Truth Magazine

By Randy Reynolds

Often times people (in general) allow mishaps, disasters, death, sickness and trials and tribulations, etc., to be their time for self-pity. “Oh pity me,” they exclaim, as if to infer that they were the only ones on whom perilous times had ever fallen. So they set out to blame God for all that has happened. Yes, this attitude does exist and it exists among a great many people, but it should not, and cannot be the demeanor of a Christian. A Christian must rise above the lowly walk in darkness and those of the world and not allow perilous times to set him at variance with God Almighty. A Christian must continue to practice truth and not allow a sinful attitude to exist.

If any would have had a strong case for having a right to seek “self-pity,” it would have been the apostle Paul and Silas. But that was not the case at all. No, instead of the self-pity routine, seemingly Paul and Silas sought to bring glory and honor to God even when situations and conditions were less than favorable.

Notice one particular example in the New Testament Scriptures (see Acts 16:16-39). Do you recall in this reading in Acts how Paul, after deliberating for many days, had commanded the demon spirit out of the certain slave girl (vv. 16-18)? Ana because of this Paul and Silas were brought before the authorities and then the chief magistrates, the ones in supreme power in this Roman colony (vv. 19,20). Then without being allowed a defense and being accused of “false charges” (v. 21), their robes were torn, they were beaten with rods and thrown into an inner (maximum security) prison. And if this was not enough punishment they fastened their feet in the stocks (vv. 23,24).

What a fine opportunity this would have been for Paul and Silas sitting in a dark dungeon with their backs bleeding from the scourge and their feet locked in the stocks, to blame God. Or if they wouldn’t blame God, don’t you think that they would at least be entitled to cry out for the pity of all those who could hear them and then just sit there and feel sorry for themselves?

That is not what Paul and Silas chose to do at all. (Be thankful for their example of courage and strength.) Instead they decided to go to God in prayer and then sing to him songs of praise (v. 25). Not only did this comfort Paul and Silas, it pleased God and led the way to the eventual baptizing of the jailer and all of his house (v. 32).

A Lesson for Us Today

In this text there is a lesson for the Christian of every era. And that lesson is one of “making the best of it. ” Make the best of all situations, instead of falsely accusing God and then worrying and pouting (feeling sorry for oneself). Make the best of it.

We don’t stand alone. Peter says in 1 Peter 5:6,7 that we should, after humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God, cast all of our anxiety upon him because he cares for us. And after telling us in vv. 8 and 9 to resist our adversary the devil, he adds these very beautiful words in v. 10: “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

Paul also adds in Philippians 4:6,7 – “Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpassed all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

As Christians, we must “practice the truth” (1 Jn. 1:5b) and avoid giving Satan opportunities (Eph. 5:27). We should live every word and deed of our life so as to bring glory and honor to God Almighty. Our profit lies in seeking God and that eternal home in heaven; we just cannot allow ourselves to be burdened by the cares of this present world we live in.

We don’t stand alone. For Paul says in Romans 8:35-39, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, ‘For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long: We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angel, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Certainly each and everyone of us must realize that his strength comes from God Almighty. We must never forsake him; we must continue to press on. Let us make the best of it.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 7, p. 206
April 6, 1989

By Louis J. Sharp

Pluralism seems to be the accepted standard of our nation, except for Christians! In this rejection of Christians, we may detect another step our nation has taken in the direction of ancient Rome. Long ago, barriers were crossed with reference to high taxation, rampant divorce, and unrestrained immorality. All these things contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire.

Pluralism is: ” 1. The quality or condition of being plural, or of existing in more than one part or form. . . 3. (a) the existence within a nation or society of groups distinctive in ethnic origin, cultural patterns, religions, or the like (b) a policy favoring the preservation of such groups within a given nation or society” (Webster’s New World Dictionary, 1986; p. 1097).

In a mixed society, such as we live in, pluralism is an important element within the framework of that society. Yet, as stated in Perspective (Vol. XL, Number 15, July 20, 1988):

“In the name of ‘pluralism’ -pluralism is being destroyed! In its essence, pluralism suggests diversity as a reality. It is the acceptance of diversity – tolerance of and respect for those who differ. Authentic pluralism honors distinctions. It does not try to eliminate them! Contemporary pluralism is tolerant of everything . . . except Jesus Christ! In the name of pluralism, followers of Christ are expected to show tolerance and respect for those of different persuasion. And they should! Not to do so contradicts their faith. Contrarily – in the name of pluralism, they are expected to refrain from references to Jesus Christ in public gatherings, as for example – in public prayer. Their prayer is to be ‘ecumenical’ . . . which simply means they are forbidden to pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Interesting that in the name of pluralism, the one exception, the one exclusion is the name of Jesus Christ. Required even by many who profess to be ‘Christian.'”

This is both an interesting and frightening statement. Yet, the words of the author appear to be very accurate. It is the Christian religion, and only the Christian religion, that is singled out for rejection. Judaism continues unshackled. Even Islam and other eastern religions are not confronted with the vicious attacks that are made against Christianity.

The author of the article in Perspective further states:

“Not really a new phenomenon: ‘And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus’ (Acts 4:18).

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved’ Acts 4:12).”

Thus, he points to the persecution that came against the disciples in the first century. Our freedoms are being threatened today as never before. Our hard-won freedoms may be in greater jeopardy then most of us realize. Our prayer is that we may be able to preserve them for our children, our grandchildren, and all future posterity.

Pray for the God of heaven to give us strength to stand in time of persecution, if indeed it does come to us. Christians are the real minority of America!

