Truth Magazine

By Louis J. Sharp

In defense of his integrity, Job makes an astonishing statement in chapter 31, verse 1: “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” (KJV) A.R. Fausset remarks: “In this chapter he vindicates his character in private life.” He says “think -cast a (lustful) look. . . He not merely did not so, but put it out of the question by covenanting with his eyes against leading him into temptation.” He refers to Proverbs 6:25: “Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, nor let her allure you with her eyelids” (NKJ) [Jamieson, Fausset, Brown, Vol. II; p. 73]. Thus, the rendering of the NIV: “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.

The NKJV likewise supports this rendering: “I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman?” Clarke offers this thought. “My conscience and my eyes are the contracting parties; God is the Judge; and I am therefore bound not to look upon anything with a delighted or covetous eye, by which my conscience may be defiled, or my God dishonored” (Clark’s Commentary, Vol. III; p. 136).

Joseph S. Excell states: “The covenant must have been with himself. Job means that he came to a fixed resolution, by which he thenceforth guided his conduct, not even to ‘look upon a woman to lust after her’ (Matt. 5:28). We must suppose this resolution came to in his early youth, when the passions are strongest, and when so many men go astray” (Pulpit Commentary, p. 499). “Having made such a resolution, how could I possibly break it by ‘looking upon a maid?’ Job assumes that he could not be so weak as to break a solemn resolution” (Ibid., p. 499).

Several excellent lessons are brought to our attention by these brief comments. (1) The value of virtuous resolutions; (2) The exercise of self-control in one’s life; (3) Covenants made are not to be broken; (4) The covenant one makes with oneself (in our text), with one’s eyes.

Our eyes are expressive – they do speak – they reveal much about a person. I recall my mother always demanded that I “look her in the eye” when she questioned some story I was relating and she did not believe. Somehow or other, I could not lie while “looking her in the eye.” In her own way, she was instilling in me a lesson of truthfulness. In a sense, I was “covenanting with my eyes.” This may seem a little far-fetched, but it does illustrate the value of eye-contact!

In Scripture we do read of lustful eyes. 1 John 2:16: “For all that [is] in the world – . . . the lust of the eyes, – is not of the Father. . .” And the evil eye (Pro. 28:22): “He that hasteth to be rich (hath) an evil eye.” Solomon spoke of an eye “not satisfied with seeing” (Eccl. 1:8). At another time, Job asked: “Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth?” (Job 10:4) And in Proverbs 27:20, Solomon says: “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.” This shows how praiseworthy the covenant Job had made with his eyes.

Our Lord’s teaching concerning adulterous eyes needs to be a part of this study. Said He: “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell” (Matt. 5:28-29) Thus, we learn that the covenant Job had made with his eyes comports with the teaching of Jesus centuries later.

Is it any wonder that God had such a high regard for his servant Job? In chapter 1:8, he asks Satan: “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” If we direct our lives and our steps as Job, we too will be called “the faithful servant of God.” “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1:22). Have you made a “covenant with your eyes?”

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 13, p. 399

By Phil T.Arnold

A Landmark Missionary Baptist publication entitled The Baptist World has a monthly feature entitled, “What Baptists Believe.” In an article concerning baptism under the subheading “What Is Scriptural Baptism?”, the article states that there are four essentials for scriptural baptism. The very first of these being “the candidate for baptism must be a saved person.” Is baptism for the saved or is it for the sinner?

The condition of the sinner in God’s sight is set forth very plainly in the Scriptures. The sinner is lost and without salvation. He lives his life in iniquity and gropes in darkness. He exists in this world without God (separated by his own sins), without Christ, and as a result without hope. Who will deny that this is the condition of the sinner (Jn. 12:46; Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:12; Rom. 6:23; Isa. 59:1,2)?

On the other hand, what is the condition of the saved? The man who is saved has salvation. He has had his sins forgiven and washed away. He has been redeemed in Christ and through Christ he has become a new creature. The saved individual has been justified by the blood of the Lamb and is freed from the power of sin (2 Cor. 5:17; 2 Tim. 2:10; Eph. 1:7; Rom. 5:9; 6:22).

Now, which of those two individuals is in need of receiving baptism – the sinner or the saved? To find the proper answer to that question, simply lay aside any pre-conceived ideas which you might have, turn away from the doctrines and teachings of men, and sit down with your Bible and see what purposes are ascribed to baptism. When you do this, I think the answer will be clear and simplicity can be restored to Mark 16:16 which says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned. ” Where did Jesus place salvation? Before or after baptism? Is baptism then for the saved or sinner?

What does the Bible teach about the purposes of baptism? The Bible teaches that baptism is for salvation. “The like figure whereunto even baptism does also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). Baptism is for the remission of sins, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. . . ” (Acts 2:38). Baptism washes away sins. “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins . . . (Acts 22:16). Beyond this the Bible reveals that baptism puts one into Christ and into his death where his blood was shed (Rom. 6:3-5). Those who are baptized have obeyed the form of doctrine which frees them from sin and allows them to begin a new life having put on Christ (Rom. 6:17,18; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 3:27). The sinner is in need of all these things which are attributed to baptism, and the saved person already is in possession of all that the Bible attributes to baptism. The sinner can and should be baptized to receive the promises which accompany it. But why baptize a man who already has these promises? What is it that baptism can do for the saved?

If a candidate for baptism “must be a saved person,” then the N.T. uses some strange language in reference to these individuals. It calls upon them to be baptized ‘!for the remission of sins” and that they might “wash away thy sins.” This is confusing language to use to one who is a “saved person.” Such statements could only be made to an unsaved person.

