Truth Magazine

By Don R. Freling

Memorial Day is more special to some than others. “How soon they forget” is a thought verbalized by veterans of World War II as they observe Memorial Day ignorers. One veteran wrote about an amphibious landing on an island in the South Pacific. He recalled how the sea swarmed with landing barges filled with troops. The barges approached the beach under heavy fire from concrete bunkers. The air was filled with lead and soon the sea was colored by the blood of gallant boys who would never fire a shot for their cause. A few barges made it to the beach and many of the men on these were slaughtered in the shallow water.

Those who survived to the sand dunes were pinned down by machine guns from concrete bunkers. Many were dying. With no visible hesitation they pressed forward. When they reached the bunker they realized that it was no longer active. They looked inside and saw four dead enemy gunners and two dead Marines. There were no survivors to tell the story of this frantic hand-to-hand combat.

Time and circumstance did not permit longer reflection and discovery of the identity of these two Marines who gave their lives that so many might live. But these veterans never forgot. Memorial Day is special to them. It is special to their families. What is the value of those two dead Marines who got to the bunker first?

In the same sense we owe something to the One who died for us. What value would you place on the forgiveness of your sins?

Sometimes a short story of a suffering sacrifice in a real life situation closer to us brings to reality the death of Jesus for us. We have a Memorial Day — the Lord’s day. It’s once a week. It’s important to remember. Two Marines died for a few men in the invasion force. Jesus died for all men of every nation of all time. Other men could have given their lives on that bloody beach but only one could have given his life for the sins of the world.

Christians meet to remember as they partake of the Lord’s Supper. This shows our common hope and unified purpose. Despite our separation geographically or even doctrinally, the Lord’s Supper could be the platform for unity and love for each other and for all men.

Paul exhorts in 1 Corinthians that we must “individually examine ourselves and not partake in an unworthy manner.” Simple instructions. How can one presiding over the Lord’s Supper assist each individual? One cannot partake and remember for another. The leader can effectively read appropriate passages from different translations, make comments, or relate a story pertinent to members which brings to vivid reality the events on the cross. The leader can also describe a crucifixion or the helplessness of the on-lookers.

Personally, I recommend against:

(1) Dramatizing Scripture with undocumented speculation about what someone might have said or thought.

(2) Praying about things not associated with the Lord’s Supper.

(3) Using familiar phrases too often. This might imply the leader is just going through the motions — not really meaning what he says. However, if using familiar phrases best ex-presses one’s heart use them. (4) Hurrying the service could diminish its importance. (5) Prolonging the service. Time should be given for other things that must be done while we’re together. (6) Using external effects — light dimming or soft singing. This puts my mind on what’s coming next and off the subject. Personally, I need time and silence to better put my mind on the subject. (7) Using a play or skit because this brings a sacred spiritual event down to a secular level. (8) Thinking the Lord’s Supper is the main purpose for gathering.

Such an attitude leads to people just coming for the Lord’s Supper and then leaving. This could lead to arbitrarily assigning a greater or lesser importance to other things God has required. The Corinthian church assembled together and were edified (ch. 14). They sang together, they prayed together, and they gave of their means. Is preaching less important than the Lord’s Supper? Romans 10 proclaims the need of preaching and following the Lord’s charge in the Great Commission. Who would say singing is more important than prayer? The Bible does not say the Lord’s Supper has more weight on God’s scale than singing, praying, preaching, and giving. If we have the correct attitude we will seek to do everything God requires in the best way we know how. (9) Reading from the writings of men. Someone less informed may read something in-appropriate or with Calvinistic assumptions. (10) Trying to attain a new “spiritual high” each time one partakes. This leads to “let downs,” depression, or even guilt.

The best thing we can do, in my opinion, is to dignify the Lord’s Sup-per with reflective silence. Introduce what is about to occur (for visitors) then allow a long moment to pass before offering prayer for the element being taken.

In time, the brave sacrifice of those two Marines will be forgotten and piled on top of countless other heroic acts on time’s face. Lincoln said in another war not too long ago, “Men will little note nor long remember what we say here but they will never forget what they did here.” Yes, we will remember but only as long as we are reminded.

