Truth Magazine

By Dennis L. Shaver

Men, who consider themselves religious, have devised many ways in which believers in Christ can be united. The cry is “unity,” “unity.” And yet, the ways of unity devised by man can never accomplish the oneness for which Christ prayed in Jn. 17:20-23. Because men are so concerned with “false unity,” they have rejected “true unity,” which can be obtained through God’s way. All one has to do is fill in the blank at the top of this article, and he has devised yet another way for “unity.” Although there are many different schemes to attain “false unity,” there are two we hear more often than riot.

Unity Through Diversity

The definition of diversity is: “1. the state of being diverse, dissimilitude. 2. Variety; a diversity of interests. synonyms: change, difference” (Funk and Wagnalls p. 372, Vol. I). A major denominational group started this kind of thinking long ago, but now it is considered “fashionable” and “keeping up,” to adopt such reasoning. The trick with this kind of unity is to accept everything about nothing, or anything about everything. It is really the same old denominational song of “it doesn’t make any difference” being put into practice. All denominations used to say it does not make any difference, but not all really believed it. Now, they are practicing what they have been preaching. This type of reasoning can produce union, but it will never produce unity. If Solomon were alive today he would say of such reasoning: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the ends thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 16:25).

Unity Through Love

Brotherhood and love for all people will supposedly conquer all differences-especially religious ones. Those who profess unity through love act as though love has magical powers in causing differences to disappear. This “false unity” actually hides differences in a cloud of “false love.” It is an easy way out of proving what you believe is what the Bible teaches. When you love someone (as they define love) you will not tell him when he is wrong, and you will never bring up any differences you have; even if you feel strongly about them. Through this form of “false unity” one is never called upon to defend his particular doctrine. One thing we must say for this form of “false unity,” it is very convenient. Especially is this true for those who teach and practice things without authority from God’s word. The best thing this type of reasoning will produce is a surface love. It will not produce love that is needed to obtain “true unity.” As the prophet of God, Jeremiah said: “O, Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23).

Unity through Truth

Now here is a novel way. Unity through truth. It has not been tried, but it is the only way unity will be attained. There can be no unity where there is no truth. Someone might ask, “Why hasn’t this way been tried?” Because this is the way God provided and man always tries his way first. “For my thoughts are not as your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8,9). This is a much quoted, but little understood passage of Scripture. Man is determined to put his thinking and reasoning above the ways and thoughts of God. Until man gives up his “false unity” ideas, there can be no “true unity” for which Christ prayed.

To accept unity through truth, all religious denominations, and even some of our own brethren, would have to give up their unscriptural creeds and practices and unite upon the word of God, the Bible. I am afraid however, that they do not desire unity. What they really want is a way to go ahead and do what they want without anyone calling them into question for a “thus saith the Lord.” A truce is what they want, and not unity. There will never be unity as long as each different group teaches its own doctrine and does “its own thing” in rebellion against God. The apostle Paul declares, “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” (1 Cor. 1:10).

The Corinthians had the same problem as those in denominations, and even some of our brethren, do today-a desire to be true to some organization rather than true to God’s word. Until men give up this attitude, “unity” will never be attained. Unity cannot be accomplished until every individual decides that he wants unity and he is willing to give up whatever he must in order to have it.

The apostle Peter declared, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God . . . ” (1 Pet. 4:11). Of course this would mean giving up such things as instrumental music, sponsoring churches, fellowship halls, youth recreations financed by the church, etc. Why? Because none of these practices, and many more, are unauthorized by God’s word. Their authority is “Where did God say not to?” Such cannot be our plea if we are to be united through truth.

Only by accepting God’s word as truth (Jno. 8:32; 17:17), our guide (2 Tim. 3:16,17; Psa. 119:105), and our standard for unity and authority (2 Pet. 1:3; Jno. 12:48; Matt. 28:18), can we be truly “united.” Until all men will accept truth as the basis for unity, there can be no unity. Truth will not allow compromise. “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:36).

This is God’s plan and way for unity-unity through truth. We must all desire unity because Christ prayed for it. However, we cannot allow this desire for unity cause us to compromise or minimize truth. Yes, we desire unity, but only on God’s terms.

