Truth Magazine

By Keith Greer

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 Jn. 4:8).

On June 18, 1991, at 5:15 p.m., my grandfather, Dillie Perry Greer, finished his course on this earth. That following Saturday, with his wife of more than 61 years, five children, thirteen grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren, we laid Grandpa to his final rest. As they did that day, tears run down my cheeks as I remember.

My memories of Grandpa are many and varied. He gave me my first haircut, and since I was the first grandchild, I was blessed in my early years to be around him a lot. Even though he was very strict with me, he always did so with kindness that made me understand that he cared dearly. Not much escaped my Grandpa’s watchful eyes.

When I was about ten, Grandpa instructed me not to pick the strawberries until they were ripe. I love strawberries and decided I couldn’t wait. Well, he caught me and said, “Keith, I told you not to pick them. Go get me a switch.” Thinking that I could delay the punishment, I looked for hours, until dark. Then, I came in and told Grandpa that it was too dark to find a switch. To the best of my recollection, Grandpa had the eyes of a bat, and yes, I was punished. I brought the punishment on myself and, yet, never once did I doubt Grandpa’s love for me. That’s why he corrected me. “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly” (Prov. 13:24). Grandpa always disciplined promptly!

There are many things that I admired about Grandpa. His oldest son, my Dad, did many things that hurt him, and I know he didn’t approve or understand. Yet, not once did I even hear him say a bad word against my Dad. Why? He loved him, of course!

Grandpa had another special quality that stood out. He was the most contented man I have ever known. By the world’s standards, he wasn’t a wealthy man, and, yet, if you were around him, you might think that he was the richest. Always thankful for what he had and understanding that it all came from God, he was a faithful steward (Jas. 1:17; Matt. 25:23). “But godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 6:16).

Going to my grandparents’ home, we were always made to feel welcome. The house would be filled with his kids and grandkids, and Grandpa would just beam with pride. I didn’t always do the right thing. Yet, Grandpa’s love for me never diminished. He had a strong hand and tough standards, God’s standards. Never compromising, but with compassion and love he led by example.

In April of this year, I went back to Lowell, Indiana for a gospel meeting. Grandpa came three nights to that meeting. (He would only be able to attend one more worship service afterwards.) On the last night of the meeting, I was standing by the stairs, and Grandpa came up to me with that big, wide grin on his face and said, “Keith, you’ve become a real fine gospel preacher. I’m very proud of you.” Today, that is very special to me, because Grandpa had much to do with why I am a preacher. As I was returning to Las Vegas, I went to say goodbye to Grandpa the next day. We hugged, and I kissed him and told him I loved him and would miss him. Grandpa was crying, and I was crying because both of us knew that this would be our final goodbye on earth!

Grandpa taught me many lessons during his life, and it was my privilege to speak at his funeral. Grandpa was very close to me, and he loved his family dearly, but he loved God first! The greatest comfort that he leaves me, and the greatest example of his life is that he left with eternal hope. For, you see, he died in Christ! “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring those who sleep in Jesus” (1 Thess. 4:14). Thank you, Grandpa, for your time, patience, understanding but most of all for your gift of love!

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 21, p. 647
November 7, 1991

By James R. Cope

They all showed up the same day and all except one left about the same time two weeks later. They came from “all over” in response to a genuine need of Florida College. Some were experts in carpentry, some in painting, some in general maintenance. All of them are active and well-along-in-years citizens in heaven’s kingdom. They paid their own expenses to come from several states to be “Good Samaritans” in behalf of the young people who attend Florida College and to lend a helping hand to an already overworked year-round maintenance crew of Florida College. Some of them had sent their children here and grandchildren of some have been or are now enrolled.

The men who responded to our new President’s request are the following: Gene Compton, Baytown, Texas; Willard Derryberry, Spring Hill, Tennessee; Jack Dugger, Nashville, Tennessee; Jeff Haselden, Sr., Luqoff, South Carolina; and Don Roberts, Brentwood, Tennessee.

