Truth Magazine

By Bobby Holmes and Ron Halbrook

When God’s people returned Babylonian captivity, Zerubbabel laid the foundation of the temple. In spite of great obstacles and widespread discouragement among the Jews, God promised the temple would be completed. How would that be possible? “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. ” When his people walk by faith in him, God gives them the strength and means necessary to accomplish his purpose though it does not seem humanly possible. When our efforts and opportunities seem small, we must remember the question God put to his people, “For who hath despised the day of small things?” No matter how small our resources, no matter how powerful the enemy, God is still on the throne of the universe. His eyes “run to and fro through the whole earth” (Zech. 4:6-10).

The eyes of the Lord run to and fro in Mississippi. In 1974 God saw lost souls hungering for the gospel among the black people in a rural area near Sturgis. The gospel was preached and several were baptized into Christ. The Lord was grieved when the liberal Lee Boulevard church in Starkville took the oversight of the Sturgis church (including control of its treasury and property) rather than teaching the brethren that each church is autonomous under Christ. Through the efforts of Mike Hurst beginning in late 1987, God opened a door for the saints in Sturgis to learn the truth on institutionalism. They removed their kitchen facilities and in early 1988 requested that their treasury and the deed to their property be turned over to them. They received their treasury but not their deed.

The liberal Starkville church first offered to sell the Sturgis church the deed to the Sturgis building for $35,000! Through the counsel and help of brother Thomas D. Keenum, Sr. (lawyer and elder in Booneville), Sturgis offered $17,000. The brethren felt it was better to make this offer than to engage in a bitter and protracted court battle over the legitimate legal claims to their property rights. Bobby Holmes and Ron Halbrook offered to inform brethren far and wide of the situation, with the confidence that God would help us to raise the money.

In November 1990 the Starkville church transferred the deed to a third church, the Hwy. 82 church in Starkville. After first agreeing to give Sturgis time to raise $17,000 in return for the deed, the Hwy. 82 church sold the property to a denomination, leaving the Sturgis brethren without a place to meet! As faithful brethren around the country began to hear of this cold-hearted injustice, they began to answer our appeals for help in raising money on an individual basis for a new building for the Sturgis saints. Though our brethren in Sturgis are small in number and poor in worldly possessions, they are rich in their faith toward God and in their loyalty to the gospel of Christ.

Thanks to the generosity of many brethren who sent donations small and large, a piece of land was bought and a new building has been erected. Nearly $25,000 has been given, most of it in small amounts. So many people sent donations that it has been impossible for the Sturgis brethren to personally acknowledge each gift. These grateful saints have asked that we use every possible avenue to express their heartfelt love and appreciation to each person who responded, whether by prayers, donations of money or materials, encouraging words, labor on the meetinghouse, or in any other way. The following paragraphs are a firsthand report by Bobby Holmes on the construction of the building.

Thank God – And Brethren Everywhere!

The new building for the saints in Sturgis, Mississippi has become a reality. After many months of praying and planning, we met at the building site on the morning of August 24 about 7:00 A.M. and began our work. The names of all who came to help are too numerous to list though they are listed in Heaven (53 total during the week), but, some I must mention. Brother Bobby Whitton from the Dallas Avenue Church of Christ here in Lancaster, Texas furnished the transportation with his pickup that he used to pull a trailer loaded with air conditioning equipment, all kinds of scaffolds, and other building equipment, and also a van that six of us rode in. Brother Whitton furnished the A/C equipment at his cost and installed it free.

“The bunch ” which came from Alabama included Johnny and Jackie Richardson, J.F. Dancer, and several others. Brother Buford Black offered to install the vinyl siding and saved us $2,450 on that item alone. Brother Ivan Logan drove all the way from Montgomery, Illinois Thursday to help. Two Spanish brethren who preach (Jesus Guerrero and Miguel Rocha) drove all the way from near the Mexican border to help (some 1,200 miles). They first stopped over in Dallas, Texas the week before to hold a gospel meeting, and then used the money that was paid to them to pay their own expenses to Mississippi.