Why is the Lord’s Supper more special to some than others? Perhaps some have sinned more, committed high consequence sins, omitted doing what God wants done. Perhaps they just regret past sins more. Remind the rememberers.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 1, p. 5
January 7, 1993

By Randy Harshbarger

Revelation 2:10 says: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” A new year is upon us. This is a time when many are making resolutions for 1993. How did you do with keeping last year’s resolutions? Did you accomplish everything you set out to do? A better question is: What were your goals for this past year and what will they be for the coming days? Will the Lord be included in your plans? Are you making preparations to grow spiritually? Are your dreams and aspirations concerned solely with “this life” and the things therein? Revelation 2:10 speaks to Christians who were being persecuted because of their faith in the Lord. In a very real way, being faithful unto death meant unto the point of death. Even if they were asked to lay their life on the line, they should do so willingly. Are we asked to serve the Lord to such an extreme degree? No, but what would be our reaction if that time came? Actually, you can determine your willingness to serve the Lord in difficult times by how you are serving the Lord now. When the times are favor-able for spreading the gospel and worshipping the Father above, do you use every opportunity to put the Lord first? Why do you think that you would give up your life for the Lord, when you will not even put him first now. Jesus plainly says to put him first (Matt. 6:33). As the new year begins let us be concerned about “the good part” that cannot be taken away (Mk. 10:48).

There will be disappointments this year. Family trouble, a financial crisis, or even trouble on the job will surely come to some. Will we continue to faithfully do the Lord’s will in spite of these problems? Undoubtedly Jesus was disappointed when his followers turned away (Jn. 6:66-69). Paul experienced heartache as his once faithful co-workers turned away in his time of need. Christians are not immune from troubles (Job 14:1). Let us resolve not to let anything or anyone turn us away from the Lord.

Satan will be seeking to gain an advantage over us during this year. He seeks our spiritual destruction (1 Pet. 5:8). The Lord provides the way of escape; let us make sure we look for it and use it (1 Cor. 10:13).

We continue to be blessed beyond measure in the riches of this world. Are our possessions possessing us or do we possess them? “I have to work all the time.” “I have to make ends meet.” Is this really true? Is your soul worth all that you are working for? The things of this life have a way of choking out the true riches that should be in our hearts (Lk. 8:14). Are you working for a good retirement in this life or in the one to come (Lk. 12:15-21)? Faithful stewardship means that we willingly give back to the Lord what is his already (1 Cor. 4:2). The rich fall into a trap that is hard to get out of (1 Tim. 6:6-8).

Let our resolve this year be that our reward in heaven is the one goal we will work for. Let everything else be secondary. Put the Lord first. Seek heaven. When we do that, we have blessings now and in the world to come, eternal life!

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 1, p.1
January 7, 1993

By Donnie Rader

Most, if not all, of the problems to arise among brethren are due to a lack of respect for the authority of God’s word. If I were asked what I think the biggest problem we are facing is, I would answer: “A lack of respect for God and his word.” All of the issues that we are facing and will face are mere symptoms of the problem.

The issue may be worldliness, divorce and remarriage or the role of women. While each of these is a different issue, they are all symptoms of a lack of respect for the Bible.

Quite often we find ourselves treating the symptoms without addressing the heart of the problem. To kill the pain in the arm without fixing the pinched nerve in the spine doesn’t cure the problem or the symptom. The pain will recur. The same is true with those who have little or no respect for what the Bible says. To show what the Bible says on the subject of worldliness or the role of women will not correct the problem until those being taught have some respect for what God says.

God Has Authority Over Man

By “authority” we mean “The power to command, en-force laws, exact obedience, determine, or judge” (The American Heritage Dictionary). God has the power to tell man how he is to live and demand that he be obedient to his will.

1. He is God. The very fact that God is God suggests he has that authority. He is eternal. He said to Moses, I am who I am” (Exod. 3:14). He is the Almighty — the all powerful God (Rev. 4:8).

2. He is the creator. He created the world and all things in it (Gen. 1:1; Heb. 3:4). The world was created for his will (Rev. 4:11). He created man and gave him the very life that he has (Gen. 1:26; 2:7). Thus, he has the power to rule our lives.

3. He is infinite in his wisdom. His ways and thoughts are higher than man’s ways and thoughts (Isa. 55:8-9). God is so wise that man cannot dare to sit in judgment on God and question what he says and does (Rom. 11:34). Thus, man is not left to direct his own steps (Jer. 10:23).

4. He controls the destiny of man. Paul described God to those who did not know God saying, “for in him we live and move and have our being. . . `For we are also his off-spring”‘ (Acts 17:28). In light of that principle, Paul states that God has commanded all men to repent (vv. 30-31). God has the right to command that of man in that he controls the life and destiny of man.

5. He will judge man in the end. God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world (Acts 17:31). Whether we like it or not, whether we are ready or not, God will call all men to appear before him to be judged (2 Cor. 5:10). If he will judge man, then he has the power to demand obedience to his will.

The Bible Is the Infallible Word of God

1. How the word came to man. God speaks to man through his Son, Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1). The Son revealed God’s will to the apostles by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:26; 15:26; 16:13; Eph. 3:3-5). The apostles wrote down the revelation (by inspiration) so men and women could read and understand the will of God (Eph. 3:3-5).

2. The word is inspired. The Bible was given by the mouth of God. Its words are his words. The Bible makes two claims about its inspiration. (a) All of the word is inspired (2 Tim. 3:16). This is what we call plenary inspiration. (b) Even the very words that the apostles spoke and wrote were chosen by God (1 Cor. 2:13). This is what we call verbal inspiration.