Truth Magazine XIX: 50, pp. 791-792
October 30, 1975

By Rufus R. Clifford

If you were to ask a Christian for a copy of the “creed” or “book of rules” of the church of Christ, he could only offer you a copy of the New Testament. The only written creed the church that Christ built has ever had is the New Testament. It was given by the inspiration of God and is sufficient to furnish the man of God unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:16,17). It meets the needs of the whole world (Mk. 16:15). This is the only message we are authorized to use in the conversion of sinners (1 Cor. 9:16; Matt. 28:18-20). Jesus taught that the word of God is enduring and that by it we shall be judged (Lk. 21:33; John 12:48). The authority of Christ as expressed in the New Testament is the only safe guide for the church. It is sinful for the church to submit to any other authority. The gospel is God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16). James says it is able to save (Jas. 1:21). Paul writes that it did save the Corinthians (1 Cor. 15:1,2). The curse of God rests upon the man who preaches another gospel or dares to add to or subtract from it (Gal. 1:8,9; Rev. 22:18,19).

In spite of the plain Bible teaching given above, we find good, religious people subscribing to human creeds. Even those who subscribe to man-made creeds will not claim for them any saving power. They are but the products of human opinion and stand as barriers to the unity of religious people. Man-made creeds are based upon two wicked assumptions: (1) The New Testament is not sufficient to meet the needs and govern the people of God. (2) This supposed insufficiency can be remedied by weak, fallible, erring men. Without such assumptions there is no excuse for the making of human creeds.

Human creeds are objectionable for a number of reasons. (1) They are not inspired of God. (2) They do not meet the needs of the whole world. (3) They are not perfect. (4) They must be revised every few years. (5) We shall not be judged by them. (6) They set aside and make void the Word of God. (7) They teach many things contrary to the New Testament. (8) They keep people divided on the question of religion. They should, therefore, be laid aside forever, or better still burned and forgotten. As long as a single one of them is in force anywhere, division will exist. They are subversive of divine authority and of the peace, unity, and fellowship that should characterize those who desire to please God and go to heaven.

As simple Christians we take the authority of Christ as expressed in the New Testament as our only rule of faith and practice. It is the one creed that needs no revision. We invite all people to meet with us on the New Testament in order that we may be united in work and worship.

Truth Magazine XIX: 50, p. 791
October 30, 1975

By Ron Halbrook

When the apostle John wrote the short but rich letter known as 2 John, he said he was writing “for the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever” (v. 2). Before leaving this earth, Christ promised to send the Holy Spirit (whom he called also “the Spirit of truth”) to directly and miraculously guide the apostles. “He will guide you into all the truth”-or, “the truth in all its parts.” Christ kept his promise. The apostles spoke “as the Spirit gave them utterance,” which means they spoke “not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth” (Acts 2:4; 1 Cor. 2:13). They not only spoke the truth in all its parts, they were also guided or inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the truth in all its parts (2 Tim. 3:1617; 2 Pet. 1:13-15; 2:1-2). Men should not place one another or human thoughts “above that which is written” (1 Cor. 4:6). “Whosoever transgresseth (goeth onward, ASV), and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 Jn. 9).

One who speaks “for the Truth’s sake” will teach only the doctrine of Christ, only what Christ revealed by the Spirit to the apostles and inspired men who wrote the Bible. We must give book, chapter, and verse for all we teach or else apologize for teaching anything for which we cannot give book, chapter, and verse when it is pointed out to us. We have no right to claim God is revealing through us new truths in the form of “prophecy,” “visions,” and “dreams.” Rather, we must strive to teach the whole Truth as God has already delivered it .through men who were inspired with prophecy, visions, and dreams. We dare not claim the Spirit is whispering a “revelation” in our ear or heart, nor in the clouds or sky or any other such place. In 1 Tim. 4:1, Paul (an apostle, miraculously inspired by the Holy Spirit) said, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly . . .” And then Paul told us exactly what the Spirit said. “Expressly” means “in stated terms” or “in words.” The words Paul wrote are the words of the Holy Spirit, All the revelations of the Holy Spirit are found in exact words of the Spirit in the Bible. Therefore we can not claim any new messages from the Spirit, but can preach and teach the exact message of the Spirit, the whole message of the Spirit, the only message of the Spirit . . . which message is found in the Bible alone. The Spirit spoke the truth in all its parts (according to the promise of Christ) to inspired men in the First Century, and they wrote it down by miraculous direction of God. We write for the Truth’s sake only when we teach the truth revealed by the Spirit in the Bible, “the holy writings.”

