin (of San Antonio) publicly identified himself with the same false doctrine by preaching it in the pulpit. These actions by brethren Wharton and Sumerlin have devastated the Highland Blvd. church in San Antonio. J.T. Smith had two debates during 1991-92 exposing the errors of Olan Hicks (of Searcy, AR). Hicks is an institutional liberal, but his theories on divorce and remarriage are well represented among non-institutional brethren. Anyone who does not realize this battle is spreading beyond the confines of the west coast has his head in the sand.

A rationale for unity-in-diversity on divorce and remarriage was presented by Ed Harrell in Christianity Magazine in a 17 part series (Nov. 1988-Aug. 1990). He repeatedly misused Romans 14 as a basis for brethren to tolerate differences of “considerable moral and doctrinal import,” including “contradictory teachings and practices on important moral and doctrinal questions” (May 1989, p. 6; May 1990, p. 6). The paper’s “positive” philosophy forbids anyone to review brother Harrell’s series in the magazine (Sept. 1990, p. 7). Those who have used other forums to review the error have been stigmatized as “reckless,” “irresponsible,” “extremists,” and meddlers who “intend to `line up’ followers or create a party” (“A Report” mailed out by Christianity Magazine, late 1992). Neither the error misusing Romans 14 on unity-in-diversity-of-divorce doctrines nor the “Report” has been repudiated, rebuked, and reviewed in the magazine by any of its editors (Dee Bowman, Paul Earnhart, Sewell Hall, Ed Harrell, Brent Lewis). A revised version of the “Report” appeared in the paper. asserting that no one who reads the paper has any reason at all to doubt its soundness (Jan. 1993, p. 4).

Preserving the Purity of the Gospel

How can brethren in California and throughout the country stop the advance of false doctrines on divorce and remarriage, and how can we avoid compromise with such errors?

I. The only weapon we have is the truth of God’s Word. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” We must continue this work even when some among us “will not endure sound doctrine.” We must ever “watch,” sound a warning when error approaches, and “endure afflictions” for the cause of truth (2 Tim. 4:1-5). “Reprove, rebuke, exhort” means there must be a balance of positive and negative aspects of the truth in our preaching. We must avoid the temptation to stoop to the carnal tactics of error. We must be confident that false doctrine cannot withstand the constant pressure of the persistent preaching of truth. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2 Cor. 10:4).

2. We must distinguish matters of the revealed faith from matters of personal faith (2 Jn. 9; Jude 3; Rom. 14:1-15:7). Christ revealed his doctrine on marriage, divorce, and remarriage, and said through John, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not” (2 Jn. 10). Where there are differences of personal conscience involving no violation of truth, the Lord said, “Receive ye one another” (Rom. 15:7). Romans 14 is being perverted to justify tolerating apostate doctrines which result in adulterous marriages. The toleration taught in Romans 14 is limited to the realm where “there is nothing unclean of itself,” where “all things indeed are pure” (vv. 14,20). Digressive doctrines resulting in adulterous marriages do not fit into that realm!

3. We must recognize that departures from the faith “wax worse and worse” (2 Tim. 3:13). Dangerous error degenerates, it does not remain static. “They will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker:. . . and overthrow the faith of some” (2:16-18). The denominational dogmas of “grace only” and “faith only” embrace more and more diverse doctrines and departures day by day. The no-patternism of liberalism does the same thing. Apostate doctrines on divorce and remarriage do the same thing.

Those who teach diverse, false doctrines embrace one another, and the ever-widening circle makes it possible for them to justify people remaining in new marriages following divorces for any and every cause. Furthermore, an in-creasing number of these false teachers and those who follow them defend and practice such ungodly deeds as drinking intoxicants, the equivalent of the “strong drink” of Bible times. Other practices which are becoming rampant without rebuke among these churches include dancing, gambling and daily attire. Such sins can be found at times among churches which are sound on divorce and remarriage, because of neglect of teaching or indifference in hearing. But there is a logical reason why there is a definite pattern developing which embraces such sins among many brethren who are committed to error on divorce and remarriage. When moral restraints and convictions are loosened in one area, they inevitably will be relaxed in other areas.

4. False doctrines and the teachers who spread them must be exposed (2 Tim. 2:16-18). Some brethren have erred “concerning the truth,” teaching things contrary to the doctrine of Christ, “and overthrow the faith of some” by justifying their adulterous marriages. The doctrines need to be specified and the teachers need to be identified, whether it be Hymenaeus, Philetus, Alexander, or Demas.