Any person who has spent even a short time on the campus of Florida College is aware of various on-the-spot needs of this school. Some of these needs are obvious at a casual glance but to the carpenter, painter, plumber or general maintenance worker, that which needs attention immediately becomes an “eyesore.” Fortunately Florida College is rich in such “friends to youth.”

Our new president, “Colly” Caldwell, is well acquainted with many men who qualify as “friends” to hundreds of young men and women who have come here as students and left as graduates. Some have sent their own children and others have sent their dollars or become “overnight” parents to students and teachers visiting their areas in recruiting students, traveling with the chorus, debate, or athletic teams. Many who have never been on campus are among the most loyal supporters the College has.

So what did Colly do in his first few days as President of Florida College? The answer: He called on men who could carpenter, plumb, paint and pray to come for a few days in August to work with their heads and hands because their hearts were known to be identified with what the College has done for their own children and seeks to do for their grandchildren! Most of these men I have known firsthand for some 30 years or longer and one was a classmate 57 years ago.

With their own heads and hands these men have attended to physical needs on the Florida College campus which have gone unattended for many years – not because none was aware of these needs but because there were already a dozen needs ahead and crying for attention. These men have given more than money. They have given themselves! Yes, their time, their expertise, their energies, but most and best of all – themselves! This is the spirit that has made Florida College possible and will keep it going as long as there is need for the type of education this school offers.

Only one other man has been officially connected with Florida College longer than I and none other knows better than I the thousand-and-one things needed to “make the old mare go! ” When I see men my age willing to give their time, money, energies, and expertise as these men who have been here for the past two weeks have given, I know that there must be hundreds of others alive who thank God that their own sons and daughters were able to drink from the same fount of which they drank decades ago.

With the resignation of brother Lloyd Copeland from the Board of Directors at its last annual meeting, not one of the original Board members remains. Yet all present Board members I have known many years. There is not one of their number I do not trust implicitly regarding both character and his soundness “in the faith once delivered to the saints.” Practically all of them are alumni or sent their children here. This Directorate made no mistake in its choice of Colly Caldwell to be the new President of the College, successor to Bob F. Owen, who served well for nine years.

The response of aging brethren of many talents to Colly’s invitation to come and assist mentally and physically is evidence that those who have known Florida College through the years believe it deserves their sweat as well as their dollars and tears. That God may bless you richly with students and finances essential to Florida College’s continuing progress is the prayer and hope of your friend and brother, James R. Cope.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 21, p. 646
November 7, 1991

By John Shadowens

Matthew 19:9 reads, “And I say unto you whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”

There has been a great deal written in recent months about the subject of marriage and divorce, and rightly so, since this is a problem that plagues the church. There has not been very much written; however, about the individual that has been put away. Such a one finds himself in a real dilemma. I would like to suggest that those who have been put away, who are sincere, and wanting to do what God says, be given the support and encouragement to fight the good fight and not give up and quit (Gal. 6:1; 1 Tim. 6:12). One thing that a put away person wants to know is “What can I do?” This is a legitimate question. These people are being told so often what they cannot do, that I am afraid that they disparage and fall out of the race altogether. So what can they do?

That which is desired of course is to repent and turn their thoughts towards the Word of the living God. Many times brethren are not kind when something like this happens, saying, “we” forgive, but in essence, they do not, and then the individual becomes a sore spot in the congregation and it is cheered when he or she leaves. That one should repent is clear in the Scriptures (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31; 26:20; Mk. 2:17; Lk. 24:47; Rom. 2:4; 2 Cor. 7:10). After one does repent (2 Cor.2:4-10), like the one in the church at Corinth, he should be received back and encouraged.

The individual who has been overtaken in a fault should realize that he now has another chance. He has disappointed the Lord, and other brethren, as we all do. Now, he must start a long road back to gaining the confidence of brethren he once had (Rom. 14:7). That is a difficult task because of the consequences of sin. He must turn his thoughts to God, and work toward trying to save others. He has sinned, and knows a great deal about this area of temptation and can perhaps be of help to others.

