Truth Magazine

By Andy Alexander

The common thread which runs throughout all mankind is suffering. All of us at times in our lives will experience some form of suffering. It may be the loss of a loved one, the illness of a family member, or some injury or illness to our own body, but at one or usually more times in our life we will all experience pain and suffering. At these times in our life we should we drawn closer to God, realizing that he can supply the strength which we need to continue in this life. However, many times in our depressed state, we turn from the one true Source of strength and courage and fall into the hands of the crafty individual who is the real cause of our problems. Satan will use these times in our lives, when we are the most vulnerable, to try to turn our hearts from God.

The case of Job is an example of how Satan will use these tragedies in our lives. Not only was he the one who caused the evil to come upon Job, but during the whole ordeal he used Job’s wife and friends to try to convince him that God was the source of his pain and suffering (Job 2:9). Satan will attack us in similar ways using our friends and relatives at times in an effort to shake our confidence in God. Anyone who would kick somebody when he is down is a despicable character. There is no depth to which he won’t stoop in order to lure some unsuspecting soul from God (Eph. 6:11-12; 1 Pet. 5:8-10).

The apostle Paul understood who was behind his suffering. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, he informs us that the thorn in his flesh was a “messenger of Satan.” He also knew that when he was hindered from returning to Thessalonica, the ultimate cause of the hindrance was Satan (1 Thess. 2:18). Satan, not God, is the source of our suffering.

Those of us who are followers of God and put our hope and trust in God are not promised a life free from pain and sorrow. But, we do have someone to turn to in those times and someone who knows our problems and can help (Heb. 4:15-16). The faithful Christian can go to God in prayer and be confident that God will answer his prayer (I Jn. 3:22; 5:14-15). But, we must be willing to accept the answer God gives us. It may not be God’s will to heal us, but our attitude should be that whatever the will of God is, we will remain faithful.

An excellent illustration of his principle can be seen in the lives of three Jewish captives. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the idol erected in Babylon and, when threatened with death in a burning fiery furnace, they answered, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us” (Dan. 3:17). Now, they did not know if it was God’s will to deliver them, but they believed that he could do it. Their next statement in verse 18 is an example of what our attitude should be like when we are facing trials in our lives. “But if not, be it known unto thee, 0 king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” Let us never succumb to the temptation to blame God for our problems. Our attitude needs to be that we are going to serve God faithfully, no matter what trials or tribulations we are asked to bear in this life.

The blessing of prayer belongs to those who are following Christ and doing his will (1 Jn. 3:22). If you are outside of Christ and you want to have all the blessings that belong to those who are in Christ including prayer, the Lord stands ready at all times to receive you (Matt. 1:28). The alien sinner must believe in Jesus as the Son of God, confess Jesus before men, repent of his sins, and be baptized, for the remission of those sins. Then the Lord will add him to his body (Jn. 3:16; Matt. 10:32; Acts 2:38). Many people will balk at baptism, but baptism washes away the sins of a penitent believer and puts him into Christ (Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:27). All spiritual blessings are in Christ and baptism is the means chosen by God to put one into Christ (Eph. 1:3; 1 Cor. 12:13). If we reject baptism, were rejecting a command of God (Acts 10:48).

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 9, p. 271
May 4, 1989

By Greg Gwin

It happened again just the other day. Someone called me a “Pharisee.” This religious name calling is the equivalent of being branded a Communist in politics, or a bigot in social matters. It is meant to draw instant negative response. The very notion of the Pharisees, based upon what we learn of them in the Scriptures, calls to mind things that we all despise. My immediate reaction is to deny the charge! Surely, I don’t want to be like the Pharisees.

Do you know why I was so accused? It was during a time of private Bible study with a “liberal” brother. I was stressing the importance of Bible authority. I was condemning any practice that could not be justified by a “thus saith the Lord.” I was demanding book, chapter, and verse for all that we do in service to God. And then he let me have it. Without any answer to my challenges, he hit me with that despicable title, “Pharisee.” I’m sure he expected me to surrender my position. After all, no one wants to be like the Pharisees.

But wait! What was wrong with the Pharisees anyway? They certainly received Jesus’ strongest condemnations, but why? Why would Jesus, in one brief address, call them “hypocrites,” “blind guides,” “fools,” “whited sepulchers,” and “serpents” (Matt. 23:1-33)? Why did they deserve all of this?

The same text (Matt. 23) gives us the answer. They would not do what they taught others to do (vv. 3,4). They did their religious works “to be seen of men” (vv. 5-7). They embezzled widow’s money (v. 14). They blatantly violated their oaths (vv. 16-22). They were merciless (v. 23). They gave the appearance of being devout, but their hearts were “full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (vv. 25-28).

