Truth Magazine

By David A. Padfield

Figures of speech abound in the Bible. God’s penmen often illustrated divine truths by comparing it with objects from everyday life. The parables of Jesus dealt with fishing, farming and vineyards – things the residents of Palestine were familiar with.

The apostle Paul often compared our vocation with that of an athlete. He tells us if anyone “competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Tim. 2:5). Near the end of his life, he said he had “fought the good fight” and had “finished the race” (2 Tim. 4:7).

Another metaphor Paul used was the soldier. He told a young evangelist to “wage the good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18) and to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:3).

In the latter part of his life, Paul was constantly surrounded by Roman soldiers. On occasion, he had even been chained to his guards. He lived in the presence of the greatest military power this world has ever seen. While writing to the church at Ephesus, he tells them to put on the “whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:10-20). The soldiers of Rome used a shield, sword, greaves, spear, breastplate and helmet. But what about soldiers of the cross?

The Gospel Armor

Since we are not fighting a fleshly battle, our weaponry must not be carnal. In our fight against the wiles of the devil, Paul mentions six distinctive pieces of armor.

“The girdle of truth. ” The girdle was not an ornament, it was used to bind all the other pieces together and give the soldier freedom of movement. The center of our armor is truth. In John 17:17 Jesus said that God’s word is truth.

“The breastplate of righteousness. ” The breastplate, or cuirass, of the Roman spear men was made of chain-mail. It was used to protect the heart and other vital organs. Our heart is to be protected by righteousness.

“Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. ” The sandals of the foot soldier were composed of thick leather soles studded with cleats of iron. This would give the soldier a firm footing during the battle. These sandals were designed to make it difficult to walk backwards. This is just as well since the solider had little or no armor on his back. If he decided to flee from the enemy, he would be better off to discard his armor. Our footing must be supplied by the gospel of Christ. “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace” (Rom. 10:15).

“The shield of faith. ” The Roman shield was composed of leather or wicker. It was usually four feet long by two and one-half feet wide. The enemy often fired long arrows covered with ignited pitch. If an arrow were to strike a soldier, his breastplate would stop the arrow from piercing him, but the pitch would fly off the arrow and set the soldier on fire. Our spiritual enemy does not always attack directly. The shield of faith can protect us from his advances.

“Helmet of salvation. ” The helmet was made of leather and reinforced with bronze. We are to take, or receive, this helmet from God. It is our salvation.

“Sword of the Spirit. ” Unlike the legions of Rome, our only offensive weapon is the “sword of the spirit,” the word of God (Heb. 4:12). This was the weapon Christ used when attacked by Satan in the desert (Matt. 4:1-11). A soldier is never wasting his time while sharpening his sword. Soldiers of the cross need to become more proficient in their use of our only weapon. Timothy was told to give himself to “reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:13). Our armor is to be put on with prayer. Let us always realize we are mere foot-soldiers in the battle, God is in control.

A Lesson From Rome

Flavius Josephus lived during the zenith of Rome’s military glory. Having been made a Roman citizen by Vespasian, he traveled with the Roman legions during the middle of the first century. Josephus was truly impressed with military discipline. He claims soldiers always carried their weapons with them, even in time of peace. Furthermore, practice in the proper use of their weapons never ceased. “Every soldier is every day exercised, and that with great diligence, as if it were in time of war, which is the reason why they bear the fatigues of battle so easily” (Josephus, The Jewish War, Book III, Chap. 5, p. 17).

If only Christians could become as familiar with our great weapon, God’s word! If we would “search the scriptures daily” we would never fear the day of battle.

Have you ever wondered what caused a military power like Rome to meet its downfall? Nearly all historians agree that Rome brought about her own destruction. Edward Gibbon says, “The relaxation of discipline, and the disuse of exercise rendered the soldiers less able, and less willing, to support the fatigues of service” (Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. 3, p. 271). Soldiers were able to convince their officers that the weapons were too heavy. The Roman sword and shield which had subdued the world were cast aside. “The cavalry of the Goths, the Huns, and the Alani, had felt the benefits, and adopted the use, of defensive armor . . . they easily overwhelmed the naked and trembling legions, whose heads and breasts were exposed, without defense, to the arrows of the barbarians” (Gibbon, p. 271). Gibbon further states that their “indolence may be considered as the immediate cause of the downfall of the empire.”

