Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

The exhortation in James 4:8 says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” Each Christian should be dedicated to drawing nearer to God. The chorus of one of our songs says,

Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,

To the cross where Thou hast died,

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,

To thy precious bleeding side.

James 4:4-10 tells us how to draw nearer to our God. Let us observe what we must do to draw nigh to God.

1. Divorce ourselves from the world. James wrote, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (4:4). James stated what Jesus before him had said, namely that one cannot possibly serve two masters at the same time (Matt. 6:24; cf. 1 Jn. 2:15-17; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1). A person never can draw nigh to God so long as he is in love with the world.

James calls those Christians who love the world “adulterers.” The word “adultery” makes a spiritual application of the literal meaning of the word. Adultery is committed when a married person is unfaithful to his mate, becoming involved with another. The Christian is married to Christ; he is the bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:22-33). When he forsakes Jesus in order to dally with the world, he is guilty of spiritual adultery.

James continues, “Or do you suppose it is in vain that the scripture says, ‘He yearns jealously over the spirit which he has made to dwell in us’?” (4:5, RSV) The Lord God is a jealous God who will not tolerate his bride flirting with the world. He is like a jealous husband who takes offense when his bride is with another man. God earnestly desires fellowship with the spirit of man which he created.

2. Be humble. James stated that the second thing necessary to draw nigh to God is humility. “Wherefore he said, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble” (4:6; cf. Prov. 3:34). The word tiresist” is translated from antitasso which means “to set oneself in battle array.” God sets himself in battle array against the proud. Even as General Schwarzkopf set the American forces in battle array against the military forces of Saddam Hussein, so also does God set himself against the proud. “Who can stand before God?” (Psa. 130:3)

Man’s arrogance and pride drive him away from his God. Man never can be nigh unto God when he is conceited and arrogant. Regardless of how much pretended piety the proud portray, they are not close to God.

3. Submit to God. The third thing one must do to draw near to God is submit to him. The word “submit” comes from hupotasso, a cognate verb to antitasso (resist), which means to “put oneself under.” The Iraqi soldiers who surrendered voluntarily submitted themselves to the American troops. Similarly, those who draw near to God must submit themselves to God.

One cannot draw near to God without submitting to: (a) The plan of salvation. Again, we remind ourselves, that regardless of how much pretended piety may be portrayed, those who have never obeyed the gospel plan of salvation have never submitted to God. (b) The Law of God. A person must also submit himself to the Law of God. The man who lives in disobedience to God’s law, as revealed in the pages of the New Testament, cannot be near to God, regardless of how much piety he may show. Our denominational and liberal brethren leave an appearance of being near to God all the while disobeying his law. James tells us that no one can be near to God without submitting to God. (c) His providence. In order to draw near to God, one also must accept the providence of God, even as Paul accepted his thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7-10).

4. Resist the Devil. In order to draw nigh to God, a Christian must resist the Devil’s temptations. James said, “Resist the devil, and lie will flee from you” (4:7). There is a Devil who attempts to destroy man’s soul. He goes about as a roaring lion to see whom he can devour (1 Pet. 5:8). The Christian is to resist (antitasso), set himself in battle array, against the Devil.

Nevertheless, God has so equipped the saint that he has enough resources to overcome the Devil’s temptations (see Eph. 6:10-18). Even as Jesus resisted the Devil through the proper use of the sword of the Spirit, so also can we.

5. Cleanse your hands andpurify your hearts. James continued to tell us how to draw near to God saying, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (4:8). Being familiar with the Levitical priests who washed their hands in the brazen laver before they entered the holy place of the Temple to draw near to God, James uses these figures to instruct us of our need to purify ourselves in order to draw nigh to God.

The cleansing of the hands is a figurative way of emphasizing the purity of life necessary to draw nigh to God. Sin must be put away.

The purifying of the heart occurs in obedience to the truth (1 Pet. 1:22). In order to keep one’s heart pure, he certainly must think on those things which are pure, holy, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy, etc. (Phil. 4:8). One cannot have purity of heart so long as he fills his heart with moral filth.

One cannot draw near to God while being double minded (4:8). A double minded man vacillates between service to God and sin; he tries to maintain friendship with both the world and God at the same time.

5. Be afflicted, mourn and weep. In order to draw nigh to God, one must be afflicted and mournful. James said, “Be afflicted, mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness” (4:9).

