Truth Magazine

By Bobby L. Graham

In dealing with geometric figures like a circle, words like “core,” “center,” and “periphery” are sometimes used. The core or center of a circle is fully understood by all, while its periphery might not be as well understood. “Periphery” refers to the outer part of the circle, that area lying close to the outer edge.

In recent years I have increasingly been reading about “core” matters and “peripheral” matters in relation to the will of the Lord as set forth in the Bible. The idea held by many is that there are some matters of New Testament teaching that are at the very center of God’s will, and that all must accept these matters; it is also contended by them that matters besides these “core” matters lie beyond the center and are not essential to salvation. “We don’t sweat the small stuff’ was used by one proponent of this idea. One familiar with the old teaching of a distinction between “gospel” and “doctrine” will recognize the similarity between these two concepts. The same weaknesses plague both of them as well.

The chief weakness of this teaching is that it disregards the authority/dominion of Christ. To dethrone Christ is the ultimate insult to the Son of God, for he is God’s gift to the church as head over all things, as well as exercising authority over all dominions (Eph. 1:20-23). When Jesus sent his disciples to evangelize the world, he instructed them to teach and baptize people and then teach them to observe all things commanded by him. What plainer statement of the all-encompassing rule of Jesus Christ could one find? Whatever Christ has taught, either personally or representatively through the apostles, becomes his will for all people. Unless he distinguished “core” matters from “peripheral” matters, there is no such distinction. Where is such a distinction made by him? Some might refer to his teaching about weightier matters in Matthew 23, but there he made it clear that those matters not as weighty as others must still be done. Weighty matters are thus classified because they under gird those things not as weighty; no reference is there made to some as essential and others as non-essential.

A second fault (weakness) concerning this teaching is that it puts man into God’s place. If there is such a concept as “adding insult to injury” in the spiritual realm, it would be to replace Deity with humanity after Deity is removed from the position of dominion in one’s thinking and life. After all, who but human beings decide which matters are essential (core) and which are peripheral? Whenever a person makes a decision that something is not necessary to pleasing God, he takes a fatal step toward spiritual suicide, one reminiscent of ancient Israel: “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns  broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jer. 2:13). This is the very spirit of error foretold by the apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:4: “Who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”

The religion of Jesus Christ is not a cafeteria religion in which people can select what they wish to believe and practice, but a complete yielding to Jesus as the Christ after one has renounced (denied) himself to follow Christ (Matt. 16:24). No human being has the power to legislate for the Lord or disregard divine legislation. What all should seek to do is to think God’s thoughts after him, for this is the essence of faith and faithfulness.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 20 p. 5
October 16, 1997

By Kyle Campbell

Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one an-other, and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” We come together not only for the purpose of worshiping God, but also for encouraging and building one another up. In fact, encouragement is a major function for Christians. The Hebrew writer said in Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.”

Acts 28:15 says, “And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.” Paul had just arrived in Italy after his long and arduous voyage from Caesarea. He naturally would have great anxiety and discouragement since it had been so long since Paul had received word about his brethren in Rome. He did not know if they would still be faithful or if persecutions had driven them from their homes. However, he found them well and resumed his journey with an eager and buoyant hope.

The word “courage” means “confidence” and is used in Acts 23:11 where the Lord told Paul to take courage in prison and in John 16:33 where Jesus told his disciples to be of good cheer. The point is we are here to build up one another. Paul spoke a number of times of Christians who had refreshed his spirit. We are going to examine six items that encouraged Paul when he saw them in his brethren. These are also items that will encourage us when we see them in our brethren.

He Took Courage Seeing Brethren Of Like Faith

In Romans 1:11-12 Paul longed to see the Roman brethren because their faith would encourage him. In 2 Peter 1:1 Peter wrote to those who had received a faith of equal standing with the apostles through their careful study and conduct of life.

Nothing is more encouraging than spending time with brethren in Christ. They lift and refresh our spirits because we share one of the greatest bonds God ever created. I don’t know about you, but working with non-Christians is depressing. We need the encouragement that being around brethren of like faith provides (Rom. 12:10).

