Truth Magazine

Many Christian brethren have asked me to write on my personal pilgrimage and conversion experience to the truth in Christ. I suppose that most, if not all, find it difficult to write on oneself, and I am no different, being of that same mind. However, I will attempt to do so in hope that some- one, somewhere, might be encouraged and uplifted by it. Also to give them the assurance that there are others out there who are lost, as I was, who need to hear God’s honest truth, that have been misled by the universality of false-teachers and their condemnable doctrines. The only way to combat these is for those of us who are in Christ and that have obeyed the truth of the gospel to teach, preach, proclaim, and declare it to everyone, everywhere, in every opportunity and situation we may find ourselves in our everyday lives. Just as Satan has flooded the arena of our surroundings with his influence, so we must do the same as our Lord Jesus has thus commanded. As it is true that we do not have to be as great in number as those that are influenced by him and his cunning craftiness, nevertheless the lost still need to hear the truth of the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16; Heb. 4:12). For without that power and those that proclaim it, I would not be at this time, as a child of God, writing this to you. “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things” (Rom. 10:15).

My friends, I was an ordained Baptist preacher of the sect known as Primitive Baptists. My father and brother were also Baptist preachers. About nine years ago I decided to “follow the Lord” and start going to church. Not knowing anything about the Bible I did what most end up doing and that is following a relative or friend to the church of their choice. In my case it was following my dad and the sect he was with. Being naive as others and not knowing any better, many are influenced by these friends and relatives that we judge to have been religious for some time and certainly must know more than us. We allow our- selves to slowly be indoctrinated into church methodology and theology. All religions want to make converts to their own group and I was as a little child with grown-ups offering me candy, so to speak. All of us want to feel as though we’re wanted and liked, and that there is a special place for us in a church. I was certainly no different. My father and his Primitive Baptist friends took me under their wings and immediately started to “teach” me the Bible. They taught me how to interpret it, what passages mean, and warned me about not associating with those of other religious sects. Little did I know that this was a part of the “grooming” process of a new convert. From the start I was taught what is commonly referred to as the “TULIP” doc- trines, or as they like to refer to them as the “doctrines of grace” with the certain “proof texts” that supposedly sup- ported these teachings. That man is “Totally Depraved” from Adam; that God has “Unconditionally Elected” certain particular individuals before the foundation of the world; That Jesus only died for those certain ones (Limited Atonement): that God “Irresistibly Calls” those individuals (regenerated or born again); and that once we’re saved we can never be lost (Preservation of the Saints). This is what I heard week after week in our pulpits. Every- one seemed to agree and I would occasionally hear an “Amen” out of the congregation to give support to what was being taught. So I did not question this because surely these “men of God” knew far more than me. Eventually, I was licensed to preach and finally ordained to the full work of the ministry. Looking back now, I see me in those days being a pal-parrot. In other words, I was doing and saying as I saw them do and say.

As the years went by as I was reading and studying more of God’s Word, some things that I had been taught I started to question. When I would pose my thoughts on certain things from the Bible to some preachers, to my surprise, they got very upset and slowly were distancing themselves from me. As long as I was pal-parroting what they taught me and not questioning anything I was doing fine, but when I did do so troubles and problems came my way, of which I could not understand. Some would get very angry at me and dis-fellowship me all together. My preaching appointments started to dwindle. Others were being called to “Pastor” churches instead of me. It seemed all because I was diligently studying the Sacred Scripture. The more I would ask questions, the more trouble I received. This drove me to investigate thoroughly what I had been taught. I had been taught, so much against “Arminianism” and wanted to see why so many of the people I was with hated them so much. I thought to myself that I wanted to know both ends of the theological spectrum. I wanted to give their “sys- tem” a chance as I had done with “Calvinism.” I reckoned that by knowing both realms of these opposite teachings that I would find out the real truth.

