Truth Magazine

By Tony Eldridge

It seems that somehow life as a child of God is different for us today than it was for the men of old. Yes, we understand that they were tortured and physically abused for their stand with God, but they had the miracles; they talked with the Lord and he talked back to them. Oh how strong our faith would be if only we lived the same life as one of the patriarchs!

This article is not going to discuss miracles. Nor is it going to focus on the different dispensations of the three ages. In fact, to the contrary, it is going to discuss something that maybe we don’t want to hear when we search in vain for reasons as to why the men of God in other times had an advantage over us. It is going to discuss one ancient patriarch and his unusually stark parallel life to that of a Christian living today. The man in focus is Noah.

Now immediately our defense mechanisms jump to our aid. “Noah? Why, he was a man living in a unique time. I mean, how many floods has God sent to destroy man; and how many ship builders has he commissioned? Noah, a man whose life parallels that of my own?” Yes my friend, his life very much parallels our life. And it would be extremely wise for us to look at these similarities as we live our own life.

Little is known of the early life of Noah. He appears on the biblical scene at 500 years old (Gen. 5:32). But what follows in the next few chapters recites a story that any preschool child would know: Noah and the flood.

The first parallel between our life and his is found in Genesis 6:5-7. “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thought of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth !… We both live under the promise of destruction. Are we not told in 2 Peter 3: 10, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” My friends, the promise of destruction to us is just as real as it was to Noah; and it is just as sure. One day, all that is surveyed upon this earth will be gone – destroyed by fire. Do we believe it?

Now let’s focus on the next parallel between us. Genesis 6:8, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Noah lived in the midst of a wicked and perverse world, yet he was a light of righteousness. In the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord tells us something similar. “You are the light of the world.” There is no doubt that we live in an age where sin is all around us. But as children of God, we are expected, not requested, to be different from the world (Rom. 12:2). If we let the sin of this world influence our lifestyle, then we are giving up everything of value. Let us not think that we can live this life as a Christian without influencing another soul for good and still walk the streets of gold. We are commanded by the Lord to live actively as a Christian and if our life is not characterized by this lifestyle then we have fallen short of this command. Let us indeed, follow in the footsteps of Noah and live as a light in this dark world.

The next parallel is similar to the previous one. It is found in 2 Peter 2:5, “. . . but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness.”‘ We both are commanded to spread the good news of salvation to others. I think that sometimes we have the mistaken notion that Noah’s job was simply that of a ship builder. No, he was to convince others to come aboard with him. Repentance was the message that he taught; salvation was the gift he offered. “Therefore, whoever confesses me before men, him will I also confess before My Father who is in heaven. Bu he who denies me before men, him will I also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32). Are you a “preacher of righteousness?” Can your life be characterized as that of evangelism? Again, neglecting this responsibility puts our soul in jeopardy (him will I also deny). What an example we have in Noah!

I believe we can also lean on Noah for comfort when we experience the mockers that will come when we fulfill our responsibility of spreading the Good News. Think about it, Noah preached for 120 years (Gen. 6:3) while the ark was being built and no one other than his family listened. A very logical conclusion can be made that his generation mocked him. Here he was building this big boat and telling the people that God was going to flood the earth and they had better get their life right if they wanted to survive. No one listened – no one! “Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell sleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation'”. (2 Pet. 3:3-4). We, like Noah, will face scoffers when we teach the truth. I suppose that one way to avoid these scoffers that Peter warns of is not to teach anything that people will scoff at. Here’s a little test for us: when’s the last time that we were scoffed at or persecuted (2 Tim. 3:12) for the message we taught? It should be a fearful thing when we find ourselves receiving no criticism by the world.

The last parallel that will be drawn between Noah’s life and our life is that of faith. Noah had a working faith. The Hebrew writer says, “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household” (Heb. 11:7). Noah’s faith caused him to obey the will of God no questions asked. If Noah was like many people in the denominational world today, I could imagine him saying to God, “Lord, I have faith that you are going to destroy the world, and I praise you for giving me a way for escape” and then go on his merry way, never touching a hammer or saw – faith without works. No! God said build and Noah moved with godly fear and built the ark! And to us, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have faith in God until we literally turn blue in the face, but unless our life is characterized by the things that were under discussion already, can our profession alone save us? Unless we do the work of our Lord, we are no different than the demons. “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe – and tremble!” (Jas. 2:19) By faith, Noah obeyed God for salvation; by faith, so must we.

