When You Think No One Is Looking . . .

By Richard Boone

So you think you’ve gotten away with something you knew you shouldn’t have done. There was the fear of get- ting caught, yet at the same time the excitement of getting by with it. After a while you become confident, perhaps even a little arrogant, that no one saw what you did. Alas! You were spotted by someone who knows you, by someone whom you influence. Just when you were sure no one was looking, he was! You are not the first, nor will you be the last to have such experiences.

When Moses was 40 years old, supposing his Israelite brethren would understand (Acts 7:23ff), he killed an Egyptian who mistreated an Israelite. The next day when Moses saw two Israelites fighting each other, he attempted to reconcile them, only to learn that he had been seen as he killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand the day before (Exod. 2:11-14). Like Moses, we frequently think that no one is really watching when, in fact, they are closely observing us. They want to see how we who profess to be Christians act and react in various circumstances in life.

They watch us in environments like . . .

The Workplace. We can build or quickly destroy our influence by our conduct on the job. Our language, behavior, honesty, etc., can serve as gauges of our sincerity and devotion to Christ. We must be circumspect (Eph. 5:15; Col. 4:5). When we think no one is watching us, at that moment someone has his eyes fixed on us to see what we will do.

The Home. How husbands and wives treat each other, how parents raise their children, how children treat their parents, how the extended family is dealt with, etc., are all indicators of whose we are and how well we are serving him. We may think no one is paying attention, but don’t be fooled!

On Vacations. Everybody needs a vacation occasion- ally, and most are quite enjoyable. But we can’t let our guard down in serving God and exemplary conduct. In fact, it may be possible to have a greater influence on someone while on vacation than when at home because they see that our Christianity has gone on vacation. When we maintain fidelity to God on vacation, just as we do when we are home (and this assumes, of course, that we maintain fidelity to God when at home), it speaks volumes to those who watch.

Wherever you are, in whatever you are doing, just when you think no one is looking — someone is!

 

Situation Ethics and the Child of God

By Andy Alexander

Situation ethics is a philosophy that teaches that sin may be acceptable, or at least, overlooked by God under certain specific situations. The philosophy says that one may be placed in a situation where he must choose be- tween the lesser of two evils. Those in the secular world would not view either choice as sin, but the child of God would readily see the sin involved. So, the idea facing us as Christians is that we may be placed in a situation in which the only choice we have is to sin or face some horrible, agonizing situation that we deem intolerable.

For example, the abortionist uses situation ethics to convince young, pregnant girls that termination of a fetus (murder of a baby) may be preferable to bringing a baby into a poor, unwanted situation. They portray the life of the baby and mother as being very difficult and disadvantaged and the only viable option is to abort the fetus and try to do better the next time. There are clearly other and better alternatives, but the abortionist has an agenda to promote and he will promote it with whatever lie he has to use in order to further his cause. Abortion is murder and no amount of mental gymnastics will change it (Gen. 9:6). It violates many Bible principles (Matt. 7:12; Rom. 13:9; Mark 12:31).

The idea of euthanasia is promoted by liberals in our society and situation ethics is one of the wicked tools they use to promote it. Sometimes children are subtly taught situation ethics, or values clarification as it is sometimes called, in school at an early age in order to soften them for this sinful practice. A picture is drawn of three people on a deserted island with no food. There is a young man, a middle-aged man, and an elderly man, but no food to support their existence. It is determined that one must die, but who? Obviously, the conclusion they want the young to arrive at is that the elderly must die in order to help the younger generation. He has, according to this theory, lived most of his life and now it would be better for him to die so that the younger might live. What about what God’s word says about murder (Gen. 9:6; Exod. 20:13)? To the situation ethics promoter, it is no longer murder because of the situation these people find themselves in. It is a small step from that island to our old-folks homes and Dr. Kervorkian. If an elderly person gets in the way of a younger person leading a better and easier life, then just remove the older person after determining that such is necessary given the present situation.

God has already determined the way that we should go in any and every situation and he has not given man the authority to change that way based upon any particular situation. It is always wrong to do wrong and right to do right. Choosing the right course may produce hardships, but God has promised to carry us through those hard times (Heb. 13:5-6).