Maurice Estes (West Anaheim, CA) preached a series of lessons in 1990 filled with error at the Sun Garden church in Fresno. His booklet on Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage (1979) has been translated into Spanish, as has The Truth About Matthew 19:9 (1990) by Mel Rose (Madeira, CA). Rose publishes and distributes both of them in Spanish. Wayne Partain and Bill Reeves report that these materials have worked havoc among Spanish speaking brethren in the U.S., Mexico, San Salvador, and Latin America generally. Souls have been subverted and churches divided as a direct result of the false doctrines of Estes, Rose and others. We should treat all men with courtesy and dignity, but when the false teacher comes our way, the Apostle of love commanded by divine inspiration, “Receive him not” (2 Jn. 9-11).

Godly elders guarding the flock will not give such men opportunities to gain the confidence of the flock, but will stop their mouths (Tit. 1:10). The Bible says to mark and avoid such men (Rom. 16:17). Past friendships and associations do not alter our duties. We must be friends to God first and to men second. We are “not to think of men above that which is written” (I Cor. 4:6).

There are many lessons to be learned from the course of events among our dear brethren in California. Let us pray for them and help them as we have opportunities. There are many fine brethren there who love the truth. Their hard-ships remind us that we must resist error and those who teach it, no matter who they are, no matter what their past attainments have been. Paul said, “To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Gal. 2:5). Let us all be “set for the defense of the gospel,” speak “the truth in love,” and “speak boldly,” as we ought to speak (Phil. 1:17; Eph. 4:15; 6:20).

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 9, p. 16-19
May 20, 1993

By Irvin Himmel

The text for this homily is John 8:31,32: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

A disciple is a learner. The Jews who were taught by John the Baptist were called John’s disciples (Jn. 3:25). The people who believed in Jesus and followed him were called disciples of Jesus (Jn. 18:1; 19:38). The Jews who were clinging to the law of Moses but refused to believe in Jesus considered themselves to be Moses’ disciples On. 9:28).

There is a pronounced difference between a disciple and a disciple indeed. The people who learned enough to believe in Jesus were considered his disciples, but the Lord said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples in-deed” The word “indeed” means “truly,’ “in reality,” or “most certainly.” One may be called a disciple without being that in reality.

1. To be a disciple indeed one must continue in the word of Christ. Some take the word of Christ lightly. They are not willing to be bound by the Lord’s teaching. They are determined to believe what seems good in their own eyes. They rely more on human wisdom than on the divine word. They follow Christ’s word only when it happens to coincide with their own preconceptions, notions, and thoughts. Paul taught that every thought is to be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). He urged, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Col. 3:16). Whether we respect and continue in the word of Christ or not, it will judge us in the last day (Jn. 12:48).

2. To be a disciple indeed one must love the Lord more than all else. Jesus said, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever cloth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple” (Lk. 14:26,27). Immediately after these statements, our Master illustrated how we must be willing to count the cost. Many people are unwilling to pay the price required in true discipleship. They want to be disciples on their own terms, not the Lord’s terms. They are unwilling to take a stand for Christ and the truth if it means being criticized and ridiculed by friends, business associates, or relatives. No one is a true disciple unless he stands ready to part with anything or anyone that may come between him and the Savior. “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Lk. 14:33).
3. To be a disciple indeed one must bear fruit. Jesus spoke of himself as the true vine, the Father as the husbandman (vinedresser), and the disciples as branches growing in the vine. “1 am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” He also said, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (Jn. 15:1-8). To abide in Christ requires that his words abide in us. If we ignore his words and practice what he has not authorized in religion, we make ourselves unfruitful. We must keep his commandments to abide in his love On. 15:10).
4. To be a disciple indeed one must love others who are true disciples. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” On. 13:34,35). John wrote, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also” (I Jn. 4:20,21) Love prompts true disciples to help each other. We do not help each other by condoning error, by sanctioning sin, and by defending unscriptural concepts. Paul strongly rebuked the brethren in Corinth for their sins because he loved them.
5. To be a disciple indeed one must persevere. The word of truth is misunderstood sometimes. People think we are being too hard when we preach the word just as it is writ-ten. In John 6:60, some thought what Jesus said was too hard to accept. “Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can bear it?” In verse 66 we read, “From that time many of this disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” They were finished with Jesus! This happens often today. Some cannot endure sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3). They are unwilling to do as did the disciples in Jerusalem who “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). In some cases they feel so uncomfortable among true disciples that they take their leave and never return. Concerning such, John said, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (1 Jn. 2:19).

