Truth Magazine

By Mel Browner

Few words, in any language, warm the heart and stir the memory like the word, “home.” Our love for and respect for the home, or lack of love and respect, are a reflection of the teachers or parents in that home.

It is well for us to remember that there is always a place and a time for the beginning of all things in which we have a part. Therefore, there is a be-ginning, for those who would seek the better life. A wise man wrote, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole mat-ter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13). Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). It is evident, that to be well pleasing to the God of heaven, one must first love the creator and keep his commandments. Also, he must seek God and his righteousness; this is the place of beginning, seeking after God and obeying him.

The home, is to be the school of morality, but it can never achieve this lofty goal without love, faith, and continued obedience; these values are the key. Every honest student of the Bible recognizes that our God from man’s creation originated this great institution, and for man’s well being. We cannot over emphasize the importance of the home, in example, influence, and proper training. It is a known, basic truth, that these things have much to do with the saving of the soul as men march into eternity.

The beloved Apostle Paul penned these words to the saints in Ephesus, to the faithful in Christ, and they have stood the test of time: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth, and ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:1-4). The rules are plain, simple, easy to understand and they are “right.” Failure to follow these rules will result in heartaches now and put many souls in jeopardy.

Children are usually born to young parents and such parents are usually inexperienced. They need the help of godly parents and grandparents, who can lead them to rear their children after the pattern in God’s word. What parent can look back without some reservation and remembrance of things that were said and things that were done, that could have been said and done in a much better manner. Young parents are to be taught, and these parents must teach their children and thus we see the importance of the teaching function; it is to be a continuing process, over and over again.

Several years ago, while working in and with brethren in a congregation in southern California, my wife and I had this experience. After services one Lord’s Day, we were invited to the home of a young couple for the noon meal. The couple had two lovely young daughters ages about five and seven. After the meal and when all had re-tired to the living room, the youngest of the little girls came over to the couch, crawled upon my lap, and with a smile on her upturned face, said: “You said a prayer at the table; my Daddy never does that.” Need I mention the red faces and the embarrassment of the moment.

My point in relating the above story is to impress upon our minds the importance of in the home examples and their effect upon the young absorbing mind. The home offers the greatest classroom for teaching. If prayer was missing, it follows that other things were also missing in the home life of this young family. In a few short years, these young parents divorced, leaving the children in even a more distressing situation.

We know that many opportunities become lost opportunities. Here is an example of such: After an assembly had been dismissed, I had occasion to speak with a couple that we were concerned about, mostly regarding lack of attendance. We discussed several things, Bible study, their children and their jobs, etc. The wife, in a joking manner, made mention of the fact that she and her husband were so busy that they just waved to one another as one was going and the other coming from their respective jobs. She also stated that they seldom had meals together because everyone was so busy. This young family, to a degree, tried to at-tend the Bible classes and regular services, but money and material things were having the greater influence. Yes, they desired money, but their home life was bankrupt. To our knowledge, the children from this home never obeyed the gospel. Think of lost opportunities.

So many families forget the great worth of the dinner table and therefore neglect it. It is not only a place of physical nourishment, but can be a place of spiritual nourishment also. Here the family can give thanks unto God for all blessings. The family can share the day’s events and problems; all can have a part in encouraging one another. The family can be drawn together and love will grow. Parents, please do not neglect the lowly dinner table for it will work wonders in bringing a family together.

We know, all too well, that the child of God can fall from his or her steadfastness. This can be brought about by many things which are far too numerous for us to list or give due consideration to at this time. We have no guarantee that children brought up in a God fearing home will obey the gospel, nor do we have assurance that, having obeyed the gospel, they will remain faithful. Having written these things we ask, which is the best path to follow? Shall we let children rear themselves? Should we allow children to decide that they know more about life than do their parents? Shall we allow the secular schools to teach the children that homosexuality is an accepted lifestyle? Shall we let the schools and society in general teach the children that imbibing of alcohol is acceptable for all people of proper age. Shall weallow secular school teachers to teach so called “safe sex” to children? Shall we allow evolution to be taught in the classrooms? Shall we overlook any of these things that are taught by the humanistic element without teaching against and contradicting such curriculum? The answer is obvious. It’s No! This is where “The Home: The School of Morality,” enters the picture and comes into its true value and worth.

