Politically Correct Preaching

By Bruce J. Dehut

The preacher should be more concerned about pleasing God than being politically correct.

Please bear with me in a little folly, even though it’s not humorous, in the first half of this commentary. If the message of Christ and the defense of the gospel were delivered politically correct   (P.C.) it may resemble the following.

P.C. Repentance

John came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “If anyone would like to repent you really should, because the kingdom of God is at hand. But I don’t mean to imply that you have anything to repent of because the thought of personal sin may lower your self-esteem.”

P.C. Conviction of Sin

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” And Peter continued by encouraging those guilty of killing the Messiah to get counselling so they could rid themselves of any personal guilt.

P.C. In Regards To Controversial Issues

Thou shall forbear from preaching or teaching on sensitive issues such as marriage, divorce and remarriage, especially if there is someone in a questionable relationship in the congregation. Sermons of this nature only alienate people and decrease your attendance and you can’t afford to lose any more people due to offensive preaching. Also, when holding meetings a preacher will be sure to abstain from discussions on MDR, social drinking, modesty, etc. because it may hinder your opportunities from being invited back.

P.C. Character Protection Program

Having faith and a good con- science, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck. But I won’t tell you who they are because that would be extremely rude for me to mention them by name, even though they have been delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Also shun profane and idle bablings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. And while they overthrow the faith of some, I will refrain from naming them because it might offend them or people close to them.

There is also a brother who loves to have the preeminence among them and does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he does although they continue prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. I will allow the circumstance to slide so as not cause a commotion and I think it best for this member to remain anonymous so you won’t think less of him.

P.C. Rules of Fellowship

Now I beseech you, brethren, if any among you seems to be sincere in their teaching, even though desperately wrong, you shall not mark or avoid them, especially if they have been preaching for a number of years, lest by your actions you are accused of enlarging your own party and forming a new denomination. And if there exist among you those who insist on exposing error, you shall shun them because they are just mean spirited people.

P.C. Job Security

Thou shall not support or defend any brother, church or publication that resorts to name calling because it may displease the elders or local church for which you’re preaching and you may lose your job.

P.C. Resources

Unless otherwise noted, the above passages were taken from the books of “1st Opinions & 2nd Hesitations.”

Politically Incorrect Preaching

I mean no disrespect of God’s holy word by the preceding absurdities, but even though these instances seem ridiculous, they do happen in the body of Christ. The Bible, of course, is not politically correct in nature and God intended it to guide man away from serving self to being a fully obedient citizen of the heavenly kingdom. Be- low, the same issues will be addressed utilizing, not the opinions of man, but the Bible only.

P.I. Repentance

The scribes and the Pharisees loathed the idea that Jesus ate and drank with tax collectors and sinners (Mark 2:16). He responds to their disposition of heart in the proceeding verse when he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to  repentance” (Mark 2:17). Which of us can honestly answer we have no transgressions to repent of? 1 John 1:8-10: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

We are commanded to renounce a life of selfishness and to follow after the Guide to eternal life. Matthew 16:24: “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’”

P.I. Conviction of Sin

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23) and it is only when we take responsibility for our actions that we can ever hope for eternal glory.

P.I. In Regards To Controversial Issues

It is true a man of God should not be contentious (1 Tim. 6:3-4), and should attempt to live peaceably with all (Rom. 12:18), but not to the point of watering down the gospel message. The word of God should be preached in its entirety similar to Paul in ad- dressing the Ephesian elders,  “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). A gospel preacher is ultimately answerable to the Lord and is not judged righteous because of his favor among men. 1 Thessalonians 2:4: “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.”

P.I. Character Protection Program

The apostles Paul and John found it necessary to refer to false teachers not in some ambiguous way, but by name, so no doubt was left in the minds of the brethren. This is a serious practice but nonetheless beneficial to the purity of the church. A child of God should warn others of impending danger and that includes identifying those who would lead people down the path of destruction. The Holy Spirit, through the hands of inspired writers, had no problem in exposing individuals who were of this character and neither should we.