I cannot express the feeling that each received as we worked together side by side to accomplish the task before us. There was complete unity and harmony in all things. Some of the wives came also and worked together with the sisters of Sturgis to prepare and deliver the noon and evening meals to us. We affectionately referred to them as our “Meals on Wheels” bunch. They prepared such good food and lots of it. By the end of the first day we had the building completely framed with all the inner and outer walls up. By the end of the second day the decking was all on the insulation boards on the sides and ends were all on and some sheet rock on the walls. By the end of the third day the building was completely wired. (Brother Sammy Splarm from Mt. Pleasant, Texas furnished the labor with his coworker Ken Johnson. He also furnished all the wiring, etc.).

We had preaching Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. We had an average of some 35 people with visitors from the community each service. There were many comments by both saints and sinners about real Christianity at work in this effort. Brother Alexander Caldwell from Memphis, Tennessee, a young gospel preacher there, heard about the work at Sturgis and went down and visited the saints there to discuss the possibility of preaching for them on a full-time basis. They very much wanted him to come and he agreed to move to Sturgis. I believe this will be “the icing on the cake” in regards to the continued work of the Lord in Sturgis. The saints there are thrilled about this development.

When we left on Saturday morning there was about 10% left to complete. The front doors and the ones into the auditorium had to be special ordered, and some of the brethren from Alabama went back to Sturgis on September 3rd and spent two days completing that part and some other things that were left. Brother Black also completed his work on the siding. At the time of this writing, there are several other items that are yet to be done such as painting the inside, installation of a septic tank system, pouring of the sidewalks, gravel for the parking lot, and tile on the floor. There is a real need for an additional $3,000 to be raised to complete this project.

So many have sacrificed so very much, and to each of you I say for the saints of Sturgis, “Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!” There were many tears and hugs of thanks before the meeting broke up Friday night. It is a dream come true! If you can help in raising the rest of the money needed, please send your contributions to The Sturgis Church of Christ Building Fund, P.O. Box 418, Booneville, Mississippi 38829. 1 want to express my personal gratitude to all who came and labored. Several took vacation time and there were many that wanted to come but because of circumstances were unable to do so. Thank each of you for your prayers and deep concern.

A Message to Starkville’s Liberals

Let the oppressors of these saints in Sturgis take note. To the leadership of the Lee Boulevard church in Starkville, Mississippi, who through guile took the property away from these poor saints, God says he will judge the secrets of men one day.

Each of you will answer for your ungodly ways. The following Scriptures should cause chills to run up your backs. You have sinned against God and against these precious souls. You will answer for your ungodly deeds at the judgment bar of God himself!

Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death.” Ecclesiastes 12:14 says, “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.” Psalms 59:5 says, “Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors.” Proverbs 13:15 says, “Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard.” These same Scriptures apply to the leaders of the Hwy. 82 church that received the deed of the Sturgis saints property from Lee Boulevard, sold the property to a denomination, and knew it was not right!

There was nothing honorable or ethical, nor any resemblance of Christianity, in any of the deeds that were done in this matter. There is an all-seeing eye that takes in every deed that we do. May you hear and fear, and may that lead you to repentance before it is everlastingly too late! You may have won the battle, but you lost the fight! Real Christlike love has prevailed and the empty shell of liberalism has been exposed for what it is. These saints paid a price for truth, but like Job, were rewarded with more.

Observations on the Sturgis Story

A few observations are in order. First, a few souls lost in the darkness of institutional liberalism can still be reached when exposed to the truth, as can be seen with the brethren at Sturgis, but most liberals “have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return . . . their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased” (Jer. 5:3,6). The conduct of the Lee Boulevard and Hwy. 82 churches in Starkville shows how the liberals, by and large, have seared their consciences. Their shrewd maneuvers in taking the Sturgis brethren’s property shows that “they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge” (Jer. 4:22). They are emboldened and feel justified by their apparent successes, popularity, and prosperity. “As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen fat . . . and the right of the needy do they not judge” (Jer. 5:27-28). It is ironic that an apostate movement built partly on false, emotional pleas for the church to “help the needy” (translated: send donations to “our” human institutions) can run roughshod over brethren who are so poor in this world’s goods.

