Truth Magazine

By Lindsay Allen

Since God is a God of love, pity and compassion, it is not surprising that he has always championed the cause of widows, the fatherless and other poor and unfortunate people. At the same time, God has stressed that these people should not be shown preferential treatment before the courts simply because they were poor. The poor too, may pay their due according to their ability and opportunity. However, God’s law regarding the treatment or neglect of such people is firm and stringent. “Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; and my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children father-less” (Exod. 22:22-24). Jesus reminds us, “The poor ye have with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good” (Mk. 14:7). Matthew’s picture of the final judgment makes it clear that caring for the poor weighs heavy in determining one’s eternal destiny (Matt. 25:34-46). James reminds his brethren that “pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (Jas. 1:27). God’s people today must be as diligent and faithful to care for such people as in any previous age (Heb. 2:1-3; 8:6).

However, it is equally important to know that God has severely restricted the work of benevolence. “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). This is strong language. Indolence is a sin that must not be tolerated. Thsoe who aid such be-come partakers of this sin. God expects each person to stand on his own feet and do for himself as he is able and has opportunity. This leads to another restriction: each one is to be responsible for his immediate family and near relatives as he is able. This includes aged parents and other relatives. Those who refuse to do so “hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (I Tim. 5:4,8,16). Notice also that the care of widows is restricted. James 1:27 teaches this work belongs to individuals, and could include those widows, aged parents and fatherless of his own household. If these guidelines were followed today, welfare rolls would be drastically reduced, and the church not be burdened. It is easily seen that the great majority of benevolent work is to be done by individuals, not the church nor secular organizations.

It should also be noted that God never intended for benevolence to be used as a tool to bring people into Christ or to keep them faithful. Follow Paul on his preaching tours into Asia and Southeastern Europe. There were poor people then as now, and yet Paul never used either clothes, food or money to entice people to obey the gospel. The only drawing power used was the gospel. True discipleship cannot be bought with material goods (Rom. 1:16,17; In. 6:44-45). Such tactics were used after World War II. Baptisms came easy, the building overflowed, but when the “loaves and fishes” ran out, so did the “converts.”

There are nine groups of passages of Scripture in the New Testament on benevolence that is the responsiblity of the local church. Lack of space prohibits a full discussion of each passage. Please read these Scriptures: (1) Acts 2:44,45; (2) Acts 4:32-35; (3) Acts 6:1-6; (4) Acts 11:27-30; (5) Romans 15:25-32; (6) 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; (7) 2 Corinthians 8; (8) 2 Corinthians 9; (9) 1 Timothy 5:9-16. Having read these Scriptures, answer two questions about each. First, who did the relieving and who were relieved.

The Christian’s life is a training school for eternity. It is in this school that traits of character will be developed that prepare for heavenly citizenship. These traits cannot be developed by proxy, but only through personal exercise and experience. Among these traits are kindness, pity, compassion, gentleness, tenderheartedness, and love. God wants his people to become personally involved in service, not the mere giving of money through some agency. This plan does not exclude money, but also includes becoming personally involved. 1 once knew a lady who willingly gave money but would not go where there was filth and unpleasant odors. Such work is Christ-like and makes one strong spiritually. Christ went among the poor, lowly and out-cast. Yes, he washed his disciples’ feet with his own hands. This is true benevolence.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 6, p. 5
March 18, 1993

By Carl McMurray

And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem (Lk. 13:22).

The passage above speaks of our Lord’s journey toward Jerusalem. Verses 32 and 33 show us that this was not just a trip for him and Jerusalem was not just a place to stop. That city was his goal. He knew that he was traveling toward his own crucifixion. While setting his mind on his goal, however, he did not lose sight of where he was and what he was doing. Daily he was casting out demons and performing miracles of healing upon others. Think also about his method of travel. Possessing little finances, Jesus probably walked most places he went. As he walked into villages and out of cities on his journey, his eyes and ears were open to the cries of those distressed. He spoke to them, touched them, healed their bodies and changed their lives. He taught them and spoke with a confidence and truth that burned his words into their hearts so that people remembered his teaching and told others, “No man ever spake like this man.” As Jesus traveled toward death, he formed relation-ships and left an effect behind him.

On the other hand, consider how we travel. We like interstates. We seal ourselves up in an air-conditioned environment on smooth asphalt and radial tires. With reclining seats and cruise control, our favorite tape in the player, or Rush Limbaugh on the radio, we sit back and chat with others in the car for hundreds upon hundreds of miles. Every few hours I may stop just momentarily for a bottle of juice and some popcorn or fuel or a meal. Even then it’s, “Hurry and get back in the car — gotta go!”

