Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

The less men know the Bible, the more blurred are their concepts of right and wrong. Living in an age of Bible ignorance, an ignorance which is spilling over into the church, we face a generation whose distinction between the children of God and children of the Devil is blurred. In John 8, Jesus spoke of the children of God and the children of the Devil and gave us several criteria to use in distinguishing the two. Here are some general truths affirmed by Jesus which enable us to distinguish between children of God and children of the Devil.

A Child of God Does Not Commit Sin Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin (8:34).

The plain affirmation of this Scripture clearly shows that one cannot habitually practice sin and still be God’s child. A first century apostasy, known as Gnosticism, affirmed that sins committed by the body did not interfere with the spirit’s relationship with God. The books of 1,2,3 John were written to refute this error. There John emphasized that those who profess to know God while committing sin lie and do not the truth (cf. 1 Jn. 1:6-10).

The heresy has not died. There are still some who believe that those who habitually commit sin are children of God. The “once in grace, always in grace” doctrine affirms that children of God are not separated from the Father by their sins. The “continuous cleansing” advocates affirm that children of God can habitually practice every sin except highhanded rebellion and remain children of God. Hence, they propose to fellowship those “children of God” who use instruments of music in worship, support human institutions (colleges, orphan homes, hospitals, etc.), and use church funds to sponsor any “good” work (such as recreation, church camps, etc.).

The plain statement of this Scripture is that one can distinguish God’s children from the Devil’s children by whether or not they are committing sin. Earlier Jesus had said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (8:12). A person cannot “follow Jesus” and walk in darkness because Jesus did not walk in darkness.

This is not to be understood to state that a Christian never stumbles into sin. Both experience and Scripture show that they do (1 Jn. 1:6-10). When they stumble into sin, they must repent of their sins and confess them to God and man (as the occasion might require, Jas. 5:16). Rather, what this Scripture is affirming is that one cannot continue in the practice of his sin and remain in the fellowship of God. Those who departed from New Testament worship to introduce mechanical instruments of music, choirs, quartets, observance of the Lord’s supper on days other than Sunday, and similar departures must repent of these sins in order to be children of God. Those who perverted the organization of the church in the sponsoring church arrangement and be organizing national Christian conventions must repent of their sins to be children of God. The same is true of every sin: a man cannot continue in the practice of his sin and remain a child of God.

A Child of God Hears God’s Word

He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God (8:47).

A person can distinguish children of God from children of the Devil by their reaction to the preaching of God’s word. The apostle John later added, “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error” (1 Jn. 4:6).

When a person closes his ear to the preaching of God ‘ s word, he is not a child of God. A child of God has a genuine love for the truth (contrast 2 Thess. 2:10-12) which causes him to search the Scriptures (Acts 17:11) and try the prophets (1 Jn. 4:1). A man who refuses to listen to God’s word is not a child of God.

A Child of God Loves Christ

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me (8:42).

The man who loves God loves him whom God sent. Regardless of how religious and sincere some of our non-Christian neighbors may be, the man who does not love Jesus is not a child of God. The first century Jews who rejected Jesus as the Christ, denied the virgin birth, charged that Jesus worked miracles through the power of Beelzebub, and otherwise spurned him were not children of God. Neither are twentieth century men who do the same (whether Jews, Muslims, atheists, agnostics, or other unbelievers) children of God.

A Child of God Believes in Christ

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins (8:24).

Belief in Jesus is essential for salvation from sin and being a child of God. Here are some things which one must believe about Jesus which are revealed in John 8: (a) That he was sent from the Father (8:23); (b) That he existed before Abraham (8:58); (c) That he was sinless (8:47); (d) That belief in him would free one from sin (8:21,24) and prevent spiritual death (8:41). A person who does not believe these things about Jesus is not a child of God.

A Child of God Abides in Jesus’ Word

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word,

then are ye my disciples indeed (8:31).

A person who believes in Jesus may not be a child of God. In John 8, among those who believed in Jesus (8:30) were some who did not love Christ (8:42) and who were designated as children of the Devil (8:44). These men momentarily had faith in Christ but departed from that faith, stumbling over some of the things which Jesus said about himself.

“Abiding” in Jesus’ word has several important points of emphasis. First of all, “abiding” emphasizes perseverance in obedience to Christ, doing the works of Abraham (8:39). Being a child of God requires more than a “splash in the pan.” Some people make a momentary commitment to Christ, a commitment of shallow emotionalism which does not last. They are like those believers who were compared to seed planted in rocky and thorny ground which never bring fruit to maturity (cf. Lk. 8:11-14). A child of God must endure to the end (Matt. 24:12).

