Truth Magazine

By Bill Cavender

For though the fig-tree shall not flourish, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive tree shall fail, and the fields shall yield no food; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in Jehovah, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Jehovah, the Lord, is my strength; and he maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and will make me to walk upon my high places (Hab. 3:17-19, ASV).

Through the years when I have taken time for meditative reading, study and thinking, I have often read the prophets. Not studying for sermons to preach nor classes to teach nor lessons to prepare, but for my own edification and increased understanding of our Father’s will, I find the prophets to be especially instructive and edifying.

Reading again some days ago the book of the prophet Habakkuk and studying each word, phrase and sentence, my thoughts were stirred by the above passages, the last three verses of this small book, small in number of verses but immeasurably lengthy and enlarged is “food for the soul.”

Habakkuk prophesied in Judah, contemporary with Jeremiah and Zephaniah, some six hundred years before the advent of our Savior. The shadow of death was descending on Judah. The Chaldeans — Babylon — Nebuchadnezzar were coming to destroy Judah, ravage the land, and take the people captive into a faraway land.

Gloom and the grave were before them, captivity and slavery. Their doom was sealed. Habakkuk justifies the plans and ways of God to Judah. In chapter 1:2-11 righteous people ask how can Jehovah allow wicked- ness to go unpunished, lawlessness seemingly unending. The prophet tells them that God is raising up the Chaldeans to punish the evildoers.

Chapter 1:12-2:20 presents the question as to Jehovah using such a cruel nation as Babylon to accomplish his will and punish Judah, a people less wicked than the Chaldeans, i.e., in the eyes of the Israelites.

The prophet tells them “the righteous shall live by faith” (2:4; Rom. 1:16-17). God has two ways of destroying evil. Evil is its own enemy and eventually destroys itself, it reaps what it sows (Gal. 6:7-8); and God intervenes and punishes wickedness by using nations to punish nations (Dan. 4:25). Five “woes” are then pronounced upon the wicked and the cruel avenger. Chapter 3 is an inspired hymn, describing Jehovah’s righteous judgment, with verses 17-19 affirming the convictions and thoughts of those righteous people of the ages who live by faith.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof” (Gal. 5:22-24, ASV). This “cluster” of fruit (for we do not cultivate one without the other) grows and matures as we grow older in faith and in good works. The “joy in the God of my salvation” does not come without the dedication and endurance required to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).

The life of a believer, a true Christian, is one of continual progress. We should grow steadily from spiritual childhood and youth to manhood and maturity, reaching the fulness of stature of children of God in Jesus Christ. Many do not do so. As in the first century church, so today it is that “for when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:12-14, KJV). Often believers are like the children of Israel in the wilderness, going forward and backward, to and fro, criss-crossing, walking in intricate paths, and making very slow, if any, progress toward the heavenly Canaan.

Some time ago a beloved sister in Christ Jesus made confession at the conclusion of a sermon, responding to our Lord’s invitation, saying to the effect that “I wonder if I am really a Christian. I do not seem to have the strength I need to resist temptation, and I do not have the joy and peace that I ought to have,” and asked for understanding and for prayers of the saints, and forgiveness of our Father. I learned she had been a Christian about three years. And I thought later, as I reflected about this child of God, that many in the church far longer than she, also have these same thoughts and doubts. You don’t put “old heads on young shoulders,” for they would be out of place. Let heads, hearts, shoulders and bodies be of the same age!

Younger saints ought not be discouraged when they have doubts, and when they witness others who are older in the faith demonstrating joy, peace, patience, love, kindness, strength, etc., of mature brothers and sisters who for years have studied, learned, prayed, worshiped, practiced, and fought the good fight of faith.

Rather the younger should be encouraged by the examples of those who are fathers and mothers in the family of God, and by older brothers and sisters who are diligently striving for the “crown of life that fadeth not away” (1 Tim. 5:1-2; Tit. 2:18; Jas. 1:12). Forward, onward, upward we daily travel through life, purposing to continue doing so until we behold the face of him whom we love, for then “we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:1-3). “For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise. . . . But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul” (Heb. 10:36-39).

