Truth Magazine

By Les Maydell

Man has always had a problem in fulfilling his responsibilities to the government, especially when he disagrees with its policies. Many Christians in South Africa were upset with the last government because they were treated unfairly. Lately I have noticed that many Christians are upset with our present government because of its corruption, failure to keep promises, and inability to reduce crime. The government has also passed many ungodly laws such as the removing of the death penalty, the legalizing of gambling, and abortion on demand. I believe that South Africa was also the first country in the world to legalize homosexual marriages. Just about every Christian I know has been affected by crime in some way. This has led to feelings of anger and bitterness towards our government and towards our fellow men. What must we Christians do in this situation?

First of all I think we should not expect our government to be a good government. Our government was elected by majority rule. Are the majority of people in this country true Christians? Matthew 7:13-14 says that few go down the narrow way that leads to life.

The government that ruled in the days of Jesus was also not a good government. The Jews lived under the military rule of a corrupt foreign government, Rome. They had the same attitude problems as we do. They asked Jesus if they should pay taxes to Rome. Jesus reply was simple and clear, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21).

After Christianity began to grow and spread, Christians were persecuted and even killed by both the local Jewish leaders and the Roman government. Yet Paul wrote, “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due …” (Rom. 13:7)

He also wrote to Titus, “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived. . .” (Tit. 3:1-3). The only time we must not be subject to rulers, is if a ruler tries to force us to disobey God (Acts 5:27-29).

Even should we have the most corrupt government in the world, we are not excused from fulfilling our responsibilities to it. If we fail to heed God’s commands, we stand guilty before him. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. There-fore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on them-selves.”

Brethren, what can we do so that we do not bring judgment on ourselves? How do we handle our feelings? Is there anything we can do that will make this country a better place?

First, we need to have a godly attitude towards our failures and the failures of our fellow countrymen. We must hear the teaching of Jesus, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matt. 5:4). Jesus promises in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” We must not be like those in the world around us, filled with hate and fear; we must rather mourn for our sins and for theirs. Our godly actions, based on the attitude of mourning, will give us the promised comfort and rest. “Godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be regretted” (2 Cor. 7:10). What are some things we ourselves need to repent of?

1. Pay the government what you owe. If you are earning money that the government does not know about, it is your duty to report that income to the government and pay tax on it. If you have not been doing this, you need to repent (Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:6). You need to phone or go to the tax office and ask for forms to report your income.

If you have been boycotting paying of rent or water and lights, you need to repent and start paying all that you owe (Rom. 13:7-8).

If you have a TV, have you paid your TV license? Yes, it is unfair that so many get away with not paying for this license. But God says you must pay it (Rom. 13:7-8). If you can’t afford the license, you must get rid of your TV. That is the law, and we must obey it.

2. Repent of materialism. Many who fail to do the above, do so because they rather want to spend the money on their own personal needs  a fridge, new clothes, or a car, etc. Such people are guilty of the sin of materialism. Many of our brethren, even those who are poor, are guilty of this sin. This is evident by the poor collections I see taken up in congregations around the country. I know of brethren who spend more on TVs, sweets, cool drinks, and other unnecessary items, than they spend on the Lord. When I see only small change and no notes going into the collection plate I know this is so. Then we wonder why God withholds his blessings from us and why we lack joy in our lives (2 Cor. 8:2; 9:6).

3. Other attitudes we need to repent of are anger, hate, and bitterness. Sometimes our anger is also rooted in materialism. I have been hijacked at knife-point and also had two other cars stolen. I was very upset, but it made me think: Are my possessions really so important to me? (Matt. 6:19-21). We also need to remember that, unless it was for the grace of God, we would also be condemned to hell. Therefore, we need to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us (Matt. 5:44). Above all, we must not be guilty of being angry with a whole group or race of people be-cause a few persons of that group or race did evil to us. “Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment” (Matt. 5:22).

4. If the crime in this country is causing me to worry unduly, I must repent (Matt. 6:44). Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” If we spent more time making sure we are pleasing to God, we would not have so much time to spend in worry. Philippians 4:6-9 tells us that instead of worrying, we should pray to God, let our minds dwell on good things, and do those things that are right.

