Truth Magazine

By Billy Ashworth

While a prisoner of the Roman government, Paul wrote the saints at Philippi who were not in prison, saying, “Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). Earlier, Paul had written: “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord . . . For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus” (3:1,3).

The epistle has been called “the Epistle of Joy” since the words “joy” and “rejoice” occur about sixteen times in the letter. It is probably the most affectionate and personal letter Paul wrote that has been recorded in divine revelation. It has very little censure in it, but is mostly devoted to encouragement for his brethren and sisters in the Lord. Is it not striking that Paul, a prisoner in Rome, could write such a letter to saints at Philippi who were relatively free to exhort them to “rejoice in the Lord”? Saints there must have needed this encouragement as many do today.

Recently, while walking in the mall with my wife, I saw a sign at the entrance of a business establishment which read: Hiring management Trainees – Only smiling faces – No grouches,” I remarked to Lois, “I wonder how many of our brethren and sisters could apply.” I observe people’s expressions while greeting them at the assembly building. Some are smiling, friendly and seem to be filled with joy. Some appear burdened down with cares, anxiety and almost despondent. Then a few seem to be hostile. (These observations have been made over a period of nearly thirty-eight years. Therefore, I am not referring to any one group of people.) Why such a wide range of attitudes among the people of God?

I call attention to the fact that Paul is not suggesting, or hinting, that the saints at Philippi “rejoice in the Lord.” It is commanded, and therefore not only can be obeyed, but must be obeyed. I find no commands in Scripture that are optional on the part of those who are so instructed. God does not command one thing of us that we cannot obey. He is a just, omniscient God, no respecter of persons; he could not by his very being command things impossible to do, and then condemn his grandest creation, mankind, for failing to obey.

Joy is listed in the catalog of the fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22,23). Notice that joy is related closely with love and peace. In fact, in the English construction joy is between the other two. For a person to experience true joy, he must be filled with love and will be at peace with God, his fellow men and himself. A lot unhappiness on the part of people is because they have poor self-image; even sometimes they seem to be overcome with self-hate. I have read “experts” say that many drug addicts, including alcoholics, become such because they do not like themselves and try to escape reality by indulging. in alcohol and other drugs. (Alcohol is a drug – the most abused of all drugs. It is redundant to speak of people indulging themselves in “alcohol and drugs.”)

I believe Paul’s secret to rejoicing, even while in prison is found in the Philippian letter. Let us notice some of the things he cited:

1. In the first chapter, Paul wrote: “Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; . . . I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense in the confirmation of the gospel, ye are all partakers of my grace. . . And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.” Here we find Paul rejoicing in remembrance of these faithful saints for whom he prayed with joy. He was thankful for their fellowship in the gospel and was confident that they would be faithful and without offense till the “day of Christ.” He loved them (” have you in my heart”) and rejoiced in their love for truth (vv. 9, 10).

2. Paul saw in his imprisonment and afflictions a fallout for good. “That the things that have happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel, so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and in all other places: and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” This is an example of faith overcoming fear in Paul’s brethren, when they observed his unwavering faith in God and fearlessness of men, and caused then to preach boldly.

Paul saw that, from what looked like a great injustice as a consequence of the maliciousness of the unbelieving Jews, God worked it all out for his good (see Rom. 8:28 and following context). By having been sent as a prisoner to Rome, Paul was able to reach people even in “Caesar’s household” (cf. 4:22). Also, he saw other saints encouraged by his own boldness, to preach Christ “without fear.” Just to think of all the good that came from what seemed to be adversity, filled Paul’s heart with joy.

3. In chapter 2, Paul exhorted, “If there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Here Paul’s exhortation is for the unity of the saints in love in the bond of peace which would prove them worthy of his love and joy in them. And, this is the pathway to joy and peace.

4. In chapter 3, Paul again exhorts: “Rejoice in the Lord . . . For we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus.” Notice, that in all these exhortations, Paul exhorts to “rejoice in the Lord. ” How does one become a Christian “in the Lord”? Galatians 3:26,27: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Paul wrote the Ephesians: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (1:3). How joyful we should be that we are children of God in Christ, and that we have all spiritual blessings if we are faithful.