I decided the best way to know “Arminianism” was to be taught directly from them. So I enrolled into a program in a Seminary of that persuasion. I rigorously studied my heart out course by course. I took 16 courses in the one Masters program. Then I enrolled into their Doctorate program in Theology. One of my courses in this program was in “Hermeneutics” (the science of Bible interpretation). I was intrigued with what I had learned in that particular course. Just by chance, I had to do a thesis at the end of this program of which it was appointed that I do it in Hermeneutics. The research that I had done was extensive and thorough. I had to read and study this subject inside and out. I read many books of scholars on this subject. The reason why I mention this is because this was a major turning point in my sojourn to the truth. I realized that “Calvinism” approached the Bible using an “Allegorical Method” of interpretation. That is, “beyond the literal, obvious, and apparent meaning of a pas- sage lies the real hidden secret meaning.” I knew right off the bat that this was wrong. I realized that the way I was taught to interpret the Word of God was not the proper way of doing so. Then I started to re-interpret what I had read in God’s Word. I wanted to challenge every doctrine that I was taught by taking the literal, plain and obvious and apparent meaning of what I would now read.

Yet, before I get too ahead of myself, I want to mention something that is of great significance to my conversion. A few years ago I was the Moderator for my father in a public debate with a church of Christ preacher named Patrick Donahue. The proposition was “For whom did Christ die?” I remember that day well. Although, I was of my father’s persuasion, that debate (looking back now) had a profound effect on me. I remember during the debate while Mr. Donahue was dissecting, piece by piece, point by point, what I was taught to believe as the truth, there was a particular point in that debate that I saw some truth of what he was declaring from God’s Word. That debate never left my mind over the months to come. The seed of the truth of the gospel was planted in my heart that very day.

During my theological education I was challenging every point of the “TULIP” doctrines of which I was taught. The first major point that I challenged was “Limited Atonement.” Why I started here I think was because of what was planted in me from the Donahue/Garrett de- bate on this subject. After much careful study, I saw the truth that Christ died for “all men” not just a few. Once I saw that truth I went to “Unconditional Election” and so challenged that point of Calvinistic doctrine. It was not long after I saw the real truth on election or salvation, that it was in fact conditional on our obedience in believ- ing, repenting, and confessing. Of course the Calvinistic doctrine of “irresistible grace” fell down all by itself af- ter that. All I had left was “total depravity” and the “perseverance of the saints.” But, these did not fall so easily. I struggled with these for some time. Yet, I kept challenging these points with God’s Word. I would stay up to sometimes 3- 4 o’clock in the morning studying and researching the Scripture. Once saved, always saved eventually fell by the wayside. When I saw that a person could fall out of grace then that convicted my soul a great deal. A struggle began in me to venture whether or not I was truly saved or not. Many prayers were prayed during this time in my studies. The hardest point to challenge was “total depravity.” I was taught it since my youth. During this time I had been watching some debate tapes of my dad with fellows like John Welch, Tommy Thrasher, and Patrick Donahue that my dad had given me. At times, these discussions got pretty heated and very forceful in argument. Yet, I learned and enjoyed much from them.

One day, out of the blue, I wanted to talk to Patrick Donahue. So I called my dad and asked him for Patrick’s phone number. Dad says, “What in the world do you want his phone number for?” I told him I just wanted to talk with him. So, he gave me his number and I called him. He was very nice and cordial and sent me some literature and debate tapes on total depravity. My wanting to talk to Patrick, as I look back was because of that seed that had been planted in me during that debate with my father a couple three years prior. Eventually I saw that total depravity was not the truth of Scripture. I then left my father and the Primitive Baptists and went and joined the Southern Baptists. This was because I still wanted to “worship” and go to church and there were many Southern Baptists in my area. It was a place for me and my family to go while I got my “theology” straightened out. During this time Patrick kept in contact with me and tried (not force- fully) to help in any way that he could. We would correspond every day on the Internet by way of E-Mail communication. Patrick showed great concern about my soul in a loving manner. He asked me to investigate the doctrine of water baptism. I laughed and said I would. But, deep down in- side I “knew” that water baptism had absolutely nothing to do in the salvation of people’s soul. This I was certainly sure. I had done a lot of changing, but, this I knew with certainty. He would post arguments (debating on Internet) to me on baptism passages and I would respond in the nor- mal usual Baptist way. Yet, every argument I had was being thrown down in defeat. This angered me tremendously and I did not like it at all. Yet, I was determined to prove him wrong nonetheless. Little did I know that when two men debate every point and Scripture that sooner or later the truth will pop right out of the discussion. And it certainly did with Pat and our discussion. I was befuddled! I did not communicate with him for a while, while I was pondering this with much conviction.