There is so much more that we could learn from this man. Not him only, but all those whose examples were left for our learning. Noah, however, makes a wonderful study because when his situation in life is studied closely, one can see just how much this ancient partriach really does compare to us. Noah was a man whose example is worthy to follow and a man whose dedication to the Lord is worthy to emulate.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 18, pp. 565-566
September 17, 1992

By Norman E. Pultz

What the gospel is God’s power to save from sin Paul affirms in 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.” It would appear that many times we do not believe as strongly in its power as we should. We are disposed to think of some folk who are deeply embroiled in sin as being beyond the reach of God’s power, the gospel. Yet how we marvel when we see lives that have been lived so sinfully turned, converted by the hearing of the gospel!

The gospel can transform one from a life of sin and degradation into a life of uprightness and holiness (see Romans 6). The members of one’s body, formerly the instruments of sin, become instruments in God’s service. Drunkards, liars, thieves, adulterers, et al can be changed by the gospel (see 1 Cor. 6:9-11).

How does it accomplish such a feat? Because it works in man’s heart, the control center of his actions. “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). The gospel penetrates the very deepest recesses of his being and brings about a change from within. Man’s intellect, emotions, and will are changed by the gospel. One is made to consider the folly of a life of sin and the promise of a life of uprightness, and he weighs the two in the balances of his intellect. Having formerly been a lover of pleasure and of sin, his emotions are changed; for now sin offers only fleeting pleasure, no lasting happiness. But godliness offers him the “promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Tim. 4:8), and the “goodness of God” (Rom. 2:4) in providing salvation for sinful man (Rom. 5:8) causes him to love God; and this is a constraining love (2 Cor. 5:14). A choice is made, a decision is reached -he renders obedience to the gospel of Christ, repenting and being baptized for the remission of his sins (Acts 2:38).

Now he is in Christ and is a child of God (Gal. 3:27). He is a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17). He has been changed, converted by the gospel, God’s power to save. To live “soberly, righteously and godly” becomes his aim, and heaven his hope.

Sinner friend, where do you stand in relation to God? The gospel can save even you.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 19, p. 577
October 1, 1992

By Dennis Abernathy

Martin Luther was a great reformer and is credited with beginning the Protestant Reformation. He was born on November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, Saxony, Germany. He died February 18, 1546. Luther studied law at the University of Erfurt. In 1505 he became an Augustinian monk and was ordained a priest in 1507. The following year he became a member of the faculty of the University of Wittenberg, teaching philosophy and theology.

Martin Luther decried many of the abuses of the Roman church and finally came to oppose the supremacy of the Pope of Rome. On October 31, 1517, he nailed his now famous ninety-five theses or articles against papal abuses and corruption to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church for all to see. After several years of stormy disputes with the Pope and other church leaders, an edict was forthcoming from the Pope, which Luther promptly burned. Finally Martin Luther was excommunicated from the fellowship of the Roman Catholic Church in 1520 and all his writings were ordered burned.

Martin Luther’s influence increased and the Reformation spread throughout the continent. His greatest literary achievement was his translation of the Bible into the German language.

One of the important benefits of the Reformation Movement was the rediscovery of congregational singing. Martin Luther made singing once more the joy of the entire congregation rather than the sole duty of the choir. He even allowed the women to sing with the men in public, a privilege that had been withheld from them for many years.

One of the most powerful hymns of the Reformation Movement was “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” It is based on Psalms 46. When Luther wrote this great hymn he was in a rather depressed state and took courage in the words of this Psalm and penned the words of the now famous hymn. The four stanzas are reminders that God is the fortress of the soul; Christ the champion of the soul; and Satan, the enemy of the soul. But the ultimate victory will be God’s whose “kingdom is forever.”

James Moffatt describes this as being the “greatest hymn of the greatest man of the greatest period of German history.” The first line of this very beautiful and inspiring hymn is fittingly inscribed on the tomb of Luther in Wittenberg.

