Truth Magazine

By Andy Berendt

Their arrival was unannounced, and quite unexpected, but there they were, standing on our front porch. The personable and outgoing young man introduced himself as Mitch Davis. His partner, who was much more reserved, was Chad Kloppe. They identified themselves as representatives of a well-known company, who were selling books for the summer, working toward their college expenses. Actually, when we look back on this event from our present perspective, the verse in Hebrews 13:2 comes to mind. You know the one; it says, “Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” In reality though, Kathy, my wife, had been diligently praying for additional prospects in the gospel. She asked our Father, that if we weren’t able to locate them, that he might possibly send them to us? Kathy has a past history of receiving astounding and timely answers to her prayers, such as the time in 1977, when she spent weeks and months “night and day with tears, ” imploring the Lord to show us the truth, but that is another story!

Mitch is a native Hawaiian, who is studying special education at Kearny State University in Kearney, Nebraska, so he’s seen quite a bit of our vast country in his young lifetime. He and his companion were sent all the way to northern Ohio for the summer, and the first order of business was to locate a place for the two of them to live for ten weeks! I perceive that the company has determined that once the students, who are assigned to an area in which they don’t know a soul, are ambitious enough to locate living quarters, selling books will be sort of anticlimactic. Anyways, the late spring time sun was sinking fast, and the two young men were destined to spend this particular Saturday night in their car, if some generous and trusting soul failed to assist them. That’s where Kathy comes in . . . you see, I was gone for the day, engaged in some kind of “preacher” activities.

When I returned home later, Kathy informed me that two college students were trying to secure permission to stay with us for the summer. I immediately supposed that they were brethren, who had been sent here and urged to look up the church members for assistance. As we were discussing this strange visit, the young men returned. They hadn’t had any luck at all, so we invited them in for a discussion. We were informed that they weren’t brethren in Christ, but they had references for us to contact from their company. We told the hopeful salesmen that we’d be happy to allow them to spend the night with us, and that we’d have to consult the local elders on the following morning about the feasibility of their staying with us for the duration, since the house we live in belongs to the church.

As we were having a family Bible study, and I was preparing for my sermons, Mitch immediately became very interested in these activities of spiritual significance. Of course, we were more than glad to share our time around God’s word with our new friend. He seemed all ears, but this is only the tiny tip of the proverbial iceberg, as you shall see.

The work schedule for the summer was unbelievably grueling, but it just so happened that the company allowed them this particular Sunday morning off, so Mitch was eager and curious to attend the worship services with us, and Chad seemed simply curious, so he “came along for the ride.” I was really anxious to preach to an audience with at least two known visitors in attendance, and I gave it “my (very) best shot.” With the Lord’s assistance, I extended a direct and carefully-worded invitation, about being “in Christ. ” No apparent response was detected, as we stood and sang, but a short while later, I was informed that one of the visiting men was praying at the front of the meeting house. The pulpit is situated on a raised platform, and Mitch was kneeling down, with his head bowed, obviously highly serious about his fervent supplications. After he had finished, I approached and inquired as to whether we could be of help. Mitch replied with his patented, shining smile, that today was the day he wished for Jesus to save him. I tried to appear cool, but I was so taken aback, I could hardly believe my ears! I asked him if he had listened carefully to the gospel presentation, and he assured me that he’d heard every word. He told me that they had a meeting to attend on the other side of town, in less than two hours, so he could return and be baptized later that evening. I assured him it would only take a few minutes, and so, in the midst of a small group of disciples, on May 28, 1989, Mitch Davis made “the good confession, ” and was “baptized into Jesus Christ, ” “for the remission of (his) sins.” Our heads were spinning with exaltation, as we rejoiced with “the angels of God, ” but we remained cautiously and realistically optimistic. After all, Mitch’s work schedule would allow precious little time for worship, and this was the very first gospel sermon he’d ever heard! That evening Kathy, Mitch and I stayed up until an unthinkable hour, discussing this blessed transaction, and the new responsibilities Mitch would now have to bear as a child of God. What a magnificent day!