Second, this situation shows the emptiness of liberalism’s plea for communication and unity. When the Sturgis church asked that its autonomy be respected in keeping with the New Testament, the Lee Boulevard and Hwy. 82 churches answered by taking the Sturgis brethren’s church building from them and selling it to a denomination. That is real 14 communication” and “unity”! During the Dallas meeting (July 12-14, 1990), speakers on opposite sides of the institutional issues studied together in an open forum. Cecil May, Jr. (President of Magnolia Bible College in Koscuiusko, MS) denied that the opponents of institutionalism had been quarantined by the liberals. He pled for open lines of com munication. Since brother May lives close to Starkville, Ron Halbrook wrote him letters on November 8 and December 24, 1990, informing him of the travesty being perpetrated on the Sturgis brethren, and pleading with him to appeal to the Starkville brethren on behalf of Sturgis. The second letter to brother May pointed out that the Starkville elders cut the line of communication which had been opened in an effort to help Sturgis. This letter said in part,

I know from your comments at the Dallas Meeting that you believe the charge that we have been quarantined is false, in spite of the editorial space and commendation given to a letter calling for that very thing in the 18 November 1954 Gospel Advocate. The brethren at Sturgis are being quarantined and put out of their meeting place of 17 years, unless they would like to “purchase” it for $30,000! Since these black brethren are very poor, felt helpless, and were at a loss to know what to do, brother Holmes tried to intercede on their behalf. He is now quarantined! I hope that I can expect an open line of communication rather than the yellow tag of quarantine from you.

Remember, the brethren at Sturgis are not newcomers, squatters, or robbers. They don’t wish to deprive Starkville of anything but only ask that their building not be taken from them! . . . . This church is still sincerely committed to following the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice, just as when it started. All they are asking is to be respected and treated as a separate, autonomous church under Jesus Christ. Will you speak up for them? I hope you will.

Think of depriving people purchased with the blood of Christ of their meeting place, and then “negotiating” to “sell” it back to them! And where will these poor saints find the money? Only a hardened conscience could perpetrate such an injustice, or be quiet in its presence. I can’t be quiet. Can you? I hope not.

Ron Halbrook also wrote to Darrell Holt, preacher at Hwy. 82, on January 31, 1991, pleading with him “to teach the Hwy. 82 brethren they have no scriptural right to hold the deed of another church’s property.”

All of these letters and appeals were ignored, but an answer has finally come. The Magnolia Messenger for October 1992 carries a picture of the new brick meetinghouse built by the Hwy. 82 church, which seats about 200. It was built with the money gained by selling the Sturgis church building! Brother May rejoices with brother Holt over the “progress being made by the Lord’s people in the Starkville community” (p. 8). Communication and unity in the minds of liberals mean the power to crush the poor and needy who serve the Lord and who refuse to bow to the Baal of apostasy.

Third, in spite of all the rejoicing and gloating of the enemies of truth, the gospel of Christ in its purity and simplicity will be faithfully proclaimed in the Sturgis community. These saints have continued to meet and teach the truth as best they could throughout this ordeal. The community has seen a demonstration of the faith and love shared by God’s people as Christians from around the country labored together for a week constructing the new building. The interest of people in the community is running high.

Brother Alex Caldwell has just moved from Memphis, Tennessee to Sturgis, ready to strike while the iron is hot, ready to follow up on new opportunities for preaching the gospel. The saints at Sturgis are ready and willing to work with brother Caldwell. They are anxious for the unsearchable riches of Christ to be preached without compromise, anxious to learn, anxious to bring others to hear the truth, anxious to help Alex make new contacts and get into the homes of people who need to be saved. (See the “Sturgis Report” from brother Caldwell.)

