Truth Magazine

By William C. Sexton

The 1992 election, in my judgment, was a referendum on three things which points up trouble for God’s people. Let me point to the evidence and see if you agree. If you do, then let us pray for wisdom to act courageously and prudently. If I am missing the mark, please help me to see the truth. What we saw just verifies what was already pretty evident for some time to the close observer.

1. Materialism.

What was the most talked about issue in the whole campaign: Jobs, Jobs, Jobs, meaning money and more money, to buy more material things. One of the candidates reportedly had a sign on his desk which read, “It’s the Economy Stupid.” As you watched him, every question he was asked, he turned it right back to this idea — the economy was in the worst state in 50 years, so it was stated, although that was far from reality.

This was done because the candidate was smart, reading the people’s minds correctly. This was top priority on their mind. Although people have bigger houses, finer and more appliances than ever before, they were and are still ‘ dissatisfied — wanting more. This appeals to the greed in each of us, does it not? We want more luxurious auto-mobiles, VCRs, large TV’s, computers, etc. than ever before. All are afraid they are going to have to go back to the “old days” way of living. Such dominated their thinking. It worked and we are on our way to more spending and wallowing in luxury . . . for awhile (cf. Lk. 15:13f).

Did I have on some kind of blinders, colored glasses, being “too old fashioned” and biased by other factors? What do you think?

There is nothing wrong with being concerned with and wanting to have a “good job” and enjoy luxurious things in the home, etc. But when that is the dominant principle in our lives, then it is destructive! How do you view such?

2. Immorality.

When “family values” were raised in the campaign, “pro-choice” and freedom of choice “lifestyles” were always used to shout it down, and shame those who would raise the discussion regarding killing the unborn and sexuality as God would have it.

Human life was trivialized, minimized and belittled — by equating it with “personal freedom” of a man/woman to do what he wanted to do with his own body, overlooking and concealing the fact that a human life is being snatched out in abortion! People forget that much more than discriminating against people over “lifestyle” and “sexual preference” is involved in teaching that homosexuality is an accepted way of life, to be approved and even favored by citizens.

That idea has been successfully whitewashed, and look out for what will follow it down the pipeline of “social agenda.” Within a few days next year, the restrictions that have been placed on people and institutions to caution taking another life freely, will be wiped away with a stroke of the pen. When you settle in and feel comfortable with eliminating the “innocent unborn,” you have taken a big step toward eliminating any others who makes it inconvenient for one with power to eliminate (the old, cripple, etc.).

Likewise, homosexuality is elevated to an “alternate life style,” acceptable and respectable. Such will be taught in the public schools, and we will be shamed, when we raise the question of morality, as bigots, narrow-minded, biased people, a part of the “religious right,” to be pushed into the shame corner and gagged (cf. Rom. 1:18-32; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21).

3. Something for Nothing.

Gambling was approved in the state of Missouri, and the little town down the road on the river overwhelmingly approved riverboat gambling. Now they will get their city on the map. All the tourists are going to come spend money: Riverboat gambling is in! They are in a frenzy, really ex-cited about what this is going to do “for” their town. In-deed things will be different!

What is the idea behind gambling, but the desire to “get something for nothing”? Gambling produces nothing that is constructive, while it violates the Bible ways of getting money: (1) Working (Eph. 4:28); (2) Exchange (Matt. 16:26); (3) Charity (Lk. 10:25-35).

But our society is stacked with people who have the idea that they can get something free, “for nothing,” in various ways — the government can and will hand out money, for-getting that it takes the money from the people and keeps a large part of it and gives the rest back to those who have the most persuasive voice and best inside track.

Again, I ask: have I been disoriented? Have I seen things that are not really there? Am I overly disturbed — that a large part of the citizens of our nation, including many members of the body of Christ, would reflect such an attitude toward these matter?

I’m open for corrective information. I wish I could be convinced that such is only imaginary.

A Christian’s Attitude and Course of Action!

Of course, as a Christian, I’m not betting my future of happiness on such concepts, activities and values.

1. I can be and am optimistic — God is still in charge of the ship, and he’ll get us home safely, if we will stay aboard (Mk. 4:36-39; Heb. 13:5-6).