 He Took Courage Seeing Brethren

Rightfully Praised

The Roman brethren were worthy of praise because their faith was being proclaimed throughout the whole world (Rom. 1:8). As Paul concluded the letter, he reiterated the great faith and obedience of those brethren (Rom. 16:19).

Our purpose should always be one of reproving and rebuking where necessary, but we also need to be praising where necessary. We need to know that sometimes we do things that are right.

He Took Courage Seeing Brethren Concerned

Galatians 6:2 gives us a command to bear one another’s burdens. This is an excessive weight that needs the help of other children of God. John asserted that we demonstrate the love of God within us by how we help other Christians in their time of need (1 John 3:17).

The Lord’s people are to be compassionate. We need to be diligent to have a tender heart toward those who struggle with the trials of this life. Let us not close our hearts against them.

He Took Courage Seeing Brethren Unashamed

In 2 Timothy 1:12-16 Paul gives commands to follow the truth and cites examples of both those who held fast to the standard of sound words and those who fell away. The only way the Lord’s church will expand is through the hard work of its members who are unashamed to present the full gospel message to those around them.

I think it is disgraceful to see how many “churches” try to market the gospel as they would market a car and to make churches as “user-friendly” as possible. The truth which will save people’s souls is sometimes a hard pill to swallow and deliver.

He Took Courage Seeing Brethren

Being Thoughtful

Paul outlined the humility of mind necessary for a Christian and then gave Christ as the perfect example (Phil. 2:3-5). In Philippians 4:15-17 Paul commended the Philippians for their participation with him in the spreading of the gospel. It was not the money that he needed, but he was appreciative of the gift because it taught the Philippians about the grace of God. When working with Paul, their gracious spirit would grow to even greater heights.

All of the gospel surrounds the tenet of viewing others as more important than ourselves. God wants sacrifice, not self-centeredness. The quicker we lose ourselves the quicker we will start living appropriately with our fellow man.

He Took Courage Seeing Brethren

Do The Unexpected

In 2 Corinthians 8:3-5 Paul was truly touched by the gift of the churches of Macedonia. They had a genuine concern and deep liberality, even though they were in poverty themselves. In Acts 2:44-45, we read of brethren who took these sacrificing steps because they wanted to, not because they were forced. They wanted to make sure the poor were cared for.

It thrills the heart to see brethren act in a manner which would please the Lord. We live in a cynical society and it is easy to take the approach that brethren will only do the least amount they have to, but that’s not true. The Lord’s body is full of brothers and sisters in Christ who are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to help those in need.

Conclusion

Let’s encourage one another and make sure our lives reflect all the good qualities of the Lord’s people. When we learn to associate with brethren of like faith, praise what is good, be concerned for the welfare of others, be unashamed to proclaim the true gospel, be thoughtful and do the unexpected, we grow.

The world is so full of evil and wickedness and lies in the power of Satan. How refreshing it is to surround our-selves with men and women whose characters reflect the supreme character, Jesus Christ. It is only through living according to this example that we become like the Lord. We can only live after the Lord by becoming obedient to the Lord.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 20 p. 3-4
October 16, 1997

By Joe R. Price

Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample. For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things (Phil. 3:17-19).

Are there still enemies of the cross of Christ among us, or did that danger end with the completion of the New Testament? How will we be able to identify and avoid them? Should we even try to make such identifications? Or, should we leave everyone to do “that which (is) right in his own eyes” (Judg. 21:25)?

The Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul instructed the saints at Philippi to imitate those who live according to the pattern of truth (Phil. 3:15-17; 4:9). He “often” warned the brethren of the enemies of the cross of Christ (Phil. 3:18). Paul’s often discussion of these men protected the brethren against them and their errors (cf. 2 Cor. 11:13-15). The apostles of Christ often told the brethren of those who would lead souls away from Christ into pits of destruction (Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 15:12; 2 Cor. 10-13; Gal. 2:4-5; 5:1-12; 1 Tim. 1:18-20; 2 Tim. 2:16-18; 3 John 9-10). The apostles not only exposed the error of false doctrine, they also identified those who did the teaching. We cannot afford to do less today.

