Truth Magazine

By Dennis C. Abernathy

Every work that grows and prospers has individuals that give of their time, effort, and money to help it grow. In no field is this more apparent than in the regard of the local church. A congregation that grows is one where the members are diligent in supporting the work.

But usually there are some who desire for the work to prosper just as long as they don’t have to become involved. For them to get involved is asking too much. After all, they have to make a living, get their rest, get their homework, entertain relatives, etc. But, they want the work to grow(?)-without their fervent support and involvement.

Some of these very individuals are the first to note any lack of growth and very often criticize things wherein they are not really informed due to their lack of involvement. They usually say, “The brethren aren’t doing anything.” “The preacher isn’t out working.” On and on we could go. But you get the point.

It takes more than “pew-warming” to go to heaven. As Christians, we must support the work of truth and Abe ready unto every good work.” Why not be honest with yourself. Are you truly supporting the work? Or, do you simply talk a good line? You just hurt yourself more than anyone else.

Truth Magazine XXI: 1, p. 5
January 6, 1977

By Cecil Willis

There are something like 3.5 billion people upon the earth at this time. These are but fete when’ compared to the many billions more who slumber in the grave. Every rational creature that has lived can, and some day will, be placed in one of two classifications. We are either converted or unconverted. One is either saved or unsaved. The tragedy of all tragedies is to die unconverted. By studying cases of conversion and nonconversion we may enable ourselves to view our own condition more objectively, and thus guarantee that ours will be a case of conversion.

But this week we want to speak of AUnconverted People.@ All of these individuals are in the same class. They are all lost. But the question rises as to why they are in this class. In the Bible we read about individuals and groups of individuals who were not converted, and the reason for their nonconversion is apparent. In many instances the reason for their failure to become Christians is the same as that of people today. In the past centuries there have been no drastic changes in the nature of people. It takes the same Gospel to save people today that it took in the first century, and many, today reject this Gospel for the same reasons first century individuals did.

A Rich Ruler

In Matt. 19 we read about a certain rich ruler that came to Jesus. He had been attracted by the message that Christ spoke. AAnd behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good; but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shah not kill, Thou shah not commit adultery, Thou shah not steal, Thou shah not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Thou shah love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man with unto him, All these things have I observed:. what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shah have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions@ (Matt. 19:16-22).

Here was a young man who devoutly had followed the Old Testament law, but wanted to live by the higher law of Christ. He was one that did not know what it would involve, or what it would necessitate. He had never thought that it would demand that he forfeit his riches to be a disciple of Christ. There is a class of people just like this rich young ruler. They would like to follow Christ, but they love the riches of the world too much. Some people acquire their money through wrong means, so they are not willing to give up their practice. The trouble with this class of people is that they have not really purposed to do the will of God. This man would like to be Christ’s disciple if he would dictate to Christ what would be expected of Him.

Once, while in a meeting in Texas, a man wanted to know the position of the members of one congregation of the body of Christ toward lodges. He said, AI am a member of the other congregation here in town, and they are opposed to members of the Lord’s church being members of lodges that are religious in their nature.@ He wanted to leave that congregation. The members of the second congregation told him that they were also opposed to Christians being a part of such organizations. The man replied, AWell, I certainly hate to give up the church, but I am not going to quit my lodge.@ The trouble with this man was the same trouble the rich young ruler had. He wanted to be Christ’s follower but he wanted to tell Christ what He could demand, and what He could not demand. But Jesus’ attitude is, AI will be lord of all, or not lord at all.@

For one to ever please the Lord Jesus Christ, his attitude must be that I will forsake, and forfeit all for my Lord. We must say, AWhere he leads I’ll follow, follow all the way.@ Our heart must cry out, ASpeak Lord, they servant heareth@ (1 Sam. 3:9); and I will obey. If we fail to do this, in the day of judgment we will go away sorrowfully into everlasting punishment.

Fulfilling Isaiah’s Prophecy

Then there is another class of people who are unconverted. They are people who close their ears and their hearts. They do not want to learn what God demands of them. There was such a class in New Testament times. Of this class Jesus said, AAnd unto them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed: Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should turn again, and I should heal them@ (Matt. 13:14, 15). Are there not people today of whom these words may very aptly be spoken?