Two needs remain. About $3,000 is needed to finish paying off some outstanding debts and expenses on the church building. Individuals are invited to send their tax-deductible donations to the Sturgis Church of Christ Building Fund, P.O. Box 418, Booneville, Mississippi 38829. Individuals and churches are requested to consider the needs of Alex Caldwell for regular support as he labors with the church in Sturgis. Brother Caldwell is 34 years old, attended Florida College one year, gained practical experience with other preachers before entering full-time work, and has been successful in located work. Few black preachers stand openly against institutionalism, but brother Caldwell stands solid as a rock. He also preaches the whole counsel of God on marriage, divorce, and remarriage. His work is well known to brother Bob Bunting in Memphis, Tennessee (phone: 901-373-9250).

Who can despise the day of small things when Christians have shown such great faith against such great opposition and impossible odds? All who have had any part in helping the dear saints in Sturgis have been blessed (Acts 20:35; Jas. 1:25). It is a privilege to join our hearts and hands with those who are not ashamed to suffer for Christ. What does the future hold for this church which has come so far in spite of its fiery trial? Brethren, with the courage and stedfastriess of the Sturgis saints and with the zeal and soundness of Alex Caldwell, the cause of Christ will grow and spread in Sturgis. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 23, pp. 712-715
December 3, 1992

By Andrew G. Berendt

As you know, there is a nationwide campaign underway, being touted by everyone from the First Lady of the United States, all tire way down to local elementary school teachers. We are reminded by billboards, TV and radio ads, bumper stickers, and badges, to “Just Say ‘No’!” This modern thrust seems to have become rather effective in curbing the tendency to engage in immoral and harmful behaviors, as the high school students polled last year reported a decrease in experimenting with illegal drugs, for the first time since such surveys were conducted.

I heard a prominent denominational preacher, who delivered a very powerful and direct sermon during the late 1950s, in which he illustrated “The Power of a Positive ‘No.'”

I’m happy to report to you that wise king Solomon advised a long while ago, “My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent,” and further, “do not walk in the way with them ” (Prov. 1:7-19). He was encouraging the attitude of heart which comes from a deliberate and predetermined decision to “Just Say NO!” to any and all behavior which would jeopardize his standing with the Almighty. The very best way to prevail in the inevitable temptations which invade our sanctity and seek to estrange us from our Heavenly Father (Isa. 59) is to firmly decide in advance to always do what we know to be right! See also Exodus 23:2 and 1 Corinthians 15:33-34.

As the wise men is directing these proverbs to his young son (Prov. 1:4,8-10,15; 2:1; 3:1, etc.), his intent is to save his son from much of the misery and heartache which comes from these empty pursuits, which promise so much, and are simply incapable of delivering any satisfaction whatsoever. The reason these types of activities leave us feeling empty and guilty is that they are wrong! Solomon is showing us that the trial and error method is not the right approach to experience things that are contrary to God’s will. Faithful preachers have been telling us for years that there is no right way to do a wrong thing, and I might add, that there never comes a right time to do wrong things either!

We must, as parents, and otherwise responsible adults, set loving limits, as well as proper examples to all – especially our young charges. As young people – let’s look up to and carefully heed the wise and proper advice of our experienced elders, parents, preachers, and other teachers. As we read in Proverbs 3:11-18, that the Lord corrects those whom he loves, and that these warnings are for our good, and to keep us from doing dangerous and harmful things, that they aren’t given simply to deny us pleasure. See Ecclesiastes 2:24-26; 3:22; 5:18-20, and see that God wants us to have fun in life, but that we are ultimately responsible to him (Eccl. 11:7-12:1).

A final thought, as I find it helpful to study and compare various reliable translations of God’s word, is a “gem of wisdom” I discovered in Titus 2:11-14, reading from the NIV, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. . .”