Following is a typical day we survived that summer: Mitch would arise prior to 6:00 a.m., and he and Chad would leave the house by 6:30. Mitch would literally run from house to house with a backpack full of heavy books. I doubt he ever put in less than ten miles of labor each day. We wouldn’t even see them until after 10:00 p.m., when their workday ended. They had to complie their statistics for the day, and phone them in, and then they would first be free to cat supper! Chad had a very rough time with this schedule, and Mitch seemed to take it in stride, as he is a champion college wrestler, and in incredibly good condition! Finally, as the time would be approaching midnight, Mitch would arrive at the dining room table, clutching his new Bible, and seriously ready to get down to the King’s business! I must tell you, that I now had a much deeper appreciation for what the Lord had in mind when he remarked, “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness.- for they shall be filled. ” Kathy and I were delighted to have such a willing pupil, but even this superbly-conditioned athlete was not totally able to adhere to this rigorous schedule. Virtually every night, poor Mitch would remain attentive for as long as humanly possible, but at last he’d succumb to the inevitable, and upon reading a passage, I’d invariably raise my eyes to see him literally sleeping – his nose resting securely on the word of his “Rock”! I feared this would not prove to be the most productive method of study, but it was the best we could do under the circumstances. In short, our new brother’s “desire for the sincere milk of the word” was almost unbelievable, and a real inspiration to all of us who have known him. Mitch had precious little opportunity to assemble with the saints that summer, as work kept him really busy, 7 days every week. Even though we were able to study a great deal, this lack of attendance really bothered him. Whenever he could, he’d return early from meetings, so he could gather for worship and study.

As the summer drew to a close, we regrettably had to send Mitch westward – certainly hopeful, always prayerful but, realistically speaking, not totally optimistic. We’d witnessed too many cases where the devil had somehow unleashed a vicious attack upon the freshly converted, who “in time of temptation fall away, ” “and bring no fruit to perfection. ” It would be an uphill battle, as our young brother was beginning to “spread his wings.” Earlier in the summer, we had contacted the brethren in Nebraska, and discovered that in all the USA, this area remains particularly devoid of faithful congregations. It greatly concerned us, as we’d attempted to “ground” Mitch very soundly and carefully in “thefaith oncefor all delivered, ” but the nearest congregation which stands for the truth was going to be about 50 miles from his college residence! In addition to this, there is an institutional church in the college town of Kearney, which could’ve really complicated matters in the mind of our young charge.

Our fears proved to be absolutely unfounded, as Mitch drove to Grand Island the first Lord’s day after his arrival. Needless to say, the saints in Grand Island were thrilled to see Mitch, as the entire church consisted of two families. But what families they were! The incredible family of Joe Hurd, his fine wife Ann, and their wonderful children “adopted” our brother into their very household!

The brethren there in Nebraska reported that they found Mitch to be “well-grounded,” especially considering his young age “in the Lord.” I can assure you that this situation is positively not due to anything within us – but rather to Mitch’s intense desire to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” All this, coupled with his innate (God-given) abilities and intellect and primarily to the God of heaven, and “the word of his grace, ” with its mighty power to transform the hearts and lives of men and women.

As Mitch “joined himself” to a very small congregation, the opportunity for him to exercise and develop his talents and abilities was readily present. He was soon in demand to participate in the worship services, wait on the Lord’s table, and teach Bible classes. Just about eight months after his baptism, Mitch gave the invitation during the mid-week Bible class, and shortly following that, he prepared and delivered his first full-length sermon. My family and I visited the church there this past spring, and were greatly encouraged to be with the saints at Grand Island. We were reminded of our experiences the previous summer, as we all found ourselves studying around the Hurd’s dining room table until the wee hours of the night. Mitch was beginning his personal study of the Greek language, along with Joe and Ann’s experience and guidance. He surprised me Oust a bit), with numerous questions about the prophecies of Daniel and Ezekiel, and comparing these with the book of Revelation. It seems as though he’d been corresponding with a Baptist missionary in Costa Rica, as well as a local Baptist preacher, and thus he was desirous to know more of these difficult areas of God’s word! As you can well see, Mitch possesses the requisite zeal which has greatly contributed to his rapid advancement in the gospel. Mitch also is the president of a national student council organization this year, which also vies for his time and attention. Of particular note to me, was his willingness to excuse himself from some wrestling tournaments, which doubtlessly would have earned him considerable recognition, in favor of making the long journey to Grand Island, so he could spend the weekends “searching the Scriptures” with Joe and Ann Hurd, and their children. Also worthy of mention is the fact that Joe and Ann Hurd moved to Grand Island about 12 years ago, where there was no local congregation, and have been diligently working there ever since, in service to the Lord. Joe does virtually all of the preaching, while making a living as an anesthesiologist. If you’ve ever had a part in this type of arrangement, you know what a struggle it can be, and the level of dedication it requires. It is a privilege to know and associate with folks of this caliber.