Many have been the people who have closed their ears to other words from the Lord because they see where they are being led. Perhaps one is a member of a denominational organization, an organization of which one can read nothing in the Bible. When he begins to see enough of Bible truth to learn that to follow Christ he is going to have to leave this human organization and be added to the one body, he turns away. Many people attend a few services of the Lord’s church enthusiastically, but they soon learn they must either obey the Gospel or continue to have their conscience pricked by the powerful Gospel of Christ. Hence they come no more. One who had been recently baptized told me that the unconverted man, upon learning what the Bible teaches, soon reaches the place where he has to obey the Gospel or quit coming. Those who will attend no longer have closed their ears. They are exactly like these people of whom Jesus spoke in Matt. 13.

Christianity is founded and advanced by teaching. Jesus said: AGo ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them…@ (Matt. 28:19). Those who close their ears so tightly that the treasures of truth cannot penetrate to their heart have closed the door to the only opportunity they will ever have to be saved. But millions have done just this.

Careless Hearers

In the parable of the sower Jesus depicted another class of unsaved people, and tells us why they are unsaved. Jesus told of a sower that went forth to sow, and as he went forth, some of his seed fell by they wayside, and the birds devoured them. To whom doest this refer? Jesus tells us, ANow the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved@ (Lk. 8:11, 12). The precious word of God was so carelessly handled by the recipient of it that the devil snatched it away lest he should believe. In Matt. 13 Jesus tells us that these people understood not the word. But there are many people who do understand the Gospel, but. they handle it carelessly, rather than burying it deeply in their heart. The seed that fell by the way side should have been properly buried in fertile soil, but it was not. Hence it brought forth no fruit. Much preaching of God’s word falls by the way side. Careless hearers let the word be snatched from them to their damnation.

There are many careless hearers who know exactly what God demands of them, but they continue to treat God’s truth lightly. They enjoy living in sin too much. So they let the precious word of God lie outside their heart; Waiting to be carefully buried in a good and honest heart, until Satan snatches it away from them. Thus carelessly they go on their way to hell.

Preconceived Notions

Finally, the Jews as a nation represent another class of unsaved people. What was wrong with the Jews? Why did they reject Christ? John said, AHe (Christ) came unto his own, and they (Jews) that were his own received him not@ (Jn. 1:11). Again in speaking of the Jews, John said, AAnd ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he sent, him ye believe not@-‘ (Jn. 5:38). The Jews rejected and crucified the only Savior they will ever@’have. What caused these people to remain unconverted? How could they overlook the miraculous demonstrations of His divine power? The reason is a simple one. Jesus was not what the Jews expected Him to be. They have preconceived notions as to what the Messiah would be like. But Jesus came just as God had said He would. And since He was not what the Jews thought He would be, they simply could not change their notion, so they rejected Christ.

The Jews expected Jesus to be a ruling monarch, and to lead them to victories over their national enemies, but He came meek and lowly, a crucified redeemer. Since Jesus did not measure up to their standards, they paid no attention to His commands. One of the big reasons for so many different denominations existing today is because people go to the Bible to try to Aprove@ what they already believe, rather than going to it to try to learn what it teaches. If my mind is already made up as I turn to the Bible for proof, I can never arrive at truth. The Jews could not, and neither can I.

People confidently affirm, AI know I am saved for I feel that I am,@ rather than rationally studying what Christ and the apostles say one must do to be saved. One chooses a church, and then tries to prove it is the New Testament church, rather than first consulting the New Testament for a picture of the Lord’s church. One decides what he thinks one must do in order to be saved, rather than earnestly seeking God’s truth on the subject from the pages of His word.

Conclusion

Why are so many unconverted? We have noticed four reasons in this article. (1) They have tried to dictate to Christ rather than obey Christ; (2) They have closed their hearts; (3) They have handled the Bible carelessly; (4) They have preconceived notions.

But how may one be converted? We have already studied several cases of conversion. In every Bible instance, they heard the word of God, they believed in Christ, they repented of their sins, and were baptized (immersed) in water for the remission of their sins. This is the only way to be transferred from the class of the unconverted to the saved group.

Truth Magazine XXI:1, pp. 3-5
January 6, 1977

By Luther Blackmon

“From this time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him” Quo. 6:66). Whatever opportunity they might have had for sharing His suffering, they forfeited. Whatever blessing might have come to them as ‘a result of following Him, they gave up. Their materialistic minds could not grasp the meaning of His teaching concerning the bread of life; their faith in him was not strong enough to overcome their ignorance until they might be taught the meaning of what He had said. So they turned away. And I think it is significant that the Bible says, “they walked no more with him.” Here is an air of finality. They never came back. But this is the way it happens more often than not. How many people have you ever known who walked with the Lord, enjoyed the forgiveness of sins, felt the protecting arm of love about them, and then turned back to walk in sin and indifference, who ever came back to stay? I am not referring to the person who is temporarily overcome by some weakness of the flesh. This happens to most people sometime in their Christian life. I am referring to the man or woman who knowing the truth turns back to the weak and beggarly elements of the world because he prefers the world to the company of Christ and His people. They seldom come back to stay. They may make a feeble effort or two, but generally they will grow more and more indifferent and cynical, until they simply cannot be touched. This is the person the Hebrew writer refers to when he said, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again to repentance . . .” (Heb. 6:4-6). Paul does not say that it is impossible for them to repent-but that it is impossible to get them to repent-that is-to bring them to the frame of mind required in one who repents.