Consider some in Bible times who could have utilized situation ethics to alleviate hardships in their life. Joseph was pressed by Potiphar’s wife to commit fornication (Gen. 39:7-9). From the viewpoint of those promoting situation ethics, Joseph would have been right to commit fornication and avoid offending Potiphar’s wife and going to prison. This is a very subjective doctrine and each man ends up doing what is right in his own eyes based upon the particular situation. Who can say he is wrong if such a doctrine is allowed?

Daniel and his three friends all could claim exemptions from God’s law based upon the extreme positions they found themselves in, but they chose to put their faith in God and do right (Dan. 3:16-18; 6:10). Situation ethics would have taught otherwise!

Stephen was arrested for teaching the truth and in making his defense before those who arrested him, but he continued to teach the truth. This action cost him his life (Acts 6:12- 14; 7:51-60). Situation ethics would allow him to soften his approach, compromise the gospel, and accommodate those listening to him, but faith in God would not allow such!

Situation ethics appeals to human reason and logic, not the Word of God. We do not have to reason about the truth, God has revealed it (John 8:32). Whatever situation we find ourselves in, we can trust that God will provide a way of escape that will not cause us to sin (1 Cor. 10:32). We should teach people to trust and obey, not analyze the situation and determine if sin should be committed or would a sinful action be allowed under the given circumstances.

Some preachers are theorizing that we may be placed in situations where sin must be chosen or where we must choose between the lesser of two evils. They use, or misuse would be a better term, Old Testament examples and comments from worldly men as their source of authority. The Bible records the errors of many people in the Old Testament without commenting on God’s approval of their actions. We must not use these situations as justification for transgression. Let us have faith in God, always do right, and trust that God will deliver.

Our “Beloved” Brethren

By Richie Thetford

One might ask “Why isn’t the church of Christ grow- ing in number like it once was?” That is a valid question and one that deserves an honest answer. Many elders, preachers, and members might offer various reasons as to why the church is not growing in number like it once was. But I believe the answer lies within our midst, our own “beloved” brethren! Over the past five years of preaching I have seen and experienced the hatred that some brethren have toward one another. The word “hypocrite” is etched on their forehead as they attend service after service “in the name of the Lord” (Matt 7:21-23). There is no way the Lord’s church can and will grow as long as the brethren won’t get along. Notice I said won’t, not can’t. All Christians can and will get along with one another if they really want to. The problem is, many do not want to. Many are guilty of wanting to condemn their brethren rather than trying to restore them.

“Go And Sin No More”

Jesus gives us an example of this in the account of the woman who was caught in adultery in John 8:2-11. These scribes and Pharisees wanted to see her stoned to death as the old law stipulated should happen. But Je- sus, wanting them to understand the importance of forgiveness, asked for the one without sin to throw the first stone. Fortunately, they all did a self-examination and concluded that “we all have sin” and therefore no one felt he was above sin to be able to punish her with death. Jesus told the woman that he would not condemn her but rather offered her forgiveness, telling her to go and “sin no more.” This woman was given “another chance,” a renewed life, because Christ, in his example, showed that Christianity is a religion of forgiveness, not condemnation.

Jesus pointed out to Peter the importance of forgiving as often as one asks (Matt 18:21-22). Forgiveness is “to give up resentment against or the desire to punish; pardon. To overlook an offense; to cancel.” Many brethren say they forgive when in reality they don’t. When brethren resent one another, they are not really ready to forgive one another. As each new occurrence happens these brethren, though they say they have forgiven in the past, will continue to bring up previous occurrences and place them before the supposedly forgiven party. What if God did that to each one of us? We fully expect God to forgive us of our sins when we ask him to, yet often we will not truly forgive our own brother in Christ. When this happens, we are guilty of murder.

Are We Guilty of Murder?

When we do not have a genuine loving and forgiving attitude as evidenced by the fact that we are not truly leaning toward the restoration of our brethren, then we are guilty of murder. Notice the words of God as John writes in 1 John 3:4-15:

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother.

And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

If we do not exhibit a sincere love and concern for our brethren, then we are guilty of murder. If we believe that our brother is in sin and we do not have an attitude of wanting to restore him but would rather “avoid him” and condemn him, then we do not have love and are guilty of murder!

