Truth Magazine

By Cecil Willis

“To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, ‘What is truth?’ ” (Jn. 18:37, 38). Thus the skeptical Pilate asked the question, “What is truth?” and, as he asked, he asked the question for all humanity.

Philosophy Inadequate

For centuries man has tried of himself to find the solution to the question, “What is truth?” All the efforts that have been made to answer the question have served only one purpose and that is to show the futility of man’s trying to decide what truth is separate from the Word of God. During the many years of man’s seeking, many answers have been given. Among these answers some have been simple and understandable, but inadequate, and others have been so complex that one cannot understand just what is meant by the author.

One of the great problems which philosophy seeks to answer is the problem of truth. The philosophers seek to give a definition of truth. While these definitions might be correct, none of them can be as full and complete as the one given by our Lord in the New Testament. Philosophically truth is defined as Horizontal self-consistency and vertically fitting the facts (Carnell, An Introduction to Christian Apologetics, Chapter on the Problem of Truth). This is a good example of the complexity of the philosopher’s definition. It simply means that before a proposition can be accounted as truth it must be consistent with itself, not self contradictory, and must fit the facts of reality as they are found, but this is too complex for practical use. Others define truth simply as knowledge, but all are incomplete.

It is hard for one to realize the error into which the world had fallen before the coming of Christ because they had no proper knowledge of truth. Idolatry raged rampant. Women were considered nothing more than the toy or tool of man. Men were made beasts of burden by the common practice of slavery.

Truth Came By Christ

In view of this, it is not difficult to imagine why Pilate and the Jews were skeptical concerning Christ’s statement that he had come to bear witness of the truth. Throughout the past fifteen-hundred years the Jews had continued to receive revelation through the Law of Moses, but this law could not adequately answer the question, “What is truth?” Of course, the things contained in the law were true, but much more was implied in the question than formal truth. John, the Baptist, implied the failure of the law of Moses to fulfill all that was expected of the “truth” when he said, “the law came by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (Jn. 1:17). While here we see the inadequacy of the law to answer the question, we do see when to expect the truth, for John said, `”. . . truth came by Jesus Christ” (Jn. 1:17).

It is affirmed that in some way Jesus Christ was the very embodiment of truth, and that in him we could look for truth. Jesus asserted that “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6). Jesus Christ is the standard of all truth. Being in the “express image” of God (Heb. 1:3; Phil. 2:5-8) Jesus Christ then was as perfect as God, and thus could properly be accounted a standard in all that he said and did. By virtue of the fact that God was the standard of truth, and Christ was God in flesh, then he could properly say I am “the truth” and thus could answer the question of Pilate. When Christ issued a decree such as “Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness,” it then was wrong to violate these rules for in Christ was truth. If men would but follow Christ’s standards of morality, wars would cease, evil would be overcome with good, and God would reign in the lives of men.

Thy Word Is Truth

While Christ was on earth the “truth” was on earth, but it had been God’s intentions from the beginning of time that Christ had a particular mission to perform here and then he was to return to heaven. When Christ had done his work here and had lived the life of truth, then he returned to His Father. But what about mankind? With Christ, the truth, gone, was man going to be left once more to grope about in the darknesses of error? God in his infinite wisdom had made provision for man. While Christ was yet on the earth he began preparing man for the time when he should go away. In Jn. 16:7 he said, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I go, I will send him unto you.”

But how was it that the wonderful life of truth which was seen in Christ was to be made known in order that it might be repeated from generation to generation? We find the answer given in Christ’s own words near the time of his ascension. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth; for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come” (Jn. 16:13). By the guidance of the Spirit of truth, the minds of men were to be guided into the writing of the things that Christ had spoken. “But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you” (Jn. 14:26). As these men infallibly recorded the events and remarks in the life of Christ, the life of truth, they then produced the Book of Truth, the Bible. Thus Jesus while yet on earth prayed unto God in behalf of his disciples: “Sanctify them.in truth, thy word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). Paul reiterated this great thought in 2 Tim. 3:16, 17, when he said: “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is, in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.” We see how the generations that follow the period of Christ’s life are to have made known unto them the truth, as we see the Spirit of Truth recorded the Life of Truth in the Eternal Book of Truth, the Bible.

