Truth Magazine

By Keith Sharp

Why do you attend the church of which you are a member? Is it because your father and mother before you were members of that church? Is it because your husband or wife belongs to that particular religious body? What if Christ, through His Word, the New Testament, demanded one thing, and the church of your family said to do something else? Whom would you follow? Jesus declared: “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 74:26). Does this mean I must literally despise the father who provided my needs when I was helpless and gave me the teaching and guidance to become a Christian? Must I turn against my mother who endangered her own life to bring me into this world and selflessly nursed and cared for me in childhood? Must I forsake my own wife who left a secure home to be my companion and bear my children? Must I loathe my little ones, any one of whom I would readily lay down my own life to protect? Must I hate my very own brother in the flesh who was my constant companion as a child? Of course the Bible demands the exact opposite attitude toward my own family. In fact, no son ever demonstrated greater love for his mother than did the Son of Mary, Who, while in the agony of impending death, made provision for the care of His mother after He was gone (John 19:26, 27).

What, then, is the meaning of this condition of discipleship? In Genesis 29:30 the inspired writer Moses observed of Jacob, “he loved also Rachel more than Leah.” Moses then declared, “the Lord saw that Leah was hated” (verse 31). Leah was “hated” in that she was loved less than was Rachel. This is precisely the sense in which we are to hate our families. As Jesus warned: “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:3. When John F. Kennedy was running for President, he stated that his religion was a part of his family heritage and that he could no more give up Roman Catholicism than he could his Irish ancestry. But Jesus Christ warned that if you do not love Him more than you love father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters, you cannot be His disciple. One proves his love for Christ by obeying Him (John 14:15). If you follow the religion of your family in disregard to the Word of Christ, you are not a disciple of Christ.

Truth Magazine, XVIII:20, p. 12
March 21, 1974

By Bruce Edwards, Jr.

Many good brethren of late have expressed a concern and dismay for certain of the younger generation of Christians. When such a judgment is registered it is always regrettable, but even more so when the concern rests upon valid evidence. Undoubtedly there are those who have thrown up their hands and exclaimed, “How did it happen? How did we get where we are?” These are pointed questions that literally cry out to be answered. Indeed, we must answer them, lest we be sentenced to endure generation after generation of despair and concern. Let us consider some possible explanations of the turning of such young people to their apparently incipient liberalism.

1. Social conditions have contributed to a breakdown in authority. There is no escaping the fact that our social environment has a significant shaping effect upon our lives. The current young people have matured in a rebellious society. The now-ethic is to obtain desired ends by any means possible, whether by paralyzing strikes, arrogant Asit-ins,” or just outright violence. Such a condition has fostered a crisis in both the family and religious arenas: The “do-your-own-thing” philosophy has destroyed parental rule in the home and has seriously weakened the impact of true Biblical teaching. There is an authority crisis on every hand, political, social, economic, and religious! It is no wonder that there are young preachers denying the validity of teaching by approved example and implication! The young are so confused, they are not sure there are any absolutes!

2. Younger brethren have witnessed apathy and hypocrisy in older Christians. The first thought might be, “Who hasn’t?” And we suggest readily that this, in itself, is no excuse or rationale to embrace liberalism, but it is still a situation that should weigh heavily upon our minds. Of course, there have always been lukewarm, hypocritical Christians, but in a time such as this, when “heroes” and “absolutes” are at a minimum, it is essential that the young have good examples to emulate. No one can underestimate the impact upon an impressionable youth who sees a lifeless, unenthusiastic assembly which meets three times a week to exchange gossip, compare fashions, and talk sports. Most of the time the only “zealot” in a congregation is the preacher, and sooner or later he moves on in despair. Even more damaging is the spectacle of “evangelists” who move from place to place every few years, hardly scratching the surface of work in a community. Such a sight can only discourage the youthful Christian who expects to see a certain diligence and conscientiousness in a “gospel preacher.” Many of today’s preachers are hardly the “ensamples to those that believe,” that Paul exhorted Timothy to be.

3. Worship services have been lifeless, unedifying, and negatively motivated. This is not an indictment of assemblies which do “the same thing” each week. There must be some form of pattern and the “two songs, prayer, and another song” pattern is as good as any. But, many brethren enter not even into this arrangement with the full commitment of their hearts, minds, and souls! Current efforts among some of the young to “make the services more emotional” (wittingly or unwittingly) are superficial, contrived affairs which in time become stale themselves. The answer is not to “change the services around” but rather to exhort every brother and sister to worship in spirit and in truth, drawing attention to our Lord and Saviour. When this is done, then the services cannot help but be full of life, edifying, and Scriptural.