Secondly, “abiding” in Jesus’ word emphasizes that Jesus has set the boundaries of divine revelation. The same Apostle John later wrote, “whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 Jn. 9). Those who transgress the doctrine of God, moving into unauthorized activities, are not children of God, regardless of what professions to the contrary they make.

Conclusion

Let us not allow the uncertainty of an agnostic age to cause us to blur the distinctions so clearly revealed by Christ. We can know the children of God. Those who have never obeyed the gospel plan of salvation, teach for their doctrines the commandments of men, call works of the flesh “alternative lifestyles,” and such like things are not children of God. Those who have once obeyed the gospel but have not been content to abide in the doctrine of Christ, perverting and distorting the work, worship, and organization of the New Testament church, are not children of God so long as they do the works of the Devil. These clearly revealed criteria for distinguishing the children of God from the children of the Devil must be taught to every succeeding generation.

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 17, pp. 514, 532
September 6, 1990

By Dennis C. Abernathy

Stonewall Jackson held prayer meetings in his classrooms at Virginia Military Institute, so Timothy Dwight held revivals in the chapel of Yale. Dwight was the head of the institution from 1795 to 1817. There was also a second Timothy Dwight who became President of Yale and he is noted for changing from a college to a university.

During the tenure of the first Timothy Dwight at Yale College, Tom Paine’s infamous book The Age of Reason was sweeping the country. Yale, like other colleges, had become infected with the “free thought” of Paine, Rousseau, and the French Revolution. It is estimated that there were no more than five who professed to be Christians on the entire Yale campus. Dwight took to the chapel pulpit with his Bible in hand and his dynamic leadership ignited a spiritual revival which soon spread to other New England campuses as well.

Timothy Dwight was truly one of the illustrious names in early American history. He served for a time as chaplain with George Washington in the American Revolutionary War. He could do a good job with almost anything he undertook. He was a farmer, preacher, editor, poet, legislator, orator, businessman, and educator. One of his pupils summed him up as “interested in everything” and his knowledge was “boundless.” But Timothy Dwight’s main interest was in the furtherance of learning and the advancement of Christianity.

While teaching oratory, literature, and theology, preaching to his students, and managing business affairs at Yale, Dwight also undertook the editing of a collection of Isaac Watt’s hymns. He also wrote thirty-three original hymns. All but one have practically been forgotten, but this one stands out today as the only hymn written in America during the two centuries after the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, that is still in common use.

All of Timothy Dwight’s accomplishments seem more amazing when it is realized that for the last forty years of his life he was unable to read consecutively for more than fifteen minutes a day. His defective eyesight had been caused by a case of small-pox, and the pain in his eyes is said to have been agonizing and constant.

Verse One

I love thy kingdom, Lord, The house of thine abode;

The church our blest Redeemer saved with His own precious blood.

I love Thy church, O God! Her walls before Thee stand,

Dear, as the apple of Thine eye, and graven on Thy hand.

This verse and the Bible teaches us the following things:

1. The church and the kingdom are the same (Matt. 16:18-19). The church of our Lord is not some “afterthought” that came into being because of the postponement of the kingdom. No, indeed! The Lord will not set up his kingdom “someday”; it is here on the earth today. The church is the kingdom and the kingdom is the church.

2. The church is the house of God. In 1 Timothy 3:15, Paul said, “If I am delayed you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God.” God’s house is composed of God’s people and he dwells in it (Eph. 2:19-22; Heb. 3:2-6). My friend, do you think of the church as God’s spiritual house, house built by the Lord himself (Matt. 16:18)?

3. The church is saved by the precious blood of Christ (Acts 20:28; 2:47; Eph. 5:23). Without the shedding of Christ’s blood as the perfect sacrifice and offering for sin, there would be no church today.

4. We ought to “love the church of God. ” Do you? Are these just empty words with you? Do you “really” love it? How do you prove your love (cf. 2 Cor. 8:8,24)? How does a husband or wife prove their love for their mate?

When we see the lack of dedication and zeal for the church on the part of those who profess to be a part of it, we doubt that they love the church. They are spasmodic in their attendance, and less than zealous in their work and service. Suppose your wife/husband just dropped in “occasionally,” or prepared meals “every now and then”? But they would always tell you, “I love you.” What would you think?

5. The church is very dear to the Lord. It is “the apple of his eye” (read, Eph. 5:25-32).

Verse Two

For her my tears shall fall, For her my pray’rs ascend;

To her my cares and toils be giv’n, Till toils and cares shall end.

Beyond the highest joy I prize her heavenly ways,

Her sweet communion, solemn vows, Her hymns of love and praise.