2. The Lord is my shepherd (Psa. 23:lf; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Pet. 5:4-9) so I’ll not want, if I listen to his direction and follow (Jn. 10:27-30).

3. I shall continue to speak as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11), appealing to all to “come” to the Lord (Matt. 11:28-30; Rev. 22:17), and drink freely of the spiritual values.

4. I’ll appeal to all my brethren and fellow countrymen to wake up, see the roses and the thorns. Cultivate the roses and chop down the thorns in your path and garden.

I recommend that each of us go back and read the prophets — especially, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel and Daniel — and be convinced that things aren’t hopeless, for us individually as we may be inclined to think. However, let us see the need to depend on God, be saturated with his revelation and be fully convinced that he is real!

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

By H. E. Phillips

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds (Heb. 1:1,2).

Just as man must reveal his mind to all others before they can know it, so must God reveal his mind to man before he can know it. This is done by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13).

All revelation comes from the mind of God. Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak” (Jn. 12:48-50).

Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God believe he is sitting at the right hand of God, and has supreme power and authority in heaven and in earth. While he was upon earth (under the Mosaic dispensation) he said that he did not speak of himself; but the Father gave to him what he should speak. He said he spoke only what the Father gave unto him (v. 50).

God the Father has exalted Jesus Christ at his own right hand and made him both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:33,36). He gave him all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). God speaks to us now only through or in his Son, Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1,2). Christ speaks to us through the apostles whom he had chosen for that work. Before he ascended into heaven, he told the apostles not to depart from Jerusalem, but to “wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me” (Acts 1:4). He said to them: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

God gave all authority to Christ when he ascended to his right hand in heaven. Christ speaks through the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:26; 16:13). After he had ascended into heaven, he gave commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen. Luke wrote two books of the New Testament: the gospel according to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. He addressed both to one named Theophilus. In both treatises he was under the power of the Holy Spirit who gave him the words that he wrote. The gospel concerned “all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up.” Acts begins, “after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen” (Acts 1:1,2). After Christ was taken up, he gave commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen.

I want you to notice that God “speaks” by or in his Son to this age. He used “words” when he spoke by his Son. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit gave the apostles “utterance” to make known the mind of God. Strong says of “utterance” — “. . .to enunciate plainly, i.e. declare: say, speak forth, utterance.” It is necessary to use words in giving utterance in any language. That is what Jesus means when he used the term “word” or “words” to specify his revelation of the Father. Word indicates an expression of some idea, thought, fact, command, promise, etc.

As Christ “speaks” with the authority given to him, he must also use words. He said, “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (Jn. 6:63). He said the words he spoke to the apostles while he was with them were not of himself, but of the Father (Jn. 14:10). Then he said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (v. 15). Jesus teaches the relationship of his disciples to him in the parable of the vine and the branches (Jn. 15:1-6). Verse 7 says: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). Finally, he said those who reject him, and receive not his words, will be judged by his words in the last day (Jn. 12:48).

The word which the Father has spoken by his Son is revealed by the Holy Spirit to the apostles. Just before he ascended into heaven, Jesus said to them: “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until he be endued with power from on high” (Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8). Jesus told his apostles that the Comforter, “which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (Jn. 14:26). He also told them that when the Spirit of truth came, “he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (Jn. 16:13). The Holy Spirit does not speak of himself: from his own mind; whatsoever he hears, that is what he speaks. Some-one speaks to him with the message to give to the apostles, just as Christ received his words from the Father.

In Acts 1:2 the inspired record tells that Christ, who has all authority, gives commandments unto the apostles “through the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:1-4 reveals that the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles on Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ, “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Christ gives the commands, the Holy Spirit reveals it by words in the mouths of the apostles. They spoke and wrote it (1 Cor. 2:13; Gal. 1:11,12; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Cor. 2:13; 14:37; Eph. 3:1-4; 2 Pet. 3:15, 16).

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 1, p. 6
January 7, 1993

By Jady W. Copeland

For several years I have thought that materialism is a major hindrance to the church. Young preachers often ask, “What will the next major issue be among God’s people?” Materialism will not likely divide brethren into “camps” as did institutionalism, but it is stifling the church and causing a hindrance to the teaching of people to say nothing about the fact that it could jeopardize the soul of the individual. Before getting to specifics let us lay the groundwork by looking at the mission of Christ and his people  the church.