Our Attitude Toward Truth

We see then that we have the answer to the question, “What is truth” in the word of God as Christ said “thy word is truth.” It is possible for each one of us, through persistent study and fervent prayer, to learn what is truth. Seeing that we do have the truth in the word of God, what should be our attitude toward it?

First of all let us note that our attitude should not be one of anger toward him who brings us the truth. If one should speak to us the word of God properly and we become angry with him, it is equal to becoming angry with God because God’s word is truth and he has only spoken the word of God to us. Christ said of the Jews: “But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I heard from God” (Jn. 8:40). Paul stated further, “So then am I become your enemy, by telling you the truth” (Gal: 4:16). We should appreciate the assistance of those who are willing to take the word of truth and assist us in our study of it, rather than becoming angry with them.

Our attitude toward the truth should be one of a longing for it. Solomon said, “Let not kindness and truth forsake thee” (Prov. 3:3). Again he said, “Buy the truth and sell it not” (Prov. 23:23). Paul said, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Our disposition should be that of longing for the truth to the extent that we are willing to spend long hours in diligent study of it.

Attributes of Divine Truth

Now in conclusion let us note some of the attributes of this truth revealed unto us. First, necessarily the truth is beautiful. It could be nothing less in view of the fact of what it is. It is a statement of the beautiful teaching of our Lord and a record of the beautiful, sinless life that he lived. It disapproves and condemns all that is evil and ugly. Finally, it is beautiful in that it pictures to us a beautiful reward; so in every aspect one might well say that the truth is beautiful.

Secondly, the truth is eternal. This truth has existed in the mind of God from the beginning. Since God’s word is truth, and God is eternal, then truth must be eternal. In spite of the many efforts that have been and are being made to destroy it, the truth continues to survive its enemies and shall ever do so for it is indestructible and eternal.

Finally, the truth is liberating. He who knew what it take’s to free said: “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32). Notice, our Lord said, “Ye shall know the truth.” While the eternal truth exists, whether we ever come to a knowledge of it or not, it takes a knowledge of it to save. one. But certainly only the knowledge of the truth is not sufficient to save one. It takes much more than that to be freed by the truth: from our sins. There are many people who know what they must do to be saved, they have the knowledge, but they refuse to do what their knowledge of the truth tells them they must do to be made free. Once more though, it takes the truth to make men free. Error is not a substitute for truth. Error preached, error heard, error believed and error obeyed will not make men free. It takes the truth preached, the truth heard, believed and obeyed to make man free.

Thus we see that it takes obedience to the truth to free men’s souls of sin. Paul says, “Ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching, whereunto ye were delivered; and being made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6:17, 18). Their freedom from sin followed their obedience.

We see we have the truth revealed, it comes to us infallibly by the word of God, and by obedience to it we can be made free from sins. If we are in sin, it is our fault, for by obedience to the eternal truth, sin can be removed. We are hoping that you will make that right decision, that of obedience, and reap the benefits of the eternal truth.

Truth Magazine XIX: 17, pp. 259-261
March 6, 1975

By Irvin Himmel

Few of us miss feeding our bodies three times daily. Sometimes we slip in snacks between meals, and we usually register no objection to an extra big feed now and then, such as a holiday dinner or supper at the house of a relative. In most households mother has no problem getting the attention of the rest of the family when she announces that the food is on the table.

The soul, like the body, needs food. But a lot of us have starved ourselves spiritually while overeating physically. Some expect the Sunday morning diet to provide them with adequate spiritual nourishment for a whole week. Others come back on Sunday evening for another spiritual feed, and some return on Wednesday evening for a mid-week feed. Of course, there are a few who take time each day to feed on the good word of God at home.