3. The Bible is the word of God. The Thessalonians received the message Paul preached “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God” (1 Thess. 2:13). The seed of the kingdom is the word of God (Lk. 8:11).

If it is the word of God, we ought to reverence it as such and not view what is taught from it as the word or tradition from man.

2. We will be judged by the word. In the end of time we will give an account as to whether we have accepted and followed the Scriptures or rejected them. Jesus said, “. . . the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (Jn. 12:48).

We Must Follow the Pattern of God’s Word

1. There is a pattern. God instructed Moses when he was about to make the tabernacle saying, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain” (emphasis mine, DVR, Heb. 8:5). Bill Humble wrote,

The church of Christ is different! And the fundamental reason why this is true can be stated quite simply: We believe that the New Testament is a divine blueprint for what the church ought to be in every age, and it is our responsibility to build according to the pattern.

God has always had a pattern for his great institutions for the building of the tabernacle, he said, “According to all that I show thee, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the furniture thereof even so shall ye make it” (Exod. 25:9). Centuries later, God selected Solomon to build the temple and the houses thereof “. . . and the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit. . .” (1 Chron. 28:11-12). David told Solomon, “All this have I been made to under-stand in writing from the hand of Jehovah, even all the works of this pattern” (v. 19).

If God was so concerned about the temple and tabernacle (physical buildings) that he gave his people a pattern and demanded that they build according to the pattern, could he be so unconcerned about the details of the church (a spiritual house) that he has no blueprint for it? The tabernacle is a “copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned of God when he was about to make the tabernacle… ” The tabernacle was a shadow, the church is the reality. Since the shadow had a pattern, the reality must also have one” (The Preceptor, October 1953).

Whatever the Bible says on any subject is the pattern.

2. What this means. If we must follow the pattern of God’s word, then several conclusions naturally follow.

(a) We cannot add to God’s word (Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19).

(b) We cannot take from God’s word (Deut. 4:2; Rev.22:18-19).

(b) We cannot change God’s word (Num. 22:18; 23:20).

(c) We cannot go beyond God’s word (2 Jn. 9).

(d) We must abide within the confines of God’s word (Col. 3:17; 2 Jn. 9; 1 Pet. 4:11).

Some False Concepts About Authority

1. “We don’t need authority. ” This would mean that man is at liberty to do as he wishes without any consequences. However, it didn’t work that way with Cain and Abel. They both offered a sacrifice to God. But God only accepted the offering of Abel because his was by faith (Heb. 11:4). Faith comes by the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Thus, Abel offered a sacrifice in harmony with the authority of God and Cain did not. Abel pleased God and Cain did not.

Nadab and Abihu offered a “strange” (KJV) fire unto God (Lev. 10:1). This was an “unauthorized” (NIV) fire. They offered a fire that God did not authorize. The consequence was they died from a devouring fire from the Lord (v. 2).

Those who practice “lawlessness” (acting without law) will hear the Lord say “depart from me” (Matt. 7:21-23).

If we do not need authority, then man is permitted to do anything he wants in the service of God. Not only will we have instrumental music, but we will have women elders, women preachers, snake handling and you name it. There would be no limit.

2. “We need only to strictly follow and believe the `core essentials’ or `the affirmations of Jesus and salvation in him,’ but we have the freedom to change things about the church. ” This is the old “gospel/doctrine” distinction that has been made for years. It is a call to abandon the idea that the book of Acts and the Epistles are a “blueprint” for the church today. The reason is quite clear: the blueprint is just not what they want.

This has also been advocated under the idea of “preach the man and not the plan.” The conclusion to this whole idea is that we must believe what the Bible says about Jesus and salvation in him, but we are left to a “what sounds good to me” approach beyond that. That allows us to ignore what the Bible says on any subject.

The “gospel” and “doctrine” are one and the same. The “core essentials” are called the “gospel” in Romans 10:16. Those same “essentials” are referred to as “doctrine” in Romans 6:17.

We must follow the pattern that is laid down in the Epistles as well as what some are calling the “core essentials.” Paul wrote that one who did not “obey our word in this epistle” was to be disfellowshiped in order to bring him to repentance (2 Thess. 3:14). Consider: 2 Timothy 1:13; Philippians 4:9; 1 John 2:5-6.

3. “We are not under `law’ today.” The idea is that if we are not under law then there could be no serious consequence to some violation. Again, man is left at liberty to do as he pleases.

We are under law. We obeyed the “law of the spirit of life” when we became Christians (Rom. 8:2). We are blessed if we continue in the “perfect law of liberty” (Jas. 1:25). If we were not under any law, then we could not be guilty of sin, for sin is a transgression of the law (1 Jn. 3:4; Rom. 4:15).

