Truth Magazine

By Howard See

In Psalms 107, the Psalmist extolled God’s mercies and exhorted the redeemed of the Lord. In the first two verses the Psalmist said, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.” It is evident that the Psalmist considered the mercy of God in delivering Israel from the hand of the enemy, of such magnitude that those who had been thus redeemed should declare their redemption by God’s hand that all might know God’s power, love, and mercy. Their redemption was something about which one could rejoice, praise God, and tell others.

When one considers that their redemption was a physical redemption from the hand of another nation, by contrast the magnitude of our spiritual redemption in Christ Jesus becomes apparent. Paul stated that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law that the blessing of Abraham might come upon us (Cal. 3:13-14). He further taught that those who lived under the law were redeemed by Christ that they might receive the adoption of sons and thereby become heirs of Clod (Gal. 4:4-7; Cf. Heb. 9:15; 11:39-40; Rom. 8:16-17). Not only have we been redeemed from the law, but our redemption is from sin (Eph. 1:7), from all iniquity (Tit. 2:14), and from the vain conversation received by tradition from our fathers (1 Pet. 1:18-19). If the physical deliverance of Israel was considered sufficient cause for them to declare their redemption, how much more should the greatness of our redemption cause us to shout about that redemption from the house tops (cf. Mt. 10:27; Lk. 12:3). If the people of God today could be made to realize the greatness of God’s love, mercy, and goodness toward them in Christ, their mouths could not be muzzled to keep them from declaring to others what God has done for them. Indeed God so designed the kingdom as to be dependent upon the redeemed of the Lord “saying so.”

The religion of Jesus Christ is a taught religion. The author of the Hebrew letter, quoting Jeremiah, said, “. . .I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest” (Heb. 8:10-11). One of the great contrasts between the law of Moses and the law of Christ involves the fact that children were born into God’s family, the Jewish nation, under the law of Moses by a fleshly or physical birth. They then had to be taught to know the Lord. Under the law of Christ, however, man is first taught to know the Lord. Faith produced in the hearts of men through the preaching of the Word (Rom. 10:17) leads them to come to the Lord in obedience to his will. They thus become children of God by a new birth (John 3:3-5). For this reason Jesus affirms that those who are taught of the Father are the ones who come unto him (John 6:44-45). John affirms that those in whose hearts faith has been produced by the gospel are the ones given power to become the sobs of God (John 1:11-12). The apostle Paul stated it well in Rom. 10:13-14 when he said, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” In this context the Apostle demonstrated that “calling on the name of the Lord” for salvation involves hearing the gospel preached, believing the facts of the gospel and obeying the commands of the gospel (cf. vs. 16).

God has placed the responsibility for preaching or teaching the gospel of His Son upon those who are the redeemed. Jesus said to his disciples, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Mt. 28:19-20). Paul said that “. . .it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1:21). This responsibility of preaching or teaching God’s truth so that man might be saved has not been placed in the hands of a selected clergy. The New Testament knows of no clergy-laity distinction. Every Christian is to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). Every Christian is to sanctify the Lord God in their hearts and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks them a reason of the hope that is in them (1 Pet. 3:15). Paul reproved Christians who by reason of time should have been teachers, but who had not grown in knowledge. Rather than being able to teach others as God intended, they still needed someone to teach them the elementary principles of the gospel (Heb. 5:12). When the Christians were dispersed from Jerusalem because of persecution “they. . .went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Paul instructed Timothy saying, “The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). Truly the Redeemed of the Lord are to “say so!”

The Psalmist indicates that those redeemed of the Lord should declare their redemption because of their appreciation for God’s power, love, and mercy extended to them in deliverance. Our appreciation for what God has done for us should certainly be sufficient to cause us to want to share our joys and blessings in Christ with others (Eph. 1:3). Just as the goodness of God leads to repentance (Rom. 2:4), the goodness of God should cause the redeemed of the Lord to “say so.”

The love that we have in our hearts for other people should cause each Christian to declare the message of God’s redemption. God has always required that man love other men (Mt. 22:37-39). Proper love for others will cause us to want them to be saved. But their salvation is dependent upon their hearing, believing and obeying the gospel (Rom. 1:13-17). When the redeemed of the Lord fail to “say so,” those whom they could have taught may never hear the gospel. Hence, faith cannot be produced that they might be led to obedience. The redeemed of the Lord will be held accountable in the judgment for their failure to declare their redemption (cf. Ezek. 3:1821). Jesus said, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Mt. 7:12). Necessarily implied in the Lord’s statement is the fact that if we are thankful that someone took the time and put forth the effort to declare God’s message of redemption to. us, then we likewise ought to declare the message of redemption to others.