Hymenaeus (1 Tim. 1:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:17-18) Alexander (1 Tim. 1:19-20) Philetus   (2 Tim. 2:17-18) Diotrephes (3 John 9-10)

P.I. Rules of Fellowship

We find ourselves guilty of the sin of presumption when we circumvent the will of God in regards to the topic of fellowship or any other issue where he has spoken. The Scriptures are very clear in identifying and noting those guilty of erroneous teaching. Romans 16:17: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them” (ASV). “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thess. 3:14-15). A brother or sister is not mean spirited for heeding the commandments of God in reference to association and refutation of error. Ephesians 5:11: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” “Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear” (1 Tim. 5:20).

P.I. Job Security

Paul warned Timothy “there would come a time when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4). But he also gave him the words to succeed as a faithful evangelist. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long- suffering and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2). And be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Tim. 4:5).

The gospel preacher who is constantly concerned about losing wages due to the fact he may step on someone’s toes should find another profession. Paul was not motivated by personal gain but by the spirit of necessity and would have preached for free if need be. 1 Corinthians 9:16-18: “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.”

P.I. Resources

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Conclusion

Whether you are an elder, preacher or teacher, I would exhort you to contemplate the seriousness of this composition and to either continue to stay the course or resolve yourself to stand more boldly for the truth.

Give Unto the Lord: Modern Idolatry

By J.S. Smith

Introduction

Psalm 29, from the hand of David, is an expression of reverence toward the powerful voice of God, who spoke light and life into existence. David’s mind takes him across the world that he knew, into heaven and right up to the throne of God as he sings of God’s awesome and beneficent power. In so doing, he points out the absolute importance of worshiping only the God of heaven and denying the subtle temptation of idols.

The Text of Psalm 29

David begins Psalm 29 by speaking to the mighty ones in verses 1-2, which would likely indicate angels (“sons of God”) in the original Hebrew language. His message is that these creatures should take diligence in attributing strength and glory to Jehovah and that they should worship him “in the beauty of holiness.” Angels are messengers, ministering servants in God’s scheme of the salvation of men (Heb. 1:14) and it is made obvious that they owe God their complete loyalty. Dividing their service with another master would be an act of rebellion and betrayal, as some even did (2 Pet. 2:4).

Holiness — undivided and un- blemished loyalty to God — is a beautiful thing for angels and men. Idolatry in any form will divide one’s loyalty and blemish one’s record; hence, John warns us to keep ourselves from idols (1 John 5:21). Our God is a jealous God who is adamant about demanding every ounce of man’s worship for himself and he has that right as creator, sustainer, and savior.

In verses 3-10, David attributes a number of superhuman abilities to the voice of God, implying the reason for respecting God’s word on every subject. When men begin to question the authority of God’s voice or deign to curtail, drain or amend his revealed will, the awe for God’s voice has diminished as an idol has taken a new throne. The New

Testament magnifies God’s voice in a special way (Heb. 1:1-4). God has spoken to us by Jesus, who also sent the Comforter to guide the apostles into revealing all truth to mankind, which we have inscribed for us on the pages of the New Testament. Figuratively, man must remove his shoes when approaching the Bible; that is, hold it in such reverence that it never be diminished in perception, “for the place where you stand is holy ground” (Exod. 3:5). Every word here was given through the precious breath of God (2 Tim. 3:16).

In this word, God has completely equipped his servants to do every good work (2 Tim. 3:17). In it, he has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). The system of faith and philosophy of life of God’s creation is thoroughly described and delineated on these pages, lacking nothing (Jude 3). The word is an incorruptible seed that will never be destroyed or marred to the point that is loses its power to save (1 Pet. 1:22-25; Rom. 1:16). When we decide to take our stand in God’s word, we take a stand on holy ground: “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). Of one particular part of the New Testament, God warned severely against man’s presumptuous, self-willed hand (Rev. 22:18-19). While not as poetic as David’s psalm, these passages form the same demand for reverence and heavenward devotion.

In Psalm 29:10-11, David reminds us of Noah’s day, when God’s sovereignty in creation was called into question by the wickedness of his brightest creatures, men and women; we all know how he answered from his throne in the heavens, just beyond the weeping clouds of a mighty, cleansing destruction.