There are also some positive things that we can work on that will generally improve things in our country, no matter what kind of government we have.

1. We must work harder at fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20. We must teach people the plan of salvation and the way of Christ. The more people who become Christians, the less crime and evil there will be.

2. We must be like leaven (Matt. 13:33). We must al-ways be a good example. Whenever possible, we must influence those in authority to make wise decisions and we must influence those around us to do the right things. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21).

3. We must pray for all who are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence (2 Tim. 2:1-2).

Brethren, let us concentrate on obeying all the laws of God  both laws governing our deeds and laws governing our attitudes. Let us also be certain to obey the laws of the land lest we find ourselves spending eternity with Satan and the same evil men who are presently trying to work us harm. Let us concentrate on spending eternity in the land where God himself is the light, where all is peace and joy.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 9 p. 12-13
April May 1, 1997

By Connie W. Adams

The inevitable, persistent march of time is depriving us of a whole generation of preachers who have worked in the vineyard for many years. Within the last month (this is being written on March 11) we have said goodbye to three men who left large footprints on the sands of time. Others will write more extensively about each of these men, but I offer here a few words of my own.

Rufus Clifford

This brother was from the Lanton community near Spring Hill, Tennessee. His local work was all done in middle Tennessee, mostly in the Nashville area, but his meeting work took him to many places. When James Arthur Warren was preaching at Taylor Blvd. in Louisville and began to drift into modernism, Rufus Clifford was one of the men who was called in to help set the record straight and oppose the error being taught by Warren. One Sunday morning in 1949, Warren preached that the Bible was in error in reporting that Balaam’s ass spoke. That night Rufus Clifford and J.T. Marlin were called in to refute error and advance truth. The first time I heard brother Clifford was during a tent meeting in Tampa, Florida. His subject was “repentance” and I still re-member the basic outline of that sermon, though that was nearly 50 years ago. His preaching was simple and straightforward, yet it possessed a certain elegance and sometimes eloquence. It was delivered with passion and obvious concern for the souls of men and women. For the last few years he had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. He was a Bible preacher. I will miss him.

Grover Stevens

Brother Stevens passed away the same day as brother Clifford. What a remarkable man he was. Having trained to be a Baptist preacher, he learned the truth and obeyed the gospel. He preached many times on “Why I Left the Baptist Church” and published a tract by that title which has been circulated by the thousands. This unique brother had a special way of teaching with directness and plainness of speech, yet with a kind manner that made it difficult to become angry with him. At the barber shop, service station, supermarket, on a plane, or wherever, he did not fail to ask people about their religious convictions and to tell them about the Lord and his church. His work was especially fruitful in Louisville, Kentucky where he spent many years. When he left Taylor Blvd. it was the largest congregation in Kentucky with over 700 members. He preached for a while at Wendell Avenue and then at Park Blvd. which later became Gardiner Lane. He also spent many years in Lubbock, Texas working with two congregations in that city. His longest work there was at Caprock. Meetings took him to many parts of the nation.

I recall an incident when I was in a meeting at Park Blvd. and we called on woman who was in a denomination. Her husband was a Christian. The young women was very prejudiced. She was also in her eighth month of pregnancy. We awakened her from a sound sleep, and she was not in a very good mood. When she found out who we were, she was even more displeased. It was obvious (at least to me) that she was trying to get rid of us as fast as she could, but Grover persisted. Finally she made some general statements such as any good denominationalist would make, and Grover responded directly to it and asked if she had a Bible in the house. She assured us that she did and with that he insisted on coming in and showing her a passage of Scripture she needed to think about. To my surprise, she let us in. The conversation was strained (on her part) but Grover forged ahead. I kept thinking we were going to be invited (or ordered) to leave at any moment. When we did leave, he was all excited and said, “You know, if I can go back over there and show her the distinction in the covenants, I can convert her.” I said, “Grover, if you ever convert that woman, please drop me a note and tell me about it, for I don’t much think you will.” About five weeks later, he sent me a post card which said that he had just baptized that woman the day before. But that was Grover Stevens.