There are many reasons some of the Lord’s redeemed ones do not “say so.” Some are lacking in love for the Lord. Jesus said, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me” (John 14:21). In verse 24 Jesus said, “He that loveth me not keepth not my sayings.” Inasmuch as the Lord has placed the responsibility of declaring the message of redemption upon the redeemed, a failure to “say so” indicates a lack of love for the Lord. Others, lacking proper love for their neighbors, fail to declare their redemption. Still others are ashamed of the Gospel. They will talk to others about everything but their redemption (cf. Rom. 1:16). Many put other things first and simply make no arrangements for time or opportunity to teach God’s plan of redemption to others. Many others are worldly minded (cf. 1 John 2:15). They are not truly interested in spiritual things and consequently are not really concerned about those who have not yet been redeemed. Truly the redeemed of the Lord must lay aside every hindrance, and be busy declaring God’s

message of redemption (Heb. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 7:1; Gal. 5:7).

All of the ways by which to declare the message of redemption are ineffectual unless the redeemed conduct themselves in such a way that Christ can be seen living in them (cf. Gal. 2:20). Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Mt. 5:16). One of the greatest hindrances to human redemption is a failure of many who have been redeemed to be an example of righteousness. Peter emphasized the influence of a righteous life on others in discussing the husband-wife relationship (1 Pet. 3:1-6). This is one way in which all of God’s redeemed ones not only can “say so” but must “say so” if their redemption is to lead them to heaven. The redeemed of the Lord may also declare their redemption to others through the use of attractive, well written tracts.. Almost every local church makes good tracts available for use. There is power in the printed Word. The distribution of the printed Word is certainly one way that all can declare their redemption.

Peter declared that each redeemed person has the responsibility of growing in knowledge through study that they may be able to,,answer the questions asked of them concerning their lope in Christ (1 Pet. 3:15). Faithful Christians are to be able to teach others (Heb. 5:12; 2 Tim. 2:2). Each redeemed person should prepare himself in order to be able to sit down in the home of non-Christians and declare unto them the message of redemption. Those who have the ability should prepare themselves to declare God’s redemption through the teaching of Bible classes or in public preaching. Remember that God gives us responsibility on the basis of our ability. God knows what our ability is and holds us accountable for not using the full extent of the ability which he has given us (Mt. 25:14-30). May we each one say with the Psalmist, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,” and then do it.

Truth Magazine XIX: 28, pp. 441-442
May 22, 1975

By David O. Lanius, Jr.

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised); and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works; not forsaking the assembling of ‘ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge ~of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice of sins” (Heb. 10:23-26).

As we note our text together, we can immediately see that there was concern among the writers of the New Testament about absenteeism from the worship assemblies. The inspired writer of Hebrews was trying to check this tendency, knowing that it would lead to apostasy. As there was trouble then, so there is now. Every church seems to have this same problem. Why do Christians continue to absent themselves from the assemblies of the saints? Is it really because of the excuses they offer? Here are some of the most popular excuses:

1. “I attended the morning services, wasn’t that enough?”

2. “I had company.”

3. “I overslept.”

4. “My children do not like to attend that often.” (Neither do they like to attend school that well.)

5. “I needed to work overtime at the job.” (How about working overtime for God?)

6. “I was just too tired.” (He has never missed a day on the job because he was tired.)

Actually the truth must be that, lacking a love for God and their brethren, they just do not want to come.

There are dire consequences which result when one consistently does not assemble.

1. You fail to let your light shine (Matt. 5:16).

2. You weaken the efforts being put forth by others to save souls.

3. You harm yourself in that you have not partaken of the spiritual food necessary for spiritual growth (Jn. 4:24; Acts 2:42; Heb. 5:8-9).

4. You rob yourself of being with those of like precious faith, the Father, and Son (Matt. 18:20).

5. God is grieved by your continued absenteeism. It is hard to worship Him when you fail to attend for that purpose.

6. You show to the world what is first in your life.

7. You fail to do your part, making someone else carry your load; such is shameful and sinful.

If you begin to miss services, you will become weaker and weaker each time you allow a service to pass by.