Understand, David says, that God sits upon his throne forever and blesses his people. One is reminded of the words of Habakkuk: “The Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the world keep silence before Him” (2:20). When all authority was given to Christ (Matt. 28:18) as monarch over his kingdom, the church (Matt. 16:16; 1 Tim. 6:15), man was reminded anew that it was not within him to direct his own steps (Jer. 10:23) or make his own faith (Jas. 4:12). Man’s dismissive attitude toward this divine rule was epitomized in ancient Israel at the end of the Judges period, when God’s people rejected him by begging for a human king (1 Sam. 8:4-9). It was a yearning to be like the world that infected this formerly sanctified population. It was a conscious decision to be ruled by the passions of man rather than the compassion of God that caused their eventual downfall. It was a resignation to pushing God off his throne in the end, for Israel idolized her neighbors’ systems, which excelled God’s by a worldly estimation. Computers and rockets have not changed the psyche of man: a desire to be like the world will ultimately spur a coup-d’etat to remove God from his throne and crown an idol as apparent co-monarch or even absolute master.

“I Am a Jealous God”

To be jealous over something you possess is to refuse to share it with anyone else. Normally, that is bad; sharing is a godly attribute. However, some things can be exclusively claimed and sharing is actually the sin instead. For example, my wife’s romantic affections belong to me exclusively and sharing them with another person would be sinful (1 Cor. 7:1-4). I am not only permitted to be jealous over those affections, it would be unhealthy were I not. That does not mean that I forbid her to talk to other people or deny her friendships, but when it comes to “eros,” I am under no obligation to share; I must possess a godly jealousy (2 Cor. 11:2).

There is a throne in every man’s heart and God jealously desires to sit there alone, refusing to share the seat with anyone or anything else, even the heart’s human possessor. This was codified for ancient Israel in the Ten Commandments (Exod. 20:1-7); idolatry shattered the peace and was unacceptable to the true monarch (Exod. 34:10-17). God perceived a danger in close relations with an unsanctified world in adopting their ways and their idols, of making a covenant with idols and attempting to compel God to share worship with Molech, Baal, and Ashterah. His preventative was to remove the idols from Israel’s paths (Deut. 4:23-24). Idolatry promised to bring a writ of divorcement from God; he is the sanctified bridegroom, refusing to share her affection with anyone else (Josh. 24:14-15, 19-20). The prophets spoke of God’s punishment of Israel as the vengeance of his jealousy. Ancient Israel’s history is provided to spiritual Israel, the church, as an example of the consequences of idolatry (1 Cor. 10:14-22).

Under the Law of Moses, God always referred to himself as being married to Israel, an adulterous bride who dallied with other husbands, other gods, even as her Groom pleaded for her return to the sanctified relationship (Jer. 3:6-14). The only cause for a divorcement from Israel was spiritual adultery and she was guilty. It remained only for God to plead for repentance until longsuffering was exhausted and divine vengeance translated into a bill of divorcement, which happened finally when the Chaldeans laid waste the temple of Jerusalem and slaughtered the priests. Under the Law of Christ, the Holy Spirit has cast the Lord in the role of bridegroom, wed to the church (Rom. 7:4; Rev. 21:2, 9; Eph. 5:25-32) and God maintains a jealousy for his sanctified people’s worship (Jas. 4:4). Once again, idolatry is the stumbling block that will lead to spiritual divorcement.

Our “Modern” Idols

Our idols are not exclusively made of wood and stone, but often composed of flesh and blood, circuits and transistors, or paper and ink. Idolatry is an expression of worldliness, a mindset that exposes a conformity to the course of the world (1 Pet. 4:4), rather than a transformation to godliness (Rom. 12:1-2). The Scriptures call this disease “carnality,” an addiction to the opiate of material fulfillment (Rom. 8:5-8, 13). These idols can take any number of forms and be known by any number of names:

Self (2 Tim. 3:1-2a)

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves . . .

The religion of Humanism, taught in our schools since the 1930s, has made a molten calf out of self, teaching people to seek answers within their hearts rather than in God and to elevate their own self-esteem by any means. It is for this reason that our society finds it difficult to punish criminals or label anything a sin. It is for this reason that sexual perversions like homosexuality are cast in a favorable light and given protection from scrutiny or objection. Self becomes an idol when it is put before God and one’s fellow man by self-indulgence, self-centeredness, selfish- ness, and self-serving (Rom. 2:8; Phil. 2:3-4). The Bible demands an honest estimation of oneself, based upon a sincere comparison of life to standard (2 Cor. 13:5). True, everlasting inner peace and joy are not achieved by lowering the standard (rewarding failure, sanctioning sin as a new form of righteousness), but by walking by faith (Rom. 2:10; 15:13). The movement to make self-esteem the idol of humanism devalues the only true and living God and promises only eternal enmity with God and an everlastingly low self-estimation in the confines of condemnation where even the worms enjoy a brighter existence. Self is an idol to us when we are more concerned with self-estimation than God’s estimation of us.

Money (2 Tim. 3:1-2b)

Men . . . will be lovers of money . . .

Money is perhaps the clearest and oldest manifestation of modern idolatry (Col. 3:5). The love of money is called the root of all evil (1 Tim. 6:10), for greediness pierces one’s faith until it is nothing but holes (1 Tim. 6:17-19). Jesus was well ahead of his time by labeling covetousness as a powerful idol (Matt. 6:19-24). The subtle power of covetousness for the Christian is that it makes him think he can successfully serve two masters simultaneously, even when one of them is supposed to be Jehovah God. But when the at- tempt is made to put God and material wealth on the same throne of one’s heart, a secret distrust in God and dissatisfaction with the hope of heaven is revealed to the Almighty who ought to be seated there alone. If allowed to continue, mammon will seem to gradually crowd God into a smaller and smaller corner of that throne. Money becomes an idol when we value its pursuit over the pursuit of godliness and Bible knowledge, when quantity time with God and family is reduced and our account in heaven suffers neglect that the account in the bank might increase. When your children grow up, no amount of money is going to buy back their youth that you might spend it with them more wisely.

No bank account will redeem the time for you once it is spent: the opportunity to pray and study, to teach and learn, will be exhausted forever (Eph. 5:15-17). When you reach the day of judgment and your bank itself is in element-melting flames, what will you have reserved for eternity (Mark 8:36-37)?

Pleasure (2 Tim. 3:1-4)

Men . . . will be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

It must be noted that a love of pleasure does not have to be directed at sinful pleasures to be an idol; pleasure can be an idol even if the pleasure is otherwise harmless to the soul. A Christian fishing on Sunday morning has made a harmless Saturday pleasure into an idol because it is more important to him than worshiping God. A Christian who watches television on Wednesday night instead of attending Bible class has turned an inherently harmless pleasure into an idol because it is more important to him than God and his brethren.The love of pleasure then is idolatry whether the pleasure is inherently sinful or only sinful by its extenuating circumstances. Pleasure becomes an idol when duties to God are left derelict that fleshly enjoyment might be served instead (1 Tim. 4:8). When unlawful activities like sexual immorality, drug use, and lewdness are committed (Tit. 2:11-14), when otherwise harmless activities like boating and sleeping replace worship, home Bible study,  and personal evangelism, when a Christian is willing to sit for three hours at the football stadium, but grouses about a single hour in a padded pew, he loves pleasure more than God and, in fact, finds God most unpleasant (1 John 5:3).

Public Acceptance and Acclaim (Matt. 6:1-7, 16-18; 23:1-12)

But all their works they do to be seen by men.

The Pharisees had enlarged the means of making self an idol, feeding their self-esteem with the idol of public acclaim and acceptance. They were more concerned with the reward and acceptance of men than God. Spiritual Israel is sick with this most worldly idol, for she yearns to make the church look like the denominations and the Christians like the sectarians or the infidels. In the idolatry of public acclaim, some churches of Christ are building fellowship halls while tearing down the scripturally mandated barriers of divine and local fellowship. Christians are adopting a sectarian vocabulary and lifestyle that includes dancing, im- modesty, and unity-in-doctrinal-diversity. Such Christians are no longer content to be a kingdom not of this world, yearning instead to be like the surrounding nations of men that have long since left book, chapter, and verse disciple- ship. Such are uncomfortable being called a peculiar people (1 Pet. 2:9-10) and want to fit in better in the world of ecumenical religion. We are tired of being the ones without music, who kick people out for getting divorced, dress like it is winter even in the summer, and think we are the only ones going to heaven. At least the Pharisees wanted to be different; we are dying to be the same as we bow before the idol of public acceptance.