About two years ago we had a meeting at Manslick Road and asked him to preach on first principles. He did so with great skill and compassion. His preaching was Bible preaching. He drew the line between truth and error. He did not back up, or back off, but he did it with kindness whether in the pulpit, on the radio, in the bulletin or in a periodical, or in one-on-one teaching situations.

His last work, at Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, was outstanding. Some of the younger people thought he might be too old for the work, but after a short while, one of them said that brother Stevens was about to work him to death. He died at the building where he was working on material for a class he expected to teach. The large number which attended his funeral bore testimony to the respect in which he was held. Our best wishes are with his wife and children.

Yater Tant

We also mourn the recent death of Yater Tant, son of the legendary J.D. Tant and father of David Tant, well known preacher of the gospel. Known throughout the country for his meeting work, he was even more widely known for his writing. His book about his father, J.D. Tant, Texas Preacher remains a classic. It was as editor of the Gospel Guardian in the I950s and 60s that he became best known.

During a turbulent period in the history of the Lord’s people in this nation, he charted a course that was steadfast and unwavering. With those who resisted the inroads of institutionalism, he became a hero. With those who favored them, he was a hiss and a byword. Few were ambivalent toward him. In the hottest controversy, he maintained his poise, dignity, and sense of humor. His column “The Overflow” was widely read and appreciated and provided barbed humor which produced many a chuckle to relieve what would otherwise have been unbearable tension. His editorials were classics. His writing style was polished and reflected the mind of a well read man.

He was the first to encourage me to write. He published every article I ever submitted to him. When we went to Norway in 1957, he did much to help us locate support and carried ‘many reports on the work there. I attended his second debate with E.R. Harper at Abilene, Texas in 1956 on the Herald of Truth. It had much to do with helping a young preacher see what these issues were all about. During the last years of his editorship of the Gospel Guardian he drew criticism for his suggestion for a “box in the vestibule” to provide a means by which unity could be maintained over contributions to benevolent institutions while the matter was being studied. I was one of those critics, though I never doubted the sincerity of his motives in this. He later edited Vanguard until it ceased publication. While it contained much good material from able men, it lacked the punch of earlier writings. A second effort at the “box in the vestibule” was no better received than the first one. An effort also to reach out to the controversial “Crossroads” church of Gainesville, Florida produced a great deal of criticism. He was much concerned with peace and harmony among brethren. Advocates of institutionalism in the 50s and 60s would take issue with that, but I am confident that his later attempts were motivated by a sincere longing for peace among divided brethren. Someone needs to write an objective history of his work and the times in which that work was done.

The last time I saw brother Tant was about two years ago while in a meeting in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He came one night, listened intently and said when he spoke to me afterwards, “Well, my boy, that had the old Jerusalem ring.”

Every woman who is a Christian would be well served to read the book Nannie Yater which brother Tant published about his mother. It is actually a manuscript which she wrote about her experiences as the wife of J.D. Tant, the Texas preacher.

Helen Tant is in very poor health. Our love goes out to her and to David, in this great loss to that family.

One by one we are losing that whole generation of preachers. We are poorer for it. But none of us can stay the hands of time. Those of us who used to be “young preachers” awaken to the reality that we are now the older generation and that we too will soon be “Going down the valley one by one, with our faces toward the setting of the sun.” What we are going to do, we must do soon. And we must do it well, for we cannot return to do it over.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 10 p. 3-5
April May 1, 1997

By Ron Halbrook

We are more occupied with life than death, but the reality of death forces itself upon us. Death gets our attention because of diseases, accidents, surgeries, and the loss of loved ones. Schools and communities are shaken by natural disasters and the death of young people. The nation focuses on death during wars, assassinations, terrorist activities, and wrecks and crashes involving large numbers of people. “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting,” because death teaches important lessons about life (Eccl. 7:1-4).

How did death enter the world? God created man to live, not to die, and made every provision to sustain life (Gen. 1:27-28; 2:7-9). God warned that sin would bring death. Sin brought death first spiritually  as guilt, shame, and separation from God  and then physically  as pain, decay, and the separation of man’s spirit from his body (Gen. 3). Death was the result of Satan’s work and man’s choice to sin, not God’s design or desire.