One of the greatest blessings we have in our earthly lives is the opportunity as Christians to meet together and join our minds in worship to our God Who created and sustains us. Every time we meet, whether it be on the Lord’s day, in mid-week, or during a gospel meeting we can be “built up in the most holy faith.” We can “cast all our burdens on Jesus” and “let Jesus dwell within our hearts.” We can raise our voices together in song and express deep emotions which we may never feel able to express at any other time. Our spirits will be more humble, reverential and penitent after an hour of prayer, song and study together than they could possibly be during our busy weeks without such an hour. Instead of making excuses for missing the services of the church, we should constantly thank God for every opportunity that we have to assemble with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us determine now not to miss a single service of the church.

Truth Magazine XIX: 28, pp. 440-441
May 22, 1975

By Billy Ashworth

Today, we hear the expression “confrontation or, negotiation” used often in the civil realm concerning our relationship with rulers of foreign countries. It is an interesting idea as far as political diplomacy is concerned. I endorse this approach in strictly material relationships in a sincere effort to ward off a holocaust that would destroy a vast portion of humanity. However, in the religious realm, the idea of “negotiation” with leaders of religious error is repugnant to anyone who loves the truth. “Negotiation” is “a conferring, discussing, or bargaining to reach agreement” (Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language, College Edition). To me, negotiation is a form of compromise, “a settlement in which each side gives up some demands or makes concessions” (Ibid.).

Compromise in religion is severely condemned in the word of God, in both Old and New Testaments. I suggest the reader refer to Ezra 4 and Neh. 4:6. In these passages, we read of the attempts at compromise by the “adversaries” of God’s people. Notice Ezra 4:2: “Then they came to Zerubbabel and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.” Note their response (Ezra 4:3): “But Zerubbabel and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God: but we ourselves together will build unto the Lord God of Israel as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.” The malicious reaction of the adversaries is set forth in verses four through six; the letter they composed and sent to Artaxerxes accusing the Jews to him is stated in verses eleven through sixteen. This shows the maliciousness of leaders of religious error when their attempts at compromise are spurned by children of God. Read also Neh. 4-6 for additional attempts of the adversaries of God’s people on the other side of the cross to compromise.

In the fifteenth chapter of Matthew, there seems to have been a disposition of the disciples of Christ to compromise with the Pharisees from Jerusalem. There was a mild rebuke of Jesus when they asserted (verse twelve): “Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended after they heard this saying?” (i.e. Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and perversion of the law, verses 3-9). Now, notice Jesus’ answer: “Every plant which my heavenly father hath not planted shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” By “let them alone,” He meant: Don’t you apologize or compromise! This reminds me of some professed Christians today: “Just preach the gospel and let others alone! Let us just preach the Bible.” Now, whenever you hear such pleas, you can rest assured that here are people who are not converted to Christ! They do not want religious error and the perpetrators thereof exposed. It would be interesting to hear these “bleeding hearts” explain how one can preach the gospel and let others alone! One cannot even preach Christ as the Son of God and let others alone; unbelieving Jews would be offended! One cannot preach the existence of Jehovah and let others alone; the atheist would be offended. Such compromising attitudes are nauseous to lovers of truth to say nothing of being anti-scriptural!

Jesus did not let the unbelieving Jews alone (read Matt. 23). Paul did not let the false teacher, a Jew named Bar-jesus, alone (Acts 13:4-12). No, Paul “confronted” Bar-jesus (“confront: 1. to face, stand, or meet face to face. 2. to face boldly, defiantly, antagonistically. . .” Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language, College Edition). The record says that Bar-jesus the sorcerer “withstood them seeking to turn the deputy from the faith. Then Paul set his eyes on him, and said, O full of all subtilty and mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now behold the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. . .” (Acts 13:8-11). Bar-jesus was already spiritually blind, as are all false teachers. In Acts 15 there is the inspired account of Paul and Barnabus’ disputation (confrontation) with the Judaizing teachers that came from Judea teaching falsehoods. They did not “steal away” sweetly and let them alone! Neither did they attempt to deal with them “diplomatically” and “slip up on their blind side” in a vain attempt to show them the error of their way over a long period of time while their heresy would be eating away at the life blood of the saints.