He again, can realize that God still loves him and that if he truly repents and turns to God, God will forgive him (1 Jn. 1:7). Because he has been put away, he realizes that he can never remarry except if the situation in Romans 7:1-4 happens; therefore, it would be truly unwise for him to keep female company, such as going out on dates (1 Thess. 5:.2-2).

Society will accept his divorce, but God, in his word, has issued his decree. When one begins to date, the individual is placing himself in grave danger. The danger is that he will fall in love (which is not permitted) and submit himself to undue temptations, possibly marriage or just plain fornication. Another thought is the unfairness to the innocent person he will date. The relationship cannot go anywhere. Even if the individual is not looking for a relationship, it can still lead to sin. Proverbs 13:15 says, the way of trangressors is hard.”

Once again, the conclusion can only show just how serious the marriage relationship is, and what God’s attitude is toward it. Young people need to take more time to find a companion. There must be more strong teaching in the family about marriage and divorce. There must be more encouragement for all to marry Christians.

It would seem then, that what the put away person can do and what he can look forward to is to repent and turn his thoughts and affections to God and walk toward Heaven. He can use himself as an example to others in a positive way, and devote the rest of his days to the Lord and his cause, Brethren can help by giving comfort and support to the restored individual who finds himself in this situation. Christians are bound by God to help each other to heaven.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 21, p. 661
November 7, 1991

By Fred E. Dennis

There are many reasons why we want to go to heaven. In this article I want to set down a few of those reasons, hoping that they induce others to want to go.

Do Not Want to Go to Hell

I am sure that no rational person wants to go to hell. Hell will be much worse than we can conceive. The punishment will be awful. The remorse will be terrible. “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:12). “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mk. 9:48). Who would want to go to such a terrible place? Becoming a Christian to keep out of hell may not be a very high motive, but it is a motive.

Heaven Will Not be Crowded

There will be plenty of room in heaven. Our heavenly Father will make provision for all who will be saved. On the saddest of sad nights Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. . . . And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (Jn. 14:2,3). There are many mansions over there. I want to be there in one of them throughout a never-ending eternity. “And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it arc equal” (Rev. 21:6).

Heaven Is a Beautiful Place

The beauty of heaven is beyond compare. This old world in which we live now is a beautiful place. I am writing this on a glorious day. The sun is shining beautifully, the birds are singing, and the grass is green. But the beauties of this earth are not comparable to what God has in store for us. This earth is marred by sin and death. There will be no sin there, and death will never come. Here we have pain and sadness. There are no pains and sadness in heaven. Here we have tears and broken hearts. There will be no tears in heaven, and hearts will never be sad and broken. Here we must be separated from those whom we love dearer than life. There will be no separations in heaven.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4). “And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there (Rev. 21:25).

Comfort and Rest in Heaven

We need comfort here. Our real friends try to comfort us, but our comfort will be complete in heaven. We get tired and weary here. There is no time to rest, and we could not rest completely if there were time. We shall know what sweet rest is in heaven. We are in the midst of the fight now. Rest will come after the battles are won.

Invited and Welcome

What a wonderful thought to think that God has invited poor souls to heaven. Hear the gracious invitation: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of the life freely” (Rev. 22:17). “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isa. 1: IS). How can we spurn the invitation of God? Friend, do not do it.

Its Companionships

Heaven will be sweet because of its endearing companionships. To think of being with characters such as Abraham, Moses, and Paul! To spend a week with Paul ought to be inducement enough to cause us to want to go to heaven. And the blessed Christ! To think what it will be! And we shall meet our faithful brethren and loved ones who have gone on before.

How to Reach It?

We must accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. At every opportunity we must confess him. What we do with him here will determine what he will do with us there. We must turn from all manner of sin. To have our sins forgiven we must be buried with Christ in baptism. When we are baptized, we are raised to walk in newness of life. The old things are become new. At every opportunity we must meet with those of like faith to worship God in spirit and in truth. This course will bring us home at last. Glorious consummation! (Reprinted from Gospel Advocate [18 March 1948], p. 276).

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 20, p. 632
October 17, 1991