After seeing the truth on baptism in the Scripture I still did not want to accept it. Yet, the nights were unsleepable for me. I could not just sweep this under the rug to lie dormant. I was searching and looking for ways to get out of baptism being a necessity for salvation. I went to my Baptist and Protestant scholars commentaries hoping they would explain it away or give me something to grab hold of to not accept it. Yet, when these scholars went to Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21 and other passages they were so very weak and afforded me no relief. I thought, well, I’ll just get some scholarly Christian History books and prove the early church Fathers did not believe in baptismal regeneration. To my surprise, I found out, on the contrary, that the early church believed in it so much that major heresies crept in after the first few centuries. That Irenaeus, who was taught by Polycarp, who had been taught by John the Apostle, taught the necessity of baptism. That Tertullian, an early church historian said the early church believed strongly in the necessity of baptism. That they felt so strongly in it that many people refused to be baptized until near their death. So strongly that they started baptizing infants. This was only because of the new heresy of total depravity that had slowly crept in among somein the early assemblies. Once I had seen this in the pre- Nicene Fathers, I was shocked.

I went back into my Bible to investigate more on baptism. Then when I finally saw that it was the truth of God, I came to the hardest place I had ever been in my quest of truth. What must I do? Do I go and “join” the “Campbellites” whom I have been taught to laugh at and hate with a passion? I thought, well I’ll just stay where I am in the Southern Baptists and just not say anything about baptism. Sure I could believe it is true, yet, keep it to my- self. Oh! my friends, this mind set did not last too long. My convictions were too strong to pull such a stunt. My love of God’s Word and my affection for the Baptists were now at odds with each other. Days went by (sleepless) as I pondered what must I do. I started to read once again the book of Acts to find this answer. I found that I was not alone in wanting this question answered. The Jews asked Peter the question in Acts 2. The apostle Paul asked Jesus the same thing. The Philippian jailer asked the same question, etc. The answer was always believe and be baptized and thou shalt be saved. The exact words of Jesus in Mark

16:16. So I called my friend Patrick Donahue and he gave me two phone numbers of preacher brethren here in my area. I called both and we’d meet once a week and talk the Scripture. One of these men was Bobby K. Thompson of the Manatee County Church of Christ. Bobby is up in his seventies and his biblical answers soothed my weary soul. One day I asked him to take me to “his” church to view his library. He had given me a couple of books to read, but the most important thing he said to me was when we were walking out to leave, he put his arm around my neck, hugged me and said, “Eddie, you need to be in Christ, you must accept the truth of Jesus, obey the gospel and be baptized leaving your old world behind.” These few little words convicted my heart for days. Him putting his arm around me meant so much because he saw the agony I was in and the dilemma I had found myself.

One thing that intrigued me of these “church of Christ” people is that all of them encouraged me to read and study my Bible. To stay away from reading so many other books of others and just stay with God’s Word.

I talked frequently with my wife on these doctrinal is- sues and we would study together. My conviction was getting too strong to wait any longer. I had to obey the gospel as the Lord Jesus commanded. I called Bobby Thompson and told him to get the baptistry ready for Sun- day. Those few days till then seemed as though a year. Satan was working overtime it seemed. But, I kept myself into the Scripture, the safest haven for me. My wife was stunned and shocked. “Was he going to leave all his years in the Baptist church and all his educational credentials and titles behind?” she thought. Yet, I indeed did and was baptized upon my confession in Christ Jesus on that Sunday morning.

The next day, after my baptism into Christ, I was called by a Southern Baptist church to be their “Pastor.” This is what I had worked so hard for years. I turned them down because of my true conversion to Christ. Satan was working overtime with me because on that Wednesday I received another call to “Pastor” full-time another Baptist Church in my area. My wife said to me (reminds me of Job’s wife), “Eddie this is what you’ve been working for so long and now it comes and you refuse it.” But, my mind was set in the defense of the truth. I was not going to be tempted away from my Lord Jesus. I walked away from all my friends, preachers, and laymen. By doing all this, I think this gave reason for my wife to investigate what I had found.