Obviously, there was a lot wrong with the Pharisees. But, unless I am mistaken, the man who accused me of being like them had none of these things in mind. His complaint was that I, like the Pharisees, demanded strict, exact, and careful adherence to the things taught in God’s word. Is this wrong? Am I wrong? Were the Pharisees wrong in this regard.

We have noted that the Pharisees truly had their problems. And, additionally, we realize that they had erred in binding some of their own traditions, making them even more important than God’s commands (Matt. 15:1-9). But what about their insistence on a careful observance of the law was that wrong? Did Jesus rebuke them for stressing (at least in their teaching, if not in their practice) that the commands of God must be meticulously obeyed? No! In fact, Jesus said of them, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do” (Matt. 23:2,3). And concerning their punctilious practice of tithing even their garden herbs, Jesus said, “These ought ye to have done” (Matt. 23:23).

So then, are we wrong when we demand Bible authority for all we do? Have we “missed the boat” in calling for “book, chapter, and verse”? The answer is “no!” And that’s one place where the Pharisees weren’t wrong either!

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 9, p. 269
May 4, 1989

By Sterling Collier

Every parent is aware of the reality that it is not an easy task to raise children. For the mother or father who says it is easy is letting someone else raise his children. Many words can be used to describe the time spent in his God-given responsibility – tender, frustrating, rewarding, perplexing, impossible, tearful and a variety of other words. We have times when we realize that soon they will be on their own and we have but little time left with them. There are other times when we don’t know if we will survive all those years till they are on their own.

In our busy world with all. of its demands upon our time we are hearing of spending “quality” time in certain ;~~. This means that we should make the most of the hours spent in our various pursuits. We should not waste time and opportunity on meaningless endeavors. But this necessitates that we have our priorities in place and not waste time on trivial matters and leave undone the important things. If you find yourself not having the time you would like to spend with your children and are concerned about using it wisely, may we suggest a few thoughts for your consideration.

Study God’s word with them. Without a doubt, this is the most important matter that can be taught to children, Many things they learn, they win outgrow. Some things they learn they may never use. Some things they are taught act as springboards to higher learning. But an education in the Bible is going to stay with them forever. It prepares them for this life, physical death and heaven. Could you possibly leave your children with a greater possession?

“And fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Children have been given into the hands of parents to shape and form their minds and lives. The training that is most profitable to all children is based on what God desires all people to live by: his word. It gives them a true evaluation of this life, establishes their priorities and prepares them to meet God in the judgment.

Christians could do well to imitate the actions commanded by God to the children of Israel. Speaking of the laws of God, Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 6:7, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up.” From getting up in the morning until the time we lie down at night and in all activities in between, teach children diligently the commands of God. Children should be taught and shown by example how to love the word of God and how to hate every false way.

One of the most effective tools of teaching used by Christ was the parable. By using physical and familiar examples, he was able to reveal spiritual truth to his. hearers. Parents could do well to take everyday experiences in their lives and use them to relate to their children about God and his word. From a young age teach them that God is the creator of heaven and earth. He has set in motion the laws that govern the universe and still controls it and cares for the soul of each person. This can be done as children begin to become aware of more, than just themselves.

Timothy is a good example of what a godly parent can achieve. “And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). In 1:5 of that same epistle, Paul reminds him of the genuine faith that was in Timothy’s mother and grandmother. Timothy was a faithful worshiper of God.

Educate them about life. This is an area in which many modem parents have avoided their responsibility. They have turned this kind of teaching over to the “experts.” These “experts” may be atheists or agnostics. They may possess some religious background, or label themselves “Christians,” but more times than not they have drunk deeply from the well of human knowledge and philosophy. They take age old problems and try to solve them with modem solutions. I don’t speak of education in math, English and the like. I speak of life. I speak of how to handle problems that arise. Of the one standard of authority, the Bible, that they can turn to and have stability in their life. To teach them of the pitfalls of sin and the painful consequences they may have to beware because of sin. To teach them that God’s word determines right and wrong and not their own whims. Give them that anchor that will keep them safe through eternity.

We need to make our children aware of the devices of Satan and how with God’s help we can escape them. Our children need to know the joy of living a life pleasing to God. This they can learn by word and by example. Let parents demonstrate in their lives the things they are teaching their children, lest we become hypocrites in their eyes.

Parents, if your life has become so filled with other activities that you have little or no time for your children, you will regret it. Also you will answer for it. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Psa. 127:3). How are you treating this blessing from God?