The Lord in Mark 16:16 did not teach that a “candidate for baptism must be a saved person” and neither does any other Bible passage. To agree with the doctrine and beliefs of many, Mark 16:16 must be changed to eliminate conflict. To satisfy them it must read, “He that believeth is saved and then he can be scripturally baptized.” The very obvious difficulty with this is simply that this is not what Jesus said. Jesus harbored no thought of salvation being a requirement for scriptural baptism, for he declared that the exact opposite is true.

Leave Mark 16:16 and all of the gospel in its simplicity. Do not be guilty of making it confusing. Accept it for what it says, and render obedience. Be baptized and be saved! For “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk.16:16).

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 13, p. 395
July 2, 1992

By Andy Alexander

You’re walking in the downtown area of a major metropolitan city and notice a tattered man lying against the wall in a semi-conscious state with a bottle of cheap wine in his hand. A little further down the street flashing lights catch your eye and upon investigation you discover paramedics loading a body into its rear compartment and in no hurry for the body is dead due to an overdose of drugs. You continue your walk and are approached by several young ladies who look much older than they actually are offering their bodies to you for a price. Beneath the heavy application of makeup, cheap frilly clothes, and loud boisterous talking you can sense an emptiness in their life. What is occurring in all of these cases is the natural process of reaping what is sown. Reaping can be a very pleasant experience or, as in the lives of these people, a tragic heartache.

The sot in the gutter probably began drinking in high school and his parents just laughed it off as sowing a few wild oats. The overdosed drug user succumbed to peer pressure and, anyway, he knew he could stop anytime he got ready. The prostitutes had various backgrounds that brought them to their life of sin. One had children to support which she had given birth to while in junior high and she had to drop out of school. Another had given her body to any body who came along and no one would even consider her for marriage so she began to sell herself. Another had never received any love at home, in fact she did not really have a home and she desperately sought affection from anyone. Multitudes of cases could be repeated, but the results are the same. People sow to their flesh, they live for the short-lived pleasures in this life and they reap corruption.

The brethren in Galatia were warned by the apostle Paul that those who practice the works of the flesh “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21). He went on in the same letter and taught them as follows:

Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting (Gal. 6:78).

This fact can be seen in the agricultural realm. A farmer plants corn expecting to reap corn in accordance with the laws of nature that God set in place from the beginning of time.

We Cannot Slip One Over on God

When Paul tells us not to be deceived he is informing us that we can deceive ourselves into thinking that we are going to reap a home in heaven, a spiritual reward, while sowing to our flesh in this life. Sometimes there are people who profess to live a spiritual life, but they actually are serving themselves rather than God. “Hypocrite” is the term for these erring Christians and our Lord knows their spiritual state even when we fail to recognize and deal with it. They do fool the brethren from time to time but they never fool the Lord in heaven who sees all (Heb. 4:12-13).

We can be deceived into thinking that a little worldliness will not hurt us such as a little bit of alcohol, a small amount of smut in our entertainment, or the wearing of immodest apparel in the name of athletics. The Word of God teaches us about the captivating qualities of sin and Christians must take heed to these warnings (Rom. 6:16-17; 2 Pet. 2:20). If we sow to the flesh we will of the flesh reap corruption. Sin will lead to more sin and eventually to eternal death unless genuine repentance is made.

There is no such thing as a small sin in God’s sight. Nadab and Abihu were destroyed for offering strange fire, Uzzah was smitten for touching the Ark, and the man gathering wood on the Sabbath day was stoned to death (Lev. 10:1-2; 2 Sam. 6:6-7; Num. 15:32-36). In our eyes these may seem to be very minor offenses and something that should just be overlooked, but God did not view them in this light and these are lessons from which one can and should learn how God sees and reacts to sin (Rom. 15:4). If we believe that God will overlook sin in our lives then we are deceiving ourselves and we had better take the cure that our Lord prescribes – confession, repentance, and prayer (1 Jn. 1:9; Acts 8:22).

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 13, p. 394
July 2, 1992

By Harry Osborne

At this writing, an intensive effort to preach the gospel in Lithuania is under way. On April 29, Steve Wallace, Kieran Murphy and Harry Osborne went to Vilnius with intentions to help establish a faithful congregation in that city. A good start has been made towards that end, but help is urgently needed to continue these efforts. After working in Vilnius for one month, Harry Osborne has returned and reports that Steve Wallace and Derek Chambers are remaining in the work for two more weeks. However, when these brethren leave in mid-June, no one has committed to follow up in this field.

Much of the logistical arrangements necessary have already been made. Housing has been located which will cost only $20 to $30 a month. A centrally located place to have Bible lectures and a question-answer session has been rented for $10 a week. A printer has been contracted who will print 2,000 two-sided copies for $15. Literature in Russian and Lithuanian (the two languages used) has been translated on a variety of subjects and print ready copies are available for reproduction. Additional material is being proofread and made print ready at this time. A number of very good interpreters into both Lithuanian and Russian have been located. In short, the fields are white unto harvest, but laborers are desperately needed. Can you help for a month, two months or even longer? It is not an easy place to live, but it has many people who desire to hear the simple truth of the gospel. Brother Wallace who lives in Germany could return to Vilnius for a short time with anyone interested in the work in order to help with the transition. If you could help, please contact Harry Osborne at 713-331-9305 (home) or 713-331-4953 (office). Brother Osborne can give further details to those interested and will publish an extended report regarding the efforts in Vilnius.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 13, p. 393
July 2, 1992