Walking into the church of Christ building seemed strange or different than what I’d been accustomed to, the people were different as well than what I was used to, but I knew I had followed my Lord’s commands. My wife and I kept studying together every day and to my wonderful surprise, she came forward a month later in the service to obey the gospel. I was so happy and rejoicing. Bobby came up to me and asked if I wanted to baptize her and thus my joy was fulfilled. I baptized my wife, Priscilla, on that very day.

We have been serving our Lord ever since and feel so blessed by our Lord. Ephesians 1:3 has certainly lived up to all the truth it declares. All spiritual blessings are in- deed in Christ. I was experiencing them like I had never experienced them before. We are so happy and filled with joy over what our Lord Jesus has done for us.

Brethren, beloved in the Lord, there were many things that contributed to my conversion in Christ, but it all started with viewing and attending debates. If it wasn’t for the sternness of the gospel preachers in their conviction in pro- claiming the truth in boldness of which I had never experienced before, my wife and I may not be where we are today. Do debates do any good? This very soul and his wife would no doubt be lost, bound for the fiery pits of Hell in torment, if not for those I experienced. Oh! blessed are the feet of those that preach the gospel of Christ.

What we need is not a backing off of doing them, but to return to publicly proclaim with a vigor that has never since been seen since the first century Christians. Let all who have the truth challenge every sectarian preacher and theologian to discuss these matters. Let us raise the proclamation flag of God’s truth and not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation.

The first century Christians turned this world upside down and thousands were converted to Christ. What has changed now? Is it possible that we are too sophisticated now to openly declare the truth of Christ? Let all who know the truth search, as Paul, Barnabas, Silas, etc. for avenues of discussion. Let’s let our light so shine that all others can see the truth in Christ. This is a warfare with Satan and the powers of darkness that is sending poor souls to Hell, let us not give up on these precious souls that need to be saved. Let us try much harder to proclaim it and not hide our talent under the ground.

After thirteen months of a bitter political battle, the impeachment hearings against our nation’s President ended with his recent acquittal. Though conducted on the political stage, it reflects the ongoing moral war. There are moral issues — serious moral issues — involved. Setting aside political preferences and views, several personal lessons can be gleaned from this national disgrace.

Our Sin Will Find Us Out

In January 1998, the President flatly denied the alleged relationship with intern Lewinsky. I confidently believe he felt no one would ever learn the details of the matter. How wrong he was!

Moses, in Numbers 32:23, reminded the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, if they failed to help their brethren settle Canaan west of Jordan, “be sure your sin will find you out.” How true that is! Our sins are fully known to God. “All things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:13). Even our private sins are: “You have set our iniquities before You; our secret sins in the light of Your countenance” (Ps. 90:8; italics mine, rjb).

Sinful dispositions are manifested by our actions (Mark 7:20-23; cf. Prov. 4:23; 23:7). Sins against others become known (Matt. 18:15-17). Sometimes sin becomes known by the consequences it brings (Josh. 7:1-5, 19-21, 25). Rest assured that when we sin, it will become known — some- how, in some way.

Leadership Demands Godly Character and Morality

We have frequently heard: “Moral character doesn’t matter; what one does in private is no one else’s business as long as it doesn’t affect job performance.” Too many people have exchanged the truth for this lie (Rom. 1:25). Leadership which is not faithful in little things (private conduct) will fail in greater responsibilities (Luke 16:10; also Matt. 25:21; Luke 19:17). God has always required godly character and morality, especially from those in positions of leadership.

Kings of the Israelites were to have a copy of the law with them for reading, humility and fearful obedience, all of which would prolong their reign as king (Deut. 17:18- 20). The judges whom Jethro suggested to Moses were to be “able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness” (Exod. 18:21). Why? So they might competently learn the law and render just verdicts in cases between Israelites. Within the church, elders and deacons are to be men of proven godliness and morality, especially needed in light of their serious responsibilities (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1:6ff; 1 Pet. 5:2-3). These examples sufficiently show that a key to effective leadership is godly morality and character; anything less is evil leaven.