It is not enough for us to be called disciples of Jesus Christ. Let us demonstrate before others that we are his disciples indeed.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 9, p. 23
May 20, 1993

By Gailen E. Evans

In order to support some modern claims that are being heard among the preachers of our day, some will be happy to hear that the following letter has been discovered in the ancient ruins of Corinth:

Paul the Apostle Spring, 57 A.D. Somewhere in Macedonia

Dear brother Paul,

We received the nice letter you wrote to us from Ephesus, and it was so good to hear from you. There is no doubt that we have problems here, but you know the changes do not take place overnight. While we fully intend to do what is right, we do not want to move too fast lest some might become discouraged.

In regard to your plans to return to Corinth this winter, we would like to make some requests of you. It is common knowledge that one of our good members is living in an unwholesome relationship with his stepmother. We are hoping that by continuing to have fellowship with them, rather than drawing any lines of fellow-ship, we will win them to the truth. For this reason we would appreciate it if you would refrain from preaching or teaching anything on the subject of sexual immorality when you are here the next time. We know that you will understand the awkward position you will put us in if you should happen to mention this in any of your lessons.

Yours for the sake of Love and Peace
I.M. Soft
for the church of God at Corinth

Surely finding this letter will bring great comfort to many today who are not ready to “draw the line” when it comes to false teaching. But  we are sorry to say, that in going through the trash bins of Corinth, another letter was discovered! Apparently it was a letter sent between first and second Corinthians. Its contents are found below:

I/II Corinthians

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ unto the church of God which is at Corinth. My brethren, it obvious that you have not given careful attention to the fifth chapter of my last epistle (the one was 1 Corinthians at the top of the first page!) I told you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; in fact I said not even to eat with such a person. I was sure that you could understand from this that 1 was commanding you to cease from any familiar relationships with brethren who were endangering the purity of the church by their words and actions! I really didn’t think that my words were that difficult to understand. Now you tell me that you want to continue to have fellowship with one whose soul is destined to be lost, and who will encourage others to join him!

Do you remember when I was there in Corinth back in 52 and 53 and I wrote to the church at Thessalonica? You will recall that I told them not to have any company with those who refused to obey what we commanded in the epistles! Now I have written to you and commanded you to purge out the old leaven! Must I come in person to make this point any clearer? Just how do you expect to get a man to repent when you continue to have fellowship with him while he persists in such a sin? It is time for you to wake up to the fact that sin which is persisted in will of necessity draw the line between those who love our Lord and those who refuse to obey him!

It is your duty to deliver this one to Satan, that his spirit might be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus! Unless you are willing to carry this out, your soul may indeed be lost as well!

As for your request with regard to my preaching there in Corinth, I would like to remind you of a few important points. As a minister of the Gospel of Christ, it is my duty to declare the whole counsel of God to those whose souls may be in danger. I told the elders from Ephesus this in 52 before my last visit with you in Corinth. Now you are telling me not to preach on a subject that needs to be dealt with! What would you think if brother Luke was to come to Corinth, and start bandaging the fingers of those whose heads were bleeding? Would you consider him to be a capable physician? Think about our blessed Lord: when he went in-to the temple and the synagogues, he preached what was needed by those of whom he spoke. Remember what Matthew recorded in the 23rd chapter of his gospel? Jesus called the Scribes and the Pharisees hypocrites! He did not avoid dealing with the problem of sin that afflicted them! Now, how can you expect me to come to Corinth and ignore preaching on a subject that will eventually cause every member of that congregation to lose his soul? I am sorry, but unless you do as I have commanded before this winter, I will find it necessary to come and expose the sin that is being practiced and encouraged in the church there!

You may think that this seems harsh and that it would be much easier to continue in fellowship with people such as this, but somewhere in the next forty years, the Lord will inspire the beloved John to warn you not to lend encouragement to anyone who does not adhere to the doctrine of Christ! The reason is plain: if you encourage someone who is teaching false doctrine, or living in sin, you share in his guilt! Are you prepared to be held accountable for the actions of the immoral person in your midst?

May our God help you to stand boldly against all who would compromise his word, that you might stand blameless before him in judgment, and save the souls of those who may yet be captives of sin!

Your humble Servant in Christ,

Paul of Tarsus

Of course, neither of these letters was actually found, but the tenor of the letter from Corinth has some of the same “uncertain sounds” we are hearing from supposedly “sound brethren” today. And the letter from Paul certainly follows in the way Paul dealt with sin among brethren in his lifetime.