Alas! it is no wonder that some are weak and sickly. It is no marvel that they are beset with various spiritual ailments. Their malnutrition has made them susceptible to many diseases, and they have lost their appetite. They are too feeble and sickly to come in time for Sunday ‘morning Bible classes, and in some cases the food distributed at the worship hour is too rich for their stomachs! If fed at all, they must be fed from a bottle!

Paul found some brethren like these in his day. He wrote, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able” (1 Cor. 3:1-2). Again he wrote, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:12-14).

Spiritual growth and development necessitate wholesome spiritual food. To be, spiritually healthy we must keep the soul supplied with sound doctrine. Classes, sermons, and study periods are, but spiritual meal times. When the family of God come together for a spiritual feast, are you as anxious to join them as you are to get to the dining table at home? Which has priority with you-feeding the body or feeding the soul? Have you ever missed a meal for the physical man in order to feed the spiritual man? I have noticed that some folks get in a hurry to end the Sunday morning spiritual feast so they can run home and feed the body.

Jesus said, “Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life . . . .” (John 6:26). Again he said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever . . .” (John 6:51). We are partaking of Christ as the bread of life when we read, study, and digest his words. “. . . The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). When Christ’s words are received through study and digested by belief, meditation, and obedience, the soul is built up.

We urge you to give more consideration to the needs of the spiritual man within you. May God grant you, “according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Eph. 3:16).

Truth Magazine XIX: 17, p. 258
March 6, 1975

By Bill Cavender

A dangerous doctrine being taught by some brethren now is that the grace of God overlooks and winks at sins of ignorance and human weakness. The idea is we are always in grace once we obtain God’s grace in faith and obedience, and that even without repentance, confession and prayers for forgiveness, God’s grace is ever with us, overlooking our sins and failures (Acts 17:30, Gal. 5:1-4). One writer asks, “Will God’s child be lost forever for one sin of human weakness, ignorance or neglect?”

By reading the writings of some brethren today, one would think that they have had courses in Calvinism from Baptists or Presbyterians. Ideas as those expressed above are very, very close to Calvinism with it’s “irresistible grace” and “impossibility of apostasy” doctrines. I doubt not that we are witnessing a revival of Calvinism in and among a new, younger generation of preachers who are untaught in God’s word.

How many sins must one commit to bring God’s wrath upon him? Well, Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire once (Lev. 10:1-7). A sabbath-breaker sinned once (Num. 15:32-36). Achan sinned once (Jos. 7:1-26). Uzzah touched the ark once (2 Sam. 6:1-11). Moses smote the rock once and was denied entrance into Canaan (Num. 20:7-11, Psa. 106:33). Ananias and Sapphira sinned once (Acts 5:1-11). Simon sinned once and was severely rebuked by Peter (Acts 8:18-24). Peter sinned once and was publicly rebuked by Paul (Gal. 2:11-14). The fornicator at Corinth committed one kind of sin through “human weakness” and was disfellowshipped (1 Cor. 5:1-13). One only has to be guilty of offending one point of the law to be guilty of all (Jas. 2:10-11, Rom. 15:1-4, 1 Cor. 10:11-12).

We must repent of, confess and ask forgiveness of our sins (Jas. 5:16, 1 John 1:8-10, 2:1-2). This we should preach, rather than encouraging brethren in sin by the false doctrine of “always in grace.”

Truth Magazine XIX: 16, p. 253
February 27, 1975

By Don.Potts

Have you ever driven up and down the suburban streets of our cities and noticed all the “For Sale” signs in the yards? Some of these homes are beautiful homes, ranging anywhere from thirty to a hundred thousand dollars or more. These homes were once happy. homes, homes where the lights burned bright, and a ring of vibrant laughter filled the air. However, those families have moved on to more exclusive neighborhoods, to richer and finer homes. This shows man’s discontentment for earth’s temporal and decaying mansions. Heaven is our fatherland; earth is not our home!

The most thrilling thought that has ever filled the heart of man is that of Heaven! Jesus sent out the seventy into the cities and places that he would go and they returned “with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through the name.” To which Jesus replied, “rejoice not that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:17-20). What a joy it is, to the child of God to know that, if he is faithful, one day heaven will be his home. In the words of the chorus of that old song:

“When the saved get to Heaven

what a day of rejoicing that will be!