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 23, p. 716
December 3, 1992

By Larry Ray Hafley

Our question was asked by an exasperated, frustrated Roman ruler, Pontius Pilate. It was posed, of course, concerning Jesus the Christ. The inquiry was ignored. It has never been answered with convincing, convicting proof. Yet, Jesus remains accused by an unbelieving world. Now, as then, he is jeered rather than feared as he ought to be (Matt. 10:28).

Jesus’ personal life was above reproach. Though later, modern mockers and scoffers have accused him of all manner of sins, their charges have never been accompanied with evidence. Consider witnesses and testimony that say Jesus was sinless.

1. John 8:46. Jesus asked, “Which of you convinceth (convicteth; cf. Tit. 1:9; Jn. 16:8) me of sin?” Those who were asked had every reason, every desire, to answer. First, Jesus had told them, “I do always those things that please him (the Father)” (Jn. 8:29). If untrue, such a statement is arrogant, egotistical blasphemy! It begs to be rebuked and refuted. Second, the audience hated Jesus. The Jew’s religion was at stake. Jesus pounded them with claims and charges that bruised their religion, their souls and their character (Jn. 8:21,23,24,24-37). Thus, they were motivated to convict Jesus if they could. That they did not do so is evidence for Jesus’ sinlessness.

2. Prophetic Testimony. Isaiah spoke of Jesus in Isaiah 53 (Acts 8:35; Jn. 12:37,38). Isaiah said, “He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth” (v. 9). This text, and its immediate, personal application to Jesus, must have spurred first century enemies into a frenzy of activity as they searched and probed Jesus’ life for sin (cf. Lk. 20:20).

3. The Lamb of God. John the Baptist, a reliable witness, creditable even to the Jews initially (Jn. 1:19-22; 5:35; 10:41), called Jesus, “the Lamb of God” (Jn. 1:29). Peter also alluded to this imagery and type of a “lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:19). This reference to Jesus as “the Lamb of God” declares his sinless life. Reflect on the quality of lambs used in Old Testament sacrifice.

4. Pontius Pilate. The judge at Jesus arraignment and trial said, “I find no fault in this man” (Lk. 23:4,15,22; Jn. 18:38; 19:4,6). “Pilate sought to release him.” Can there be better civil proof of innocence than the judge’s verdict? Due to the intense political pressure he was under, would not Pilate, despite his misgivings, have cited an accusation for condemnation if he could have?

5. Testimony of Judas. Judas said he had sinned in that he had betrayed an innocent life (Matt. 27:4). Judas knew. He had been with Jesus “in season, out of season.” If Jesus were a sinful man, Judas could have let him die the death of an imposter. However, the regret and remorse Judas manifested shows that he recognized Jesus’ purity.

6. “The Holy One and the Just. ” Peter preached to a portion of Christ’s killers. He called Jesus “the Holy One and the Just” (Acts 3:13-15). Had they known Jesus to be a sinner, they would have laughed at such a description. Instead, at least 5,000 men believed, repented and were converted (Acts 3:19; 4:4). How can we account for their conversion if they knew Jesus to be a sinner like themselves?

7. The Dying Thief. One of the thieves on a cross said to his fellow victim, “Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss” (Lk. 23:40-42). He obviously knew whereof he spoke. What else but the truth of his assessment could have compelled him to testify as he did? Penitent, dying men are not given to rash exaggeration.

8. The Centurion. One of Jesus’ executioners said, “Certainly this was a righteous man” (Lk. 23:47). What would prompt a Roman centurion to so speak of a young Jewish preacher? He had everything to lose for such a pronouncement. A hardened, calloused soldier on the execution detail had seen, perhaps, many guilty men die. He had heard their hypocritical protestations of innocence. He was steeled against such appeals. He was not fooled by them. How, then, do we account for this description of the Savior? Truly, this was the Son of God.

9. Apostolic Affirmations. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin” (2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Pet. 2:22). His death was the sacrifice of “the just for the unjust” (1 Pet. 3:18; cf. Acts 3:14). He was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Heb. 7:26). These men knew the certainty of their testimony (Lk. 1:1-4; 1 Jn. 1:1,2). Apart from the consideration of inspiration, their witness must be heard. They speak with one voice. Their view is clear, unequivocal – “He did no sin.”