The only examples I find in the Bible concerning the proper attitude toward and exposd of sin is direct confrontation. When radical surgery is needed to remove a malignancy, there is no time for procrastination, no “dilly-dallying” with false teachers either without or within the church of our Lord. Those who would compromise the truth of the gospel, who attempt to placate false teachers and their deceived followers, must be confronted by the faithful people of God. When Jude wrote to the saints in the first century, he exhorted them to “contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). My brethren, this battle cry still rings out to us who compose the body of Christ. If we do not respond and fight against every wicked scheme and doctrine of men, then just who will? “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. . .Casting down imaginations (reasonings) and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. . .” (2 Cor. 10:3, 5). Brethren, whether it is against perverters of the gospel of Christ on the outside of Christ who are denying His plan for redemption and the church or against false teachers and compromisers within who promote and defend .human institutionalism among churches of Christ or who encourage “ecumenism” by extending fellowship to religious groups who do not “walk by faith,” we must contend earnestly for the faith or no one will! Let us unsheath the sword and get on with the job.

Truth Magazine XIX: 28, pp. 439-440
May 22, 1975

By Ronald G. Mosby

“For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16). The great apostle Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit of promise and using the apostolic editorial “we,” claimed to possess the mind of Christ! How was this possible? Is it possible today for us to possess the mind of Christ? Let us study the Bible, the revealed mind of God, in answer to these and related questions.

Prophetic Announcements Fulfilled

The prophet Joel announced generally that in the last days the Spirit would be poured out upon all flesh (Joel 2:28-31). On the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ, the apostle Peter announced the fulfillment of that prophecy and applied it specifically to himself and the other eleven apostles (Acts 2:14-21). About three years prior to this occasion, John the Baptizer announced generally that Christ, Who was mightier than he, would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Mt. 3:11; Lk. 3:16). (NOTE: The context identifies the baptism of fire with the Judgment Day-Mt. 3:12.) Just ten days before Pentecost, Christ announced the fulfillment of John’s prediction and applied it specifically to the apostles whom He had chosen (Acts 1:1-5). Just a few weeks before this time, while in the upper room with His apostles, on the same night in which He, was betrayed, Christ promised to send the Comforter to them. The Comforter would teach them all things and remind them of all Christ had said while here upon the earth (Jn 14:16). He, the Spirit of truth, would guide the apostles into all the truth. He would not speak of Himself, but whatsoever He would hear from the Father, He would speak the same unto the apostles and glorify Christ as He spoke (Jn. 16:12-15). This was a promise of God to the apostles.

Again, in Acts 1:4, 8, Christ repeats the promise of the Father to His apostles and instructed them to wait at Jerusalem until they received it. Ten days later, on the day of Pentecost, the apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and they began to speak (all the truth) as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4). Ten years later, Peter referred back to this beginning at Pentecost to prove to the other apostles and other Jewish brethren that the Gentiles also were granted repentance unto life as well as the Jews (Acts 11:1, 15-18). Joel’s prophecy concerning “all flesh” had now completely been fulfilled.

We Can Know The Mind of God

Study the chart, “The Mind Of God Revealed.” Before the “Spirit searched all things, yea, the deep things of God,” no man on earth could see, hear, nor understand the things God had prepared for them that love Him (1 Cor. 2:9-10). When the Spirit came forth from the mind of God, He revealed all that God had in mind for man to do. But to whom did He reveal it? The Spirit did not reveal to the prophets and sons of men in the Old Testament the things God had prepared for you and me in the New Testament. Rather, He revealed these things to the apostles and prophets who preached the gospel of Christ (Eph. 3:1-5; 1 Pet. 1:10-12). The apostles began to speak the words revealed unto them by the Spirit Who had searched the mind of God (Acts 2:4; 1 Cor. 2:12). The apostles also wrote down in a few words what the Spirit revealed unto them (Eph. 3:1-5).

Hence, now every eye can see what is written, every ear can hear what is spoken, and every heart can understand what is spoken and what is written and can know what God has in mind for each of us today. We must each reverence the Bible, the word of God, because it truly is the Mind of God revealed to us today. It is the only revelation available for now and for all times. We must live by it and will finally be judged by it (Mt. 4:4; Jn. 12:48). When we give book, chapter and verse for what we practice and preach, we are in reality giving what God had in mind for us to do and to be. Gentle reader, can you give book, chapter, and verse for what you believe, practice and teach in religion? Think about this seriously! Eternity is too long to be wrong. Remember, if God has willed it, the Spirit ha’s revealed it, and we have it in book, chapter, and verse.

Truth Magazine XIX: 28, pp. 438-439
May 22, 1975