As far as being “negatively motivated,” many assemblies have looked upon their meetings as a drudgery, a chore to be endured. Such a feeling has been sensed by a younger generation which has been malnutritioned spiritually. The natural reaction has thus been to go the opposite route, trying to force or forge a “spiritually positive” atmosphere. Here is where .spontaneity comes into play. But the initial thrill of a “spontaneous” song soon wears off and itself becomes a “chore.” (Let’s see, who’s going to lead the next “spontaneous” song?) The only answer is, of course, full commitment to Jesus Christ. Such a commitment will not always offer an “emotional high,” but in the long run will foster something much more important, namely, a home in heaven.

4. Bible classes have been repetitive or irrelevant and the teachers have been ill-prepared or ill-suited to their task. Our young people probably know the Book of Acts better than any other comparable group of young people in the world. Fed a steady diet of “the record of conversions” from age 3 on up to adulthood, these youthful Christians can easily rattle off the “five steps to salvation.” The question is, “Will they know anything else?” Make no mistake about it, the Book of Acts can be a profitable study, but there are other books in the Bible! God’s holy word speaks to every issue that confronts man – our young people need such answers – but they will not get them unless our classes speak to their needs. This is not a call to a “social gospel,” some sort of pseudo-relevancy; rather it is a plea to return to the Book that develops the whole man, equipping him “unto every good work.” What good is the knowledge of “how to become a Christian,” if after becoming one the convert does not know what Christians do? Such knowledge does not speak to the question of how to maintain that relationship with Christ. Most younger Christians have been nurtured in what Christians oppose, but pray tell, what do Christians advocate? Some thinking must be done in this area.

There is a sore need in local assemblies for able teachers of the word. It would seem that most have taken James’ admonition to “be not many teachers” to heart! By and large, “Bible class teachers” have depended upon workbooks quite heavily; as a result the classes have suffered.. In a word, such Bible class material and the preparation of the teachers depending upon them. have been awful. Hopefully, the new Truth In Life series will remedy that situation, but the need still remains for “qualified” teachers. By “qualified” I do not refer to some with a “degree,” but to those who love the word and are willing to spend some time in class preparation. Anyone can fill out a lesson book that asks how many Samson killed or how many times the word “and” appears in a certain chapter, but is that all there is to “Bible study:””Until we begin to seriously analyze and evaluate our teaching programs, content-wise and personnel-wise, we will continue to send our young people “down the river” spiritually.

5. Prescription for a troubled generation. The foregoing discussion is not offered as a “defense” (bleeding-heart or otherwise) or “excuse” for disobedience or a liberal attitude toward the authority of Scripture. God must be obeyed, on His terms, regardless of one’s ‘predicament. “However, it is suggested as an insight into why certain conditions exist. To ignore such conditions is to sentence oneself to repeat the same mistakes. Perhaps those for whom concern is registered cannot be reclaimed; we pray that such is not the case. In any event, there is another generation on the rise, and another and another. We must take steps whereby the same situations and environments that are under our control are not allowed to arise again, choking the life out of the young.

We must reassert the absolute authority of the Scriptures; we must set examples for the young. Many are searching for the right way . . . our hypocritical behavior will certainly not influence them in that direction. We must make our assembles worth having; true edification comes only from true devotion. Finally, our teaching efforts must be relevant and truly “educational.” An honest spirit of inquiry by sincere youth cannot be hammered into submission by a “defender of the faith,” without seriously harming that youth. This is not a plea for compromise or tolerance; rather it is a call to realistically deal with a sensitive, searching heart. We must “speak the truth” but “in love,” having our speech “always with grace, seasoned with salt,” that we may know how we “ought to answer each one.” May we all seek the Lord’s blessings and guidance as we deal day-to-day with the crises of faith and obedience among brethren.

Truth Magazine, XVIII:20, pp. 10-11
March 21, 1974

By Garreth L. Clair

Today much emphasis is placed upon getting a good education so that we will be able to make a good living, advance in socially accepted circles, be informed, live relevantly to the now-age, etc. I sometimes wonder if we are not educating ourselves into Hell, when men consider their wisdom and intellectual attainments reason for disputing the claims of the Originator of the universe. I am convinced that far too many are.

The prognostications of a new and vitally emerging religion, which they have tagged ecumenical (“union in diversity’), point to the audacity of man and his stupid idealism. Yes, many religious leaders have ignored the Biblical plan for unity and have spearheaded a unity movement based upon wisdom, emotion, reason, and relevancy which they think are lacking in the church described in the Holy Scriptures.