James is not commending that morose, gloomy, somber disposition which is always dejected and depressed. Some Christians appear to believe so. They go through life looking like they have been eating rhubarb, lemons, and bitter herbs. If they are happy, their face does not show it. Christians certainly should not think that this disposition is a mark of holiness and piety.

The kind of mourning which is commanded is that about which Jesus spoke in the beatitudes. He said, “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” The mourning was not over the death of a loved one, some financial disaster, or other temporal disappointment. Rather, the mourning was over sin. James is teaching that one cannot draw nigh to God without a godly sorrow for sin (2 Cor. 7:10). That disposition toward sin which laughs at sin must be broken. In its place must be genuine mourning over sin, such as David portrayed in Psalm 51.

In helping men to draw near to God, the gospel preacher must create this godly sorrow for sin. How can this be done? The preaching must expose sin as a violation of God’s word, show its consequences, and portray its eternal punishment. This can never be done with a “health and wealth gospel,” a PMA approach to preaching. Sin must be named so that those guilty can identify themselves and be brought to repentance. This should be done with kindness and love, like one beggar showing another beggar where there is food, but it must be done before conversion can occur.

Any preaching which methodically removes the kind of preaching which brings men to mourn over their sins has the impact of keeping the sinner separated from God. Although this preaching may portray itself as preaching which brings one close to God by making the individual feel good about himself, warm and happy, James tells us that the spirit of mourning over one’s sins is a necessary prelude to being near to God.

6. Exalted through humility. James said, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (4:10). Previously James has exhorted that Christians be humble (4:6). The new statement of this verse is that honor comes after humility. The Proverbs teach that “before honor is humility” (15:33; 18:12). Similarly Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God after he had given his life a ransom for many. Exaltation will come in the same manner for us. We can be exalted only after we have served others (Matt. 20:26-28).

Conclusion

In order to draw near to God, one must do the things which James taught. Do you wish to be near to God? Or, will you content yourself in that pretended piety which pleases proud men?

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 12, pp. 354, 374
June 20, 1991

By Ron Halbrook

Introduction

1 . Man’s leadership in every aspect of home life depends first and foremost on his spiritual attitude, condition, and role.

2. If we succeed in other ways but fail in spiritual leadership, we fail in our most serious responsibility.

3. If we do not attain all the material, physical, and carnal goals we have in life, but succeed in the spiritual leadership of our family, we are a success rather than a failure in God’s sight.

I. God made man responsible to lead the family.

A. Genesis 2:24; 3:16. Whom did God make responsible from the beginning?

B. Genesis 18:19. Can God say this about me?

C. Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Who should lead in setting an example of love for God and in teaching God’s word?

D. Joshua 24:14-15. Do we have this determination? E. Psalms 78:4-7. Do we hide or teach God’s law?

F. Ephesians 5:22-6:4. Who is the perfect pattern of ideal leadership, and who is responsible to follow that pattern in leading the family?

II. Moral and spiritual leadership grows out of loving God and our fellow man (Matt. 22:34-40; Rom. 13:8-10).

A. Every specific application and exercise of true leadership is based on this principle.

B. Leadership based on mere tradition, emotion, human philosophy, and force is flawed.

C. We must develop, exercise, and increase spiritual leadership in various areas of life. Leadership is not automatic.

1. We must grow personally and individually.

2. We must grow in relationship to our wife.

3. We must grow in relationship to each of our children.

4. We must grow personally in relationship to the family as a whole or a unit.

III. What can we do to develop moral and spiritual leadership in home?

A. Personal and individual growth must come first.

1. Obey the gospel (right relationship with God is basis for every other right relationship). Must do what is right, if to lead others to do what is right (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:14).

2. Private, personal Bible study (1 Pet. 2:1-3).

3. Private, personal prayer (Matt. 6:6; Phil. 4:6).

4. Attend public worship with interest and enthusiasm (Heb. 10:24-25).

5. Participate in worship according to ability (Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 2:8,12).

6. Prepare Bible lesson for classes (Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 2:15).

7. Be courteous, kind and considerate (Matt. 7:12; 22:39; 1 Pet. 3:7; Col. 3:19-21).

8. Be a good example in all things (includes attitude, word, and deed; avoid profanity, pornography, gambling, drinking, immodesty, etc.). Matthew 5:13-16.