I encourage you to listen to the word of God in this matter (Heb 4:1-16). When one does not love his brother then we know he is not of God. Jesus said: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words uses the same Greek word in John 8:44 as in 1 John 3:15. Notice what is said: murderer: “anthropoktonos” “manslaying,” “a manslayer, murderer” (anthropos, “a man,” kteino, “to slay”), is used of Satan (John 8:44), of one who hates his brother, and who, being a “murderer,” has not eternal life (1 John 3:15, twice). When one does not have the love of the brethren to the point that they are striving for reconciliation with each other and God, then they have an attitude as Esau had toward Jacob (Gen 27:41). In addition, when we stand to condemn rather than try to build up and restore, then we are guilty of murder — taking the very life of our neighbor (Lev 19:16-18). Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matt 5:21-22).

“Have Love For One Another”

Churches of the Lord have been torn asunder because some do not exercise a loving attitude for one another. Some Christians seem to stay busy talebearing and causing strife within the local church. Solomon wrote:

Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body. Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver dross. He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart; Though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly (Prov 26:20-26).

These things should not be taking place in the church of our Lord. A handshake and words of love should be sincere among the brethren!

I would like to urge each and everyone of us to under- stand how eternally important it is that we exercise genuine love for one another and seek each others betterment while we live here on this earth. Jesus commanded that we love (John 15:17) and also taught us an example of forgiveness with the woman caught in adultery. May we learn from it and exercise a willing attitude to want to forgive as God has forgiven us, striving for unity always. Remember, one can know who a disciple of Christ is by his love. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). When we exercise sincere love toward one another, then all saints will certainly be “our beloved brethren!”

What Is Gospel Preaching?

By W. R. Jones

I am still a great believer in the power of gospel preaching. I am convinced that absolutely nothing will put God’s true message across as well as a forceful les- son from a godly preacher or teacher. I say this because I firmly believe that we not only draw from the words of those who teach us, but from their lives and character. While I was quite a young preacher I worked with an elder of the church, who I am sure did more to shape my future than any man. This godly man taught me a great deal, you may be sure. And yet, strange as it may seem, I cannot remember precisely as much of what he taught me as I can remember about him; his life, his character, and his attitude.

In (Acts 4:13) please notice what is said about Peter and John. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” They took note that these men “had been with Jesus.” I grant that more was involved in this statement then than there is now, because miracles were involved, but the principle remains the same. The people could tell that these men “had been with Jesus.”

So, what we need today is not more gimmicks, not more novel plans, not more ingenious approaches, but more godly men who will set forth the unsearchable riches without fear or favor, and do so free of fanaticism. We need men, and women as well (within their limitations of teaching) who will demonstrate in word and deed that they have “been with Jesus.” We must remember, when people are called with “secular attractions” it takes bigger and more fascinating “attractions” to keep them. You cannot call people with the things of the flesh and expect them to walk after the things of the Spirit. When people are truly called by the plain and simple gospel that is all it takes to keep them. Jesus said to the woman at the well: “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” True gospel preachers and teachers never have to resort to anything except the word of God. I am never under pressure to come forward with some astounding thing that is bigger and better. As a preacher, I find that most comforting.

The “Social Gospel” influence upon us today has caused many to look with disdain upon “old fashioned gospel preaching.” The new idea is to get the message across with “puppet shows” and “Bible drama” and a host of other things which are designed to entertain and do a little teaching at the same time. I must confess, I just don’t believe a puppet or an actor could have much of a spiritual impact on me. But, that godly elder did! He didn’t entertain me, but he taught me, and let me freely observe that teaching in his life. I had the wonderful opportunity to see what it is really all about. When people listen to you and observe you, can they tell you have “been with Jesus”?

So, while the denominational world and the liberal- minded brethren give the world “puppet shows” and “Bible dramas” and all kind of presentations that obscure and water down the truth, let’s get on with the real work. Let’s give the lost and dying world the forceful, but simple gospel of Christ, falling from the lips of truly spiritual men. Not lessons that are shrouded in a lot of philosophical jargon, but lessons filled with a “thus saith the Lord.” We may not have the most listeners and we may not have the biggest crowds, but we will make people who do hear us “meet for the Master’s use” and prepared for eternity (2 Tim. 2:21). After all, that’s what it’s all about.