Is Our Armor Too Heavy?

Occasionally I get the feeling some of my preaching brethren have decided our armor just isn’t suited for today. I get this impression from church bulletins consisting entirely of news, notes and reminiscences, but no teaching. It is also seen in the preaching of some. Instead of meaty sermons from gospel preachers, we hear “three points and a poem” from Dale Carnegie impersonators. Instead of “earnestly contending for the faith” (Jude 3), some would rather apologize for it.

If men do not have the backbone to fight, they should at least get out of the way of those who do. Three times in Ephesians six we are told to “stand.” Paul told the Corinthians the “weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor. 10:4,5). It is not enough for us to defend the truth in our own meetinghouse, we must attack the citadels of error and pull down the enemies’ strongholds!

When General Douglas MacArthur was called home from Korea he reminded Congress that “war’s very object is victory, not prolonged indecision.” We cannot be interested in merely “holding our own,” we must be on the offensive.

Some brethren have apparently forgotten who the enemy is. Maybe they need a course in “enemy recognition.” Jesus declared that the man who is not with him is against him (Matt. 12:30). If a man is not preaching the gospel of Christ, he is a minister of Satan. The Devil does not always attack under his own banner, sometimes he advances under a flag of truce. Paul warned us that it is possible for Satan to appear as an “angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14).

Conclusion

Let us remember we are in a “fight to the finish” with our enemy. If we remain in a constant state of preparedness, the enemy will not catch us off-guard. At the end of our struggle we have a home prepared for us with other faithful soldiers of the cross.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 4, pp. 103-104
February 16, 1989

By Edward O. Bragwell, Sr.

Mistaken identity has affected most of us, either as perpetrators or victims. The results may have ranged from amusing, to embarrassing, to frustrating or even to disastrous.

A brother followed his wife into the auditorium one Sunday. From behind, he mistook another sister for his wife. Only after sitting down beside the sister and putting his arm around her did he realize his mistake. It amused us who watched but embarrassed them.

The recent shooting down of a passenger plane, mistaken for a fighter plane, over the Persian Gulf is an example of how disastrous misidentification can be.

I have been frustrated several times by mistaken identity. I was once delayed in Nashville by a police road block simply because my car and I met the description of a man and his car who had robbed a bank a few minutes earlier. I thought it was inexcusable, given my honest face and all.

We have lived in three towns near people with names similar to ours. People constantly confused us with them. A TV cable company threatened to disconnect our service. A furniture company called demanding payment for furniture that we did not have. We also had to combat a rumor potentially harmful to our reputation. All of this because of the deeds of a man with a similar name.

In another town we received telephone calls from members of a Baptist church with a preacher with a name similar to ours. At times we heard some interesting things before we and the caller realized they had the wrong number.

At another place a man with a similar name ran a country store. We received calls at all hours from folks out of gasoline wanting road service. Shortly after moving from there we received an insurance settlement check made out to the store owner and forwarded to us by the Postal Service. Oh, yes, we sent it back though we felt like keeping it to repay for all those times we were awakened to phone calls meant for him.

I must confess that there were a few times that we felt like changing our name. I suspect some of them felt about the say way. However, we had second thoughts. If a name as rare as “Bragwell” could be so easily confused with another, what name could we use that would solve the problem? So, I have just kept on being me and keep on explaining that I am not “Bagwell,” “Braswell,” “Bradwell,” “Broadwell,” etc., or even “that Bragwell.”

We are having a similar problem religiously in calling ourselves “Christians” (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16) or, collectively, “churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16). There are people who call themselves “Christians” and churches that are called “churches of Christ” with whom we had rather not be confused. The problem is becoming so acute that some good brethren are suggesting that maybe we should start identifying ourselves differently. Some even make a concerted effort to avoid being identified as a “member of the church of Christ” as they do personal work in their community.