Recent reports are that Mitch plans to relocate after college to the Kansas City area, where he desires to gain further experience in proclaiming the gospel, working with men of age and ability. God only knows what the future holds for him, but I do know that he has a burning desire to return to his homeland, to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named.” Hawaii also is a place starving for the truth. What a great opportunity for a fruitful labor in the Lord’s vineyard!

As you can plainly see, Mitch Davis is one unique individual, who has impressed himself deeply upon our hearts One final admonition for your consideration: please be very careful and specific in your prayers to “Our Father who art in heaven” you just might receive exactly what you pray for!

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 4, pp. 110-111
February 21, 1991

By Keith M. Greer

Much attention is often given to the “moral issues” of our time: drinking, drugs, immoral life styles, as well as adultery and divorce. Brethren should be concerned about these problems, and should take the necessary steps to correct them.

Yet, one of the grave problems in the Lord’s church today is the alarming rate at which many are leaving. An average congregation, in a period of two or three years, may experience a number of people “quitting” for one reason or another. What are we doing about the countless brethren who just leave without even being noticed?

We commonly hear terms such as “disheartened,” “laying out,” “lost interest,” “left the faith,” “out of duty,” “back-slider,” or just plain “quit.” The question we must ask is, why do some “abandon ship”?

Neglect is one route that many will follow. Often, it is the result of thoughtlessness or absent-mindedness. Forsaking, on the other hand, is a deliberate act. While some may suggest that there is no difference between neglecting or forsaking, the end result will be the same.

If we “neglect our salvation,” we will be condemned (Heb. 2:1-3). And if we forsake our responsibilities, we will also be eternally lost (Matt. 25:13-30).

In Acts 27:18-3t, when the Apostle Paul and his fellow passengers faced shipwreck, Paul told them, “Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.” Had those passengers not remained in the ship, they would have been lost. Except we abide in Christ, we too will be lost (Jn. 15:4-7).

When we gave ourselves to the Lord, we promised to be committed for the “long haul” (2 Cor. 8:5). Many obstacles, discouragements, and doubts will be placed in our way by Satan. But, we are told that overcoming trials and tribulations helps gives strength to defeat and withstand the next hurdle placed before us until we finally gain a victory over them (1 Pet. 1:6-9; 4:12-16). Anything we must endure on earth is of little consequence when compared with our promise of a home in heaven.

Local churches are made up of people. People, as human beings, are not perfect. Since people make up the local church, the attitudes and weaknesses of men have to be dealt with. We must take heed that, if we “bite and devour one another,” we may be “consumed one of another” (Gal. 5:15-16). Rather, we are to “walk in the Spirit.” If we would remember our responsibilities to God and to each other, we would go a long way towards promoting unity and less strife.

When Jesus came to this earth, he was rejected by his own – they “received him not.” He was called a “glutton and a winebibber.” Many continuously tried to discredit him. His friends turned their backs on him – even one who betrayed him for thirty pieces of silver. And as he hung on the cross for ours sins, he said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34). Where would we be without Jesus?

In the ocean, wind and high waves may come up very suddenly and violently toss a ship about. But if the anchor is secure, the ship will not drift away. We have an anchor for our souls. There will, at times, be storms in our lives as Christians. We can “abandon ship” and perish or we can remain steadfast and “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). Without him, we have nothing.

“Disillusionment” may be one reason that many falter. Many individuals become Christians without any real understanding of what life will be like as a Christian, and they believe that life will be all rosy and sweet. They believe that they will no longer be tempted by sin, and that all of their old friends will not try to lead them away (1 Cor. 15:33; Rom. 12:1-2). They believe that other Christians will always be their friends, be kind and pleasant, uplifting, encouraging, and appreciative of their efforts.