There are obstacles to cultivating and experiencing “joy in the God of my salvation.” We have great joy in the spirit when we worship each Lord’s Day, eating the supper of Jesus Christ, remembering his body and blood, his death on the cross for our sins. It is a joy to sing from the heart beautiful psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, which take our souls on a flight from earth to heaven, into the very portals of glory. It is a great joy to hear the full, unadulterated, enlightening word of God spoken and preached by good men from pure hearts. But that joy of worship may soon be diminished and dampened when they leave the assembly to go about encountering the world and it cares. We may go home to sadness, sorrow, sickness, and even death. One lady in a congregation goes home to a cursing, alcohol- drinking husband.

There are believers who cannot pray in their family life, cannot offer audible thanks for a meal, because of ungodly, opposing people in the family. “Joy in the God of my salvation” must be fought and contended for, learned and cultivated in spite of oppositions, sneers, and ill-will toward one who loves God truly, even from foes in our own house- holds (Matt. 10:36).

We have great joy when we think of heaven and eternal life in the presence of our God and the redeemed of the ages. We think of how joyful will be the greetings and the reunions in heaven. We joy to think of him “whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your soul” (1 Pet. 1:8-9). It is unbounded joy to know that there is God, Jehovah, and he is our Father (1 Cor. 8:3, 6; Eph. 4:4-6; John 17:24-26). Like Enoch and Noah, we should walk with him and please him each day (Gen. 5:24; 6:9, 22; 7:5; Heb. 11:5, 7). “Ye must be born again . . . of water and of the spirit,” if we would claim God as our Father and enter into his kingdom (John 3:1-8; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38). He says to us, “I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Cor. 6:16-18).

As his children we “joy in the God of my salvation” who does his will among the inhabitants of the earth as he does in the army of heaven: “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Dan. 4:35). The world of unbelievers has always wanted a god but not a Sovereign, a King, a Monarch, who commands them and demands obedience. The world wants a god who is made in their image, who will do as his creatures think and command him, who agrees with them, who has no certain will, and endorses and approves of all the doings of his subjects. I rejoice that our God and Father is firm and true, dependable and trustworthy, a God “who will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion,” and “is a consuming fire” in punishing the lawless and opposer (Rom. 9:14-16; Heb. 2:28; 2 Thess. 1:3-12).

We have “joy in the God of my salvation” for he has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ who died for us. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Rom. 5:10). Our Father hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, through the minis- try of reconciliation (the preaching of the glorious gospel of Christ Jesus to the lost) committed to the Holy Spirit guided apostles, in which God forgives our trespasses and we be- come new creatures (a new creation) in Christ through faith (2 Cor. 5:17-21; 1 Pet. 2:1-2). We “joy” when we see Jesus on the cross, “the Lamb of God, which taketh way the sin of the world” (John 1:29). We “joy” when we suffer for the sake of Jesus. “And they (the apostles, bc) departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41). We “joy in the God of my salvation” when we truly consider and understand that “we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1-11).

Like the innumerable blessings from our Father which we can neither know nor number, never realizing all that our God has done for us, so are the immeasurable joys which we have day by day in Jesus. In Habakkuk 3:17-19, the prophet affirms that if the fig tree bears no blossoms nor fruit; if there are no grapes on the vines; if there are no olives and olive oil; if there is no grain in the fields; if there are no flocks and herds, no milk to drink and flesh to eat; and no cattle in the stalls and folds; yet he and those who are “righteous, justified by faith” (2:4), will never forsake and turn away from our God and Father. With Job we should hold, as a matter of deep confirmed faith and conviction, that “though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain my own ways before him” (Job 13:15), even if, as with Job, we were to lose ten children in death, all our material goods, our wife in unbelief, and our physical health (chapters 1 and 2). “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” A Christian never has any circumstances in which he should not be found rejoicing (Phil. 4:4).