You may be asking about this time, “What’s the point?” “Is he trying to tell us to walk instead of drive?” I’m really not doing that at all. Jesus’ method of travel accurately represented the way he traveled through life. My point is that if we are not careful, we also travel through life like we travel across the country. We get ourselves insulated and comfortable with all of our needs seen to. The only time we get close to others is when we jump out momentarily and need someone else to see to another of our needs. We want things smooth and comfortable, clean and quiet, as we travel toward our goal. We pay outrageous amounts for a home to live in and then never “use” it for hospitality because a magazine may be on the floor or the plush pile carpet is not vacuumed. We have every modern labor-saving appliance (almost) known to man in our kitchens — so we can eat out! Many modern ladies would find it impossible to prepare, on short notice, for extra company at the table. They couldn’t compete with women in the past who work-ed out of pots and woodstoves. The average work week has been shortened to 40-50 hours for most men, but we still can’t find time to attend evening classes, visit other Christians, or prepare a class to teach. Our children are healthier, better educated, and have access to more opportunities than they have ever had. They are also lazier, more disrespectful, more spoiled, less self-controlled and less responsible. I know there are many exceptions to all the preceeding — but I still believe this to be the “rule.” Are we traveling through life at our ease? We need to wake up and pay attention to what’s going on around us.

I see Jesus walking and talking in the marketplaces, answering their questions, as he healed them. He blessed the little children and I just imagine he greeted the elderly with respect and compassion. He took note of people — and so should we. Slow down! On this road of life, get out of your car and walk. Turn off life’s radio, listen to some people, and find out what is really important.

When you visit the grocery next time, for a moment, visit with the cashier. Compliment the gas station attendant and call that little girl at Hardee’s by her name. She wears it on a tag for all to take note of. When your co-worker shows up at work in a good mood, ask him why and then give him some positive feedback. Feel good with him, laugh out loud with him. When sadness or tragedy strike an acquaintance — run, don’t walk, right to them — hug ’em. Take some time to listen to their feelings. Be quiet. You can’t hear when you’re talking. It doesn’t matter if you know “just what to say” like some others seem to do so easily. It is your heart that people want, not your eloquence.

Stop the car and get out of the air conditioning. Look deep into the eyes of your children and see yourself. Give them what they need; your love, your confidence, and discipline. Tell your friends what you think of them, what they mean to you. Encourage the younger ones who are walking in your footsteps and don’t push the elderly ahead of you — care for them and watch out for them instead. Make sure your husband or wife knows you love them. Experience life in all of its excitements, and sorrows, and joys. Talk to people and listen. Visit with people and share. Keep your eyes open to help and when you see a place, jump into the gap and give it your best. Jesus was traveling toward his goal and so are we. He was traveling toward heaven and so are we. He was heading toward death and so are we. All along the way he was reaching out and sharing God’s power and the good news of the kingdom. We should be doing the same thing. To arrive at the Lord’s goal, we’re going to have to travel his path. What type of traveler have you been? What type will you be?

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 6, p. 13
March 18, 1993

By Donald Townsley

Denominational dogma and practice have greatly obscured the truth concerning the manner in which the Holy Spirit operates in the conversion of man. Denominationalism teaches that in conversion the Holy Spirit works directly, without means, upon the heart of man — some say, “in a manner above our comprehension.” Many brethren teach the “personal indwelling” of the Holy Spirit after conversion. But, what does the word of God teach? If the Holy Spirit operates separate and apart from the word of God, what does he do? We believe the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit works only through the word of God in conversion, and that he dwells in the Christian through the medium of the Word. Let us examine the Scriptures concerning this subject.

1. The Holy Spirit does not enlighten the soul of man apart from the word of God; he does this through the Word.

Psalms 19:8 — “The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

Psalms 119:130 — “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”

Ephesians 5:17 — “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

2. The Holy Spirit does not convert the soul of man apart from the word of God; he does this through the Word.

a. Psalms 19:7 — “The law of the Lord is perfect, con verting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”

Romans 1:16 — “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

I Corinthians 4:15 — “For though ye have ten thou-sand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospeL”

The Holy Spirit does not make us wise unto salvation apart from the word of God; he does this through the Holy Scriptures.

a. 2 Timothy 3:15 — “And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

The Holy Spirit does not cleanse us apart from the word of God; he does this through the word.

a. John 15:3 — “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”

The Holy Spirit does not sanctify apart from the word of God; he does this through the word.

a. John 17:17 — “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

The Holy Spirit does not save apart from the word of God; he does this through the word.

James 1:21 — “Wherefore lay part all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

The Holy Spirit does not make men free from sin apart from the word of God; he makes them free from sin through their obeying that “form of doctrine.”

a. Romans 6:17-18 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”

The Holy Spirit does not work apart from the word of God in order to bring about the new birth; He brings about the new birth by the word.

a. 1 Peter 1:23 “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”

The Holy Spirit does not produce faith in the hearts of men apart from the word of God; he does this through the word.

a. Romans 10:17 — “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

The Holy Spirit does not produce fruit in the life of a Christian apart from the word of God; he does it through the word.

