Truth Magazine

By Brooks Cochran

Remember Lot’s wife. Whosoever shall seek to gain his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it (Lk. 17:32-33).

Whenever I think of lukewarm Christians this passage comes to mind. It serves as a warning. Lot’s wife, though nameless, was lukewarm in her attitude toward God and the salvation he offered when the “cities of the plain” were to be destroyed (Gen. 19). She began her journey to safety with her husband and daughters; but the farther they went from Sodom the more she lagged behind. As a result she perished along with the inhabitants of Sodom.

Implied in these words is the fact “that Lot’s wife was seeking to hang on to her life in Sodom, and that, consequently, she lost her life in its destruction. The word ‘look back’ has the connotation of ‘looking intently.’ It might possibly be rendered ‘lagged back,’ or maybe even ‘returned back.’ In any case, she was not with her husband and daughters, so that only she perished” (Henry Morris, The Genesis Record, 355-356).

Lot’s wife efforts to save herself from the destruction of the cities lack the determination as seen in her husband and daughters. Her heart was still in the city. She evidently did not appreciate all that had been done for her salvation (Gen. 18:16-33). She almost made it to safety; but sadly she allowed her vigilance to relax. As in the words of the writer of Hebrews, she came “short of the grace of God” (Heb. 12:15, NASB).

Jesus gave this warning for our good. As Lot’s wife was destroyed because of her divided loyalty, so too, will professed Christians who seek to hang on to the things of the world. It is sad to see such individuals who are lukewarm in their attendance, giving of their means, personal evangelism and general support of the local work. They are making an effort to reach safety; but their heart is torn between Christ and the things of the world. As time passes they linger farther and farther behind until they become unfaithful. In the end they will perish along with the people of the world.

If these words apply to you it is not too late to catch up. But you must hurry as none knows what the future holds. Jesus spoke of lukewarm Christians in Revelation 3:15,16. His remarks were not complimentary: “. . . because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew (vomit) thee out of my mouth.” This is not a nice thought, but at least you know what Jesus thinks of lukewarm individuals. Determine now to get “hot” for the Lord and be totally committed to his work.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 16, p. 481
August 20, 1992

By Robert F. Turner

In John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion (Bk. 2, Par. 20), we read, “It thus appears that none can enter the kingdom of God save those whose minds have been renewed by the enlightening of the Holy Spirit.” He cites 1 Corinthians 2:14, “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned. ” He defines “natural man” as one who trusts to the light of nature; and says, as respects understanding spiritual mysteries, “though he exert himself, it is of no avail: they are . . . hidden from human discernment . . . made known only by the revelation of the Spirit. ” A few sentences later: “The mind of men have not capacity enough to know their calling.” He calls us “prating Pelagians” who say God, by the teaching of his word, directs man to truths he could not otherwise have known.

1 Corinthians 2:11 makes it clear that things of God must be revealed by God – man cannot take them by his own wisdom. But the context here says God has revealed his truths to chosen witnesses, who make his truths known by inspired teaching. Calvin is saying each hearer or reader must have some indwelling, enabling power in order to understand the message of the inspired speaker or writer. Calvin’s “natural man” is the unregenerate – any one who has not been miraculously changed by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit. With such a view there is no point in preaching the gospel message to alien sinners. One must wait until God has miraculously saved them before they can understand it.

This is consistent with Calvin’s TULIP: Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Preservation of the elect. But it runs counter to free will and a gospel message that is seed of the kingdom, sown in honest and good hearts and producing fruit in those who hear, believe and obey (Lk. 8:1 If). The natural man of I Corinthians 2 is one who rejects the miraculously confirmed message of the inspired apostles and prophets in favor of his own human wisdom. This is a far cry from saying the Bible cannot be understood except by one who has some personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Paul had said, “My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom (appealing to the “natural man,” rt) but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (2:4-5). The self-crucifying message of the cross (1:18f) calls for faith in a power higher than man; for humble people who welcome the confirmed words of God even though they reveal matters that could never have been known by human wisdom alone. “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. . . ” (v. 6); and the “we” and “us” right on through the chapter refer to those who spoke (or wrote) by inspiration. Paul is not saying no alien sinner can understand his message. He is saying they must trust the confirmed word rather than their own wisdom.

Consider Ephesians 3:1-5, where Paul says he (and other apostles and prophets) received information by revelation, but he “wrote” so that “when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (vv. 3-4). Calvin is dead right in saying man cannot know the things of God apart from the revelation of God by His Spirit. He is dead wrong in assuming the recipients of the message by the Spirit were incapable of passing it on to “every creature” in all the world. Man is taught by the Holy Spirit when he receives their message.