Genuine Repentance

Throughout this ordeal we have been served a variety of apologies in differing tones and settings, so many, in fact, that one could question the apologist’s sincerity. The subject of genuine repentance enters the picture. So does a pertinent text — 2 Corinthians 7:6-11. This text addresses both the motivations and actions of genuine repentance.

2 Corinthians 7:10 mentions “godly sorrow” and “the sorrow of the world.” What is the difference? There is an obvious difference in that godly sorrow “produces repentance to salvation,” but the worldly sorrow “produce death.” The key term is “godly.” Sorrow towards God for sins committed is the realization of sin being an offense primarily against God, and it causes a change of mind leading to a change of actions; one ceases the sinful activity. Though he did not sin with Potiphar ’s wife, Joseph’s mindset toward sin was right: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9; italics mine, rjb). Godly sorrow entails a similar perspective.

Worldly sorrow, on the other hand, thinks primarily about worldly motives and consequences. It is little concerned with spiritual considerations, if at all. It has been accurately stated that godly sorrow is sorrow that one has done wrong, while worldly sorrow is sorrow for getting caught doing wrong.

Godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance as reflected in the Corinthians’ change of heart and conduct. They had tolerated an impenitent fornicator (1 Cor. 5). Paul told them to purge this leaven from among them (v. 7). This punishment was meted by a majority of them, causing the impenitent brother to repent (2 Cor. 2:6-7). Of their repentance Paul said, “For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves clear in this matter” (v. 11). Godly sorrow produces this genuine repentance. Worldly sorrow acts differently.

Worldly sorrow seeks to delay, not diligently settle matters; to conceal wrongdoing, not clear it; its indignation is toward those who seek to resolve matters, not at self for sin; no fear of consequences; vehement desire, not to correct self, but to destroy accusers; zeal to protect self and status, not to cease sin; no vindication of self, but vindictiveness towards others; persuading others to try to clear you, rather than proving one’s self clear in a matter. Surely these contrasts are familiar to us in light of recent events.

Temporal Consequences Of Sin

Sin is the “Great Separator” — it separates man from God (Isa. 59:1-2). David understood this after all the events pertaining to Bathsheba and Uriah. Until he confessed his sins, he felt the weight of those spiritual consequences in his life (see Psalms 32 and 51).

David also learned that sin has temporal consequences, a fact which society often fails to realize or acknowledge. They may be small or great, immediate or delayed, individual and/or group-wide.

 

Nathan told David the consequences of his sins (2 Sam. 12:7-15). David had “despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight” (vv. 9, 10). Therefore he would: (1) have violence in his family’s future (v. 10); (2) experience insurrection from among his own family (v. 11a); (3) be humiliated by having his wives publicly violated (vv. 11b-12); (4) give great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme (v. 14); and (5) cause innocent people to suffer (v. 14b). Anyone familiar with David’s life and subsequent chapters in 2 Samuel can document the fulfillment of each of these foretold consequences. Though David was forgiven spiritually (Ps. 32:1-5; 51; 2 Sam. 12:13), there were still temporal consequences to his sins.

Today people may commit grave sins and be forgiven, but still have to face temporal consequences of those sins. A murderer can be forgiven by God, but still receives civil punishment. An alcoholic (or drug addict) mother can be forgiven, but an innocent baby suffers the consequences of fetal-alcohol syndrome (or “crack baby”). A thief can be forgiven, but still pays restitution. A person in an un- lawful marriage can be forgiven of that adulterous relationship, but must leave it for repentance to come to fruition. In all of these cases and numerous others, one can be forgiven when they meet God’s terms of forgiveness, but may have temporal consequences of sin.

Conclusion

We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s history. Whenever a society allows sin to run rampant in the streets and fails to uphold righteousness and justice, then it is a reproach to that nation (Prov. 14:34). Many Americans are rightfully embarrassed about the reprehensible conduct of our President and his cohorts. It is a national disgrace. There are, however, important moral principles underlying these events. We must be sure to grasp and apply them because they are right and for posterity’s sake.