From this verse and from the Bible we learn that we ought to be concerned for the church and prize it highly. How often do you shed tears and pray for the church? As sad as it is, I’m afraid that many professed Christians only think of the church occasionally. It does not occupy a place near and dear to their hearts. “To her my cares and toils be giv’n” could be thought of in a couple of ways:

1. We ought to bring our toils and cares to it. We need the close communion, help, and fellowship that is found in the Lord’s church. We help each other. We ought to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2). Many though, when they have cares and problems, do not seek help from brethren, but rather do the opposite. They quit the church until “they get their problems worked out.” How many have you talked too that said, “I need to work out my personal problems first”?

2. What about your care and concern for the church. Do you toil (work) for it? So many don’t even attend the services. They excuse themselves from teaching or the various other things that need to be done that the borders of God’s kingdom might spread in their community. Many can’t (won’t) see to it that their children attend regularly. Oh, yes they will toil for their school, their ball team, their scout troop, their band, and countless other things – but not for the Lord’s church which he purchased with his blood. Does your life show the proper concern for the church (Matt. 6:33)? We ought to prize the church as our highest joy. It is the greatest institution on this earth. It belongs to the Lord and is composed of the saved.

Verse Three

Jesus, Thou Friend Divine, Our Savior and our King!

Thy hand from every snare and foe, shall great deliverance brin2.

Sure as thy truth shall last, To Zion shall be giv’n.

The brightest glories earth can yield, And brightest bliss of heaven.

From this verse and from the Bible we learn that Jesus is our Friend, Savior and King. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” You will never have a greater friend than Jesus. Don’t you want him for your friend? Remember that Jesus also said, “You are my friends if you do what I command” (Jn. 14:13-14).

“And we have seen and testify that the Father hath sent his Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 Jn. 4:14). Don’t you want him as your Savior? Don’t you appreciate and love him for all that he has done for you? Jesus wants to be your Savior, but you must be in the church. “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior” (Eph. 5:23).

Jesus is to be honored as the eternal, immortal and invisible King (1 Tim. 1:17). He is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14). Do you want Jesus as your King. Remember that Jesus is King over his kingdom, which is the church. One is called into his kingdom (1 Thess. 2:12; Col. 1:13). This call is accomplished through the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14), and is referred to as the new birth (Jn. 3:3,5; 1 Pet. 1:22-23).

Finally we learn that the church (Zion) shall be honored and receive the bliss of heaven. “Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power” (1 Cor. 15:24).

The church is indeed “the apple of the Lord’s eye.” He loved it enough to die for it (Acts 20:28). It is through Christ and in the church that we receive reconciliation (Eph. 2:16).

How do you view the church, the Lord’s body? Did Christ die in vain for you as he did for many? If you appreciate his death you will appreciate his church. You will appreciate it as the spiritual institution it is, resting upon the foundation of Christ himself. You will not view it, as many do, as a social institution so your children can go to Six Flags, or where you can gather in the fellowship hall for fun and frolic. I ask you, is this what the Lord’s death and his church is all about? Don’t be guilty of trying to bring spiritual things down to the level of the carnal.

I sing, “Give me the Bible.”

How I love that dear old song.

But a thirty minute sermon;

Becomes boring and too long.

I sing, “Take Time to Be Holy.”

It gives me pure delight.

So I attend on Sunday morning,

But not on Sunday night.

I sing, “I Love Thy Kingdom Lord.”

I’m proud to be a member.

But by the daily life I live,

I’m just a dying ember.

I sing, “I Want to Be a Worker.”

It makes me feel so good.

But, when some work comes along,

I don’t do what 1 could.

I sing, “I Love to Tell the Story.”

It really plays upon my heart.

But I’m so busy and afraid,

I never made a start.

In worship to God I sing these songs,

This truth I’m not denying.

But by the life which I live

Do I not prove I’m lying?

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 17, pp. 520-521
September 6, 1990

By Ron Halbrook

Elders must be good communicators. This is necessary in order to be “apt to teach” and able ” to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:9). Some are especially gifted and given to public preaching and teaching-laboring “in the word and doctrine” (1 Tim. 5:17). Not only must an elder be sound in the faith, but also he must be able to speak and teach clearly and effectively. But his leadership is not limited to public teaching.

If he is to pastor and oversee the church, he must be a leader of men with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in setting goals, in expressing mature judgment on a wide range of matters, and in generally giving direction, encouragement, and counsel. That lesson can be learned from the terms which define the essence of the office: elder, pastor (or shepherd), and bishop (or overseer). This is essential if elders are to “take care of the church of God,” 94rule well,” and “watch for . . . souls” (1 Tim. 3:4-5; 5:17; Heb, 13:17).