5. Paul explains how he was rejoicing in the Lord.: “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before; I press toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (3:13,14). Brethren, we cannot rejoice while mourning over things past which we cannot undo or indulging ourselves in self-pity because of mistreatment by others. There are some things we must forget in order to reach toward the goal.

6. Finally Paul learned to be content: “For I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content” (4:11). No person can be joyful in discontentment, always looking at everything as being wrong, looking at everything from a negative view to the point we despair and feel like nothing is right with us and the Lord’s church. When Elijah, the bold prophet of God who destroyed the prophets of Baal, fled from the wicked Jezebel who threatened to kill him, and finally stopped running, God asked him: “What doest thou here, Elijah?” The reply: “I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and 1, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it way.” Elijah was far from rejoicing. He was despondent! Nothing looked good. But God told him to get up and get busy. God said, “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him” (1 Kgs. 19:10,18).

We need to learn this lesson. When things seem to “go to pieces” and nobody is faithful any more but “I only,” remember God is still on his throne; Jesus is still at his own right hand, ruling in his kingdom and there are thousands of faithful Christians out there!

I believe Paul’s wonderful words found in 1 Corinthians 15:53-57 when he was refuting the heresy afloat at the time that there would be no resurrection of the dead: “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” If one believes this, he must truly rejoice!

Then consider these words: “For our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made by hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 4:17; 5:1).

Christians need to remember that we are the children of God. What a wonderful thing to be recognized of Jehovah God as his children and to be able to approach him in prayer as “Our Father.” We are assured that he will hear and answer our prayers if we are faithful (cf. 1 Jn 3:1-3).

To rejoice, we must: Determine to be joyful. Some people never come to terms with life by deciding to control their thinking. We learn what we should think as given by Paul in Philippians 4:8. After one reads that catalog of proper things to think on, is it any wonder that so many “Christians” today are not rejoicing because they have let the things of this world crowd out the things of God? The liberal media, most modern educational systems, and the world in general are filling the minds of professed Christians with evil ideas and philosophy.

We must keep malice out of the heart, and keep love in the heart. We must love the good, and hate the evil (Amos 5:15; Rom. 12:9; Psa. 97:10). We must be loving and forgiving (Eph. 4:31,32). We must love God supremely and each other dearly (Matt. 22:37-39; 1 Pet. 1:7,8,22; cf. 1 Jn. 4:6-21). We must be thankful people; our hearts must be filled with gratitude (Phil. 4:6,7). Ingratitude is inexcusable, showing one’s lack of love for a loving heavenly Father from whom “every good gift and every perfect gift cometh down” (Jas. 1:17). The Father’s greatest gift to mankind was the gift of his only begotten Son to die for the sins of mankind (Jn. 3:16). What love; what matchless grace the loving Father has bestowed upon us!

Finally, we must keep our eye on the goal of spending heaven with God the Father, Christ our Savior and the redeemed of all ages in the Father’s house where Christ went to prepare a place for his own – in a holy city, new Jerusalem where God shall wipe away all tears. There will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain. Why so? Because there will be no sin there (Rev. 21:2-4,8). How could anyone who truly believes in all these things (promises) fail to rejoice?

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 6, pp. 180-181
March 21, 1991

By Lewis Willis

The children of Israel were often taunted by their heathen, idolatrous adversaries. Because they could see no physical presence of Jehovah, they mocked at his existence. One of the Psalms makes an excellent point based on this conflict:

Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased (Psa. 115:2-3).

The Psalmist proceeds to discuss the idols of men. He said they were made of silver and gold. They had mouths but could not speak; eyes but could not see; ears but could not hear; noses but could not smell; hands but could not handle; feet but could not walk; nor could they speak through their throat. In fact, he said, they had been made in the image of the men who made them (vv. 4-8). How could these people seriously question Jehovah? They wanted to know where God was. David said that he was not on the earth, but that he resided in heaven. Thus, to expect God to resemble dumb idols made in the image of man, by men’s hands, was futile.

All of this is undoubtedly true and I have noted as much in the paragraphs above. However, the point I wish to make is stated in the last phrase of our test: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. This is a truly profound and important fact to recognize and respect. In his deliberations concerning time, earth and man, he has acted as it has pleased or suited him! Candidly, I do not see how we could ever please him without recognizing this truth.