Jesus came to the earth to save mankind (Lk. 19:10). We see by this that his mission was spiritual. He was the “word,” the logos or the “personal word,” which, according to scholars, was an expression of his deity. But he became flesh (Jn. 1:1,4). He was both flesh and deity while on earth and he was “life” (Jn. 1:4) and the “light of men.” He came to bring life that only deity could give. In describing man’s walk as a Christian Paul tells us that men were alienated from the “life of God” because of their sins and that the life of sin must be put away. The life of Jesus is found in putting on the “new man that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth” (Eph. 4:17-24).

Note that the “life” which Paul praises is in contrast to the life “alienated from” God. Therefore, the new life is the life in Christ. No longer “aliens” but children of God.

In Romans 6:19 he adds, “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness unto sanctification.” We have long (and well) preached the first part of Romans 6 where Paul has told us when we enter this new life (baptism into death), so that being the case we as saints are to live as the new life dictates.

Just as the mission of Jesus on earth was spiritual so is the word he gave. Jesus came as a sacrifice for sin (Eph. 5:2) which was a spiritual mission, and he also gave us a message that addressed the spirit of man for the salvation of his soul. Paul said the gospel is God’s power to save (1 Cor. 15:1-2) and this salvation was the salvation of the soul. Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” On. 8:31-32).

Two questions we may ask here. First, what is the “truth” of which Jesus speaks? In defining “truth” W.E. Vine says in his Dictionary of New Testament Words, “the word has an absolute force in John 14:6; 17:17; 18:37,38” (v. 4, p. 159). In Galatians 2:5 Paul speaks of the “truth of the gospel.” This is the same gospel as Paul mentions in Romans 1:16 that he says saves people. In Ephesians 4:21 Paul says the “truth is in Jesus.” Jesus who is the “way, the truth and the life” (Jn. 14:6) left us (with the inspired men after he left) the truth of the gospel which will save the soul. This is a spiritual message.

Secondly, from what will the gospel free? It will not make us free of disease. It will not make us free of war in the world. It did not make us free to walk on the moon  science know-how freed us to do this. So from what will it make us free?

Let us go back to our passage in Romans 6. When Paul said we are “under grace” (v. 14) some may have concluded that we may sin because we are under grace. “God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye pre-sent yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness? But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness” (vv. 15-18, emp. mine, JWC). What had the Romans obeyed? The gospel, God’s power of salvation (Rom. 1:16). Peter says that obedience to the gospel will free from sin (Acts 2:38). We are saved by God’s grace for sure (Rom. 6:14; Eph. 2:8-9). Without God’s mercy there would be no offer of salvation, but this grace is made possible to sinners by faith in Christ (Rom. 5:1-2). God’s offer of salvation is extended to all, his salvation is given to the believer (Rom. 5:1). God cannot save the unbeliever (Mk. 16:16b).

Now in summary, let us note that Jesus came to the world for the purpose of saving souls. He did not come to keep us from dying a natural death, but he came to make us alive when we all die a spiritual death (Rom. 6:23). We have no choice about physical death (Heb. 9:27) but we do have a choice as to whether we sin  causing spiritual death (Rom. 6:23). When he left, he gave the apostles instructions in giving out his pattern for salvation, and after his sacrificial death, he ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God (Acts 1 and 2). He there reigns as king until time shall end. The message that the apostles gave us by inspiration is a spiritual message that gives us all that we need for the salvation of the soul (2 Pet. 1:3). The life he instructed us to live is one that will prepare us for heaven, the home of the soul. It is a spirit world and our lives here must be centered in the eternal, not in the material world. As Jesus’ mission was spiritual, and as our mission here is spiritual, just so we must keep our minds on the spiritual life. Material things are temporal, and we need them only to prepare for heaven. Think on these things; the Bible is right.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 1, p. 12
January 7, 1993

By Vestal Chaffin

In former articles we have talked about the sphere of operation of the wife and mother in relation to the home. We have talked about the responsibility of the husband and father to provide for his family. In this article we want to talk about the environment and discipline in the home.