Man struggles to understand the seasons and cycles of life and death. Solomon puzzled over the inexorable march of such times and seasons: “a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up”  on and on it goes (Eccl. 3:1-15). Man as the creation cannot fully resolve the riddle of life and death. “Though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it…. but time and chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time” (Eccl. 8:16-17; 9:11-12). The unanswered riddles and puzzles of life and death test our character and our faith in God.

We can know we were created for God’s purposes, not our own (Rev. 4:11). “For of him (origin), and through him (agency), and to him (purpose) are all things” (Rom. 11:33-36). No matter how many riddles and puzzles we see, God is in control of the universe and of our existence. Since he made us as free moral agents, we can choose to obey or disobey him, but we cannot escape the consequences of our choice. Therefore, it is foolish to argue with God or to resist his will. Our defiance will not change his purposes or harm him in any way but results in self-destruction.

Is death the end? Job observed, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” He noted plants are cut down and grow up again, but man does not, and so he posed the question of the ages: “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:1-15). Jesus Christ is the resounding answer, Yes! After spending three days and nights in the grave, he arose and left it empty. Angels told the women who came to the tomb, “Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him” (Mark 16:1-6). His resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection, thus we may sing, “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:51-58).

What happens when we die? The Hadean world receives our spirit when it leaves our body to await the resurrection. Jesus proved the spirit survives the death of the body to await the resurrection. He rebuked those who denied this truth as “not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” He quoted as proof God’s statement concerning the patriarchs who were long dead, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” This proves the spirits of the patriarchs are still “living” though their bodies are in the grave (Matt. 22:23-33).

In the last great day, all the dead will hear the voice of Jesus and come forth from the grave: “They that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28-29). Thus, it is evident that life on earth is a testing ground which prepares us for eternal life or eternal punishment. Our attitudes and actions are constantly examined by God in view of the final Judgment. What a sobering thought! Can we know what he wants or expects of us in view of the Judgment to come? Or, are we left to speculate about such momentous matters, and to devise our own standards and expectations?

What Does God Want of Us in This Life?

As we struggle with the challenges of life and death, the most challenging question of all is this: What does God want of us in this life? God answers that question in the Bible. He has made it clear from the beginning until now that he wants our love, trust, and obedience.

Adam and Eve were commanded to care for the Garden of Eden, to enjoy its fruit, but not to eat “of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”  a tree which drew the boundary between good and evil. When they ate of that tree, they were driven in shame from the Garden and suffered the ravages of death (Gen. 2-3). Later, God commended Abraham as one who “will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment” (Gen. 18:19). That is what God wants of all men.

The Bible is full of passages summarizing what God wants of us. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13). Our love, trust, and respect for God are shown by obeying his word. Though God commands formal worship, he also teaches us to translate our worship into daily action. At all times and in all situations, we are to “hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate. . . . let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream” (Amos 5:15, 24).

When God taught the Jews to bring animal sacrifices for sin, he made it clear that “thousands of rams” were no substitute for sincere, daily submission to his will. “He hath showed thee, 0 man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Mic. 6:6-8). Life is brief and uncertain, filled with “labor and sorrow.” Knowing our time is short, our prayer should be, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Ps. 90:10-12). We find God’s wisdom in God’s word.

Jesus summed it all up in these words:

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Matt. 22:37-40).

All the commandments of God teach us the true meaning of love for God and for our fellowmen. To violate God’s word is to violate that love.

Knowing we have sinned and yet wanting us to be saved, God desires all men to hear, believe, and obey the gospel of Christ. Christ died as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. On the basis of that faith, we must repent of all sin, confess Christ as God’s Son, and be immersed in water to receive pardon through his atoning blood. Truly, God “is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9; Acts 2:38; 8:37-38).

When we obey these first steps of the gospel, God adds us to the church of Christ and then teaches us how to worship him and how to live for him each day. Thus, he redeems us from the destiny of hell and leads us to an eternal home in heaven. Ultimately, that is what God wants  for us to spend eternity with him in heaven! That, dear friend, is the real meaning of our existence, the final purpose of life and death on earth. Let each of us ask himself, “Am I living according to God’s purpose and will for my life? Am I pre-paring to be with him in eternity?”