The unity movement described in the Bible is evidently too simple for today’s intellectual thrust which is termed “the ecumenical movement.” We say too simple because it has been ignored as unworkable or has not been considered relevant to unity now. I would like to suggest that the unity plan revealed in the Holy Scriptures is workable and is approved by God. Please note the following facts;

1. Christ has pleaded for unity of all his followers based upon his words (John 27:20, 21).

2. The Holy Spirit has revealed a seven point plan for unity of all disciples (Eph. 4:4-6).

a. One Body-Not 300 different warring factions (denominations).

b. One Spirit-Not one to me and a different one to you.

c. One Hope-Heaven, not distortations as described by Buddha.

d. One Lord-Jesus Christ-not Gandhi, Krishna, etc.

e. One Faith-Jude 3, not many different varieties.

f. One Baptism-Immersion, not Holy Spirit, fire, sprinkling, etc.

g. One God-“I AM,” not a dead idol.

Unity cannot possibly be attained today unless men get back to those truths which are found in God’s Holy Word. Unity is attainable but it must be sought according to God’s wisdom and not according to man’s. Man has never been able to unify simply because one man’s standard is not acceptable to all other men, but man can look back to his Creator and properly respect His revelation, if he would just try.

Truth Magazine, XVIII:20, pp. 4-5
March 21, 1974

By Rick Smith

I remember it so vividly! The radio dispatcher assigned a signal 7, which is a death call. I parked the squad car in front of a tumbledown house situated in the slum area of our city. I recall the feeling I had walking into a house burdened with death. Ironically, the burden was felt only by me. Expecting to see loved ones crying or displaying some form of sorrow for the deceased, it amazed me when all I saw was two women, one in her fifties, the other only sixteen, sitting in front of a color television set seemingly enjoying themselves. They actually ignored my presence until, in bewilderment, I asked if I was at the right house. The young girl told me I was and then pointed to a back room. Lying on a bed in that smelly, filthy excuse for a bedroom was the pitiful body of a two month old child. The baby looked deformed; more like a set of bones with skim painted over them, than a human being. The young girl in the other room was the child’s mother. She had allowed her baby to die of starvation, explaining that she did not have enough time to “mess with it.” I placed her under arrest.

As it happens so many times, her case never passed a preliminary court hearing; the manslaughter charge was dismissed on a technicality. The case was closed, the baby is dead and buried, the mother is free, and I am still appalled and sickened at the entire event.

This may sound like a script .from Dragnet; I wish it were. Unfortunately, it was a very real and sad encounter I went through as a police officer in Tampa, Florida, just four years ago. It tore at my heart as I saw that child lying there with the smell of a needless death about it. Yet, I was just as disgusted with the distorted excuse of a mother who sat in the other room being entertained by a television set while her off-spring lay deathly cold from lack of food. Too much trouble to “mess with it,” what an excuse.

I no longer wear a pistol and badge; I now carry the sword of the spirit as my defense. Still, I look back at such experiences and wonder about the many cruel and heartless people with which I have had occasion to come in contact. I cannot fathom the reasoning or motivation behind the heinous acts they perform. But yet another form of cruelty has lifted my eyes, a cruelty far surpassing this mother’s crime.

If her wickedness troubles you as much as it has me, then maybe the following story will really cause you to think! I am told that 100,000 human beings die every 24 hours without ever being told the gospel story of salvation. I understand enough people die every year without hearing God’s plan of redemption to populate the entire United States of America. I read the percentage of people believing in Christ. is decreasing: 1946 –1 in 3; 1964 – 1 in 4; 1984 – 1 in 5? Also, 95 % of the members in the Lord’s church never convert one soul!

If this is true, then we need to ask ourselves a most important question. Why? Why and how can we let our neighbors, our loved ones, our relatives, perhaps even our own children die without telling them the way of the cross? Why do we continue to murder priceless souls by our silence?

The story of the two month old child is nowhere as sad as the story about us, if we are not telling others about Jesus and His saving power. We are holding back spiritual food. In essence, we are starving people to death! That young mother was set free by a judge on a technicality. Do you think our judge, the omniscient Father above, will set us free when someone points the finger on that final day and says, “you never mentioned Him to me?” What technicality can we plead: ignorance, laziness, unconcern, no time to mess with them?

It is time we owned up to our responsibility and great privilege. Let us quit sitting on our padded pews in our fine air-conditioned church buildings, hypocritically singing “Standing; On The Promises,” when in reality we are only “sitting on the premises!” Let us go out into the highways and byways telling the world about our loving Savior who offers redemption thorough His blood. Let us begin by mentioning Christ to some lost soul today . . . lest our soul be lost for neglecting others. Proverbs 11:30 “. . . He That Winneth Souls Is Wise.”

Truth Magazine, XVIII:19, p. 12
March 24, 1974