9. Show respect for others by the way we speak to them and treat them (relatives, friends, neighbors, etc.). Matthew 7:12.

10. Provide for family’s physical needs to best of ability (1 Tim. 5:8).

11. Keep your word (do what you say and say what you mean). Matthew 7:12; Colossians 3:9.

12. Proper attitude toward others outside family (includes helping them in any way we can; avoid gossip, bitterness, etc.; control temper and tongue). Matthew 7:12; 22:39.

13. Be strong in the Lord and serve him willingly (Rom. 6:17; Eph. 6:10-11).

14. Right relationship to civil government (obey laws, pay taxes, etc.). Romans 13:1-7.

15. Right relationship to employer or employee (Eph. 6:5-9).

16. Right relationship to neighbors and community where we live (patient, compassionate, humble, honest, peaceable). Romans 12:14-18.

17. Talk to people about the gospel, invite them to church, and arrange private Bible studies with them when possible (Eph. 5:23; 6:4; Acts 8:3-4; Phil. 2:15-16).

18. Be honest, sincere, and above reproach in all dealings with everyone (including family, saints, and sinners; leave no room for doubt). 2 Corinthians 8:21; Romans 12:17.

19. Don’t be materialistic (be content with what you have and who you are). Matthew 6:24; Hebrews 13:5.

20. Show patience toward family and others (Matt. 7:12; Eph. 4:1-3,31-32).

B. How does a man grow in leading his wife?

1. Prayer with wife (Eph. 5:28-31).

2. Bible reading and study with wife (1 Pet. 2:1-3; Eph. 5:23).

3. Treat wife in godly manner (show respect, affection, gratitude). 1 Peter 3:7.

4. Communicate with wife (Eph. 5:28-31; 1 Pet. 3:7).

5. Sexual faithfulness and purity (Heb. 13:4).

6. Other qualities are considered below under the family heading.

C. How does a man grow in leading his children?

1. Prayer with each child (Eph. 6:4).

2. Bible reading and study with children (1 Pet. 2:1-3; Eph. 6:4).

3. Help children prepare lesson for Bible class (Acts 17:11; Eph. 6:4).

4. Treat children in godly manner (show respect, affection, gratitude). Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21.

5. Communicate with children (Eph. 6:4).

6. Sexual education of children with God in the picture (Eph. 6:4; Heb. 13:4).

7. Balanced and consistent discipline (Eph. 6:4; Heb. 12:6-11).

8. Teach children how to give as we prosper and cheerfully (Eph. 4:28; 6:4; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:7).

9. Other qualities are considered below under the family heading.

D. How does a man grow in leading the family as a unit?

1. Prayer with family gathered together (meal time; facing problem; decision making; other times). Philippians 4:6; Ephesians 5:23; 6:4.

2. Teach children “problem solving” with God in picture, and practice it with whole family (Matt. 7:12; 1 Pet. 3:10-12; 5:5-7).

3. Bible reading and study with family gathered together (Eph. 5:28-31; 6:4).

4. Spend good quality time with family (include some separate time with each one). Deuteronomy 6:7.

5. Make decisions for family after considering their needs, feelings, and input (Eph. 5:28-31; 6:4).

6. Be willing to visit and assist elderly and others, with help of wife and children (1 Tim. 5:16; Jas. 1:27).

7. Responsible use of money; work with wife; teach children (put the Lord first, then family necessities, and other things; share without grudging; balanced). 1 Corinthians 16:2; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 6:6-10.

8. Guide family in careful use of television (avoid double standard of warning children against ungodly shows, and then watching them ourselves; don’t let television monopolize your time or the family’s time; use moderation). 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22; Ephesians 5:15-17.

9. Teach family difference between God’s law and civil law (Acts 5:29; Matt. 19:9; Rom. 1:27).

10. Keep recreation in proper limits (don’t compromise with sin or forsake assembly; consider interests of others in the family; don’t be extravagant with it; don’t let it crowd out other needed activities). James 1:27; 1 John 2:15-17.

11. Teach wife and children to teach others the gospel (encourage them to invite their friends to church, give out meeting announcements, etc.). Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:2.

Conclusion

1. Next to saving his own soul, the most important responsibility a man has is to provide moral and spiritual leadership for his family. He cannot guarantee that they will always follow as they should, but he is still responsible to lead.