There are some men in the church with hearts of gold, but who cannot communicate with others in the public teaching of the word. Such men cannot scriptually serve as elders and yet they can find other ways to serve the cause of Christ. They are no less vital to the Lord’s work, and no less due our love and respect, than are elders. Other men can prepare and teach a public lesson, but do not have the ability to express themselves clearly so as to be able to lead in matters of direction, judgment, and counsel. Some do not have the patience to consider different options in decision making, or else are not sufficiently decisive and firm in reaching a decision. In such cases, real guidance and leadership will be missing if such men are appointed elders. It is a sign of maturity for such a man to find other ways to serve and glorify God, rather than aspiring to a work for which he is not suited.

Sometimes men who are fully and truly qualified are appointed as elders, but they do not fully utilize their opportunities or do not fully develop their potential for leading the church. They may even do an excellent job in teaching the word. Their failure to provide strong leadership may be in the area of communicating with the church in matters of direction, judgment, and counsel.

Neglect in this area can lead to stagnation in the church’s program of work – evangelism, edification, or benevolence. Another result may be that some person or persons in the church with strong opinions and dominant personalities will in effect steal away the reins of leadership from the elders. When elders conduct all of their work “behind closed doors” and neglect avenues of open communication with the church, they cut themselves off from the help of good brethren and stunt their growth while also giving some Diotrephes plausible grounds upon which to lead a rebellion. Elders everywhere need to be convinced of the importance of good communication with the church.

It has been my good fortune through the years to work with elders who wanted to improve their work and who were open to suggestions in the area of communication. There are many means and methods by which elders can properly communicate with their brethren, No one plan of procedure is final and absolute. As the result of discussing this matter with the elders here about six years ago, we outlined “A Plan of Communication Between Elders and other Brethren” and distributed it to the church. It provides for a flow of communication through several avenues and in both directions – i.e. elders toward the brethren and vice versa. The plan has worked well for us and it is submitted here in the hope that other brethren will consider making similar efforts.

It should be noted that this plan is not designed to replace the divine pattern for oversight and rule by elders with some form of democratic government government. This is purely a matter of communicating as elders, To give our readers further ideas on “Elders and Communication,” we will publish soon three letters prepared at the direction of the elders to illustrate “Gathering Information for a Decision,” “Setting Higher Goals,” and “Evaluating a Program.” We welcome additional thoughts and ideas from any of our readers.

A Plan of Communication Between Elders and Other Brethren

Elders’ Work

1. General Oversight

2. Decision Making

3. Communication

Announcements

Reports

Suggestions

Questions

Discussion

Encouragement

All Other Brethren

The Elders Want to Keep the Following Avenues of Communication Open:

1. Regular Announcements. By making the regular announcements most of the time, the elders can have most direct communication with brethren. People who have announcements which need to be made will know to bring them to one of the elders. This will also give the elders regular opportunities to offer to the church exhortation and encouragement.

2. Meetings with the men. These meetings will be planned on a quarterly basis. Each meeting will be announced in advance. The elders will give reports and exhortations, then open the floor to suggestions and discussion. To help the elders in planning profitable meetings, brethren who want to discuss some point would be wise to write it out briefly and hand the written note to one of the elders well in advance of the meeting. This will help the elders to have any needed information on hand.

These meetings will be planned and conducted in such a manner as to cultivate communication in both directions, from the elders to the men and from the men to the elders. The elders wil not shirk their duty to make final decisions nor will they try to settle matters by having a vote taken, The meetings are designed for communication and not for decision making.

3. Elders Meetings. The elders are meeting at least once a month and more often when needed in order to oversee the work of the church on a constant basis. If the elders need to meet with someone or if someone wants to meet with them, the elders will always be ready to arrange such meetings. Anyone is free to make suggestions to the elders at any time.

4. Elders and deacons to meet. The elders plan monthly meetings with the deacons in order to work with them as closely as possible.

5. Elders and teachers to meet. The elders plan quarterly meetings to encourage the teachers and to share communication with them.

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 17, pp. 522-523
September 6, 1990

By Jimmy Tuten

A. The book of Romans is the most profound of all N.T. books. It is viewed as a “masterpiece” among the inspired writings of Paul.

B. Romans 12 is called “The Little Bible” because of its coverage of life in conformity to the doctrine of Christ. The word “therefore” connects the doctrinal section of Romans 1:18-11:36 to the practical application of chapters 12:1-15:13. What has been said is this:

1. The world needed salvation (1:18-3:23).

2. Salvation is through justification in Christ Jesus (3:21-5:21).

3. The obedient believer (6:17) is now sanctified and set apart from sin by the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:1-11:36). This is what is meant by “the mercies of God” (12:1).