We can — by God’s power (Eph. 1:19-20) and longsuffering (2 Pet. 3:9) — affect a return to righteous- ness in our country through plain Bible teaching and consistent Christian living. God was willing to spare Sodom and Gomorrah for the sake of ten righteous souls (Gen. 18:32). Maybe he will spare America, too.

From off the Internet, via Pulpit Helps, we note the following:

The New York Times News Service reports from Rome that Pope John Paul II “has announced that in celebration of entering the third millennium of Christianity, penitents who do a charitable deed or give up cigarettes or alcohol for a day can earn an ‘indulgence’ to eliminate punishment on earth or in purgatory.”

While some Catholic officials emphasize that indulgences are linked to sincere repentance, others were embarrassed by a practice that “seems to offer a simplistic shortcut to salvation.” The Protestant Reformation was begun as a protest by Martin Luther against the sale of indulgences. Since Vatican II, the news service said, the Roman Catholic Church played down their importance.

The Pope declared the year 2000 as a holy year, and “throughout the millennial celebration believers will be offered a wider selection of ways to receive a plenary indulgence (to cancel the punishment for repented sins). In addition to traditional means, such as attendance at Mass in a designated church, they can choose an act of private sacrifice.” According to Cardinal William Baum, “this would include abstaining for at least one whole day from unnecessary consumption (e.g., from smoking, or alcohol, or fasting)” (Pulpit Helps, published by AMG Publishers, Chattanooga, TN 37422).

Well, I do not know about you, but I am certainly relieved that the present Pope was in a good humor when he issued his insignificant little puff of air. In times past, Popes have had folks seized and burned at the stake, so it was with a sigh of relief that I learned this Pope wears a white hat. Wonder if he will indulge and permit me write this article without incurring any singed clothing or powder burns (Dan. 3:15-18)?

(Before I forget, perhaps Cardinal Bill could define for us what constitutes the necessary “consumption” of cigarettes [“smoking”]. Many priests smoke and drink. Wonder how many of them will de-ash and detox for a day? Cu- ban dictator, Fidel Castro, is a friend of the Pope. Will he give up his cigar for one less day of eternal smoking?)

How many of the well-known, so called “Protestants” of our day will join with those “Catholic officials” who “were embarrassed” by the Pope’s pronouncement? Where are the voices of those who are protesting the profane and profound presumption of the Pope’s proclamation? Will they speak out and speak up? Nay, verily, they will give in and give up.

Where, too, are the voices of those, our brethren, who constantly warn us against “our traditions in the Church of Christ”? Since they denounce us for our alleged “traditions,” where are their denunciations of the Pope’s “vain jangling” and “vain babblings”? It is strange how that some of our brethren will rail against the traditions of God (weekly Lord’s supper, weekly giving, singing, etc.), yet remain silent in the face of the blatant blasphemy of papal prattle (1 Cor. 11:2, 23; cf. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 2 Thess. 2:15). Frankly, I might be more inclined to listen to their murmuring and complaining if they would speak against the Pope’s pretensions as belligerently as they revile the right ways of the Lord.

Finally, since the Pope offers less punishment “on earth or in purgatory” if one will give up drinking for a day, I wonder if the reverse will work. What about a reformed drunk, now on his way to heaven, who hankers for just one more day of drunkenness? Will the Pope offer less joy “on earth or in heaven” if he volunteers to go back to drinking, but just for “one day”? Surely, in the name of the millennium, the ol’ Pope could be as kind to the former drinker as to the present.

By Connie W. Adams

Peter said that in the suffering of Christ he did not revile or threaten his tormentors “but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Pet. 2:23). Here the word “committed” means to entrust to one’s charge, to turn over to the object of one’s trust. Paul told Timothy to “commit to faithful men” the word which he had been taught. Paul said that God had “committed to my trust” the glorious gospel (1 Tim. 1:11). Paul had “committed unto him against that day” and urged Timothy to keep by the Holy Spirit “that good thing which was committed unto thee” (2 Tim. 1:12, 14). Here the idea involves a putting with, a deposit, a pledge of fidelity.