2. This outline suggests a theme we need to pray about and study, but does not exhaust the study. What suggestions can you add?

3. All of us can see areas where we need to improve and grow. With the help of God, our family, and other Christians, we can grow if we sincerely desire to!

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 11, pp. 330-331
June 6, 1991

By John A. Smith

“Stickin’ Out and Fittin’ In”

I am somebody special, unique and important. There is not another me! The same is true for you. But with a name like “John Smith,” I’m also rather ordinary. I have the most common blood type and have a rather typical family. I am also an odd ball. I don’t fit many of the molds that the world has produced. In fact the best compliment that I have ever received was one of surprise. When one person found out that I was a preacher they said, “Well, you sure don’t act like one!”

Everyone who strives to be a child of God will find themselves in this dilemma. We are ordinary people with unique personalities who go quietly about our everyday duties. We try to fit in while we stick out.

For the young person, particularly the teenager, this dilemma often exacts a great deal of anguish. They want to fit in while maintaining a degree of individuality (which of course must fit the accepted and popular mold). It seems that every young person wants to be a part of a clique or group. This makes them vulnerable to external pressure to behave in certain ways that may not be wise or healthy. As their world expands to include more people, and they become more concerned with the judgments of others, the dilemma of peer pressure becomes greater. Parents and young people can take heart because it can be turned into a positive and healthy experience.

God Expects Us To Stick Out From The Crowd!

We are to be separate from the world and to live above the standard of the world.- Peter describes us as “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Pet. 2:9). In 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 Paul said, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness. . . Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” If we want to be the sons of God, then we must determine not to fit the world’s mold.

We are to live separate from the world, but we are not to isolate ourselves from the world. When Jesus prayed for his disciples’ protection, he did not want them taken out of the world. He simply wanted them protected while they were in the world (Jn. 17:15-16). We are not to live like hermits viewing the world through peep-holes. We are not to remove ourselves from the mainstream of society as the Amish have attempted. We have been sent into the mainstream of the world to provide salt and light.

Our dilemma is that we are to stick out while we fit in. Of one man it was said: he was not a recluse. He attended weddings, funerals and feasts. He enjoyed the mountains and the sea. He talked freely with fishermen, farmers, tax collectors, religious and civil leaders. He shared the common weariness of travel and public activity. But he still said, “I am not of this world.” He was not shaped in its image. We are to strive for the same uniqueness as Christ.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 11, p. 333
June 6, 1991

By Irvin Himmell

To the Philippians this exhortation was written by Paul: “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Phil. 2:4). Here is a text which needs to be preached.

Selfishness is excessive or exclusive concern with oneself. It is seeking or concentrating on one’s own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others. A selfish person is like a ball of twine – all wrapped up in self! Tertullian (A.D. 160-220) said, “He who lives only to benefit himself confers on the world a benefit when he dies.”

A faithful child of God fixes his attention, not on self alone, but on others. Look around and consider your brothers and sisters in the Lord. They deserve to be esteemed in spite of their shortcomings. When I seriously contemplate my fellow Christians, each has some quality that surpasses mine. Perhaps one is more patient than I am; another thinks more quickly; another has a better personality; another excels me in knowing what to say when at the bedside of a sick person; another has more courage; another has a wider range of experience; another is a better teacher; etc. How uncharitable and egotistical it would be of me to fail to esteem others. Our interest must extend beyond self.

Signs of Selfishness

Let us give some thought to ways in which selfishness may be demonstrated. Any of these signs should trigger alarm on our part.

(1) One’s interests circle around himself. His foremost concern is his own comfort, convenience, and enjoyment. The shadow of self is cast over everything else. His language abounds in I, my, mine, me, us, ours, and we. Nabal was this kind of man (1 Sam. 25:1-11). When David sent some of his young men to Nabal to try to find favor with him, this obstinate fellow answered in a distinctly selfish tone: “Shall I then take my bread and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?”

(2) The guiding rule is, “What is in it for me?” This sign of selfishness shrinks people into a mold that restricts usefulness. It is an attitude too often exemplified. The fellow who follows this rule thinks the church owes him something. He thinks of classes and worship in terms of receiving, not giving. It never occurs to him that there might be something which he could contribute. “What is in it for me?” Well, the opportunity to serve is what is there “for me.” Remember the parable of the Samaritan in Luke 10:30-35. The priest and the Levite passed by on the other side, leaving the wounded man without assistance. They saw nothing that would benefit themselves. The Samaritan lost sight of self, turning attention to the needs of the victim. He had compassion, bound up the man’s wounds, took him to an inn, paid the bill, arranged for future care, and promised to reimburse the innkeeper later. When we were infants we were takers, but by now we should have developed into givers. Selfishness curtails devotion to duty.