Guardian of Truth XLI: 9 p. 14-15
April May 1, 1997

By Mike Willis

The church at Thessalonica manifested such good qualities that Paul held them up as an example. He said that they were “ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia” (1 Thess. 1:7). What were the attributes of that church that made them an example to others and caused Paul to commend them?

They Received the Word of God

The church at Thessalonica received what Paul preached as if it were the words of God instead of the words of men. Paul said that they “received the word of God which ye heard of us, … not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thess. 2:13). They learned that rejecting the words of an inspired apostle is the same as rejecting the words of Jesus. “He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 4:8).

These saints understood that the Lord had committed the word of reconciliation to the apostles and, therefore, they were ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 5:18-21). They received the ambassadors of Christ and by so doing also received Christ.

Their reception of the word of God caused a change in their lives. They “turned unto God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son from heaven” (1 Thess. 1:9-10). Would to God that men everywhere had the same willingness to receive the word of God as did these saints in Thessalonica.

They Persevered in the Face of Affliction

The establishment of the church in Thessalonica was accompanied by fierce resistance. Luke tells us that Paul and Silas taught in the synagogue for three Sabbaths, resulting in the con-version of “a great multitude” of devout Greeks (God-fearers) and quite a few chief women. The Jews became jealous and stirred up a riot against the Christians. They involved the local authorities in their assaults (Acts 17:1-9). After this riot, Paul and Silas left Thessalonica.

When he wrote his first letter to the church in Thessalonica, Paul took note that they had “received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost” (1 Thess. 1:6). Soon after leaving Thessalonica, Paul sent Timothy to see how the brethren were surviving. He was concerned that the persecutions would cause some to depart from the faith, even though he had told them beforehand that these troubles would come (I Thess. 3:3-4). Timothy brought back the good news that the brethren were maintaining their faith in God in spite of their afflictions (I Thess. 3:6-8).

Because of their faithfulness in the face of persecution, this church was an example to others. “For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews” (I Thess. 2:14). Lesser saints would have wilted under the pressure, but not the good saints in Thessalonica. No wonder they were an example to others.

They Loved Each Other

When Paul exhorted them to certain forms of conduct, there were some things they did not need to be taught, because they were already known for practicing them. One of them is their brotherly love toward each other. Paul said, “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more” (I Thess. 4:9-10).

One of the marks that men are children of God is their love for one another. Jesus told his disciples just before the crucifixion, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if he have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).

This brotherly love showed itself in the actions described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8  longsuffering, kindness, not en-vying one another, not vaunting oneself, not being puffed up, not behaving unseemly, not seeking one’s own, not being easily provoked, thinking no evil, not rejoicing in iniquity but in the truth, bearing all things, believing all things, hoping all things, enduring all things, and never failing. No doubt these brethren rejoiced with those who rejoiced and wept with those who were wept (Rom. 12:15).

They Sounded Out the Gospel to Others

Another reason the church at Thessalonica was commended is that they were a missionary church. They were not content to build their building in the nicest part of town, pave their parking lot, and install padded pews. They were interested in the souls of men. “For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak anything” (1 Thess. 1:7-8).

Far too many congregations lack vision in spreading the gospel. Perhaps some become content just to “keep house” for the Lord. In some local congregations, a subtle death is occurring. Churches that are not baptizing new members are slowly becoming older in age. Here is the scenario that will occur for such churches. There will be fewer children present. As the church grows older and its members begin dying, a group of elderly Christians will be left. As one by one they go down the valley of the shadow of death, the church will dwindle until only a handful is left. A church that is not converting people needs to address why this is occurring and correct its problems.

Other churches may be doing very well in their own personal development but lack vision in taking the gospel to others. The numerous appeals that others send for support are ignored. Money can always be found to work on their building, but none is generally available to provide support for a preacher working in some hard place to get the church established. No wonder the church at Thessalonica was and is such an example to others. They wanted to support gospel preaching and send out preachers to other parts of their state. Does the church of which you are a member have this vision?

Conclusion

Let’s learn from the example of the church at Thessalonica to improve our own service to the Lord. Perhaps the Lord will speak such commendable words about us on judgment day as Paul wrote about the church at Thessalonica.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 10 p. 2
April May 1, 1997