Paul took no pleasure in identifying the enemies of the cross. He described these enemies with tears of concern for all those involved. There was no impulse of vengefulness, no delight over the exposure of evil, no joy in another man’s sin (Rom. 12:18-21; 2 Cor. 2:4; 1 Cor. 13:6). When we identify and expose enemies of the cross of Christ we must share Paul’s earnest concern for these deluded souls. The Lord’s servant must not wrangle, but he must try to snatch the lost out of the fire of destruction (2 Tim. 2:24-26; Jude 22-23). Some will charge any attempt to identify and warn against the enemies of the cross as self-righteous, creedalistic and self-promoting. After all, “we are not Christ and we cannot judge others.” More and more are accepting the rationalization of these men which, by design, shields them against exposure (John 7:24; Luke 12:54-57; John 3:19-21; Eph. 5:13). Have we not forgotten those being deceived by error when we defend the deceiver by preaching a doctrine of tolerance (compromise)? Of course we have.

Describing the Enemies of the Cross

The characteristics of enemies of the cross of Christ are identified by the apostle in Philippians 3:18-19. These de-fining marks continue to describe those who abandon the narrow path of righteousness (Matt. 7:13-27). Briefly consider their traits and the result of their actions:

1. Their god is their belly. That is, they are driven by selfishness and self-satisfaction. Self has become that which they worship and serve. While claiming to preach the cross, they crucify Christ for the sake of their own desires (Gal. 2:20; 2 Tim. 3:1-5). Idolatry is alive and well among Christians today. “My little children, guard yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).

2. They glory in their shame. They hold as virtuous the very things which are abominable in God’s sight (Eph. 5:3-14; Isa. 5:20). Those who teach shameful doctrines which promote immorality are held in high esteem (for instance, doctrines of divorce and remarriage which promote the re-marriage of put-away fornicators in violation of Matt. 19:9), while those who with bold honesty forewarn of destructive heresies are dismissed as fanatics. The watchman is held in contempt by these enemies of the cross (Jet 6:17). They convince brethren to believe the watchman of God is really a self-seeking alarmist filled with his own self worth. Such peer pressure tends to silence godly watchmen and opens the door for the tolerance of shameful things (Jude 3-4).

3. They mind earthly things. Although proposing to walk by God’s rule of conduct, they attend to earthly things (Phil. 3:16-17; 1:15-17). In their way of thinking, spiritual things are a way to gain an advantage (1 Tim. 6:3-5). Like Jannes and Jambres, they “withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith” (2 Tim. 3:8). This world is their home.

4. Their end is perdition. Enemies of Christ and his cross face certain ruin and eternal destruction (2 Thess. 1:7-9). One day they too shall bow their knees to the Lord of all (Phil. 2:9-11).

Identifying the Enemies of the Cross

Who are enemies of the cross today? Here are a few examples so that, instead of following them, we may warn them and urge them to repent of their sins against Christ.

1. Preachers who will not preach the whole counsel of God. Preaching the gospel has become a “career” to some. Every move is calculated in terms of how it will enhance one’s “professional life” and standing in the brotherhood. Positioning, posturing, and sophistry have taken the place of “crying in the wilderness” the wonderful gospel of Christ! This enemy of the cross rarely confronts sin (whether privately or publicly), unless it promotes himself. Envy and strife motivates this preacher, not goodwill toward his fellow-workers in the Lord’s vineyard (Phil. 1:15-17; 1 Cor. 3:6-9). My preaching brethren, let us always preach the whole counsel of God, “in season, out of season” (2 Tim. 4:2). Preaching the gospel is a God-given work that calls for diligence without seeking glory from men (1 Cor. 9:16). Necessity is laid upon us to proclaim God’s message of truth and we will answer to him for our conduct as stewards of his word (cf. 1 Cor. 4:1-5; Jas. 3:1).