Not only will the proper environment in the home have its reflection in the lives of the children, but will reflect itself in their usefulness in service to God. The Bible clearly demonstrates this in the life of Timothy. He had been taught to respect God and his word, by his mother and grandmother. They were both women of great faith in God. Paul referred to them in this manner: “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that in is thee, which dwelt first in they grand-mother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that is in thee also’ (2 Tim. 1:5). Paul said concerning Timothy, “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” (2 Tim. 3:15). Why had Timothy known the Scriptures from his childhood? Simply because his mother and grandmother had taught him! When your son or daughter reaches manhood or womanhood can it be said they have known the Scriptures from their childhood? No doubt the teaching and training given Timothy by his mother and grandmother in his early years, was the determining factor in his being a Christian, and a faithful gospel preacher. The home always has been and will continue to be the place where permanent and durable impressions are made.

What a tremendous responsibility parents have resting upon them to teach and train their children for eternity! Oh, yes, we spend large amounts of money to educate and train our children for this world and its pursuits. But how much time, energy and money are you spending to educate, train and prepare your children for eternity? Things of this world are for just a short time, and will perish with using; but things that we do in preparing our children for eternity will be enduring and lasting, and may determine their eternal destiny. Parents, think seriously of your responsibility in making your home what God would have it be.

We are living today in a permissive age – an age where little restraint is placed upon children and young people in the home. It is indeed amazing to behold how parents in the last few decades have fallen for the pseudo-psychology that a child must never be told that he “can’t” do a thing. Also included in this false psychology is the idea, that you must not under any circumstance whip or spank a child, for you might hurt his personality. Even some members of the church have fallen for these “doctrines of devils.” Oh, I know the Bible says, “fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged” (Col. 3:21). But I also know, that the Lord requires children to obey and honor their parents (Col. 3:20; Eph. 6:1-2).

When discipline is mentioned in relation to the home, about the first thing that many people think about is the rod. There are two kinds of discipline namely, instructive and corrective. When the proper “instructive” discipline is applied in the early years of a child, there is not too much danger of him becoming “discouraged” when the proper “corrective” discipline is applied in later years. Most parents do not begin to discipline their children early enough. After they have grown older and have not had to endure restraint, then when it is applied by the parents, it is naturally resented.

I am now considered to be an old preacher and, I have been a rather close observer of many families and homes. During my over fifty years of preaching the gospel, I have been called a number of times, to talk to some stubborn and rebellious child, and in many cases a delinquent father and mother. In many of these cases, the parents failed to apply the proper discipline to the child early enough. They waited too late to apply too little. They simply did not make “little Johnny” or “little Mary” mind them when they were small, and now it is too late. They loved their child too much, so they say, to correct him when he did things he ought not to have done. Such is a false love for the child. For it is absolutely contrary to the teaching of God’s word. Listen: “He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Prov. 13:24).

Fathers, mothers, the way you train your child in those early and impressionable years may very well determine his attitude toward authority all the days of his life. Don’t wait too long to start the proper discipline. God said concerning Abraham, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him” (Gen. 18:19). Abraham had proved himself to be faithful to God, hence God could say, “I know him that he will command his children and his household after him.” What would God say about you in reference to commanding your children? Would you be pleased if your children followed after you? If your children are no more faithful when they reach a mature age than you are, would you be proud of them? Parents, be assured that you are setting an example before your child, whether you are faithful or unfaithful.

God has said, “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying” (Prov. 19:18). This is important in preparing your child to honor his father and mother in later years. Corrective discipline is absolutely necessary in the life of every child. “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell” (Prov. 23:13-14).

No, I am not a heartless reprobate! I love children, and a home without them is hardly complete. But a home with children who are resentful, rebellious, and rude to their parents, is a sad spectacle indeed. Such children need to be warned that such attitudes and actions on their part puts them in the same class of sinners as “fornicators,. . . covetousness, . . . murder, . . . haters of God” (Rom. 1:2930), and they shall suffer the wrath of God.

It is the grave and solemn obligation of parents to, “train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov.22:6). And to “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph.6:4). When these two verses are complied with, happiness will characterize the home, and souls will be trained and prepared for eternity. May God help parents everywhere to realize and recognize their responsibility and to fulfill it in making their home what God would have it be. For if we forget God and his law, he has said, “I will also forget thy children” (Hos. 4:6). Parents think seriously about the way you are conducting your home.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 24, pp. 744-745
December 17, 1992