Let us learn to respect the authority of the word of God.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 1, p. 8
January 7, 1993

By Connie W. Adams

Conference of Charismatics Needed Interpreters

Tom Bunting of Bergen, Norway sent me the following item about the “Pentecostal’s 16th World Conference in Oslo, Norway.” There were over 5000 participants from 90 different countries. There were 11,000 present each evening in the 0510 Spekrum. But with these charismatics from the entire world, not one could speak in tongues! The speeches were all in either Norwegian or English. The problem of translating (interpreting) was solved through a small studio where the interpreters sat. They would translate the sermons into ten different languages and the people could tune in on radio sets at their seats.

What a wonderful opportunity that would have been for those, who claim that speaking in tongues is the usual sign for those baptized in the Spirit, to demonstrate their claim for all the world to see. I wonder where the translators sat on the day of Pentecost? What was that about “every man heard them speak in his own language”?

Don’t “Share” With Me

I understand that sometimes the idea of fellowship includes the notion of a joint sharing or participation. We have a common part because of our mutual relationship to the Lord. But I am weary of preachers who have made “sharing” a weak substitute for preaching. Just preach to me, O.K.? Just take a passage of Scripture, put it in context, and then come straight at me. Whether we “share” it or not will depend on whether or not I am willing to appropriate it to my life. Denominational preachers don’t have much confidence in the power of simply preaching the word. They think they have to sort of slip up on people, take the sting out of it and make it as painless as possible. “Share” sounds less threatening than “preach.” “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16).

Calling Evil Good

By a vote of four to three, the Kentucky Supreme Court overturned its sodomy law. As might be expected, an editorial in the October 1, 1992 Courier-Journal praised these four justices and called them “courageous.” The new ruling argues for the rights of an adult’s private conduct unless it is harmful to someone else. One dissenting judge, Justice Joseph E. Lambert, castigated his colleagues for disregarding “virtually all of recorded history, the teachings of the religions most influential on Western Civilization.” He further urged that if the morality of the majority plays no role in forming criminal law, “and the only standard is harm to another, all laws proscribing the possession and use of dangerous or narcotic drugs would fall.”

We are in trouble, folks. The action of these four justices was not courageous. It was a sop to a special interest group which has been making a lot of noise and which is determined not just to be tolerated in society but to flaunt their evil before the world and to force all the rest to regard it as an innocent, alternate life-style. Paul called it “vile affection,” said it was “against nature,” identified it with “lust,” called it “error,” said those guilty had a “reprobate mind” and then declared that such behavior was “not proper” (Rom. 1:26-28).

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isa. 5:20)!

Suggested Lectureship

My friend, Donnie V. Rader, said he was thinking of arranging a lecture program with Dorris Rader, Carroll Sutton, Shirley Mullins and Connie Adams with the theme “Just Between Us Girls.” Well, what are friends for?

I don’t know about the other three fellows, but I have had my share of jokes during meetings about “I didn’t know you had women preachers.” I have heard that joke at least 500 times already. When I urge brethren to use my picture in advertisements of meetings, it is not vanity (there is nothing about my picture to encourage vanity!), but self-defense against that joke. Why, one place did not want to put my name on a sign in front of the building about the meeting for fear of what some might think. Of course, there are other possibilities to that.

Behold I Thought

There are many humbling lessons in everyday life. Take for instance the last night of a meeting at Canal Winchester, Ohio. We were invited for dinner with a good family and a sister from Columbus was also invited. After I misjudged a turn and destroyed a good Michelin tire, the good brother of the house and I garnered my checkbook from my wife’s purse and headed off to buy a new tire. Upon our return, in a big hurry to catch up on dinner before time for services, I put the checkbook back in my wife’s purse. Well, I did. I know I did. Well, I thought I did. Next morning as we were packing to come home, Bobby could not find the check book. We unloaded her suitcase to make another search of that (it was on the bottom of everything else in the trunk and it was pouring down rain). No check book. There were two credit cards, an insurance card and a driver’s license, along with a check book — gone. We searched the house, drove back twelve miles to the meeting house and then to the house where we had dinner the night before — all to no avail. We called and cancelled the credit cards and notified the bank. It was a long, dreary ride in the rain with sparse conversation all the way to Louisville. Next day, we received a call from Columbus. The sister who had supper with us had discovered a strange check book in her purse and wondered how it got there. So did I since I know, well, I thought I knew where I had put it. Right check book — wrong purse. Now don’t tell me my frustration was not genuine. I was sincere. Surely such strong feelings of gloom could not be wrong. Like Naaman of old — “Behold I Thought!” I firmly believe that my feelings were as real as any of those who claim to have had some feeling to sweep over them and then interpreted that as an evidence of salvation.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 1, p. 3
January 7, 1993