2. Elders who feed themselves but do not feed the sheep. Ezekiel prophesied against the shepherds of Israel who fattened themselves while God’s sheep (Israel) fell prey to spiritual disease and danger (read Ezek. 34:1-24). God was against these shepherds and brought his judgment upon them (Ezek. 34:10). While there are fine elders today, there are also those who rule over their flock with “force and rigor” rather than searching for and saving the lost sheep (Ezek. 34:4; 1 Pet. 5:3). Elders should protect the sheep, not invite the enemy into the flock for a meal! When elders refuse to stop the mouths of the unruly, the deceivers and the false teachers they are not loving nor leading the people of God (Tit. 1:9-11; Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17). Elders are a church’s first line of defense against Satan and his servants. Elders who are more concerned with church politics than with saving the lost and protecting the saved are truly enemies of the cross of Christ (1 Tim. 5:19-20).

3. Christians who love and choose the world rather than Jesus. A favorite song of many is “0, How I Love Jesus.” Are we so deceived as to think that we really love Jesus when we choose and approve of the dress, language, and conduct of the world (1 John 2:15-17)? We cannot sow to the flesh and reap eternal life (Gal. 6:7-8). We do not honor Christ and his death on the cross by clinging to the very things which crucified our Lord! We must have “no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Eph. 5:11). We must come out and be separate from the world (2 Cor. 6:14-18). If we will not do so we are not the people of the cross, we are the enemies of the cross. Let us “cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” lest our salt lose its savor and our light goes out (2 Cor. 7:1; Matt. 5:13-16).

The apostle Paul spoke often of the enemies of the cross of Christ because he truly cared for the souls of the saints. He wanted them to walk in the right path and follow the right examples. Paul was not being paranoid when he talked about these adversaries of Christ. The enemies of the cross were (and are) real. They are still actively deceiving the hearts of the innocent and their treachery must be with-stood (Rom. 16:17-18; Tit. 1:10-11). Will you holdup their hands or rebuke their destructive doctrines and practices?

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but for you it is safe. Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers. . . . (Phil. 3:1-2).

Guardian of Truth XLI: 19 p. 16-18
October 2, 1997

By Larry Ray Hafley

Like the assassination of President Kennedy a generation ago, the sudden death of Diana, Princess of Wales, has shocked the world. What lessons can we learn?

The Brevity of Life

She was only 36 years old, yet, whether young or old, our lives are “soon cut off, and we fly away” (Ps. 90:10). “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (Jas. 4:14).

Death Comes to All Men, Rich and Poor “They that trust in their wealth. . . . None of them, can by any means . . . give to God a ransom…. That he should still live for ever and not see corruption” (Ps. 49:6-9). The rich fool in Luke 12 looked forward to “many years” of luxurious retirement, but God said, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee” (Luke 12:20). Wealth, fame, honor, and privilege did not save that man, nor the lovely Princess, and neither can they deliver us from our appointment with death (Heb. 9:27).

“The Sting of Death Is Sin”

Death would not hold as much pain as it does if no one died in sin (John 8:21, 24; 1 Thess. 4:13-18). When one dies outside of Christ, not having obeyed the gospel of Christ, it reminds us of death’s real sting, its real sorrow. “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Ezek. 33:11). In contrast to that, the Psalmist said, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Ps. 116:15). Thus, while we mourn the Princess, let us warn people who are unprepared to meet God, lest at death they partake of the sting of death.

“Sorrow Is Better Than Laughter”

“It is better to go to the house of mourning , than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made wise. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning: but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool” (Eccl. 7:2-6).

The wise man will reflect on his soul’s salvation in the house of mourning. The fool seeks the shallow laughter and happiness of the world and blinds himself to the inevitability of death and the judgment.

Conclusion

Have you learned these lessons? In light of the sad and shocking loss of Princess Diana, it is time we paused to think on them and make application to our lives.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 20 p. 1
October 16, 1997