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 7, p. 205
April 6, 1989

By Ron Daly

Paul, in the immediate context into which the phrase “overtaken in any trespass” is woven commands the Galatians to “walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh . . . The works of the flesh are manifest . . . of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. . . If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk” (Gal. 5:16-26).

These statements of the apostle have a direct connection with his exhortation, “Use not your freedom for an occasion of the flesh” (Gal. 5:13), lest they assume that Paul’s statement “for freedom did Christ set us free” (Gal. 5:1) was intended to loose them from the moral, religious, and restrictive requirements of law.

On the other hand, to preclude the thought of the impossibility of sin, and to guard against pride, vainglory, and jealousy in dealing with the violator of God’s law, the Spirit, through Paul declares, “Brethren, e4n if (this shows the possibility) a man (it could have been any of them, and can be any of us) be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual (they all should have been spiritual, i.e. people gifted with a spiritual frame of mind, but not all of them were) restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness (in contrast to “provoking one another, envying one another,” (Gal. 5:26); looking to thyself (instead of becoming “vainglorious”), lest thou also be tempted (to be enticed to commit his sin or some other – a distinct possibility)” (Gal. 6:1).

The word “overtaken” is used in the text to translate the Greek term prolambano. Prolambano describes a man “being caught by the trespass, through his being off guard. . . (in) contrast (to) the premeditated practice of evil” (Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, p. 454). Thayer, in the lexicon which he translated, cites a source indicating that one meaning of prolambano is “to take one by forestalling (i.e. before he can flee or conceal his crime), i.e. surprise, detect, (Sap. XVII. 16). . .” (Thayer’s Lexicon, p. 540, definition 3).

There are contextual reasons why we can properly conclude that to “be overtaken in any trespass” is a situation of being “caught off guard by surprise,” and not of “blunders, misdeeds, or sins” of a willful, deliberate, premeditation. Notice how the context corroborates the aforementioned conclusion. First, the actual word in the Greek Testament is prolemphthe which is passive in form, implying here a sudden onslaught. Second, the “spiritual ones,” pneumatikoi, are specifically instructed to restore (katartizo, “mend, using great caution to prevent further injury”) “such a one,” implying that the pneumatikoi possess the “wisdom from above,” “being wise and understanding . . . pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits” (Jas. 5:13ff), and would understand that this is one having been “caught by surprise” and must be restored using extreme caution, lest he be treated rudely or antagonistically as the asophos, unwise, are prone to do. Third, the spiritual ones are admonished, that while preparing to and actually engaging in the process of restoring the overtaken one, to do so “in a spirit of gentleness: looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” The evident point here is, it is possible for spiritual ones to be caught off guard, so handle this “broken body part” gently, for you have not yet so attained as to drop your guard even for one moment! Beware lest the stealthily approaching black leopard pounce upon us, ravaging and devouring your life.

Let us give careful attention to the fact that, even though Paul uses a word that portrays “one who is overtaken – caught by surprise,” this man is nonetheless said to be “in a trespass,” and needs to be “restored.” The fact that he did not determine to sin is no excuse for the fact that he did sin! The consequences of sins committed in ignorance or weakness are as grave as those committed with the full knowledge of the transgressor. The difference is not in how God categorizes sin, but in the attitude of the one sinning; unforgiven sin’s end is eternal separation from God (Rom. 6:23; et. al.)

May God grant us the wisdom, love, and concern needed to “work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith,” in making the way of salvation known to all, and especially by restoring (thereby saving) a brother “overtaken in any trespass”‘ (Gal. 6:1-10).

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 7, p. 201
April 6, 1989

By Lonnie Fritz

God is not like the man we have a heard about who, when asked by his wife if he loved her, replied, “I told you I love you when I married you thirty years ago; if I change my mind, I’ll let you know.” On the contrary, God wants us to be fully aware of the depth of his love for each one of us, and he tells us so, over and over again. Let’s look at some beautiful Scriptures that tell of such wonderful love.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) . . . that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:4,5,7). “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16). “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us . I. . God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:5,8). “. . that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge: that you may be filled with all the fulness of God” (Eph. 3:17b-19). Notice the words that describe this wonderful love with which he loves us. Some synonyms that go along with this word “great” are broad, deep, wide, expansive, extensive, far reaching, grand, immense, measureless, excellent, exceptional, exquisite, marvelous, outstanding, splendid, superb, wonderful, and fantastic, all of which can be used to describe God’s love for us.

Even more amazing than the words that describe this love, is the realization that this love was extended, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, to godless sinners. “Even when we were dead in trespasses,. . . God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Eph. 2:4; Rom. 5:8). Would you sacrifice your child to save someone? I doubt that very many of us would. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, to God, because he believed God would make amends. But, God sent his Son to godless men who would put him to death, just so that we can be saved I Do you see the depth of this great love for us? Do you see the clarity of such wonderful love?.When we become keenly aware of the depth of God and Jesus’ great love for us, we cannot help but “stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and wonder how he could love me, a sinner condemned unclean.”

Contrary to what some may think, the great love that God has for us will in no way cause us to have a do-nothing religion. His love for us will go down to our very soul, and motivate us with every ounce of strength we have to love and obey him. There is no greater motivation to be pleasing to God, than this superb love he has for us. Paul said, “For the love of Christ controls us” and “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (2 Cor. 5:14; Gal. 2:20). Does this love control your life? Does your life belong to Jesus Christ?

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 7, p. 203
April 6, 1989