By J.S. Smith

I am all for school spirit. I have season tickets for the Pflugerville High School football team and rant and rave with the best of them at every game. My objection to cheerleading is not about school spirit or extracurricular activities, which are both profitable. My objection to cheerleading centers on the undeniable fact that it places young women and girls into immodest costumes and engages them in lewd exercises before hundreds of boys and men.

The Costume

In days gone by, the cheerleading uniform was not immodest and I would have no problem with it at all. It consisted of a skirt that descended below the knees and a top that concealed both chest and midriff. Today’s cheerleading uniform is often times nothing more than a miniskirt and halter top. Many uniforms today even bare the mid- riff.

If this uniform were stripped of its insignia and worn as everyday attire, most Christians would see its impropriety. Because it is associated with a school activity, considered wholesome in America, should not mitigate the clear fact that such attire is immodest and will tend to incite lust in the vulnerable hearts of young men (Matt. 5:27-28).

Paul addresses even our young women when he admonishes them to “adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation . . . which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works” (1 Tim. 2:9-10). To imagine a Christian gleefully donning such a costume in public is beyond belief. Any young women dressed in what amounts to a miniskirt is not professing godliness, but a lack of concern for the souls of men who see her. Her attire is a stumbling block that will surely help some souls down the road to perdition (Matt. 18:6-7). Can anyone seriously deny that her costume is likely to cause someone to lust?

The Bodily Movements

The Holy Spirit includes lewdness among his list of works of the flesh that will disqualify anyone from inheriting the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21). Lewdness is one of those words which meaning in the English language has evolved away from the intent of the original Greek Paul used. Thayer defines aselgeia as “wanton acts or manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, un- chaste handling of males and females, etc.”

Again, take the cheerleader off the side- line and have her perform the same exercises on the dance floor to music. Modern cheerleading is an exhibition of young women performing indecent bodily movements in the presence of hundreds, if not thousands, of men. It has the same power to incite lust as modern dancing and is just as lewd. We might want to excuse it as a school activity, but such a justification amounts only to situation ethics, a byword of humanism, wherein the black-and-white nature of sin is blurred for our convenience.

Not All Bad

I am aware of at least one high school which has cheer- leaders who wear modest uniforms and refrain from performing lewdness on the sideline. Their cheers are done in a respectable way and I think that is fine. These young women are engaged in a wholesome activity, which does not place them in thigh-and-belly-bearing outfits or direct them to dance about in a way that might incite lust (Matt. 14:6).

Just how important are the souls of our young people? Lewdness disappoints God and will keep them out of Heaven. Is that more important than popularity on Earth?

It is approaching 1:00 a.m. as I write. All in the house are asleep but me. A few minutes ago I just finished reading some material on the value of sleep. I was convinced by the author’s evidence that the body needs proper rest. Toward the end of the material, as my eyes got heavier, his point hit home more than ever.

Surely it has dawned on you, as it did me, that there seems to be some contradiction in staying awake to learn more about the value of sleep. One who would stay awake to the wee hours of the morning to read about the value of sleep surely has some interest in giving his body what it needs. Yet, in the process, the very needs are denied. Isn’t that a little like doing without food in order to have money to buy a book on nutrition?

I got to thinking — folks act the same way in spiritual matters.

All too often some father will work long hours (even taking more than one job) to be able to provide what the family needs. Yet, in the process the very thing they need (his love and attention) is deprived (See: Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:1-4).

It has always interested me how people engage in Bible study (be it in Bible class or listening to preaching) with- out a Bible. I am amazed at the person who can grasp a text being explained in its context without ever opening the covers of the Bible (See: John 5:39; Acts 17:11).