Despite these truths, I see things in “our” bulletins that disturb me. After setting forth a truth concerning material possessions, “. . . natural man cannot comprehend such things, God gave us his Spirit to enable us to discern them ” (1 Cor. 2:11). Again, “How does each new babe grow? He must study (2 Tim. 2:15), but God must give him discerning power” (1 Cor. 2:14). And, “God give us the wisdom to understand his commands (Jas. 1:5) (check that passage – rft), and the power to accomplish each and everything he commands (Eph. 1:19) (check that one too, in its context – rft). 2 Timothy 3:17 does not limit that which God had “throughly furnished” to the written word. ” Would you call the writer of these statements, and more like them, a Calvinist?

Sometimes we are hasty to label – especially to apply a general system label to someone who may only be in error on a point or two – and it is my hope that error is limited in this case. However, such statements as these spring from a misconception of Spirit operation today, and can only encourage further error. It seems apparent that the writer believes in the “personal indwelling” of the Holy Spirit. But most of our brethren who so believe are hard put to say what the Spirit, apart from the word, does for us. Not the writer of these statements. He indicates the indwelling Spirit (1) gives us the ability to understand the word; (2) leads us apart from the word; (3) “enables” us to walk in the light; and various other things.

It seems once a person accepts the concept of miraculous indwelling, he sees that in every passage on the Holy Spirit and his effect upon us. Those who differ with him are “not spiritual” or have never been “born again.” I remember a man telling me I could not understand the plan of salvation because I did not “have the Spirit.” I asked where he got such an idea, and he cited 1 Corinthians 2:14, saying, “Read it, just read it!” Of course I replied, “Why should I read it? According to you, I cannot understand it.” I tried to help him read it in its context, but apparently he could not understand that.

Man’s “flesh” is not, of itself, sinful; but one who puts appetites of the flesh above the service of God is “fleshly” in a sinful sense. And the God who gave us “flesh” also gave this “natural” man the capacity to examine, reason, and draw conclusions. “Human reasoning” is not, of itself, bad. It is, in fact, one of the characteristics that sets man above the beast. We must use this capacity in reading and studying God’s word – a message compatible with the man to whom it is given. We read first, then believe (Jn. 20:31; Rom. 10:17), not the other way around. The unsaved man can understand the word, and “come” of his own free will in obedient faith. But if he refuses to accept God’s word because it does not conform to conclusions of his own experience and learning, apart from the revealed message, he is a “natural man” in the sinful sense of the word (1 Cor. 1:21).

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 16, pp. 485-486
August 20, 1992

By Randy Harshbarger

Long ago the prophet Hosea said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children” (4:6). Ignoring God’s instructions brought ruin to the children of Israel. They refused to consider and heed divine law and were thus cast off. Men today continue to do the same thing. One has only to consider the false religions and the conflicting doctrines of denominationalism to see that ignorance of the Bible is widespread. God does not speak to men today through some religious guru or a self-appointed Messiah. Rather he speaks in these last days through his Son (Heb. 1:1-3). The extensiveness of sin demonstrates lack of knowledge about God and his word. The disgrace of adultery, the shame of homosexuality, and the tragedy of drunkenness, and countless other “acceptable sins” all point to a lack of knowledge of the Bible. Not enough people do like the Bereans of old, and “search the Scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11). It is obvious, due to the prevalence and publicity of sin, that people believe they can defy the laws of God and never suffer the consequences (if they even care at all). Yet, the Bible still says: “For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). We need to know and then declare the true nature of God and his will for men. The Bible is sufficient to guide men safely home to heaven; its finality affords proof of its value as the only word we need.

Many have been the attacks upon the word of God. Some are insidious while others make no pretense about the desired goal of undermining faith in God’s revelation. We are not surprised when the atheist or infidel attacks the Bible, but it is sad when so-called Bible believers embrace doctrines that repudiate God’s word as complete and final. Roman Catholicism tells us that the Bible is true because “the church” says it is. But, how can the infallibility of “the church” be proved that we might accept such a pronouncement? It cannot be according to Matthew 16:18-19. “And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Joseph Smith gave us the book of Mormon, claimed it was the word of God, and said it should occupy a place alongside of the Bible. But, even the Book of Mormon claims that the Roman Catholic church corrupted the Bible and is an instrument of Satan (1 Nephi 13:26-29). Whom do we believe? Many claim to be lead by the Holy Spirit in a direct, miraculous way, separate and apart from the word. One lady claimed that the Lord told her to be a stripper! Did the Lord contradict himself when he said in 1 Timothy 2:89 to keep one’s clothes on? The list goes on, as men continue to either in part or all together pervert and twist to their own liking, God’s revealed will from heaven.

Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). The gospel will accomplish what God wants accomplished. It is the only message that will make men what they need to be, namely Christians. No other power on earth can equal God’s power. The messages of men always fail and fall short.

Peter said, “Seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3). God’s power is seen in creation (2 Pet. 3:5), in punishment of the wicked world by the flood (2 Pet. 3:6), and will be seen in terminating the world we live in (2 Pet. 3:7-12). These things were and will be accomplished at God’s word. The Bible provides information on “all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” Man needs direction and guidance in life (Jer. 10:23). Man who is lost in ignorance needs to be enlightened. Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32). Knowledge of truth is essential (I Tim. 2:4). The Bible also provides needed motivation. 2 Timothy 2:25 says, “In meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth.” Sometimes a motivation gap exists between knowing and doing. The Lord reveals what sin is and what sin will do; that should be the driving impetus to turn from wrong and serve the Lord.

The Bible also provides preservation. Peter says we are guarded by faith as we wait for our final reward in heaven (1 Pet. 1:5). It is not “once saved always saved” but it is assurance from the Lord that we can obey and be acceptable in his sight. “For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith” (1 Jn. 5:4). Loving God rather than the world (1 Jn. 2:15-17), walking in the light of truth (1 Jn. 1:7-9), and confessing our sins as we repent (1 Jn. 2:1-2), all help to provide needed confidence as we remain safely tied to the anchor of hope (Heb. 6:19). Let us continue to walk with the Lord, studying the Bible, trusting and obeying each and every day.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 15, p. 470
August 6, 1992

By Mark Mayberry

More has been written about love than any other human emotion, yet tremendous misunderstanding surrounds the subject. In 1 Corinthians 13, the apostle Paul sets forth the various characteristics of Christian love (1 Cor. 13: 1-8). Let us consider his teaching and apply it to our lives.

A. Negative Qualities of Love

1. Envieth not. Love is not jealous (NASV); love does not envy (NIV, NKJV); love envies no one (NEB). Love does not allow us to become filled with jealousy and bitter resentment toward others (Gen. 4:1-8). It causes us to demonstrate a generous spirit, and rejoice at the success and good fortune others enjoy.

2. Vaunteth not itself. Love does not brag (NASV); love does not boast (NIV); love is never boastful (NEB); love does not parade itself (NKJV). This particular Greek word is quite vivid. Arndt and Gingrich define the rood word as “a windbag.” Love does not seek the praise and applause of men (Matt. 6:14). It causes us to realize the importance of others, and it limits our esteem of self. Love causes us to give of self rather than to assert self.

3. Is not puffed up. Love is not arrogant (NASV); it is not proud (NIV); love is never conceited (NEB). Pride is a grave sin (Prov. 6:16-19; 16:5). This unbecoming attitude comes from either a haughty over-estimation of one’s own importance, or from a grave inferiority complex. Both problems can be cured by an application of Christianity to our lives.

4. Doth not behave itself unseemly. Love does not act unbecomingly (NASV); it is not rude (NIV); love is never rude (NEB); love does not behave rudely (NKJV). This general term has broad range of applications. Love does not act in a disgraceful, dishonorable or indecent way. It avoids anything that is unseemly. It behaves with courtesy, good will, and genuine respect of others (1 Pet. 3:8-12). Sometimes we are nice to others, but hard on those in our family. Let us remember that good manners begin at home.

5. Seeketh not her own. Love does not seek its own (NASV, NKJV); it is not self-seeking (NIV); love is never selfish (NEB). Some people appear to be concerned only with themselves. However, love is the antithesis of selfishness. God teaches us to first consider the needs of others (Phil. 2:1-8).

6. Is not easily provoked. Love is not provoked (NASV, NKJV); it is not easily angered (NIV); love is not quick to take the offense (NEB); it is not touchy (Phillip’s Translation). Some of us are quick tempered; we become irritable over little things. However, where there is love, there is self-control (Eph. 4:26; Col. 3:8; Jas. 1:19-20). The flames of wrath are not easily kindled, nor do they keep burning long in a heart filled with love.

7. Thinketh no evil. Love does not take into account a wrong suffered (NASV); it keeps no record of wrongs (NIV); love keeps no score of wrongs (NEB). Paul uses a technical term in this passage. This Greek word was used in commercial dealings to describe entering debits/credits into a ledger. We must not keep a running account of offenses that we have suffered. Dwelling on such things always leads to bitterness and resentment. Love does not harbor a sense of injury (Prov. 17:9; 1 Pet. 4:8). When God forgives, he forgets. He said, “Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” We should have the same attitude.