That God expects commitment on the part of his children cannot be denied. We have committed all to our God and with good reason. He always keeps his promises. Our commitment is to Jesus Christ as well. “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). We are committed to the word of God. To the Ephesian elders Paul said “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

Total Commitment

This commitment must be total, complete with nothing held back. Partial obedience to the Lord and what he requires is not obedience at all. When Saul greeted Samuel with the news that “I have obeyed the commandment of the Lord,” Samuel asked “What meaneth then the lowing of the oxen and the bleating of the sheep in my ears?” (1 Sam. 15:12-14). Indeed, does the Lord have as great delight in sacrifice as in obeying his voice? Paul warned of a perverted gospel in Galatians 1:6- 9. Oh, it had elements of truth in it, but it was not total truth. Jesus clinched the matter when he drew the conclusion from his two illustrations of the importance of counting the cost when he said, “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple”(Luke 14: 33). Some of your heart is not enough. He will be Lord of all of it, or else of none of it.

Persistent

This commitment must remain constant under every circumstance. Under the strongest temptation we must remain committed. Peter said, “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11).

Even in the face of peers who would entice us into error we have to remember that “evil companions corrupt good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33). We did enough succumbing to the desires of the flesh before we obeyed the gospel and even if former friends “think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you” (1 Pet.

4:2-4), we are not to weaken.

Under the threat of the most severe persecution we must not betray our commitment. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, in as much as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified . . . Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Pet. 4:12-16).

Our commitment must be persistent when choices are to be made. We must be predisposed to put the spiritual above the material. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).

That means pulling children out of ball games in time to get to Bible study or a gospel meeting. It means not permitting scouting trips on Sundays when worship is to be omitted. It means skipping the prom. It means not put- ting family reunions above worship. It means planning ahead on trips and vacations so we can find brethren with whom to worship faithfully on the Lord’s Day.

Pervasive

Our commitment must be pervasive: it must involve every part of life. Not only must we be committed to the Lord and his will when we assemble to worship, but that commitment to the Lord and his word must fol- low us home. In the family circle the principles of truth must prevail in all the relationships which concern the home. Commitment to the Lord will make a woman a better wife and a man a better husband. It will make better parents and more respectful and obedient children.

Commitment to the Lord goes to work with a Christian. It determines his attitude toward superiors and toward the task to be done. It regulates relations with other workers. It controls the tongue so that it avoids gossip, profanity, or vulgarity and becomes marked by grace, seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6). It goes into the athletic contest with a Christian. He gives his best but does not retaliate for the late hit or the elbow to the jaw under the backboard, or the trash talk from others in the game.

Sacred Trusts Committed To Us

Gospel preachers have been entrusted with a sacred message. Paul said he had been “put in trust with the gospel” (1 Thess. 2:4). It is not our message to treat as we please. It is a great commission. We must deliver the message without change.

Elders have a sacred trust. They are to “tend the flock over which the Holy Spirit made them bishops” (Acts

20:28). They shall “give account” for their watch over souls (Heb. 13:17). They must stand before the “chief shepherd” (1 Pet. 5:4).

All saints have a sacred trust. The faith was “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). We are the custodians of that same message delivered by inspired men. We must be faithful to the task. We must not only hold to the faithful word in our own lives, but also see to it that it is handed down to the next generation faithfully. We are rapidly losing a whole generation of gospel preachers but more than that, a generation of faithful saints who have stood the test of time and remained true to the Lord to the very end of their days. The younger generation must be prepared to step up and go forward with the greatest work in the world. What kind of a trustee are you?

Our children are a sacred trust committed to us from the Lord. They are an “heritage” of the Lord (Ps. 127:3). That means they are a legacy, a gift. Their training and development are of paramount importance. Take care to bring them up “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

Marriage is a sacred commitment. It is God who “binds” husbands and wives together (Matt. 19:6; Rom. 7:1-4). The privileges and duties of this special relationship are ordered by the Lord.

Our souls have been committed to us by the Lord. Soul is used here to mean spirit. We are not our own, but have been bought with a price. God is to be glorified in our bodies and spirits which are his (1 Cor. 6:19-20). This is the only part of us that will survive the death of the body. “We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dis- solved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1). What are you doing with that immortal spirit which God committed to your trust?

Are you truly committed to the Lord?