C. Since the mind of the Apostle sweeps infinities, but always comes to an ending with ethical demands, it is no small wonder that the vast mercies of God are summarized by: “for of him and through him and unto him are all things” (11:36) as a foundation for a devoted, dedicated life in Christ.

1 . On this foundation the inspired writer builds a description of the kind of life that will be wellpleasing to the heavenly Father.

2. Note the words “I beseech you ” (Gr. parakaleo, implore, urge, beg you) and the fact that they are not written to the lost, but to the saved, to “brethren.”

3. There are certain things that the brethren are strongly urged to do.

4. What brethren are urged to do involves things that constitute the counter culture of God in whatever the society is in which we live.

Body:

I. N.T. Christianity has changed over the past few decades.

A. Brethren have let things slip and have not given due attention to matters that cause us to drift away from the kind of life that the Lord expects of us (Heb. 2:1).

B. Beginning about 1840 the church was growing and denominational people were challenging it on every hand. Debates and discussions were numerous. As we move into the last part of this century we see the church generally as an accepted part of a “Christian Society.”

1. When the whole society (including the church) is thought of as “Christian,” the church loses its sense of conviction and identity.

2. In a very disturbing way we have become assimilated to the rest of society to the point that many (by “many” I mean our brethren) do not see the N. T. church as it should be, i.e. ~ an alternate type of society.

3. Until individuals who make up the body of Christ recognize the counter culture of God described in Romans 12 we will continue to conform to the world and the church will lose its identity.

C. When Deitrich Bonhoeffer wrote The Cost of Discipleship before his execution in 1944, he wrote a moving criticism of the Christianity he saw in Germany.

1. He saw churches that for the most part had given lip service to “Christianity,” that had yielded to the prevailing winds of society, where no one wished to pay the price of discipleship. The climate was a culture where the church seemed to demand nothing. He described the problem as a belief in “cheap grace.”

2. He went on to point out that in N.T. times things were different in that Christians knew that they were the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matt. 5:13-14) and they did not blend in with the world.

D. Our brethren must never lose sight of who we are, of the need to “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8) and of the demand to “be without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Phil. 2:15).

1. Like first century Christians we must pay the cost of discipleship and be willing to become displaced persons in the cities in which we live (“strangers in the world,” 1 Pet. 1:1).

2. We must, in a world of:

a. Disrespect for marriage and family, various kinds of promiscuity, exposure to unwanted babies, unethical concerns for truth and righteousness, lying and cheating, disrespect for parents, etc. dare to be different! Romans 12 demands this of us.

b. Critical moral issues should cause us to take Christian living seriously, desire to be strangers in our own land and realize that we march to the sound of a different drummer, Jehovah himself (Rom. 12:1-2).

II. Three distinct marks of God’s counter culture.

A. The church (God’s people) considers its relationship to Christ in the body a solemn responsibility.

1. They know they must “walk humbly with God” (Mic. 6:8).

2. They know they must “walk by this rule” (Gal. 6:16).

3. They know they must “walk in the light” (1 Jn. 1:5-10).

4. They must not encourage error (2 Jn. 9-10).

5. They know they must “press on” (Phil. 3:12-16).

B. The church must keep its identity (God’s counter culture) as a moral society:

1. Her members know that they do not derive their standard from the world (Gal. 5:16-26, they walk after the Spirit).

2. They keep themselves separated (2 Cor. 6:14-18).

3. They do not love the world (1 Jn. 2:15-17).

C. The church, as afamily, must sincerely care for one another (Rom. 12:9-10; Jas. 2:1; 3:13-18).

Illustration: A book Outward Bound (by Verner Eller) suggests two kinds of churches: (1) Commissary – where membership means only a card carrier, someone who has been certified to enjoy the privileges offered by the institution. (2) Caravan where membership is seen in an anatomical sense: a limb, appendage, or an organ as an integral, functional and functioning constituent without which the body cannot be the body it was intended to be (Rom. 12:4-8).

Conclusion:

1 . 2 Peter 1:4; 1 Peter 1:13-15.

2. God’s counter culture (the church) is competing in its influence over the world, knowing all the while that experience teaches that corrupting influences are more apt to prevail than redemptive influence of good (disease is more contagious than health).

3. Nothing is hidden from God; he knows all and judges us (Heb. 4:13).

4. “Save yourselves from this untoward generation” (Acts 2, repent and be baptized).

Guardian of Truth XXXIV: 17, pp. 524-525
September 6, 1990