No other man of that century exerted so widespread an influence as Martin Luther, who gave the German people in their own tongue the Bible and the hymn book. He truly served his own age in a great way, but he also left our age a fine legacy in writing and composing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”

1. From the first verse and the Bible we learn that God is a mighty fortress for the people of God.

“A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe, His craft and power are great, And armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.”

Psalms 18:1-3 says: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Jeremiah said: “O Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in times of distress” (Jer. 16:19). Again, the Psalmist says in chapter 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, and ever present help in trouble.” Verses 7 and 11 of that same Psalm says: “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

1. God is a bulwark never failing. A bulwark is a solid wall-like structure used for defense; a strong support or rampart. God’s protection will never fail us. He will not leave us nor will he forsake us (Heb. 13:5; Deut. 31:6-8; Josh. 1:5). We ought to be content with that knowledge. We can know that regardless of what the faithful Christian may not have, he still has God! Remember Job? He lost all he had, except God!

Yes, my friend, God is our Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, Shield, Stronghold, and Salvation. He is our strength and refuge, our ever-present help in trouble. As one so appropriately put it: “When you have nothing left but God, then for the first time you become aware that God is enough.

Allow me to illustrate:

A mother and her little four-year-old daughter were preparing to retire for the night. The child was afraid of the dark, and the mother, on this occasion alone with the child, felt fearful too. When the light was out the child caught a glimpse of the moon outside of the window. “Mother,” she asked, “Is the moon God’s light?” “Yes,” said the mother. The next question was, “Will God put out his light and go to sleep?” The mother replied, “No, my child, God never goes to sleep.” Then out of the simplicity of a child’s faith, she said that which gave reassurance to the fearful mother. “Well, as long as God is awake, there is no sense in both of us staying awake.”

2. Our ancient foe still seeks to work us woe. Of course, our Ancient “Foe” is Satan. He began his deadly work of woe toward mankind back in the Garden of Eden as he sought to deceive Eve with his lies. So, our greatest foe is not cancer, Communism, war, AIDS, or even death. It is Satan! In fact, the very word “Satan” means “an adversary.” Peter said:

Be sober, be vigilant, your adversary (enemy) the Devil walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8).

3. Satan’s powers are very great and he is very crafty. In the Garden of Eden he belittled God and advised the parents of the human race to disobey God (Gen. 3:1-5). He insinuated that Job only served God because of God’s blessings (Job 1:8-11; 2:34). It is Satan that tempted the Son of God (Lk. 4:1-13). He prompted Judas to betray the Christ (Jn. 13:2). He still blinds the minds of the unbelieving from the light of the gospel (2 Cor. 4:3-4). He is a schemer and used trickery and sets snares (Eph. 6:10-12; 2 Tim. 2:26). He sows bad seed (tares, Matt. 13:25,39). He seeks to take advantage of us and to outwit us (2 Cor. 2:11). On and on we could go, but surely this is enough to convince you that:

4. Satan is armed with cruel hate. He literally hates us! He is doing all within his power to damn our very souls to hell. Hence, we must be assured as the song says and the Bible teaches:

5. That on earth is not his equal. Alone, we cannot cope with our Ancient Foe. By ourself, we are not equal to the task. We are not strong enough. But thank God that we can say that we are not alone. We have God. We have the great Redeemer! John wrote:

Greater is He (God) that is in you, than He (Satan) that is in the world (1 Jn. 4:4)

We may not be Satan’s equal but with our God to aid us we are more than his equal and can put him to flight.

II. The second verse teaches us that if it were not for the “right one,” the “man of God’s own choosing at our side” we would lose the struggle for the salvation of our souls.

“Did we in our strength confide, Our striving would be losing,

Were not the right One on our side, the man of God’s own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus it is He;

Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle.”

1. Man’s strength alone has never been sufficient (Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12). Paul said that without Christ’s death man was without strength and powerless (Rom. 5:6). Jesus said that “apart from Me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5). Again, the apostle Paul said that on his own, man is wretched, and he then goes on to show what God did (Rom. 7:24; 8:13).