Parents, love your children enough to prepare them for eternity. Children and young people listen to God fearing parents, look to them for guidance and encouragement. Also, hear the words of Solomon, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, `I have no plea-sure in them”‘ (Eccl. 12:1).

How wonderful it would be, if all of God’s people would say: “. . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15) .

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 13, p. 7-8
July 4, 1996

By David Posey

Definitions are important, but I’ve decided to keep them to a minimum in this article. For one thing, so much has been written on the definitions of the terms assigned to me, that it is impossible to completely review even the recent material. Furthermore, that material is readily available. But more to the point, we hardly need more definitions; what we need is more obedience!

Therefore, I’ll define the terms only insofar as necessary to clarify my use of them in the article. The Greek word porneia, according to Bauer (Arndt & Gingrich, p. 693), is defined as unchastity, prostitution, fornication, of every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse. Louw & Nida (p. 771), define porneia as follows: “to engage in sexual immorality of any kind, often with the implication of prostitution  to engage in illicit sex, to commit fornication, sexual immorality, fornication, prostitution. The Greek word moicheia (etc.) is defined in the same work (p. 772), as “sexual intercourse of a man with a married woman other than his own spouse.” In light of Mark 10:12, what applies to the husband applies also to the wife.

I’ve found no lexical support for non-sexual concepts of “adultery” that would limit it to “covenant-breaking.” “Adultery” is a more specific term. For example, a covenant that an Israelite made with an idol was to be broken, but he was not committing “adultery” when he did so. Some of the “latter-day” definitions we are reading in articles on marriage, divorce, and remarriage fit a bit too neatly into the various “anyone can (re)marry” theories.

Regarding fornication, there are no safe reasons to treat fornication as something other than physical sexual contact with another being. While it includes every form of sexual perversion, it does not extend to “lust in the heart” of Matthew 5:28. Such lust does not provide grounds for divorce any more than getting angry subjects one to the death penalty (Matt. 5:22).

Sex is for Marriage Only

So much for definitions. What is the bottom line? God’s standard of sexual conduct can be summarized by the following statement: Sex is reserved for scriptural marriages only. Stated negatively, there is no proper sexual activity outside a scriptural marriage. A “scriptural” marriage is one between eligible parties. According to the Bible, there are three classes of people eligible for marriage: those who have never been married; those whose spouses have died; and those who have put away their spouses because of the spouse’s fornication (Matt. 5:32; 19:9). Unfortunately, we must add this: people in these situations are eligible to be married if one partner is a male and the other is female. I’m aware of no other parties who can scripturally wed.

Sex within such scriptural marriages is a beautiful expression of the mutual love of the parties and is pleasing to God (Heb. 13:4). Sex outside a scriptural marriage is ugly and sinful. Violations of God’s sexual standards are either fornication or adultery and place the soul in danger of eternal dam

Satan’s Tools

The devil has won more victories on the battlefield of sexual desire than perhaps any other in recent years. There are three approaches he routinely uses to win people over, both individually and as a culture. First, he seeks to desensitize us by bombarding us with sexual images, and innuendo. He has found a willing partner in the media. On the three major television networks one will witness an average of 6-7 sex scenes per hour. Considering the average child watches 4-6 hours of TV per day, the impact is immense.