You know, the Bible says that repentance is brought about by godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10). “Godly sorrow worketh repentance . . .” Until a person is brought to a realization of the nature of his sins against Almighty God, and finds in his heart a genuine regret and sorrow for those sins, he has not repented. A man might have any number of reasons to be sorry for the way he has lived, but that is not the sorrow that leads to repentance. When I was preaching at one of the churches in a certain area a hypocrite came to me and told me a pitiful tale of his sordid past. He was grieved, but he was grieved because his good wife had found out what a cheap imitation she had for a husband and was about to walk out on him. He didn’t want to lose her and his boy. He went through all the maneuvers of a man who had repented. He even took me with him to witness the fact that he had dropped the other woman. He got his marital affairs straightened out, and then he was through with me and the church. This fellow was sorry in more ways than one, but he never repented. Repentance is not something you do when it is convenient. Repentance is born in a human heart only when that person is convicted of the damning, blighting, ugliness of sin in his life, and when this conviction produces a sorrow so deep and real that he determines to forsake sin and place his aching and bleeding heart in the hands of a merciful Savior.

The person who thinks he can live in sin and plan to repent at some future date either does not know what repentance is or he thinks that God is a fool. Consider the presumption of a man who says, AI am having so much fun living in sin now, that I simply will not give it up; but some day in the future I will decide to be deeply sorry for what I am now doing.” The man who sets a future date to repent will find when that time comes that “there is no place in his heart for repentance.” And this applies to the man in the world who has not obeyed the gospel as well as the one who is a backslider. God is not a lackey that He should stand and wait for you to eat your fill at the devil’s table and throw Him the scraps.

Truth Magazine: XXI: 1, p. 2
January 6, 1977

By John McCort

The congregation for which I preach recently started a program of phone-in-evangelism which I personally feel will be a great asset to our work. In this article I would like to share with you some of the advantages of this method of preaching the gospel.

We purchased a Sanyo M139N Telephone Answering Device. This machine costs about $180. This device has message tapes which run from 30 seconds all the way up to 180 seconds depending on how long you want your message. 1, personally, am using the 120 second tape. I record a message about 100 seconds in length which leaves about 20 seconds for the caller to leave any comments, addresses, etc. at the end of the message. I merely turn the machine on after making my message and theoretically I could go on a two week vacation if I wanted to and the machine would take every call that came in.

The advantages and various applications of this approach are many. Most people are willing to give sixty seconds of their time to listen to a religious message; much more so than a 15-30 minute message. People probably use the phone more than any other electronic method of communication and thus the potential for reaching people is nearly unlimited. Phone-in-evangelism has several big advantages over radio evangelism. Radio evangelism chronically has very little feedback from the listener. If the listener has a question or comment to make they must sit down and write a letter which is not always convenient. Even with the phone-in, question and answer radio broadcasts, only a limited number of calls can be taken and seldom are names and addresses asked for or given. With the telephone answering device the caller can leave his name and phone number or any comments. This provides an easy, convenient, and accessible method of expressing an interest in religious matters. Also the caller can phone the message any time of the night or day whereas with radio work the listener must listen at a certain time each day which is not always possible.

The cost factor is a huge advantage. Once the answering device is purchased there is no cost except occasional service to the machine. Service contracts can be purchased for about $35 per year which is very reasonable considering that many of these devices handle 15,000 calls per year. The telephone company is dropping their monthly charge for approved telephone answering devices as of April, 1976. This charge normally was about $3.50 a month for hooking the machine into their lines.

Thus far we have been averaging about 200 calls a week. We had some business cards printed with the name of the program and the number to call, which incidentally, is the only form of advertising we have been using thus far. I use these cards extensively in doing hospital work. I have been changing the message about three times a week and will change it more often if the situation dictates it.

If you would like to see the literature on this machine just write: Earnest H. Greene, 1728 Main, Kansas City, Missouri 64108. I am sure he would be glad to give you any information you requested.

Truth Magazine, XX:26, p. 13-14
June 26, 1976