My friend, you have never had an enemy greater than Satan. It was he that plunged the human race into sin and death. Every tear ever shed, every pain ever experienced, every heartache that man has ever had can ultimately be traced back to Satan, our Ancient Foe.

The man of God’s own choosing is Jesus Christ, also. called the Lord of Sabaoth, or “Lord of Hosts.” God chose Christ to suffer as our sin-offering. This choice was made before the foundation of the world (Isa. 53:10).

2. The Lord is the same through the ages (Heb. 13:8). This means that our never changing Christ can do for us today what he did for lost souls in Bible times. He can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. He can save us completely (Heb. 7:25). Please don’t forget this one thing brethren, if Christ, the Captain of our salvation – our Commander-in-Chief, must win the battle over Satan, then we too will be victorious!

III. From verse three we learn that Christians do not fear an evil filled world that threatens to undo us.

“And though this world with evil filled, should threaten to undo us:

We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;

The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,

His kingdom is forever.”

We do live in perilous and evil times. But Christians know that Satan is the source of evil (Jn. 8:44).

1. It is important that we understand our enemy, “lest Satan should take advantage of us” (2 Cor. 2:11). We should know that Satan’s head was bruised through and by the death and resurrection of Christ (Gen. 3:15). We should know that Christ has triumphed over our spiritual enemies (Col. 2:15). Hence, in Christ’s death and resurrection he is said to “have driven the prince of this world out” (Jn. 12:31), and “to have entered into the strong man’s house and tied him up” (Matt. 12:29).

Because of what Christ accomplished in our behalf we can resist the devil and he will fall (Jas. 4:7). But, we must first submit to God. We must not give place to the devil (or give him a foothold) in our lives (Eph. 4:27). We must “take our stand against his schemes” (Eph. 6:11). Peter said:

Be self-controlled and alert. You enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Pet. 5:8-9).

Faith is a must. When our faith wanes we are prime prey for the devil. That is why Paul said “take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Eph. 6:16). That is why the Psalmist said, “Thy word have I laid up in my heart that I might not sin against God” (Psa. 119:11). The word of God, is the source of faith (Rom. 10:17).

2. We should not fear because God has willed that truth triumph through us. God has placed his truth, his word, his treasure, in earthen vessels Oars of clay, 2 Cor. 4:7). The poet, William Cullen Bryant stated it this way:

“Truth crushed to earth, shall rise again,

The eternal years of God are hers;

But error, wounded, writhes in pain,

And dies among his worshipers.”

Truth will win over error. Darkness will be dispersed and driven away by the light of God’s word.

3. In order for God’s truth to triumph through us, we may have to make great sacrifices. We may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice. The song says: “Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also.” A generation ago, one wrote: “He is not fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

We ought to be willing to make any sacrifice needed for the triumph of truth because of what Jesus taught in Matthew 12:29:

And everyone that has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life.

The good news is that no matter what Satan and his cohorts may do to us (this body they may kill), God’s truth abideth still and his kingdom is forever.

“Truth never dies, the ages come and go,

The mountains wear away; the stars retire,

Destruction lays the mighty cities low,

And empires, states, and dynasties expire;

But caught and handed onward by the wise;

Truth never dies!”

Peter wrote: “The word of the Lord endureth forever” (1 Pet. 1:25).

4. The kingdom of God also abides and endures. Daniel said that Christ’s kingdom would never be destroyed (2:44). The Hebrew writer said we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken (12:28). Even the gates of hell could not prevail or prevent the church’s establishment (Matt. 16:18). So, all the forces of evil in this world cannot outdo or undo God, his word, and his church!

What a wonderful truth this great song teaches. Are you taking advantage of God’s ability to protect you from the Ancient Foe who is armed with cruel hate? The man of God’s own choosing, Jesus Christ, the Lord of Hosts, can save you from eternal ruin, if you will obey the gospel (Mk. 16:15-16).