Furthermore, things that God has done to his own pleasure are “good” for man. Moses spoke of God’s commandments, “And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day” (Deut. 6:24). Jeremiah made a similar statement, “And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me forever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good,- but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me” (Jer. 32:39-40). It is essential that we recognize today that when God did as he pleased, his every act was good for man.

If we deny this, then we will be searching for something else that we believe to be good for us. If we acknowledge this truth, we will content ourselves with what God has done and set ourselves to the task of submissive obedience unto his will. It occurs to me that this could well be the reason why so many of us are disobedient unto God; why we are trying almost constantly to rework what God has done.

Now, let us apply what we have learned. God had the right, being Almighty God, to do whatever pleased him. That is exactly what he did and we must accept this. “Good” will come to us only if we confine ourselves to his pleasure. Consider, then, the following thoughts:

1. It pleased God to put the blessing of salvation in Christ and his body, the church (Eph. 3:11; Acts 2:47). We must be careful to respect this and get into Christ and his church.

2. It pleased God to grant entry into Christ on the conditions and terms of the Gospel (Gal. 3:26-27; Rom. 6:3-4; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38). We must be careful and obey those things he has commanded.

3. It pleased God to assign a specific worship to be offered by the church (Acts 20:7; 2:42; Eph. 5:19; 1 Cor. 16:2). We must be careful that we confine our worship to that which pleased God who appointed it. After all, we are not worshiping ourselves so it does not matter what pleases us.

4. It pleased God for the church to engage itself in only edifying itself, discharging its benevolent duty and evangelizing the world (Eph, 4:12). We must be careful that we not try to involve the church in more than God assigned.

5. It pleased God to organize the church so that each congregation was independent of all the rest, governed by elders who were assisted by deacons, evangelists and all the saints (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2; Phil. 1:1). We must be careful that we not try to set up an organizational structure different than the one God gave.

Many other aspects of the doctrine of Christ could be included in this list of things that pleased God. I think enough has been said to establish the point I am seeking to emphasize. Too many people are trying to re-work the provisions God has made, and re-write the law that governs our lives today. We cannot improve upon that which God has given, nor should we try. We should simply be obedient to his will in all things. Only then will things be “good” for us.

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13).

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 6, p. 170
March 21, 1991

By Larry Ray Hafley

Ben F. Vick, Jr. has said:

Those who oppose Bible classes and orphan homes to the division of the church are not walking in the light. Therefore, we do not have fellowship with those who oppose Bible classes and orphan homes to the division of the church . . . . The brethren who oppose Bible classes and orphan homes fit into one barrel. They have divided the church by binding where God has loosed. God said, “teach.” He did not say how to do such. Bible classes are one way. God said to “visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.” He did not say how . . . and . . . I have not been told “how” it must be done (Ben F. Vick, Jr., The Informer, Nov. 11, 1990, p. 2).

Brother Vick equates opposition to Bible classes and orphan homes. Such items, he infers, “fit into one barrel.” Would not the same be true of support for institutional Bible classes and orphan homes? Would brother Vick endorse a Sunday School society, an organization set up to provide facilities, teachers and literature, for churches of Christ? Could churches send contributions to a board, an edification organization, which exists to promote Bible classes for the churches?

Does our brother think that a Boles Bible Class organization or a Schultz-Lewis Sunday School society, arranged like the “orphan homes,” would be scriptural? Would they “fit into one barrel”? Could churches support them as they do the “orphan homes”? After all, “God said, ‘teach.’ He did not say how to do such.” Therefore, Sunday School societies, like benevolent societies, may be supported by churches (?). Or does brother Vick now have two barrels?

“God said to ‘visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.’ He did not say how.” So, brother Vick concludes that churches may support institutional benevolent boards such as Schultz-Lewis. Likewise, “God said, ‘teach.’ He did not say how to do such.” So, does brother Vick conclude that churches may support institutional edification boards? If not, then these items are not parallel; they do not “fit into one barrel.”

Indeed, churches may “teach.” God did not say “how.” But he did say “who,” namely, the church, and not an organization separate and apart from the church. Churches are to provide relief for certain needy ones. God did not say “how,” but he did say “who,” namely, the “church” (1 Tim. 5:16), and not an organization separate and apart from the church. However, since the church, according to brother Vick, may build and maintain benevolent boards to provide care for the needy, then the church in its teaching can build and maintain Sunday School societies to provide edification. Both concepts “fit into one barrel.” Is brother Vick in that barrel? If he is not in that barrel, he is over it.