Unfortunately, reality sets in. Many Christians already have a “set of friends” and may not readily accept others into their ” circle. ” They also learn that Christians continue to have problems, trials, and tribulations to overcome (1 Tim. 3:12).

What each Christian must learn is that he now has God to help him (1 Pet. 5:7; Heb. 13:5). While we will all face trials, we must remain faithful (1 Cor. 10:12).

Too often, an individual who becomes a Christian comes in with lofty expectations, burning with zeal, and willing to help in any way that he can, only to be discouraged by the slothfulness of brethren. Either from lack of knowledge, or because of a lack of spiritual leadership in a local congregation, he is ignored . . . he becomes embittered he just “abandons ship.”

We must beware the “root of bitterness.” It can cost us our souls (Heb. 12:15). As Christians, we are in “spiritual warfare,” and our enemy is Satan. He will try to discourage and defeat us (2 Cor. 2:11), and although we may grow weary of the conflict (Rom. 7:7-15,22-23), we are to keep ourselves “unspotted from the world” (Jas. 1:27). God promises us that we will win if we “faint not” (Gal. 6:9).

In his world, God has given us a “pattern” we are to follow to stay on course. He never told us it would be easy. While we may try to blame others, if we “abandon ship” we must face the truth that it shows our lack of love for God, his word, and the sacrifice that Christ made for us. We have no one to blame but ourselves if we do not honor the commitment that we made to him.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 4, pp. 118-119
February 21, 1991

By Phil T. Arnold

After feeding the five thousand, Jesus took opportunity of the people’s interest and inquiry to tell them about the true “bread of life.” John records for us the following words of Jesus:

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven, if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world . . . . Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you (Jn. 6:45-51,53).

Many people, at the witnessing of his miraculous provision, had determined that Jesus was in fact just the kind of Messiah they were longing and looking for. He could feed an army from next to nothing by his mere words! So they flocked after Jesus for the loaves and the fishes, but they would not become his flock for they followed him for the wrong reason and in ignorance of what he really was all about. Jesus told them that his ministry was not about physical bread but spiritual. The truth that he proclaimed was that something was more important than physical bread. Man needs something more than “soap and soup.” He needs the salvation found only in Jesus.

We live today in a society and in a religious climate that would say that it is the work of the church to house the homeless, educate the illiterate, feed the hungry, prepare the underprivileged for employment, and champion the right political causes. This is commonly spoken of as “the social gospel,” and this is quite obviously becoming even increasingly popular among those once counted as brethren. If we would make of this the purpose of the church, then we have failed miserably. Jesus had just fed five thousand people. Yet, they left him like rats leaving a sinking ship. Jesus had to turn to his disciples and say, “Do you also want to go away?” (Jn. 6:67b)

Man says, “Change the environment and you’ll change the man, Give people a better chance!” Man does not primarily need a better environment. He needs Jesus! He doesn’t just need bread. He needs Christ! To those who would think social change (an improved environment) to be the solution to man’s problems, we would ask, “If environment is the answer, what happened to Adam and Eve?” We’ll never find or create a better environment than the garden of Eden. It wasn’t in the slums that Adam and Eve fell, but rather it was in the garden paradise prepared by God. The “social gospel” misses the whole point. I am not saying that individual Christians ought not to be interested in feeding the hungry, housing the needy, and assisting the less fortunate. If we are truly Christians, we will (see Matt. 25:34-40). But I am saying that it is not the collective work of the church nor is it in any way adequate as a substitute for the teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The church of Jesus Christ is to be “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15), and it is to make known “the manifold wisdom of God” (Eph. 3:10). The “social gospel” would perhaps improve man’s environment, but the gospel of Jesus Christ will improve man’s eternity. What difference will it make if people live in beautiful houses and eat the most nutritious food if they die and go to hell. At the 84th Street church of Christ we do not have social programs nor do we champion political causes, but we do preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and of that we are unashamed – “for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). God be thanked for people who long and look for nothing more and will settle for nothing less.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 5, p. 133
March 7, 1991

By Mike Willis

God said of the Messiah whom he would send into the world to save mankind from sin, that he would not march in the streets.