Finally, the teaching of Christ contains penetrating, incisive, to the marrow of the heart, insight and knowledge. His words appeal to the highest and noblest part of man, not to base, animal lust. Neither sensual passion nor covetous greed are the objects of his allurement, judgment or teaching. The doctrine of Christ casts no carnal bait before the appetites of the flesh. It consistently calls the heart, summons the will and touches the conscience. All sins, both small and great, are condemned. His teachings at once soothe a broken heart and break a hardened one. Is it any wonder, then, that his contemporaries “were astonished at his doctrine”? Yes, “What evil hath he done?”

Jesus’ teachings, like his person and character, have been perverted to justify every kind of havoc and horror. A doctor may use a scalpel to kill rather than to heal. One may use water to drown a thirsty man. He may use the sun to torture and burn him. Should we, therefore, ban the scalpel? Should we dry up all wells of water and blot out the sun?

The word of Christ, as his life, is first pure, then peaceable, It cuts to heal. It divides and separates that it may unite and bind. It is the water of life to the thirsty soul, the bread of life to the hungry heart, and the sun of life to the spirit that now lieth in darkness. You can repose your trust in its promises and obey its commandments without the slightest fear of being slighted, left out or rejected. With the blessings of his grace, with the cleansing of his blood, with the assurance of his sinless life and the certainty of his pure and perfect word, “What evil hath he done?”

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 23, pp. 707-708
December 3, 1992

By Randy Sexton

In Ezra 7:10 we find an interesting comment given concerning Ezra. It is said that he “had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.”

Ezra was instrumental in bringing a remnant back from Babylonian captivity to the city of Jerusalem and carrying out a series of religious reforms in about 458 B.C. (Zondervan’s Pictorial Dictionary 273).

What did Ezra do to prepare his heart? Wouldn’t it be great if we had Ezra’s biography so we could read how he prepared his heart! I like biographies for this reason – they give us a glimpse into other folk’s lives as to what has made them successful. We don’t have Ezra’s biography but I think we do have enough said in both the Old Testament and the New Testament that we may surmise how he may have done it.

You may have noticed that in titling this article I used the impersonal pronoun “a” instead of “my.” I did this to emphasize the fact that we may not only prepare our own heart but we may also help another prepare his heart to seek the Law of the Lord.

Preparing a Heart

One doesn’t just wake up one day and decide to start serving the Lord. He has to prepare his heart. The young are instructed: “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth” (Eccl. 12:1). Parents are instructed “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Timothy was reminded: “the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice” (2 Tim. 1:5). All of these refer to a conditioning or preparation for serving the Lord.

But how does one, who did not have the benefit of being raised by Christian parents, prepare his heart? First, he recognizes his heart to be as “soil” that needs to be prepared for the planting of the seed. This is the lesson taught by the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:3-9,18-23. If the soil has not been properly prepared. . .

1. The seed lies on top of the ground and is eaten up by the birds (Satan).

2. The roots fail to grow deep and the sun (persecution) scorches and causes him to wither and die.

3. The thorns and the weeds (cares of the world) choke the life out of him.

Secondly, he prepares himself by not involving himself in materialism and immorality. These influences, so rampant in our society, can suck one under their power and cause one to “wax worse and worse,” just as the apostle Paul warned the young evangelist Timothy they would in “the last days” when “perilous times” (NKJV marginal reading “times of stress”) would come (2 Tim. 3:13)! He also describes some who “did not receive the love of the truth . . . but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thess. 2:10,12). It is amazing to me that some folks do not know what immorality is! In their estimation there is no way to have an enjoyable time without engaging in drinking, dancing and the general type of carousing that goes on in night clubs and bars. They don’t see the danger of engaging in these types of activities despite the abundant warnings of Scripture.