If Paul were writing a letter to the church where you worship, what would he have to say? Would he commend your preacher for not being “too controversial”? Would he commend you for allowing men to fill the pulpit who do not teach the truth on vital subjects such as divorce and remarriage? Be honest: Not being willing to “draw the line” is another way of saying you are not willing to honor the line that the Lord has already drawn. “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him” (I Kgs. 18:21). It is time for us to stand on the Lord’s side, and reject all who refuse to stand with him.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 9, p. 20-21
May 20, 1993

By Randy Reynolds

When became a Christian there were a number of things that took place:

1. I received salvation from my sins. Jesus said that I would receive salvation after I was baptized (Mk. 16:16). The apostle Peter tells us clearly that baptism saves (1 Pet. 3:21). The evidence is abundant that this baptism which Paul describes as “one baptism” is water baptism (Eph. 4:5; 6:1-7; Acts 8:36-39).

2. I received cleansing from my sins. When Ananias came to Saul with words of salvation he told him that he must be baptized in order to wash away his sins (Acts 22:16). I might also add that these words that Ananias spoke to Saul of Tarsus were the words that the Lord sent. They were sin-cleansing words.

“There is no philosophy (argument) so well fortified or
exalted against God that it cannot be overthrown and
captured and brought under obedience to the control and
redemptive purpose of God.”

3. I received freedom from my sins. This came when 1 obeyed the truth (1 Pet. 1:22, 23; Jn. 8:32). Friend, this is a freedom that can only be found in obedience to the truth. Man-made doctrines could not have accomplished this.

4. I was baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). In Christ I found “every spiritual blessing, redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Eph. 1:3-7).

5. I was added to his church, the very same church that the Lord had promised to build (Acts 2:47, Matt. 16:13-20). This is the church that the Lord purchased with his own blood.

6. I became a member of his body, which is his church (Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18-24).

7. became a kingdom citizen Jn. 3:3; Matt. 16:18, 19; 18:3). It is not a future kingdom that I look for because the Lord promised his kingdom. which is his church, in the lifetime of some first century citizens (Mk. 9:1).

8. 1 became a member of God’s family (1 Tim. 3:15; Rom. 8:15ff).

Now that I am a Christian 1 must realize who and what I am. The word Christian suggests one who belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. But not only is it one who belongs to Christ, it is also one who strictly adheres to Christ.

I am a Christian. And as a Christian, a follower and adherent of Jesus Christ, and a kingdom citizen, I must remember that there are certain things that the Lord requires of me.

The Lord expects me to be a good soldier (2 Tim. 2:3,4). Soldiers, first of all, arm themselves for battle. Paul says that the soldier of the Lord arms himself with God’s armor (Eph. 6:10-18). This enables us to “stand against the wiles of the devil.”

The soldier of the Lord “pulls down strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:4ff). What are these strongholds? Teaching and beliefs that are contrary to the truth! The word of God has the power to destroy disbelief, false teachings and any other things that stand in the way of salvation.

When Paul marched into the city of Corinth, at that time a citadel of vain philosophy and false religion, he took with him the word of the Lord. In doing so he was prepared for battle. He was already to attack their stronghold.

One writer stated it this way:

The word of God has captured the minds of kings, philosophers, rabbis, army officers, fishermen, doctors, scientists, carpenters, financiers, merchants, murderers, homosexuals, adulterers, thieves, drunkards, slaves, freedmen, rich, poor, learned, ignorant all kinds of people from all races, cultures, languages, geographical locations. It continues to this day to overthrow the proud and arrogant rationalizations of human beings. There is no philosophy (argument) so well fortified or exalted against God that it cannot be overthrown and captured and brought under obedience to the control and redemptive purpose of God. There is no human mind so well fortified or exalted against God that it cannot be overthrown, captured and brought into obedience to the will of God and his redemptive salvation.

And may I quickly add to these thoughts, brethren, if we spent more time personally getting prepared for battle and courageously standing for those wonderful truths of the Lord as a good soldier of the Lord must, we would certainly spend less time criticizing those who do! Christians must be defenders of the truth! The apostles were all defenders of the Lord’s gospel and we need to be more involved in giving our lives, “contending earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

Unless we are prepared for battle, we cannot stand against the wiles of the devil. But rest assured, friend, when we are properly armed we will be armed with the most powerful and the most productive weapon in the world!

Please allow me to give you some helpful suggestions for arming yourself to fight the battle: 1. Read your Bible daily. 2. Mediate on those wonderful words that you read. 3. Attend all of the services of the Lord in the area where you live. 4. Attend the Bible classes both Sunday and Wednesday. 5. Start a Bible study in your home. 6. Include gospel meetings in your schedule. 7. Spend personal time with other Christians. 8. Strive diligently to put the Lord first and keep him there. 9. Pray without ceasing.

May God richly bless us in our efforts to live as a Christian. May he bless us with great courage as we draw closer to him and love him more each day.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 9, p. 1
May 20, 1993