Matthew 13:23 — “But he that receiveth seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

Galatians 5:22-23 — “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

The Holy Spirit does not make the Christian ‘ perfect” and “furnished unto all good works” apart from the word of God; he does this through the word.

a. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 — “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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

The Holy Spirit does not produce growth in Christians apart from the word of God; he does this through the word.

a. 1 Peter 2:2 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

The Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian — not directly, apart from the word of God, but through the medium of the word.

Galatians 3:2 “This only would Ilearn of you, received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”

Ephesians 3:17 — “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.”

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 6, p. 14-15
March 18, 1993

By Eric Norford

Paul said in Ephesians 6:1-4, “Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and thy mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” God’s system in the home is simple: parents have authority over children and children are required to obey their parents, even when they don’t want to. Fathers are responsible to see that the children are raised in the ways of God. It must be done if we are to have a home pleasing in the sight of God.

Under the old law, children were told the same thing. God says in Exodus 20:12, “Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” This principle still applies today. Under this law those who would not honor their parents were to be put to death. Exodus 21:15 says, “And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.” Exodus 21:17 says, “And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.” Leviticus 20:9 says, “For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death.” God demanded obedience from the children. I am thankful we don’t live under that law today, but it doesn’t change how God feels, he still commands that children obey their parents.

Often there comes a time when the child is going to do something wrong, it is up to the parents to administer discipline in order to correct the child so he or she will not do it again. What kind of discipline should be given to the child? That depends on what he did and what the parents want to do with the situation, but there needs to be some kind of discipline.

In our country today, as has been the case for the last 25 years, there has been an uprise in those who believe that children do not need discipline, particularly in the area of corporal punishment (spanking). Many people believe today that in order to correct the child, the parents ought to talk to the child (I agree there are times when this can be done, but their view says this is to be done 100 percent of the time; there is to be no spanking). These views were recently aired on ABC’s “20/20” program. lam sure some of you watched or heard or even read about. The views are taking a drop in the bucket as to what humanists have been teaching for over 30 years in this country. A generation in this country has been raised with this philosophy and we are going to see the results of it.

I was recently given a newspaper article about this very subject that I would like to share with you. It was taken from the The Dominion Post (Morgantown, WV, January 1!, 1993). It was written by Terry Hagedorn of Reedsville, WV and this is what he had to say about this subject. All I can say is “Amen!”

The “20/20” program for October 30, 1992, focused its myopic lenses upon the issue of spanking children. Sarcastically, the narrator opened the segment stating: “There’s a long tradition of spanking kids to teach them.”

The Bible recommends it: “Withhold not correction from the child; he’ll do better if thou beatest him with the rod.”

The Old Woman in the shoe knew what to do: She whipped them all soundly and put them to bed.

Could hundreds of years of nursery rhymes, tradition and the Bible be wrong? Today, most every researcher who studied spanking says yes, they are wrong.

I beg to differ with the announcer. The Word of God in Proverbs 13:23 does not say, “He’ll do better if thou beatest him with a rod.” God’s word says, “for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.”

These Scriptures are a warning to parents to take whatever loving correction is necessary to prevent their children from being spiritually reprobate and, even worse, prematurely dead — two conditions that our children are suffering from in catastrophic numbers!

Sociologist Murray Strous appeared on this “20/20” pro-gram as one who disagrees: “It’s probably the best-kept secret of American child psychology that spanking kids produces kids that are more trouble, more hassle for parents, less well-behaved, and besides that, you’re putting them at risk . . . of severe problems when they grow up.”

This expert, like so many other so-called “experts,” offered no empirical scientific evidence to back up his allegations. American child psychology is not monolithic, let alone an empirical authority on the issue.

There are many disputes among American child psychologists of what is best for children in the area of child rearing, including spanking.

One need not he a scientist to see what 40 years of experience clearly teaches. Look at the condition of our children today compared to those from the years prior to ”expert” pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock’s and Dr. ”The Father of Modern Education” John Dewey’s humanistic theories becoming the absolute authority for parents.

Here are some of the top offenses in our public schools in 1963: talking; tardiness; chewing gum; throwing spit balls; rudeness; making noise; running in the halls; getting out of turn in line; wearing improper clothing; not putting paper in the wastebasket; and smoking cigarettes (probably the worst offense).

Today, we find: murder (metal detectors at the school doors are used to find guns and knives); rape; assault and battery (schools now have shooting and bombing drills); arson; bombing; suicide; vandalism; extortion; drug/alcohol abuse; gang warfare; sexually transmitted diseases; an explosion in teen pregnancies; abortions; protection devices given out; and sexual perversion being taught in the school curriculum.

American children have been sacrificed to the secular social experiments of godless humanists who control virtually every aspect of our society; the mass media; public schools; government; the home; and even some churches!

”20/20” is wrong. The humanists are wrong, God is right! Speak up America. It’s your right and responsibility.

May God give us Christian homes where humanism can not get in and tear it apart.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 7, p. 1
April 1, 1993