Things (1 John 2:15-17)

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

These are the things of the world: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life, things that we so believe we cannot do without that we sell our souls to obtain them. All these things are but vapors and perish with use, unlike our souls that can survive moths, rust and worms to appear before God in the last day; still we are desperate to possess them for a moment. The prettiest boat may never sink, but God will burn it up one day for sure; the biggest house may never fall but God will make it nothing one day. Our relentless and idolatrous pursuit of things reveals a lack of faith that God will provide our needs (Matt. 6:25-34). While we must work as agents of God in providing our needs (2 Thess. 3:10-12), denying God gratitude through a faithful and trusting life turns our mansion into a sand castle and provokes waves of retribution. Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness: worship comes before work; devotion to prayer and meditation comes before leisure reading and scholarly study; selfless acts of charity precede self-indulgence. Things become an idol when they define our inner identity more than our relationship with God and when their pursuit crowds out godly endeavours in our employment of time and material resources. Remember, “the only path to self-fulfilment is self-denial.”

Men (Acts 12:20-23)

And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”

The people of Tyre and Sidon made Herod their human idol, calling his voice that of a god. The Christians in Corinth endangered their own souls by dividing into parties behind unwilling preachers like Peter, Paul, and Apollos (1 Cor. 3:1-4; 4:6). The modern sickness called “preacheritis” is a form of idolatry that places an esteemed preacher’s opinions and cogitations even above divinely revealed truth. (“If brother so-and-so believes and teaches it, it must be true.”) Christians have been known to change beliefs held all their lives on the advice of a preacher respected much too highly and without the conviction of their own study and a reasoned conclusion. We make our preachers idols when we allow them to do all our study for us and establish our own beliefs from their conclusions without ever searching the Scriptures to see if such conclusions are accurate (Acts 11:17) and without thoroughly testing the prophets by their doctrines (1 John 4). Some Christians are forming cults of personality beneath the banners of their preacher as they redefine Romans 14 and God’s divorce and remarriage law because of his charm, wit, and reputation. We are accepting false prophets in sheep’s clothing because we can no longer discern the costume from neglect of personal attention to God’s word. Or perhaps we are simply addicted to their message of peace — peace in the local church despite doctrinal disparity, peace with the sects despite a chasm of diverse beliefs, peace with God despite a love of the darkness (6:14-15). “An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And my people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end” (Jer. 5:30-31)?

Prescription for a Cure

What can be done to put away the idols among us. Be- gin by putting yourself in Joshua’s audience, commanded to choose this day for yourselves whom you will serve (24:15): keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21). If you recognize the presence of idols in your heart or approaching its throne and desire to avoid the pitfalls of a divided loyalty, the Bible combines the simple prohibition of idols with divine wisdom on overcoming their lure. Primarily, it involves a conscious and committed decision to hate the darkness and love the light:

Walk as illuminated by the light of God’s word (Eph. 5:8-12; Matt. 5:13-16). Renew your zealous mind with noble thoughts and objectives (Rom. 12:1-2; Phil. 4:8). Be led by the Spirit’s influence through his revealed will (Rom. 8:11-14).

Conclusion

Worldliness will eat you alive in whatever form its idolatry takes. Do not believe the preacher who prophesies a false peace built on the tolerance of sin and error. There is no peace with God where the darkness is not loathed.

The Christian And His Government

By Dick Blackford

A true Christian is the best friend any government can have. This is not usually understood, especially by governments that have never grasped the meaning of true Christianity. Thus, Christians have often been persecuted as subversive to the government. In the Old Testament their own people governed the people of God, with God at the top. It was a theocracy. The Jew’s religion and his government were intertwined. Apparently God felt this was necessary to insure that the promise he made to Abraham would be fulfilled, for God saw no need for such an arrangement after Christ came. In the New Testament, a man’s government and his religion were separate. One could be a Christian while pagans ran his government.