The problem stems from the fact that these scriptural terms have been perverted, abused and used to identify people and groups who have little in common with what the New Testament teaches about these terms. Here in the Birmingham area recently there was a full-page article about the “Birmingham Church of Christ” (associated with the cult-like Boston/Crossroads movement). In spite of our having so little in common with those folks, some thought we were all of the same persuasion.

A preacher friend was asked, “What does the church of Christ teach” on a particular subject? He replied, “Just about any thing you can think of.” He then went on to explain that no matter what the view is, you can likely find some claiming to be members of the church teaching it and churches claiming to be “of Christ” supporting them in it.

Sound teachers have no monopoly on the use of scriptural terms of identification. Nearly every crime known to man has been done by those who identify themselves as Christians. Some even saying they do them because they are Christians.

Yes, there are many “churches of Christ” with whom I do not want to be confused. There are many who claim to be just “Christians” that I had rather not have folks think that I am associated with. They teach and practice things that abhor.

What is the solution to this dilemma? Shall I carefully tip toe around so as to avoid referring to myself as a Christian or as a member of the church of Christ? Shall I avoid referring to myself as a Christian or as a member of the church of Christ? Shall I avoid using good scriptural designations simply because someone claims to be the same thing but is not? Should Paul, or Peter, or any other apostle (1 Tim. 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:1) have quit referring to himself as “an apostle of Jesus Christ” because of those who “call themselves apostles, and they are not” (Rev. 2:2)?

Really, brethren, any scriptural way that we identify ourselves will leave us with the same identity problem. I know of no scriptural term that has not been associated with doctrines and practices that are totally unscriptural. No matter what scriptural terms one uses he is going to have to further identify himself in some way to those not familiar with New Testament terminology.

If a group puts up a sign simply reading, “Christian’s meet here … .. The Lord’s church,” etc., it will still have to prove that the sign is telling the truth by its teaching and practice. They will still be confused with folks with whom they had rather not be identified. They will still have to constantly be explaining who they are to the people of the community. There are others who claim to be “Christians” and the “Lord’s church.” In fact, such terminology in many communities is associated with the Pentecostal movement. So, why further confuse the issue so that even good brethren looking for a place to worship will have trouble finding a starting place for identifying them?

All this reminds us of an old “Theophilus” cartoon by Bob West. (We were unable to locate our copy of it that we so carefully filed away.) A sign painter was working on the sign in front of a denominational church building with the local “pastor” looking on. The “pastor’ ‘ ‘ first objected when the painter lettered, “A Church of Christ” on the building. He then objected when the painter changed it to “Not A Church of Christ.”

The term “church of Christ” is both scriptural and familiar to most New Testament Christians of this generation – so why abandon its use? Most members of the church know that not all who claim to be “churches of Christ” are indeed “of Christ.” Yet, when they see the term on a sign it furnishes a good starting point for investigating it for other aspects of scripturalness.

Too, any church of Christ bent on identifying itself in some novel or unique way (especially in an area where scriptural churches of Christ have met for years) needs to ask itself if it is not really trying to disassociate itself from admittedly scriptural churches of Christ. Could such be born of an inordinate desire for independence and uniqueness? If there is really no difference, then why unnecessarily make the appearance of difference? Especially, since such re-designating does not really solve the identity problem in the community and creates one with brethren in the area.

Brethren, we need to remember that no matter how we scripturally identify ourselves, we will still need to supply much more information in word or deed before we will be properly identified by people in the community. One may scripturally call himself a “Christian,” a “saint,” a “believer,” a “child of God.” When he does he will likely be confused with unscriptural folks who call themselves by the same terms. A church may call itself a “church of Christ,” a “church of God” or simply a “church.” One should not be afraid or ashamed of any of these terms. Yet, when using any of them, we will need to spend much time in teaching and demonstrating to the community what a “Christian,” a “believer,” a “saint,” a “church of God,” a “church of Christ,” or a “church” really is – from the scriptural point of view.