Christian Church Argument

Suppose a Christian Church preacher, speaking of brother Vick’s position, were to say:

Those who oppose Sunday School societies and Missionary organizations to the division of the church are not walking in the light, especially since they condone the same principle in benevolence that they condemn in teaching. Therefore, we do not have fellowship with those who oppose Sunday Schools and gospel preaching to the division of the church. . . . The brethren who oppose Sunday Schools and preaching to the lost fit into one barrel. They have divided the church by binding where God has loosed. God said, “teach.” He did not say how to do such. Sunday schools are one way. God said to “preach the gospel to every creature.” He did not say how . . . and . . . I have not been told “how” it must be done.

Would brother Vick think that the Christian Church preacher had correctly represented his position? Would he like his “fit into one barrel”? I think not. Brother Vick recognizes that a missionary society is not a way, a “how,” to preach the gospel. It is an organization that must use means and methods to preach. Just so, the Sunday School society is not a “how” of teaching. It is an organization that must employ means and methods to teach. Likewise, the benevolent society is not a “how,” or a “way” of caring for the needy. It is an organization that must utilize means and methods to provide for the needy. All such organizations “fit into one barrel.” And that barrel is not found in the New Testament.

The church is God’s divine organism and organization. It is completely, thoroughly furnished and equipped to do the work God assigned it to do. It can conduct Bible classes, preach the gospel and care for the needy (Eph. 4:12-16; 1 Thess. 1:8; Acts 11:22; 1 Tim. 5:16). The church does not need human boards or barrels to do the work God gave it to do.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 6, p. 174
March 21, 1991

By Randy S. Reese, Sr.

In teaching the Bible in Japan, the subject of our having sinned in our relationship to God (Rom. 3:23), frequently evokes many Japanese to quickly say, “I have never sinned, I’ve never stolen or killed!”

“There has never been nor is there today any sense of guilt before an Absolute God in Japanese thinking. Hence the word ‘sin’ is always used in the legalistic sense; a person at fault and proven guilty in a public court becomes a sinner.”(1)

The Kanji (Chinese character) for tsumi (sin) is made up of two characters written together, one is net the other criminal. In other words, the term tsumi today means, “to trap the criminal.” “The Japanese term Isumi brings before the Japanese mind a picture of police stations, law courts, crime and criminals; it is a legal, technical term. In other words a man does not become a sinner until he is convicted by a human court.

“If a moral fault is brought to the surface and discovered by another person, the erring one is gripped with a sense of shame, but there is no conviction of sin. The average Japanese is more concerned about social relations and the maintaining of harmony with nature. His moral impurity is easily cleansed by the wave of the (Shinto) priest’s brush at the Shinto shrine, once or twice a year.”(2)

Biblical sin is the interruption of man’s relationship with God. When man trespasses God’s boundary, he misses the mark and falls into self-idolization, pride, and moral perversion.

1 John 1:8 tells us, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” This concept of universal sin is completely alien to Japanese logic.

It is difficult for the Japanese to understand how one man (Christ) could die for all the sins of the world. I explain it to them by drawing a comparison between Christ’s sacrifice and a custom here in Japan. When a scandal arises, like the recent high-level bribery cases, the Japanese custom calls for one man to take all the responsibility for the wrong done by many. In the most recent example Prime Minister Takeshita resigned in order to take responsibility for the misdeeds of some in his political party. Christ, by his own free choice, chose to die on the cross in order to save all men of the world from their sins.

Only after we realize that Christ loved us enough to die for us can we fully appreciate what he has done for us.

The Japanese must first accept the idea that Christ loved us. Then they can embrace the concept that he would choose to die for us. This usually takes two to three years of continuous teaching and nurturing.

I pray that this article helps to give you a better insight into the difficulties of teaching the gospel in Japan.

Endnotes

1. Biblical Encounter with Japanese Culture, Charles Corwin Christian Literature Crusade (Tokyo, Japan 1967), 153.

2. Ibid., 155.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 6, p. 169
March 21, 1991