Purity of thought (Prov. 23:7) is emphasized by parents as they train their children. They are taught about the evils of association and familiarization with sin (Ps. 1:1-3). We, as parents will not allow them to listen to music or watch TV that violates those principles. Yet, some parents will take their children to movies that use a good bit of profanity and even have suggestive scenes (see: Rom. 1:32).

Preachers have been among the worst of those who, in the name of doing good, in the end, do wrong. It is not uncommon to see some preachers who sacrifice all to study the word and go preach. Among the sacrifices (though not intentional) is their health and, even worse, their marriage and children. Preachers, like any other Christians, have the responsibility to be good husbands and fathers (1 Pet. 3:7; Eph. 6:1-4).

I have always been amused at those who will argue with you that it is wrong to debate. Or those who condemn those who condemn. And what about the ones who judge us be- cause they think we are judgmental?

We live in a society that cries out for the poor fellow on death row. Though he may have killed a dozen people, the liberal element will tell us that he is a human being and deserves to live. Yet, the same people will contend for a woman’s right to abort her child (see: Gen. 9:6).

The hour is getting late (or early). I really ought to practice a little of what I just read a while ago. I think I will go to bed.

Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). Freedom from sin is provided only through the death of Christ as a perfect sacrifice for sin (Heb. 10:12). As the blood of animals was sprinkled on the first covenant, so the New Testament of Christ was sealed and sanctified by the shedding of his blood (Heb. 9:15-23). As we abide within his covenant, Christ keeps us free from sin.

Free from Separation from God

Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden by their sin. Their blissful relationship with God was broken and their access to the tree of life was blocked. God “drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the Garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” (Gen. 3:24). Sin separates us from fellowship with God, makes us enemies of God, and denies us the blessings of God (Isa. 59:1-2; Col 1:21). When we live in sin, our prayers are not accepted through the mediatorial name of Jesus Christ.

Christ restores our broken fellowship with God, giving us “all spiritual blessings” (Eph. 1:3). Both Jews and Gen- tiles have access to God through the blood of Jesus Christ. “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13). Christ frees us from sin so that we can enjoy full fellowship with God when we obey the gospel and are added to the church of Christ. Thus, we are reconciled “unto God in one body by the cross” (Eph. 2:16).

Free from Sin’s Enslaving, Degrading Effects

Sin soon enslaves us, leads us further and further away from God, and makes us vulnerable to many foolish and hurtful lusts. Mere covetousness opens the door to all sorts of temptations (1 Tim. 6:10). Step by step, King David was led deeper into sin, but he finally repented, whereas Judas followed a similar path and ended a suicide. Neither man intended to go as far as he did. Sin seems at first to be the servant of our desires but soon becomes the master of our souls! The history of the Gentile world shows that those who depart from the truth of God are soon “filled with all unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:29). Brethren who begin to com- promise the truth with the best of intentions may end up as false teachers who “wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13).

When we are “baptized into Jesus Christ,” we are raised to “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). When Christ cleanses our souls, he turns our lives around. The moment we obey the gospel, we are “then made free from sin” and become “the servants of righteousness.”

For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life (Rom. 6:18, 20-22).

The Lord can take our broken hearts and lives, so marred by sin, and remold us as vessels of honor in his service. He removes the garments so spotted and stained with sin, and clothes us in the beauties of holiness as his servants.

Free from the Old Law

The Old Law prepared men for the coming of Christ but could not itself provide a perfect sacrifice for sin. Once a man sinned under that Law, he stood under the condemnation of sin (Gal. 3:10-13). The only hope of forgiveness was in the Christ to come, but after Christ came and offered the perfect sacrifice for sin, it was impossible to serve God under the Law of Moses. To attempt to do so, in whole or in part, is to return to the condemnation pronounced on the sinner by that covenant. Modern day Jews and sabbatarians appeal to the Old Law. Denominationalism tries to justify infant membership, a clergy or priesthood, special robes, burning incense, dancing in worship, clapping, instrumental music, and other practices on the basis of the Old Law.