He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth (Isa. 42:2-3).

The kingdom of Christ is not political. He neither organized armies nor protest marches, but there are lessons to be learned from such events when they occur in the kingdoms of men.

War is deplorable. Each of us wishes that war with Iraq were not necessary. The brutalities which Iraq has committed against the citizens of Kuwait, the bombing of civilians in Israel and Saudi Arabia, the eight year war against Iran, and similar instances have convinced the member nations of the United Nations that Iraq must be stopped now. Consequently, America has joined hands with her sister nations in going to war against Iraq.

No sooner had war begun than a vocal minority went into the streets to protest American involvement in the war. They burned the American flag, decried the policies of President Bush, and committed acts of violence during their peace protests. Both the protestors and some Congressmen have sent a signal to Saddam Hussein that says the American people are not prepared to engage in and sustain a war.

The popular, politically conservative columnist, Cal Thomas, wrote an article entitled “‘Anti-war’ Crowd Strips Life of Moral Values” (The Indianapolis Star [28 January 1991, p. 9-A) in which he said,

The peace movement always tries to seize the moral high ground by declaring itself against all war . . . . The demonstrators are constantly referred to in the press as “anti-war,” but this is a serious misnomer. Everyone detests war. The difference is that most of us are willing to accept war if it is the only way to protect our highest values. These demonstrators see no values worth fighting for.

Some peace activists tell us that “war never solves anything.” That will come as a surprise to those who fought in World War II and to the people of Nazi-occupied Europe.

To be “anti-war” strips life of true moral concerns and accepts a view of man that denies the possibility of human evil. To acknowledge evil is to acknowledge goodness and the necessity to oppose evil’s agenda, which seeks to impose itself on the good.

There Is a Way for Peace

There is always a way for peace. America could have lived in peace with Adolf Hitler and the Japanese during World War II. All that would have been necessary for peace to exist would be absolute and unconditional surrender to the tyrants who wish to run rough shod over their fellow man. Peace could be had with Hitler, even though he methodically slaughtered innocent men in gas chambers, by executions squads, and during unprovoked invasions. Yes, there was a way to have peace without going to war with Hitler and Japan. Men could have submitted to their tyranny.

We can be at peace with Iraq as well. We can sit back and watch Iraq destroy one Arabic republic after another until he has complete control of that part of the world. We can wait until he is able to tyrannize the whole world, not just a part of the world, with nuclear bombs, not merely with chemical and biological weapons. Then, when he threatens with these bombs, we can quietly and meekly surrender to his threats and no war will ever have to occur.

Marching in the Streets

The handfuls of protestors have the right to march in the streets because their forefathers did not agree with the principles which they are advocating. If these same protestors lived in Iraq, they would not be allowed to march in the streets in protest of the war policies of Saddam Hussein. If they lived in China, they would not be allowed to march in Tiananmen Square. If they lived in Lithuania, their papers would be seized and their voices silenced. But, American protestors can march in the street and protest the war in the middle east because brave Americans fought to preserve their freedoms. Our forefathers thought liberty was worth dying for; they preferred to fight and die as free men rather than be in subjection to tryants such as Hitler and Hussein. These words of Patrick Henry have inspired many Americans, “Give me liberty or give me death.”

Not A Political Article

This article is not intended to be a political article, any more than Jesus intended to make political statements in his references to the affairs of the kingdoms of men (Matt. 22:19-21; Lk. 14:31-32). Rather, I want to point out some similarities between our political peace protestors and their spiritual cousins who protest religious warfare.

A minority among us protects every opposition to false doctrine. They howl and accuse when someone exposes false teaching, whether it be taught by a brother among us or a denominational preacher. They decry the “brotherhood watchdogs, ” “the guardians of orthodoxy,” spiritual “McCarthyism,” and similar such things.

They write their condemnations in church bulletins paid for by churches which exist because there were God-fearing men who opposed the in-roads of institutionalism in the 1950s. They speak from pulpits which were built because faithful preachers opposed the introduction of instrumental music in the late 19th century. If their spiritual forefathers had followed the path they advocate, they would not have a pulpit from which to preach or a bulletin in which to write. They would have no medium to undermine the men whose spiritual brothers built the congregation with which they labor. They would have no financial support for themselves or their families, because the churches where they preach would not exist today.