The New Testament has very little to say about the role of government. God did not believe in big government. He separated the “things of Caesar” from the “things of God”

(Matt. 22:21). But he did provide for support of the government. There are certain things God’s word teaches about the role of government, to which we should give note.

The Government’s Rights And Responsibilities

1. God ordained government and citizens are subject to it (Rom. 13:1). If citizens resist the power of the government they are withstanding God and will be judged as to how they do in this matter (Rom. 13:2).

2. Government is to reward good behavior and punish bad behavior. “For rulers are not a terror to the good work but to the evil. And wouldst thou have no fear of the power? Do that which is good and thou shalt have praise from the same” (Rom.13:6). The government is to protect its citizens by taking vengeance on lawbreakers (1 Pet. 2:14).

3. Government has a right to punish even to the point of death. “For he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil” (Rom. 13:4). This extends even to the right of capital punishment, “for he beareth not the sword in vain.” The sword was an instrument often used in capital punishment. Paul recognized that there were some crimes worthy of death and said if he had committed any of them he would be willing to die (Acts 25:11). “If any man shall kill with the sword, with the sword must he be killed” (Rev. 13:10). Jesus told Pilate that his (Pilate’s) power to release or crucify was given from above (John 19:10, 11).

4. Government has a right to collect taxes (Rom. 13:6, 7). Officers of the government must be paid since “they are ministers of God’s service.” Jesus taught that taxes should be paid (Matt. 22:15-22). Civil government would be needed even if everybody were Christians, for there are things to be done that are not the work of the church or the family.

The Christian’s Responsibilities

1. To obey the law. “Let every soul be in subjection to the higher power” (Rom. 13:1). No one is exempt.

2. To honor, fear, and pray for civil rulers. “Honor the king” (1 Pet. 2:17).

Supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings are to be made for all men — “for kings that are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life . . .” (1 Tim. 2:2). “Fear to whom fear . . .” (Rom. 13:7). “Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; . . .” (Rom. 13:7). Even if the man is dishonorable we should honor the office (Acts 26:25). One is not required to agree with the government before he agrees to pay taxes. Jesus paid taxes to the government that crucified him.

What The Christian Cannot Do

1. He cannot obey the government if it means disobeying God. Some governments have required idolatry (Dan.3:7). Others have outlawed Christianity (China, Iran, North Korea, etc.). “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

2. He cannot participate in an illegal overthrow of his government. We are sympathetic toward those under an oppressive regime, particularly those who were under the former Soviet Union. There are yet many areas of the world that do not enjoy the freedoms we take for granted. Let us be reminded that Christ and the apostles lived under one of the most oppressive governments in history. Never do we read of Jesus or the Twelve seeking to overthrow the government, though it certainly would have made it easier on them. They never led a march or demonstrated against the Sanhedrin or had a “sit in” or went on a “hunger strike” at the halls of Pontius Pilate. There is no record that they picketed or threw rocks and bottles at their leaders, or tried to “out shout” their leaders or tried to shut down the government, or take the law into their own hands.

The Jewish rulers had a figurehead government with limited authority under the Roman Empire. They were intolerant of Christians and ordered Peter and John to stop preaching. The apostles were beaten on that occasion. Talk about a good time to call for an overthrow of the government. But they did not.

The Romans were also harsh with Christ and his disciples. Paul and Silas were imprisoned and beaten (Acts 16). They didn’t call for an overthrow of the government but they did exercise their rights as Roman citizens (Acts 16:35f). A disciple has the right to use any lawful means at his disposal for protection. Paul did (Acts 22:25-29; 25:11, 12). In a free society citizens are given the right to vote and decide peaceably who their rulers will be. Though one may be outvoted, he has the lawful right to express his preference. However, the teaching of Christ and the apostles is clearly against overthrowing the government under which he is living, regardless of its corruption.