Think about it, brethren.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 5, pp. 129, 151
March 2, 1989

By Ron Halbrook

God designed the church of our Lord to function as the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). The church at Thessalonica is still an example which we need to emulate today because it was constantly sounding out the Word of the Lord (1 Thess. 1:7-8). Churches which are truly sound in the faith can never be satisfied with merely “keeping house” locally, but are concerned to spread the gospel both locally and in other places. God ordained that laborers would go out into the fields in order to harvest precious souls, supported by faithful congregations of the people of God (1 Cor. 9:14; Phil. 4:15; 2 Cor. 11:8-9). Faithful men need to be stirred up to go into the field to labor and faithful churches need to be stirred up to support them.

In addition to supporting several good men in America, the church here at West Columbia is helping to support men in South Africa, Italy, Mexico, and the Philippine Islands. The elders (Charley Alexander, J.D. Harris, and James Moore) and the whole church here are deeply concerned about the work of spreading the gospel in every place where it is possible. We constantly receive appeals and requests for support, mostly from worthy men, and the elders constantly agonize over how to be most effective in responding to these calls. We try to be as prompt as possible in answering the requests that come here, so that even those we cannot help can make their definite plans. We feel it is unfair to leave a man wondering and waiting indefinitely. The elders suggested that an article should be written informing brethren of some opportunities to help men whom we have found to be reliable and sound in the faith.

David Beckley in South Africa

For a number of years David L. Beckley has been faithfully preaching the gospel of Christ in South Africa (current address 12 Transo Avenue, Helderkruin, 1724 Roodepoort, Republic of South Africa). The church at West Columbia has helped with David’s support from the beginning and receives regular reports about the work he is doing. We have been sending $420 per month but will be able to continue this support only through April of 1989. This appeal for someone to consider David’s need is being made because the elders do not want any impression left that after all these years they are “dropping” David as doctrinally unsound or a troublemaker. With all the prayers, money, and love invested in David’s work, they continue to wish him well and to bid him godspeed.

This change does not represent West Columbia’s cutting back on its program of supporting gospel preachers. In fact, we have made an even larger commitment to help a faithful brother who has labored in the gospel for many years. This man has been faced with many medical bills, is now working with a small congregation, and has never before asked for outside support in his long life of work for Christ. We are stepping in to help him only as a last resort after he contacted a number of other places. Because of our continuing to support both this older brother and brother Beckley through April, the church will be spending more money than we are taking in. We can continue this for a limited time. As one of the elders said, “We will simply have to go forward by faith.”

It is the hope of the elders that by making this public explanation and appeal on David’s behalf, in addition to the fact that his work is well established and well known, David will soon hear from brethren who are willing to make up his loss.

Wayne Goforth In New Mexico

In recent years the church here has been helping several younger men who have come from a liberal-institutional background and who have taken a stand for the truth. We feel these young men have not had an opportunity to make many contacts and to be well known among brethren generally, but we have found them in each case to be faithful and reliable in their work. These men have been going forward in their work in spite of various obstacles and difficulties they have faced. We wish to give them public encouragement and endorsement, and to suggest that brethren consider their continuing needs.

Wayne Goforth and his family are located with the small church which meets at 25th and Hawaii in Alamogordo, New Mexico (current address 2309 Princeton, Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310; phone 505-434-6225). We receive regular reports from Wayne about the progress of his work in Alamogordo. Not only does Wayne uphold the truth on various liberal and institutional issues, but also he continues to teach the truth on marriage, divorce, and remarriage. He believes that God’s marriage law applies to all men and that God gives the right to remarry only to the innocent party who puts away a fornicator.

As a result of his stand, his support is being cut off from the North Las Vegas church of Christ in Las Vegas, Neveda. Jack Freeman is the preacher there, and he and the elders there were united in that decision.

Below are the questions asked by the North Las Vegas church through Jack Freeman:

1. “When one is guilty of adultery, and divorced by his spouse for that cause, can he scripturally remarry?” Wayne pointed out that Jesus said such a person commits adultery by remarriage (Matt. 19:9).