Conclusion

The Christian need not fear overmuch the evil that seeks to undo him. God and his cause cannot be defeated. Obey God and live for him and when the dust has settled in this great struggle between good and evil, you will be victorious and go home to glory.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 18, pp. 562-564
September 17, 1992

By William V. Beasley

The New Testament clearly sets forth strong reasons for being a member of the Lord’s church. In the church one serves under the headship of Christ (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18) to give glory to God (Eph. 3:21). In Christ, his spiritual body the church, we enjoy all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3), where there is no condemnation (Rom. 8:1). Each of these, I believe, refers to the church universal, to being a member of the body of Christ. There are duties which cannot be obeyed, blessings which cannot be received, unless and until one is also a member of a local congregation, such as the church in Ephesus (Rev. 2:1), Smyrna (Rev. 1:8), etc.

The New Testament also sets forth strong, clear reasons for being a member of a local congregation. There is no such thing in the New Testament as a “member at large.” Saul of Tarsus “assayed to join himself to the disciples” (Acts 9:26). To the immature, nominal ones who “play church” all of the things to be mentioned may not seem like blessings. To those who truly want to go to heaven, the blessedness will be seen. Consider, with me, some blessing associated with membership in a local congregation.

Fellowship In Worship

When we meet together, as brothers and sisters in Christ, as the spiritual children of the Heavenly Father, to offer worship to God, we can draw strength one from another. Our God recognized this need, and such is shown in our worship. When we are “making melody with y(our) heart(s) to the Lord” we are also “speaking one to another” (Eph. 5:19), we are “teaching and admonishing one another” (Col. 3:16). When we partake of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week, we “proclaim the Lord’s death” (1 Cor. 11:26). Working alone, worshiping alone, standing alone, and serving alone are discouraging (see Rom. 11:2-3,4). We ought to recognize the blessing of being able to worship with others.

Fellowship In Work

The basic meaning of “fellowship” is “joint participation.” Fellowship in work means that all are working. If you are not working (there is more work to be done than there are willing workers) you are not in this fellowship. Surely it is good, is a real blessing, to be able to share the work (consider 1 Cor. 12:12f). There are some people whom I cannot reach with the gospel of Jesus Christ, but you can reach them. For this, I thank God, and see a great blessing in having others (you) to work with me.

Being Able To Do Work Afar

Few of us could individually support a gospel preacher . . . but together (in a local church) we can help with the Lord’s’s work in other states, in other nations. Few of us could afford to preach over the radio, through the newspaper, publish a bulletin, etc., but together (as a local congregation of God’s people) we can and do. Our little bit, in comparison to the great need, is multiplied and the work is being done. There is, beloved, much more to do.

Blessings Of Brotherly Love

In times of physical problems, thank God for brethren who care. In times of a spiritual crisis, some care enough to be there. Some love enough to “reprove, rebuke, exhort” (2 Tim. 4:1-2), when it is needed. “Better is open rebuke than love that is hidden” (Prov. 27:5). It even helps when one says, “We missed you.” When someone is there when we must cry “Help! “, we have received a great blessing from God.

Elders’ Watchful Care

If you are working, serving in a congregation that is fully organized, having qualified elders (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9) who are concerned for your soul, you are enjoying a blessing from God, found only in being a member of a local church of Christ. Elders are such only in a local congregation (1 Pet. 5:2). Elders must give account for your soul and how they worked for its salvation (Heb. 13:17). Your obligation is to obey (Heb. 13:17a); this is done only in the local church. Dear reader, Matthew 11:17 cannot be obeyed except through local church membership.

When an elder, as God’s appointed shepherd of the flock, comes to you to encourage, to strengthen, to reprove or to rebuke they are a blessing to you. Those people who are determined to live as the world see such ones as meddlers, busy-bodies; but those who want to go to heaven will see a blessing from God. This blessing is given only through local church membership.

Church Discipline

This, too, is a blessing. So many times when corrective discipline is mentioned someone will say, “It will drive them away.” Such is not the purpose. We strive to bring the erring back to God’s fold (2 Thess. 3:14; 2 Cor. 2:5-9) thus the blessedness.

Conclusion

We need to be thankful to God for all of his blessings to us. We need to be thankful for the blessings associated with being a child of God, a member of the body of Christ, which is the church of Christ. We also need to be thankful for the blessings associated with being a member of a local congregation. If you have never obeyed the gospel of Christ, you are not a child of God and are missing all of these blessings God has provided for you.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 18, p. 554
September 17, 1992