Next, the devil seeks to normalize deviant behavior (see Isa. 5:20). He’s succeeding. Homosexuality is now viewed by most people as “normal for certain individuals.” Even the military, one of the last bastions of gender distinctness, is crumbling under the onslaught of liberal pressure. In addition, the incidence of couples living together without benefit of marriage has increased 400% since 1970 and suggestions that it is wrong subject you to mocking derision. I’ll concede that these are “alternative life-styles.” But they are deviant, perverted, lewd, and unnatural life-styles. Same-sex “marriages” are a legal and scriptural fiction and God categorically condemns all these arrangements when he condemns fornication and homosexuality (see Rom. 1:26-27).

The third device that the devil uses to win his prey, and we dare not be ignorant of it (2 Cor. 2:11), is that of rationalization. He supplies an end-less stream of handy excuses for those who wish to engage in sexual misdeeds: “My wife is not affectionate, and so. . .” Or, “my husband doesn’t give me enough attention, and so…” So what? Even if true, these statements provide no excuse for the one who abandons his vows of marital fidelity. All sex outside marriage is sin and will doom the unrepentant soul to eternal destruction, “where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:48).

Our youth need to be sensitive to the devil’s schemes. In a survey of”churched” youth, 46% said they would have sex if they were “in love.” In other words, these young people have not been persuaded, by parents or church, that sex outside marriage is wrong. Or they don’t care. “Love” is not the condition for proper sexual expression  only marriage is. After all, 3,502 fifth graders fall in love every day! We need to remind our youth that sex outside a scriptural marriage is fornication and fornicators will in-cur the wrath of God (Col. 3:5-6).

How Can We Avoid Sexual Sin?

What can we do to evade the devil’s flaming darts? First, remember that looks can kill. Jesus taught that looking at a woman to lust after her creates adultery in the heart (Matt. 5:27-28). Not only is the “second look” sinful in itself, but habitual looking may embolden one to commit the actual act. Don’t swallow the myth that some forms of sexual involvement outside marriage are OK because they are “not as bad” as actually committing adultery. Don’t dabble in pornography or subject yourself to movies, TV pro-grams, music, and other media that make light of fornication. Jesus tells us that the state of mind is the same whether the actual act of adultery is committed or not.

Secondly, learn to turn. In other words, “flee immorality” (1 Cor. 6:18). React like Joseph did with Potiphar’swife (Gen. 39:7-12). Get away, leave lust in the dust and get your mind on wholesome things. Remember the words of Proverbs 7  a man who falls prey to the seductions of a wan-ton woman is “lacking sense” (v. 7) and is as an ox going to slaughter (v. 22). Her house is the way to Sheol descending to the chambers of death (v. 27). God has promised to provide a way of escape with the temptation (1 Cor. 10:13); but if you don’t take the exit when it opens, it’s your funeral.

Thirdly, for those who are married there is an ironclad guarantee of marital fidelity: love your spouse with the love of Christ (Eph. 5:25ff.). Love is a force that expels the magnetic power of a new affection. Cultivate your love for the one to whom you have promised to be faithful for life. Or, as someone has wisely said, the secret to marital happiness is to fall in love many times over the years, with the same person.

Remember that a scriptural marriage is the only avenue of proper sexual expression. “Drink water from your own cistern and fresh water from your own well . . . let your fountain be blessed and rejoice in the wife of your youth” (Prov. 5:15, 18).

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 13, p. 24-25
July 4, 1996

By John M. Trokey

Morality is concerned with establishing and disseminating principles of right and wrong in conduct or behavior. Morality and ethics are closely associated. “Ethics is that branch of philosophy which is concerned with human character and conduct…. It has to do with life or personality in its inward dispositions, outward manifestations and social relations (Alexander, 1013). “Ethics is that branch of philosophy that deals with how we ought to live with the idea of the Good, and with such concepts as right and wrong” (Pojman, Xiii).