2 Tim. 3:15 sneaks of “the holy scriptures” or “the holy writings.” Verse 16 says of these writings, “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 perfect (or mature, complete), throughly furnished unto all good works.” Let us determine to teach `for the Truth’s sake” strive to teach only “for doctrine” what is found in “the holy writings.” We can then reprove, correct, and instruct in righteousness only according to what is found in “the holy writings.” The truth will make us free. The gospel will save. The words of the Lord are spiritual and life-giving. Only as men teach the Lord’s word do they teach for the Truth’s sake.

Truth Magazine XIX: 50, p. 790
October 30, 1975

By Cecil Willis

The Bible is the world’s most revered Book. In it are tremendous powers. It has the power to transform an individual or a nation. It has the power to wipe away the tears from the weeping eyes of those whose hearts have been torn by sorrow. It has the power to save a soul from death, and to hide a multitude of sins. God, being a rational Being, does nothing without purpose. When He gave us the message of the Bible, He had a very definite purpose in mind. The message of the Bible is called several different things. It is called “the Word” (2 Tim. 4:1-4), “the faith” (Gal. 1:23), “the gospel” (Rom. 1:16), “Christ” (Acts 8:5). But whatever it is called in the Scripture, it refers to the same organized body of religious truth, and it has a divine purpose. The Scripture itself tells us what the purpose of the Bible is. Paul tells us the purpose of the gospel is to save. He says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). The gospel is God’s only power to save, and all that are saved will be saved by the gospel. James says the word is able to save your souls: “Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls” (Jas. 1:21).

Yet while we must confess there is tremendous power in the word of God, we must also confess that the power inherent in the Bible is not being utilized. It is being wasted. Men and women are going daily to their graves with their souls lost. Is it the fault of the Bible that this happens? Not at all. For what God does, He does perfectly. He provided a perfect plan of salvation for mankind. Paul declares that “the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). There is ample power in God’s word to save the soul of every person. But since we know that every person is not being saved, there must be something hindering their salvation. Thus we want to point out some of the things that make the Bible void. The Bible is caused not to bring about the effect of which it is capable, because there are hindrances making it of none effect.

The Word Is Snatched Away

The first cause to which we call your attention that makes the Bible of none effect is that the Devil snatches away the word from the heart of those who hear it lest they should believe and be saved. In the Parable of the Sower recorded in Matthew 11 and Luke 8, Jesus speaks of a certain man who went forth to sow seed. Some of the seed fell by the way side, and the birds of the heavens devoured it. Other seed fell upon stony ground, some upon thorny ground, and some upon good ground. Jesus explains this parable so that we do not have to interpret it. He says, “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved” (Luke 8:11, 12).

The seed sown by the wayside should have been buried in fertile soil. Then the birds could not have devoured it. The word of God that is permitted to lie unappropriated in your heart is apt to be snatched away by the Devil that you may not believe and be saved. There are many people who know what the Lord requires of them, but who are hesitant to do it. The impression first made upon their heart by the preaching of the word is gradually weakened until the word of God is taken from them by the Devil, and they do not even put up a struggle with him. Friends, if you have learned what God wants you to do, do not hesitate to do it immediately. Satan has made the word of God of none effect in the lives of many simply because they have been hesitant to put into practice what they had just learned.

Denominationalism-Religious Division

Religious division is another thing that makes the word of God of none effect. Jesus recognized that this would be the effect of division. In John 17:21, we read an account of one of the prayers of Jesus. In it He was praying for His disciples. He prayed “that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.” The prayer of Christ indicates that a divided world religiously makes unbelievers of the remainder of the world. I sincerely believe that the division that exists has made infidels of more people than the combined efforts of every infidel that ever lived.

Yet in spite of the prayer of Jesus, and in spite of the fact that He said division will result in unbelief, men continue to thank God that so many different “churches” (i.e. denominations) exist that a man can worship God as he pleases. The civil government should put no restraints upon the manner in which we worship. But God, the Creator of heaven and earth, has put restraints upon the manner in which we should worship Him. You should worship as God pleases, rather than as men please.