2. “Must he remain unmarried the rest of his life to be saved eternally?” Wayne said yes, only the person who put away a fornicator is given the right to remarry (Matt. 19:9).

3. “If he does remarry, must he put the second wife away in order to be saved?” Wayne said yes because true repentance involves restitution – we cannot continue to live in sin. John told Herod that Herodius did not belong to him though he had married her (Mk. 6:17-18).

4. “Question from 1 Cor. 7. When the believer is deserted and divorced by his unbelieving or nonChristian wife, must he remain unmarried the ‘rest of his life?” Wayne said that the man can be reunited with his mate or must remain single, but that no marriage can be considered in the absence of immorality. Jesus gave only one reason for divorce and remarriage, and Paul did not contradict Jesus.

Thank God there are still young preachers who will not bow their knee to the Baal of false teaching on this or any other matter simply to retain financial support. Surely someone who loves the truth can respond to brother Goforth’s need in this situation.

Lee Stewart in New Mexico

Lee Stewart came out of the liberal-institutional persuasion some years ago and has developed into a fine young preacher (current address 264 Vista del Rio, Belen, New Mexico 87002; phone 505-864-2567). Lee and his family are working with a group which is small in number but strong in faith, and presently rents a facility that is used for other activities during the week. Tim Stevens, son of R.J. Stevens, helped to get the church started in Belen and continues to help in every way possible.

This small church passed through the fires of trial and purification during 1988 as the result of having members who were unsound on the matter of marriage, divorce, and remarriage. In the course of the brethren’s studying this issue, an arrangement was made for a public meeting open to all the members at Belen to hear Homer Hailey speak on this issue, followed by another such study conducted by the author of this article. In spite of the loss of several members who could not endure sound doctrine, this good church is continuing to go forward in the work of the Lord. Lee is short on his support and it is hoped that brethren will soon respond to his need and encourage the work at Belen.

Mike Baggett in Mississippi

Mike Baggett is another young preacher from a liberal-institutional background who has taken a. clear stand for the truth and has been faithfully preaching it for some time now, working with the Laws Hill church of Christ near Water Valley, Mississippi (current address Route 3, Box 148AA, Water Valley, Mississippi 38965). Brother Baggett and his young family are working with a small rural church and making good progress. Mike has studied with Paul Keller and Donny Rader, both of whom recommend him for his stand. Bobby Holmes (Lancaster, Texas) and Mark Roberts (Irving, Texas) recently reported on a gospel meeting in which they labored with Mike and the Laws Hill church, and gave a very encouraging report of the good being done.

The church here receives reports from Mike and is thankful for his labors. Much of Mississippi is in dire need of sound preaching and may be considered what is sometimes called “a mission field.” Mike does not have anything like adequate support and has helped, to support himself by maintaining a secular job. While he is to be highly commended for this evidence of his faith, diligence, and responsibility, it would be well for brethren to support him so that he can devote his full time to the needs of this area in Mississippi.

Carl Lungstrum in Colorado

There is much need for preaching the gospel in the state of Colorado and Carl Lungstrum is working with a small church at Pagosa Springs (current address P.O. Box 1861, Pagosa Springs, Colorado 81147). Like the other men mentioned above, Carl is doing all he can to make contacts in the community both through public efforts and private teaching in the homes. All of these men including Carl have provided informative reports about the details of their work and have kept the church here well informed. Carl is still lacking over $506 per month in his support but has been able to continue by making sacrifices and by the help of an individual. Surely brethren somewhere will take an interest in his effort in Colorado and contact brother Lungstrum.

In the time the church at West Columbia has been helping to support the above men, we believe they have proven themselves worthy of consideration and support in the gospel. We urge brethren who may be in a position to help or who may have a special interest in the areas where these men are working to get in contact with them as quickly as possible. Make you own investigation and reach your own conclusions. We have found all of these men perfectly willing to talk with us when we had questions about their stand in the truth or about some phase of the work they are doing. You will find them all open and responsive. May God richly bless their efforts in the truth, is our prayer.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 4, pp. 108-109
February 16, 1989

By Dennis C. Abernathy

We are all familiar with the slogan “Just Say No To Drugs,” and a good slogan it is. Drug abuse is a blight on our society and the Lord’s church has not been spared its ugly encroachment. This “Just Say No” concept is found throughout the Scriptures, and I want to use the passage found in Titus 2:11-12 as a “springboard” for our thoughts in this short article.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (NIV).