I don’t know how you feel about either these political protestors or their religious cousins, but I have had my fill of both. I wish that some of these political protestors would start their own countries in which they demonstrate by 200 years of application of their principles that their plan will work – that they can establish and maintain peace, a peace with all the liberties available in our country, without ever taking up the sword in self-defense.

Similarly, let their spiritual cousins, the religious peace protestors who call for a positive gospel, go out and start congregations where they never condemn denominations by name from their pulpit, where social drinking, mixed swimming, and divorce for any reason (still allowing both parties to marry another) are not condemned, where there are no elders and no contributions because they deny that there is any such thing as the local congregation. Then, when they have built up the cause of Christ and shown its ability to exist in the denominational culture without imbibing the spiritual darkness of this present world for a couple of centuries, we can believe their way will work.

However, I grow tired of these political and religious protestors living like parasites, all the while despising authority and biting the hand that feeds them (Jude 3).

Like their political cousins in the anti-war movement, those who decry all religious controversy also are saying, by implication but not in so many words, “There are no moral or doctrinal issues worth fighting for.” If this is not so, let them tell us what issues are of enough importance that they will don the ugly clothes of a debater and join the enemy in conflict. Is instrumental music in worship, church support of human institutions, church sponsored recreation, divorce for causes other than fornication and marriage to another, and such like issues worth entering the fray? No, these brethren have condemned the “guardians of the party, ” the “brotherhood watchdogs,” and their ilk who wage spiritual war against these assaults against the truth.

All the while that they condemn us for doing battle, they tell us that they agree with the truth we are defending. They are like their political “anti-war” advocates who say, “We are against war, but not the troops. ” Nice try, but it won’t work. If one really believed that these apostasies were evil, he would join in the battle to stop their spread, instead of raising objections against those who are willing to do battle to stop their spread.

Carnal and Spiritual Warfare

Carnal war has to do with the affairs of nations, relations between nations, and the rise and fall of nations, all under God’s providence. It is not the purpose of this article to address the question of a Christian’s participation in carnal warfare. All Christians agree that God rules over the nations to accomplish his own purposes, and that Jesus used war to illustrate several lessons, whatever we conclude about a Christian’s participation. There is room for liberty of conscience on the latter point.

The political protestors we see in the streets are not humble Christians who are conscientious objectors with a conscience rooted in the gospel of Christ. No, they are carnal minded men with their own political agendas, many of whom display bitterness and malice toward all authority.

The warfare of which we speak is spiritual, not carnal. Paul described it in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

This spiritual warfare is designed to advance the kingdom of Christ, not the kingdoms of men, which explains the difference in methods. Jesus explained this difference saying,

My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence (Jn. 18:36).

Our warfare is limited only by the spiritual nature of the church. Beyond that, it is unlimited war designed to eradicate sin and eliminate error. “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up” (Matt. 15:13). Jesus demands the unconditional surrender of all men to himself. Short of that conclusion, there are no compromises to negotiate, no terms of peace to sign. Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I come not to send peace, but a sword” (Matt. 10:34).

Every Christian is enrolled for the duration of the conflict. There are no furloughs, holidays, or retirements. Instead of signs littered with venom and protest against war, instead of offering aid and comfort to the enemy, instead of chanting in defiance to authority, we carry the bloodstained banner of the cross. Following King Jesus we sing, as Sabine Gould wrote,

Onward Christian soldiers,

Marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus

Going on before;

Christ the royal Master,

Leads against the foe;

Forward into battle,

See His banners go.

Our slogans and mottos are, “Fight the good fight of faith,” “I am set for the defense of the gospel,” “Earnestly contend for the faith,” and “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Tim. 6:12; Phil. 1:17; Jude 3; 1 Cor. 16:13).

Brethren, let us press the battle for truth and right. Let us not send a signal to Satan that the people of God are not prepared to engage in and sustain a war against the armies of sin and false doctrine. The way to peace is through the victory of truth. Laying aside every personal ambition and human loyalty, confident in the victory of the cause of Christ, let us press the battle.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 5, pp. 130, 149-150
March 7, 1991