When the saved see Jesus,

they will sing and shout the victory.”

Reasons For Believing In Heaven

But you say, how do you know that there is really a heaven? Let me suggest four reasons. First, because the human soul has always longed for such a place. Heaven, like an evening zephyr, seems to call and beckon the soul of man homeward. Over 3,000 years before Jesus walked upon the shores of Galilee, the Egyptians inscribed the name “yarn,” or heaven upon the walls of the ancient pyramids. A heathen by the name of Cleombrotus upon reading the argument of the Greek philosopher, Plato, on the subject of Heaven, ran and threw himself off a high cliff so that he might die and go to Heaven! The same enthusiasm was manifested by the Mohammedans. Mohammed said, “The sword is the key to Heaven. A drop of blood shed in the cause of God is of more avail than two months of fasting and prayer; whoso falls in battle, all his sins are forgiven.” Hundreds and thousands gladly gave their life in battle, with the expectation of Heaven.

Look at the Christian, throughout the centuries. He has laboured and toiled; he has sacrificed his very life in the hopes of that blissful place called Heaven.

`Here I labor and toil as look for a home,

Just an humble abode among men,

While in heaven a mansion is waiting for me

And a gentle voice pleading “come in.”

Second, I know there is a heaven because the human soul has always felt there was such a place. Many advance their arguments against the existence of heaven, but when all is said and done, he still feels within his heart, there is a heaven. A little boy stood on a windy hillside, flying his kite. He continued to release the string of the kite, and it went higher and higher until it was completely out of sight. Someone asked the little boy how he knew there was still a kite on the other end. He replied, “I know it’s there; I feel it tugging on the line.” Heaven may not be seen with human eyes, but by faith we feel it tugging at our souls!

Third, I know there is Heaven and a Hell because justice demands it. Think about such men as Herod, Nero, Diocleation and Hitler, and all the suffering they inflicted upon man. No court in the land could bring true justice on the lives of such ruthless men. But in Hell, justice at last will be rendered. By the same token, think of the suffering endured by godly saints of ages gone by, think of those who laid down their life rather than renounce their faith in Christ. Paul says, “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). In this world one may suffer, but in that world to come, he will be crowned with life eternal (Rev. 2:9-10).

Fourth, I believe in Heaven because God says there is such a place. Let the theologians deny it’s existence; but who dare to challenge the veracity of God Almighty? “Let God be true, but every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4). Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you, . . . I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3). Jesus challenges you to “lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven” (Matt. 6:20). Paul, the writer of Hebrews said, “For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in Heaven a better and enduring substance” (Heb. 10:34). He continues in the eleventh chapter, “For he (Abraham) looked for a city which hath foundation, whose builder and maker is God . . . .” (Heb. 11:10). And he yet continues, “but now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: God is not ashamed to be called their God: For he hath prepared for them a city” (Heb. 11:16). “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek, one to come” (Heb. 13:14). Peter describes it as “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). The Christian walks by “faith” and faith comes from hearing what God has said about a matter. (2 Cor. 5:7; Rom. 10:17). God said there was a heaven and by faith I journey toward that eternal city.

What Is Heaven Like?

But, you ask, what is Heaven like? First, Heaven is a place. It is not the atmosphere, nor is it a state of mind. It is a place, a place just as real as these United States! Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:3). It is a real place, populated with real people with beautiful, immortal and strong bodies. Those bodies will be just as visible as those of Moses and Elias on the mountain of Transfiguration. When Jesus went into Heaven, his body was a visible body (Acts 1:9-10), yet John tells us, “when he shall appear, we shall be like him” (1 John 3:2). Our body will be a different body, not of flesh and blood. “. . . it is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body” (1 Cor. 15:42-44, 50).