3. He cannot take personal vengeance on lawbreakers. “Avenge not yourselves beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord” (Rom. 12:19). One of the ways God does this is through civil government. The civil ruler is “an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil” (Rom. 13:4). The Christian cannot take the law into his own hands to render vengeance.

Conclusion

Because the Christian (out of honesty and conviction) honors, respects, and prays for his rulers, obeys the laws, pays taxes, and does not try to overthrow the government or take the law into his own hands, he is really the best friend any government can have. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov.14:34).

Have We Left Christ Behind?

By Bruce Reeves

From time to time I hear folks say things like, “We need to major in the gospels and minor in the epistles.” The implication being that if someone stresses doctrinal issues they are missing the point of the New Testament. There is no doubt that we must have the right attitude when teaching God’s word, but that is not to say we are to minimize the necessity of doctrinal truth!

Unfortunately, sound gospel preachers are being charged with preaching a “church-centered” message rather than a “Christ-centered” message. The statement that those who stress baptism, church organization, and the work of the church have left Christ behind is false.

Christ commanded baptism, so when we preach baptism we are preaching the gospel of the Son of God (Mark 16:15, 16). As far as the organization and work of the local church is concerned, that is a subject that has to do with the authority of Christ and we must always stress that.

Paul Was a “Christ-Centered” Preacher

The apostle Paul preached Jesus and him crucified. His preaching did not emphasize lofty words of eloquence and human philosophy, but Jesus Christ was the attraction and him alone. “And I brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:1, 2). The question we are concerning ourselves with in this article is, since we know Paul preached Christ and him crucified, what exactly did he teach?

Paul Talked About the Shame of Religious Division

Some have the idea that preaching Jesus means that you never condemn anything or anyone for sinful activity but such is simply not the case. Involved in encouraging unity is the condemnation of division. Paul condemned the division at Corinth, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment . . . Is Christ divided?” (1 Cor. 1:10, 13). There were some who viewed preachers as competitive teachers, thus creating factions in the church. Paul had not asked that they do this, nor had Cephas or Apollos, but divisive men were using their names to promote their own agendas.

Was Paul preaching Jesus when he condemned this? Absolutely! We cannot preach Christ without preaching his word. There is no doubt in my mind that were Paul living today he would denounce the religious division in the world and plead with believers to stand on the word of God without compromise.

Paul Preached Against Sin

F. Lagard Smith (professor at Pepperdine University) said, “For our generation, tolerance has become the highest virtue (tolerance, that is, for everything and everyone other than those who would insist on absolute moral standards) . . . if nothing is right and nothing wrong, then tolerance is the only option . . . So we have to tow the line on issues like abortion, gay rights, and radical feminism or we will be reported to the sensitivity police for being intolerant.” You see the stage has been set for divorce and remarriage, adulterous relationships, and homosexuality and since we are preaching Jesus we cannot condemn anyone; such ideas appear as a smoke-screen for sin. But Paul preached to the Corinthians about withdrawing fellowship from a disorderly brother (1 Cor. 5:1-13). In preaching church discipline, Paul was preaching the authority of Christ (1 Cor. 5:4, 5). To neglect such teaching would have been to neglect Jesus Christ.

Paul Preached On Marriage and Divorce (1 Cor. 7:1-40)

Many pulpits are silent on this, but Paul was not. Involved in preaching Jesus is preaching his law concerning marriage, divorce, and remarriage. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 states God’s will on the matter, “Let not the wife depart from her husband.” The word chorizo is the word for divorce in verse 11. If she departs she must either be reconciled, if possible, or remain celibate. What Christ taught in the gospels, Paul taught in the epistles (Matt. 19:1-9).

Paul Refuted False Doctrine (1 Cor. 15:12)

We cannot truly preach Jesus Christ and reject what his word teaches us. Someone says, “But this was something that determined whether or not people were saved!” This is true, but what false doctrine does not influence people’s salvation if it is a matter of faith? Including such issues as: the plan of salvation, the church, institutionalism, denominationalism, marriage, divorce, and remarriage . . . and we could go on and on.

The point I want us to all understand is though we refer over and over to the cross and though we say, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” the moment we leave scriptural authority behind is the moment we leave Christ behind!