(3) Lack of genuine concern for others. God teaches us to love, and love “seeketh not her own” (1 Cor. 13:5). Failure to show real concern for others discloses lack of love. There are some who do not care what happens to others. The strong are taught to bear the infirmities of the weak (Rom. 15:1). We are to rejoice with others who rejoice, and weep with others who weep (Rom. 12:15). The spiritual are to restore the brother overtaken in a fault (Gal. 6:1). We dare not shut up our heart of compassion against a brother who has need (1 Jn. 3:17). The rich man in Luke 16 lifted up his eyes in torments. He had shown no interest in the plight of Lazarus, a poor, diseased beggar.

(4) Shutting faithful Christians out socially. Here is another sure sign of selfishness. Some in the church limit their social contacts to a special circle. They never invite anyone into their home unless he is of their own “set,” their own family, or their special group of friends. Others limit their invitations to such as will return the favor. This does not square with what Jesus taught in Luke 14:12-14. Some do themselves a great disservice by shutting out the aged, the poor, the lonely, and those with whom they have only slight acquaintance.

(5) Personal concerns outweigh service to God. It was selfishness that prompted the Jews to put off building the Lord’s house but not their own houses (Hag. 1:2-4). Too many Christians “seek their own.” Paul brought a rather strong indictment against certain ones in Philippians 2:21, “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” Jesus died for all, “that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again” (2 Cor. 5:15). Service to God demands that our personal interests not take priority.

Fruits of Selfishness

Having noticed some of the signs of selfishness, we now turn our attention to some of its fruits.

(1) Selfishness makes one unreliable. A selfish person cannot be depended on to give as prospered. Cheerful giving (2 Cor. 9:7) flows from a generous heart. Jesus Christ was rich, yet for our sakes became poor. His example (2 Cor. 8:9) teaches us to give unselfishly. A selfish person is unwilling to deny himself as Jesus commanded (Matt. 16:24,25). A selfish person does not devote much time and attention to the Lord’s work. Paul knew that he could depend on Timothy because of Timothy’s care for others (Phil. 2:19,20).

(2) Selfishness produces ruin and disgrace. Lot made a selfish choice that bore bitter fruit when he pitched his tent toward Sodom. He was a righteous man but was influenced by the beauty and fertility of the plain of Jordan (Gen. 13:9-13). The prodigal son squandered his living on himself and came to poverty and shame (Lk. 15:11-19).

(3) Selfishness robs God. The Jews in Malachi’s day acted selfishly by offering blind, sickly, lame animals in sacrifice to Jehovah. They withheld the tithes and offerings which belonged to the Lord (Mal. 1:8; 3:8). Just as they robbed God, many today rob him of worship, time, the use of their energies, and their resources.

(4) Selfishness deprives one of joy. In the parable about the two sons, the elder brother was selfish. Unlike the younger brother, he did not waste his substance in riotous living, but he was sullen, sulky, unforgiving, and angry due to a selfcentered attitude (Lk. 15:25-32). He shut himself out from a joyous celebration. Joy is a part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Some never know the joy that comes through Christ “living in us” (Gal. 2:20). They are trapped in a state of self-inflicted misery.

(5) Selfishness leads to other sins. Ananias and Sapphira lied in an attempt to cover their selfish greed (Acts 5:1-11). Judas Iscariot betrayed the Lord because he was thinking only of himself. Diotrephes used malicious words and became a church dictator due to selfishness (3 Jn. 9,10). Broken homes result from selfishness. People often abuse others, verbally and physically, due to their own selfishness.

Knowing the signs of selfishness, let us endeavor to overcome it. Knowing the fruits of selfishness, let us guard against it. No one is Christ-like unless he is unselfish. The Son of man “came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28). Our Master gave himself in service and in sacrifice for us. May his love conquer so that we can sing from the heart,

Higher than the highest heavens,

Deeper than the deepest sea,

Lord, thy love at last has conquered,

None of self, and all of thee.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 11, pp. 334-335
June 6, 1991