Second, it is a described as a City. “He has prepared a city for them” (Heb. 11:16). May I emphasize, a city; not a village or hamlet or a community! It is a city, but not an earthly city. Paul described it as “an heavenly” city (Heb. 11:16). There will be no place on this earth for an eternal city. This earth will be “burned up-,” and “destroyed” (2 Peter 3:10). But God’s city will be an eternal one, “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come” (Heb. 13:14). In many of our cities, our downtown areas are becoming ghost towns, vacant, rundown, and are being abandoned in many cases at a rapid rate. For example, we are told that in Detroit, Michigan, buildings are being abandoned at a rate of 500 yearly, in Cleveland, Ohio over 800 a year, in Philadelphia at a rate of 25,000 dwellings a year, and in Chicago, 1,800 structures a year. But, Heaven is an eternal city, a city of complete perfection, because God’s works are good, and eternal (Psa. 92:5; James 1:17; Eccl. 3:44).

Many of our cities suffer with’over population, but in heaven there will be room for all. “In my fathers house are many mansions.” “And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breath: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and breath and the highth of it are equal” (Rev. 21:16). The city was measured at 12,000 furlongs or about 1,500 miles. This is equal to about eight million square miles, or if you cube it, about 512 quintillion cubic feet. Oh there is no way to describe the spaciousness of that wonderful place, heaven!

Also, most cities have become a cesspool of crime, violence, gambling, drinking, sexual promiscuity, riots, turmoil and confusion, but heaven will be a city of righteousness! “Neverthless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13).

Third, it is described as a Royal Palace. John heard a voice as a trumpet saying unto him, “come up hither; and I will show the things which shall be here after . . . . a throne was set in heaven, and one set on ,the throne” (Rev. 4:1-10). And we recall, Jesus said it was a place of “many mansions” (John 14:2).

Fourth, it is described as a Garden. “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and the lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Rev. 22:1-2). Our first parents were driven from the garden of Eden, but in heaven paradise will be perfect, restored! A garden far more beautiful than anything known to man. It will surpass the beauty of Cypress Gardens, or the Hanging Gardens of the beautiful city of Babylon, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. “Oh, how beautiful Heaven must be!”

Fifth, it is a place of eternal security. When Jesus, in the End of the world, delivers the kingdom back to God (1 Cor. 15:24), we will be in the hand of the Almighty God. And Jesus said, “no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29). The security of this -.city is indicated by the fact that it is surrounded with great high walls, and twelve gates, three on each side, and inside those walls one never need to again fear the Devil and his angels. There will be complete and perfect safety (Rev. 21:12; Psa. 107:2).

Sixth, In heaven there will be no night. There will be no need of lamps nor even the light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light (Rev. 22:5; 21:23). On the other hand, Hell will be a place of “outer darkness,” because in Hell the source of light, God, will not be there (2 Thess. 1:9).

Seventh, Heaven is a place of overwhelming glory, beauty, and majesty. This is a city of gold, pure gold, like unto clear glass, walls of jasper, gates of pearl, the street, (not streets as we sing), of pure gold! All these terms are figurative and symbolic and after we have exhausted every word common to man, we still will not have touched top, side, or bottom the true beauties of that wonderful place, heaven.

Eighth, a city free of disease, sickness, sorrow, suffering, dying and tears. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4). Just think, no more hospitals, undertaker parlors, cemeteries or jails. There will never be another weeping widow, or hungry orphan, for `.`former things are passed away.” Not one sin will enter the gate of the Celestial City. There the sweet bliss of heaven will fill the hearts of every Saint of God and they will sing the praises of the King throughout eternity. Is there a single traveler to eternity who has not fitted his life for services above? Is it possible that there is an elder, deacon, preacher or church member who is wandering in sin? I beg and plead with you-Repent Today! Make your calling and election sure.

“Jerusalem, my happy home,

Oh, how I long for thee;

When will my sorrows have an end

Thy joys, when shall I see.

“Thy walls are all of precious stones,

Most glorious to behold;

Thy gates are richly set with pearl,

The street is paved with gold.”

Truth Magazine XIX: 16, pp. 251-252
February 27, 1975