A third method for preparing his heart is to develop a “delight in the Law of the Lord” by meditating on it day and night (Psa. 1:2). Solomon advises his son in the words of Proverbs 4:23, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Yes, dear friend, how you prepare your heart will determine how you approach everything else in your life!

A final thought as to how to prepare your heart involves recognizing that within each of us there is a “warring” between the spiritual and the physical. Paul describes this conflict in Romans 7:22-23, 8:5-9 and advises that we cannot please God unless we live according to the spirit and not according to the flesh. How much attention have you given to the needs of your spiritual man in comparison with the attention you have given the physical?

By our influence among those with whom we associate, we can help another to begin to prepare his heart to seek the Lord. Willard Conchin, in his workbook for young people entitled I Can Do It (p. 93), cites a survey that asked “Why did you choose the particular church which you now worship with?” The results were:

9% because of the architectural beauty of the building.

18% because of the convenience to their home.

3% because of the ministers of the church.

22% because there were people in the church whom they respected.

34% because neighbors or friends invited them to that church.

He concludes, “Combine the last two answers and you have the major reasons why people choose a church. Your life and your personal invitation are the vital ingredients to the growth of a church.”

When we refuse to join in with the rest of the office in telling the off color jokes, when we don’t engage in the back stabbing that characterizes office politics, when we show an interest in the souls of those with whom we work and associate our influence we pave the way for us to help another prepare his heart.

To Seek the Law of the Lord

The margin of the NKJV says “to study” the law of the Lord. We certainly are familiar with what Paul told Timothy in regard to this, “Study to show yourself approved of God” (2 Tim. 2:15). And we realize that it involves more than what we generally think of in the “school sense” of studying. It suggests the idea of being “diligent” in this seeking process.

The approved action is described variously as “asking,” “seeking,” and “knocking” (Matt. 7:7-8). Even our faith is based on a recognition that we will be rewarded when we seek him diligently (Heb. 11:6).

Solomon describes this seeking process in Proverbs 2:1-9. Notice all of the action verbs: “incline,” “apply”‘ ” cry out,” “lift up your voice,” “seek” and “search.” And isn’t it a rewarding promise we are made, “Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” He promises us if we seek his Law diligently and with an honest heart we will find it!

To Do It

We must be willing “to do” the will of God or the knowledge of it will not do us any good! Jesus told the Jews who marveled at his teaching, “If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.”

Jesus describes the scene at the Judgment when he will have to condemn some who had knowledge but didn’t use it property (Matt. 7:21-27).

Knowing without doing is likened, by James, to one who looks into a mirror and goes on his way without making the needed corrections (Jas. 1:22-25).

After teaching his disciples to be servants, by washing their feet, Jesus said, “If you know these things, happy are you if you do them” (Jn. 13:17).

To Teach It!

Ezra was involved in teaching “statutes and ordinances in Israel.” He was a “skilled scribe in the law of Moses” (7:6) and “expert in the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of his statutes to Israel” (7:11). He was given the charge by Artaxerxes to “set magistrates and judges who may judge all the people who are in the region beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God; and teach those who do not know them” (7:25). Ezra’s teaching efforts are further described in Nehemiah 8:1-8:

. . and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel … and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law . . . . And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people . . . So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.

Are we acceptable if we are not teaching? The people to whom the words of Hebrews 5:12-14 were written were not! Let us not break the chain of 2 Timothy 2:2! Do we not want to share with others what the gospel has done for us?

But, beloved, if we are to teach effectively we must prepare to do so. The contents of what we teach must come from the law revealed by God (Eph. 3:3-5). And before I can teach it, I must show that I am living it!

Conclusion

Won’t you prepare your heart and then help prepare the hearts of others by causing them to deal fairly and honestly with the word of God. Won’t you seek the law of the Lord, knowing what it says by studying it diligently. Be determined to be a doer and not a hearer only! Won’t you determine to teach it, to share what it has done for you, at every opportunity that you have? Your reward will be well worth the effort!

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 22, pp. 693-695
November 19, 1992