The people of the world see no more of Christianity and know no more of Christianity than they see in each of us who profess to be Christians. In denominationalism there are many things that are repulsive to right thinking men, and repugnant to any Bible student. Some see these objective features of denominationalism and suppose that these represent New Testament Christianity. And therefore they reply, “If that is Christianity, you can have it. I do not want any of it.” Therefore denominationalism, or religious division, contributes to the word of God being made none effect. People are being lost who could be saved by the word of God.

Hardened Hearts

Another thing that makes the Bible of none effect is the condition of the heart of those to whom we preach. Not every person reacts to the preaching of the gospel the same. We see examples of this on the day of Pentecost. Some of those present obeyed the gospel when they heard but one sermon. Others were hardened so that they began opposing gospel preachers and those that obeyed the gospel. While God intends that man be saved through the preaching of the gospel, He never undertakes to compel man to obey Him. One often is privileged to speak to people whose hearts are set on finding the truth. One speaks to others whose hearts are so closed that the Lord could not even reach them. Jesus found the inhabitants of Jerusalem to be of this disposition. Near the close of His life, as He gazed upon the city, and said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matt. 23:37). There are many today, who like the inhabitants of ancient Jerusalem, could quickly be saved but they will not.

We have no way to pry into the hearts of those who are closed to the preaching of the truth. It has been said that the latch string to your heart hangs on the inside. No preacher can open your heart to the truth unless you are willing for it to be opened. Jesus cannot come into your heart unless you open the door. He says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20). You alone can open the door to your heart that the truth might come in so that you can be saved. If you will not open your heart, the power of the Bible to save you will be made of none effect.

Jesus says there are certain people who fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah when he said “By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them” (Matt. 13:14,15). They had the ability to see and understand, but because of the hardness of their hearts, they would not. I am sorry to say that there are many people today who have the ability and the opportunity to understand and obey the Word of God, but they will not. This makes it impossible for the Bible to have the desired effect in their life. It makes it of none effect, at least in so far as they are concerned.

Traditions of Men

The traditions of men is another thing that makes of none effect the word of God. These doctrines that have had their beginning this side and outside of the New Testament make void the word of God. It is sad when we see people going about very zealously in their efforts to propagate that which cannot save a single soul, but which can take into torment both the teachers and those that hear them. The word of God is able to save you. The doctrines of men can do nothing but cause you to lose your soul. Paul warned the young preacher, Timothy, “Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee” (1 Tim. 4:16). This implies that if he did not take heed to both himself and what he preached, he could lose his own soul, as well as being responsible for the loss of the souls of those that listened to him.

Isaiah also prophesied concerning those who attempted to serve God by the traditions of men. He says “This people honoreth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men” (Isa. 29:13, quoted in Matt. 15:8,9). Jesus added another statement before He quoted the passage from Isaiah which we just cited. He said, “And ye have made void the word of God because of your tradition” (Matt. 15:6). The word of God can save the soul of man, but the word of God mixed with the traditions of men cannot save. Bread has the power to sustain life, but intermixed with a bit of poison it takes on the power to destroy life. Mix divine and human doctrines and you destroy the power of God’s word to save. You make it of none effect.

Observing Bad Examples

Most of the hindrances to one’s obedience to the gospel that we have studied thus far have been resident in the hearer of the word. But there are many who give the hypocrisy of professing Christians as their excuse for not becoming Christians. Paul, in Rom. 1:18, speaks of the wrath of God being “revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness.” The moral failures of those of us who wear Christ’s name has likely been responsible for the failure of the word to bear fruit in many instances. Jesus places a curse on those who cause others to stumble. He says, “but whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6). We must take care that our life is above reproach. We must practice before we preach.

However, I personally am doubtful that these who use the hypocrisy of church members as their excuse for not obeying the gospel are any better off. When a man says he would become a member of the church if there were not so many hypocrites in it, I feel like saying, “Well, come on in, there is always room for one more!” The action of no man should keep me from obeying and serving my Lord.

We should permit the word to have free course in our lives, and it will bring about our salvation. God intended it to save us. Let us not hinder the truth in unrighteousness, lest the wrath of God be revealed against us.

Truth Magazine XIX: 50, pp. 787-789
October 30, 1975