Today we are hearing a great deal about “positive” preaching. We need positive preaching. There is nothing wrong with positive preaching. But there is something wrong when all you hear is positive preaching. Life is not all positive. The gospel of Christ is not all positive. This verse makes this clear. We are to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives – that is positive! But it also teaches us to say

No” to ungodliness and worldly passions – that is negative! With these thoughts in mind, consider the following:

1. Just say “No” to fornication. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled” (Heb. 13:4). Sexual fulfillment is for the marriage relationship. Fornication was a very common sin in the first century and it is a very common sin today. This term is defined as “any form of sexual immorality, unlawful sexual relations; thus may be used of any specific sexual sin such as intercourse between two unmarried people.” Young people need to say “No” to premarital sex and married people need to say “No” to extramarital sex. The church of the Lord needs to say “No” to fornication in its fellowship.

In our society one is bombarded with the temptation to involve himself in sexual immorality. This is true of the unmarried as well as the married. We see the consequences all around us. Virginity before marriage is considered “old hat,” and remaining true to one’s mate for life is considered “not the norm.” Our country is decaying from sexually transmitted diseases.

The Bible says, “Flee fornication” (1 Cor. 6:18). The Hebrew writer says, “but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4). This ought to be plain enough. But I’m afraid that some are harboring fornicators rather than instructing them to “flee” from the sin. When Paul found that sexual immorality existed among the church at Corinth he told them not to keep company with such a brother (1 Cor. 5: 1,11). But some brethren today not only keep company but install such into positions of leadership. They say “they will just let God judge the matter” on the day of judgment. Yes, brethren, we need to say “No” to fornication.

2. Just say “No” to immodesty. “In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works” (1 Tim. 2:9-10). See also 1 Peter 3:1-6.

Immodesty is prevalent today. The apparel people wear is indicative of their attitude and heart. One’s dress ought to be proper or appropriate for one professing godliness. What the world deems proper and appropriate may not bet appropriate for the Christian. I can understand why people of the world dress the way they do. The standard they use is not the standard of the Christian. If a person does not’ consult God concerning his conduct, he is not going to reach the same conclusion with respect to morals, dress, etc. as the person who does consult God’s law.

The Christian is to set his mind or affections on things above, not on the things of this earth (Col. 3:1-2). The Christian does not “mind earthly things” because his “citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:19-20). It is such a shame the way many dress today. The church has not been spared the shame in, this regard. Brethren, is it proper and appropriate for Christians to expose their bodies before the world in the immodest apparel so prevalent today? Does nothing embarrass and shame us anymore? We need more preaching and teaching on what is modest and immodest. Elders need to instruct the local church over which they watch on this matter. We need to say “No” to immodesty both in our teaching and in. our example.

3. We need to say “No ” to apathy and indifference. One of the greatest problems facing the church is apathy. William Schlamm wrote, what he said should be the epitaph of our, society: “This civilization died because it didn’t want to be bothered.” I wonder if we couldn’t rephrase it a bit and correctly describe many Christians today: “The Lord’s work was left undone and the church died because the members. didn’t want to be bothered.” Titus 2:13-14 says:,” while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

Apathy abounds in the church today. Lost souls are not taught (Mk. 16:15-16). Erring brethren are not restored (Gal. 6: 1; Jas. 5:19-20). The rebellious, disobedient and unfit are not disciplined (Tit. 1:11,16). The unfortunate, downtrodden and sick are not attended to (Matt. 25:31-46). Brethren are not encouraged and the teachers of error are not refuted by the trustworthy message (Tit. 1:9). The list could go on and on. the underlying cause is apathy – we don’t want to be bothered!

Brethren, we need to say “No” to apathy, indifference and mediocrity and “always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 4, p. 107
February 16, 1989