Christ takes away the yoke of Moses’ Law and teaches us, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” To appeal to the Old Law to justify our- selves today is to fall from grace (Gal. 5:1-6). The message of the book of Hebrews is that we serve God under a new and better high priest, a new and better covenant, with a new and better sacrifice, a new and better sabbath rest, a new and better tabernacle, and a new and better hope. “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away” (Heb. 8:13).

Free from Commandments and Doctrines of Men

Men are often misled in religion by false teachers who depart from the truth by omitting things from it and adding things to it. We are often warned against such men who twist the Scriptures “unto their own destruction” (Rev. 22:18-19; 2 Pet. 3:16). False teachers make us “subject to ordinances . . . after the commandments and doctrines of men” (Col. 2:20-23). Such things make a fair show of religion, but are utterly worthless to God or man in the plan of salvation. Denominational churches with their man- made names, creeds, dogmas, and practices enslave men’s souls to ordinances after the commandments and doctrines of men. All forms of apostasy and departure from the true gospel of Christ create the same enslavement to men.

Christ teaches us to test all teachers by God’s Word in order to distinguish truth from error (Matt. 15:1-9; 1 Pet.4:11; 1 John 4:1-6). Thus, Christ frees us from the dominion of men and the theories of men. We “are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ him- self being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20). Being delivered from the confusion and uncertainty of human traditions and creeds, we are no longer “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Eph. 4:14).

Free from the Law of Sin and Death

Once we sin, we are doomed to eternal punishment in hell. Once we are cast into hell with the devil and his angels, into “the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone,” there is no escape, no relief from torment, and no hope of freedom (Rev. 21:8). Think of it: Sin promises us joyous freedoms but finally enslaves and entombs us in the dungeon of eternal despair! Seeing this end result of the sin’s captivity, Paul exclaimed, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Rom. 8:24) “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2). In Christ we have forgiveness and the hope of eternal life with God in heaven (Tit. 1:2). On the great resurrection day, our bodies will be changed and “fashioned like unto his glorious body” (Phil. 3:21). Both physical and spiritual death will be defeated. We shall live forever beyond the reach of the law of sin and death “when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality.”

Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:54-57).

False Forms of Freedom

We are not free to continue in sin, or to teach and practice false doctrine. Freedom in Christ is not a license to do wrong with impunity. False teachers open the door to sin and error by promising a false form of “liberty” (2 Pet. 2:1, 19). Those who oppose this false plea are attacked as “legalists,” “intolerant,” “sectarian,” “traditionalists,” “creed writers,” “narrow-minded,” “negative,” and “cultists.” The false teacher who hardens his heart will eventually leave God’s true people or else be rejected from their fellowship after repeated admonition (1 John 2:19; Tit. 3:10). He may become increasingly bitter, rash, and reckless as he waxes “worse and worse” under a false banner of freedom (2 Tim. 3:13).

Many practices not authorized in God’s Word are promoted under the false banner of freedom, such as sprinkling in place of Bible baptism, women preachers, church sponsored recreation, adulterous marriages, instrumental music in worship, and unity in doctrinal diversity. These doctrines and commandments of men are no part of the covenant sealed by the blood of Christ. Anyone with sincere questions about such things can be patiently taught such passages as Romans 6:4, 1 Timothy 2:12, 1 Corinthians 11:34, Matthew 19:9, Ephesians 5:19, and 2 John 9-11. Sincere brethren seeking to learn and grow are not treated like false teachers, but neither are false teachers granted the “freedom” they demand to spread error unchallenged.

How to Become Free in Christ

Christ frees us from sin when we accept him by faith, repentance, and baptism (Acts 2:36-38). Even when Christians fall into sin, Christ’s blood is always available to us if only we will repent and seek God’s pardon (Acts 8:22). Christ said of all who are willing to hear, believe, and obey his teaching, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Indeed, Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life” which leads us into that blessed freedom of fellowship with God for time and for eternity (John 14:1-6). What good news to sinners who are tired of Satan’s lies and slavery!