8. Rejoiceth not in iniquity. Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness (NASV); love does not delight in evil (NIV); loves does not gloat over other men’s sins (NEB). It is all too characteristic of human nature to take pleasure in the downfall of others. Love finds no pleasure in sin (Prov. 2:10-14). Love can never be indifferent to moral considerations. Christians should be grieved whenever sin is committed. We recognize that God’s will has been violated, and also understand that someone has been hurt. Sin harms the transgressor and also those with whom he or she is associated.

B. Positive Qualities of Love

1. Sufferth long. Love suffers long (NKJV); love is patient (NASV, NIV). Love does not quickly become angry at the shortcomings and mistakes of others. In contrast with those who have an explosive temper, love operates with a long fuse. It has an infinite capacity for forbearance (1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Tim. 2:24-25).

2. Kind. Love is kind (NKJV, NASV, NIV). Love demonstrates a good natured and considerate spirit. It is expressed through active good-will. Love seeks out opportunities to help others (Matt. 25:34-40; Eph. 4:31-32). As a poet once said, “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it, or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

3. Rejoiceth in the truth. Love rejoices with the truth (NASV, NIV); love delights in the truth (NEB). Love and truth go hand in hand. One cannot truly exist without the other. A love for truth is at the very heart of Christianity (Jn. 8:31-32; 2 Thess. 2:10-12). When the truth is victorious, love shares the gladness of its victory (3 Jn. 3-4).

4. Beareth all things. Love bears all things (NKJV, NASV); it always protects (NIV); there is nothing love cannot face (NEB). Life can be tough, but those who live by the principle of love will not yield to complaining, grumbling or bitterness. They will bravely withstand the trials of life. Love enables us to endure all manner of adversity (2 Cor. 11:23-28; Jas. 1:24,12).

5. Believeth all things. Love believes all things (NKJV, NASV); it always trusts (NIV); there is no limit to its faith (NEB). It is easy to think the worst, but love maintains faith in others. Love looks for the good rather than the evil; it focuses on the bright spots, not the dark shadows. Love is ever ready to make excuses for others; it throws a mantle of kindness over the faults and shortcomings of others. Try to positively interpret the actions of other people. Love refuses to yield itself to unfounded suspicions. It causes us to give others the benefit of the doubt. Unless you are presented with conclusive evidence to the contrary, believe the best about your fellow man (2 Cor. 7:16; 2 Thess. 3:4; Phile. 1:21).

6. Hopeth all things. Love hopes all things (NKJV, NASV); it always hopes (NIV); there is no limit to its hope (NEB). We ought not be pessimistic in our view of others. Rather, we should hope for the best in our fellowman. Love never loses faith in others or in God. Hope looks forward. Love refuses to accept momentary failure as final (Lk. 13:6-9). In a crisis, it does not despair. Rather, it anticipates the ultimate triumph of God’s grace.

7. Endureth all things. Love endures all things (NKJV, NASV); it always perseveres (NIV); there is no limit to its endurance (NEB). in the Greek this was a military term that referred to the ability of an army to sustain an assault. It described stedfast endurance in the face of difficulties. Love causes us to bravely persevere. It enables us to overcome the difficulties, persecutions, and temptations which befall us. Christianity provides us with the fortitude to overcome the adversities of life (Heb. 12:1-4). Love is patient in tribulation.

8. Never faileth. Love never fails (NKJV, NASV, NIV); love will never come to an end (NEB). Few things in life will endure, but love is permanent. This beautiful chapter closes with the statement: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” (1 Cor. 13:13). One day faith will become sight, hope will be realized, but love will endure for eternity (1 Cor. 2:9; 1 Jn. 3:1-2).

Conclusion

As we have seen, Christian love (Greek: agape) is a multifaceted jewel. It causes us to be patient with others, and not quickly retaliate against their shortcomings. Love results in active kindness. It causes us to shun evil attitudes such as resentment and envy. Love doesn’t allow us to become puffed up with pride; nor does it act in a boastful, rude, or unbecoming way. Instead, we treat others in a courteous and respectful manner. Love is not self-seeking. Selfishness is to be laid aside, and replaced with genuine consideration for the needs of others. Love doesn’t allow us to become easily angered. If we truly love others, we will not keep a running ledger of their mistakes. Love produces a genuine morality. Whereas the world takes pleasure in sin, he who practices biblical love delights in the truth. Love is steadfast: it beareth, believeth, hopeth, and endureth all things.

Christian love is the summation of what godly conduct is all about. Without it we will not see God. How well do we manifest this quality in our lives?

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 15, pp. 468-469
August 6, 1992