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 9, p. 270
May 4, 1989

By David Townsley

Men usually think of Christ as a peacemaker and a comforter to the soul, which is certainly true, but we have not fully seen Christ if we fail to see him as a Disturber of Men as well. He says in Matthew 10:34-36: “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother4n-law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. “

1. Christ preached a disturbing message: He disturbed the complacent, self-satisfied religious leaders among the Jews when he:

(1) Rebuked them for their teaching and practice of the traditions and commandments of men (Matt. 15:1-3; 16:6,12).

(2) Rebuked them for their prejudiced hearts (Matt. 13: 15).

(3) Rebuked them for their religious inconsistency (Matt. 23:1-4).

(4) Rebuked them for their exalted pride (Matt. 23:5-12).

(5) Pronounced a “woe’ upon them for taking “away the key of knowledge” (Lk. 11:52; Matt. 23:13).

(6) Pronounced a “woe” upon them for their religious pretense (Matt. 23:14,27-28).

(7) Pronounced a “woe” upon them for making proselytes to their opinions (Matt. 23:15).

(8) Pronounced a “woe” upon them for their having undone “the weightier matters of the law” (Matt. 23:23-24).

(9) Pronounced a “woe” upon them for their making “clean the outside of the cup and platter, but within they am full of extortion and excess” (Matt. 23:25-26).

2. When Jesus preached his disturbing message, openly rebuking and denouncing their sins, these leaders reacted in an ugly and violent manner.

(1) They called him names – a Samaritan (Jn. 9:48).

(2) They said he had a demon (Jn. 8:48).

(3) They claimed he performed miracles by the power of the devil (Matt. 12:22-24).

(4) They challenged his authority (Matt. 21:23-27).

(5) They took up stones and cast at him (Jn. 8:59).

(6) They accused him of blasphemy (Jn. 10:33).

(7) They sought to kill him (Jn. 7:1).

(8) They finally had him crucified (Matt. 26:3-4; 27:1-2,24-26,34-35).

3. Christ not only preached a disturbing message, he asked disturbing questions.

(1) “And if ye salute your brethren only, what do Ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so?”

(2) “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” (Matt. 7:3)

(3) “Whom do you say that I the Son of man am?” (Matt. 16:13)

(4) “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26)

(5) “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Lk. 6:46)

4. Christ not only preached a disturbing message and asked disturbing questions, he set disturbing standards.

A. His standard for the home.

1. His marriage law: He taught that it was God’s will from the beginning for one man to be married to one woman – a one flesh relationship that God has joined together and that man is not to put asunder (Matt. 19:4-6; Gen. 2:24). He intended for this to be a permanent relationship.

a. He taught that there is one reason for divorce and remarriage – fornication (Matt. 19:3-12 – only the innocent party has a right to divorce the guilty party for this reason and remarry).

2. A husband is: to be head of the wife (Eph. 5:23), to love his wife as his own body (Eph. 5:25,28-29), to provide for his family (1 Tim. 5:8), and to bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).

3. A wife is: to love her husband, to love her children, to be a keeper at home and obedient to her own husband (Tit. 2:3-5).

4. Children are: to obey and honor their parents (Eph. 6:1-2; Col. 3:20).

B. His standard for his disciples.

1. Christ and his church must come first with them (Matt. 6:33).

2. Christ must come before the family (Matt. 10:34-37).

3. They must love one another (Jn. 13:34-35).

4. They must correct their sins against one another (Matt. 5:23-24; 18:15-17).

C. His standard for worship: Worship is to be in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24). Worship that is not in spirit and in truth is vain worship (Matt. 5:9).

You can see from this short study that Christ is a disturber of men when they are in their sins. He came to seek and to save the lost (Lk. 19: 10). Men have to be disturbed about their sins before they will do anything about them, so Christ deliberately preached a disturbing message that he might turn them from their sins that they might be saved and serve him. Christ wants gospel preachers today to preach this same message so that people will be disturbed about their sins and turn from them to serve him (2 Tim. 4:2).

One of the sad things in the church today is that members no longer want to hear the disturbing message of Christ they “will not endure sound doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:3). They want to hear “fables” (2 Tim. 4:4) or a “felt-need gospel” that builds up their ego and deals with inter-personal relationships. They want a religion of entertainment and/or a positive message which soothes them in their sins. They want the preacher to preach “Peace, peace, when there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14)! The lust in the pew for such a message has given us preachers in the pulpit who will preach the kind of message they crave (2 Tim. 4:3) and many of God’s people “love to have it so” (Jer. 5:31)!

Brother preacher, is your preaching patterned after the preaching of Christ, the “Disturber of Men”? Or is your preaching simply the kind that satisfies the lust in the pew (2 Tim. 4:3-4)? Preaching that is patterned after the “Disturber of Men” will save men from hell! Preaching that satisfies the lusts of men will damn the preacher and those who hear him! Brother, could Christ preach where you worship?

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 9, pp. 266-267
May 4, 1989