By Johnie Edwards
We are warned by apostolic teaching that there will be those, “. . . that serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Rom. 16:18).
The trend today, among a lot of brethren, is to preach and teach in such a way as not to make one feel uncomfortable in the pew and that everybody should be able to leave the assembly only feeling good about themselves!
It is not uncommon to find, in some churches of Christ, the same attitude that prevailed in the thoughts of Israel of old: “Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isa. 30:10).
We hear such things as, “Just preach Jesus and forget about the church”; “we must minister to the whole man; our main focus ought to be grace-righteous and not our own works-righteousness”; “if thou marry, thou hast not sinned” (unqualified); and other such statements.
It is time we get back to, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2).
It is to this end that this Special Issue is dedicated. We pray that you will take your Bible, read and study, and if these things be so, get busy obeying and teaching them.
I want to thank all of the writers of these good articles for taking the time to write that all of us might be aware of the “smooth things” which are being taught today!