Free To Choose

Morality is real only if mankind is free to choose. In a world of fate or determinism, in which all things are predetermined and fixed, mankind has no responsibility. “Freedom is an absolute essential to a truly moral universe” (Greisler, 58). The Bible clearly shows man is a creature of choice, free to choose whatever he wills (Acts 10:35; Deut. 11:26-28; Josh. 24:14, 15). Early in time, when God rejected Cain’s offering, “… the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it” (Gen. 4:6b, 7). Cain was instructed that he had a choice between right and wrong and was responsible for his choice. Also, Cain’s choice would determine whether or not he would be happy.

John M. Trokey

“Ought”

“We are discussing no small mat-ter, but how we ought to live” (Socrates in Plato’s Republic). How we “ought” to live presupposes that there is an absolute standard of right and wrong. The study of “ought” in Deontic logic “is an attempt to put in formal structure the functioning of the word `ought’ in moral contexts, particularly in moral commands” (Geisler Feinberg, 29). In the Epistle of John, for example, John writes: “he that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also to walk even as He walked.” The idea is we “ought” (are under moral obligation) to walk as Jesus walked. Unless there is an absolute standard of conduct, one would not be under obligation (ought) to act in a certain manner.

God is the Standard

The biblical morality is rooted ultimately and inseparably in the unchanging nature of God. When God ordained the standard by which man should live, he set the standard in him-self. To have done otherwise would have been a denial of his own charac-ter and a denial of an absolute standard. Man may be unfaithful (unbelieving and immoral) but “he (God) abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself ” (2 Tim. 2:13). The philosophic argument of whether something is right because God wills it or God wills it because it is right is answered in the biblical perspective that God’s expressed will of right is an expression of God’s essential and unchanging character. Right does not exist as something apart from God upon which he arbitrarily decides or upon which he stamps his approval.

God has revealed to man how man ought to live based on his own character. “Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust” (2 Pet.1:3, 4). God’s nature or character revealed in the Bible is that God is holy (1 Pet.1:15; Lev. 11:44); God is Light (1 John 1:5); God is love (1 John 4:8, 16; Matt. 5:48); God is righteous (1 John 2:29); God is good (Psa. 118:29); God is merciful, gracious, kind and true (Psa. 116:5; Exod. 34:5-7). What God “is” we “ought” to be.

Jesus the Messiah, God’s Son, came to this world and gave us an example of moral living. And, “the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (1 John 2:6). The apostle Peter stated, “Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21b, 22a). The apostle Paul said, “There-fore be imitators of God as beloved children” (Eph. 5:1).

False Standards of Morality

Might is right. Ancient Greek philosopher, Thrasymachus, is supposed to have held that “justice is the interest of the stronger party.” This makes right to be defined by “power.” There are many powers which are exercised upon others; political power, physical power, psychological power, and economic power to name some.

Morals are mores. Right is deter-mined by the group. In our schools, value clarification is this method whereby students themselves deter-mine what is right in any circumstance. A local news program (Sacramento, Ca.) on NBC  Jan. 26, 1996 had a report on “Teenagers and Sex.” The question was, “When should I have sex?” The question was answered by a round table discussion. (The conclusion was there is no real or absolute right or wrong on this issue. Right was whatever each individual would deter-mine for themselves.)

Man is the measure. Greek philosopher, Protagorus, said: “Man is the measure of all things.” Therefore right is whatever I determine is right. This was the error in the day of the judges when “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 17:6; 21:25).

Right is whatever brings pleasure. This was the Epicurean philosophy of Bible times. It is the spirit of Hedonism.

There is no right. Antinomianism is the philosophy that denies that any-thing is right or wrong. Philosopher, A J. Ayer, insisted that all “ought” sentences actually translate to “I feel” sentences.

Conclusion

God has revealed to man the absolute standard of morality, which is rooted in his own character, exhibited by his own Son, and contained and explained in the Bible.

Today’s church must believe in, defend, and live up to the standard God has given. The great moral questions of today are all answered in the Bible.

God’s people discredit themselves and dishonor God when they complain the moral standard is too high. What the church ought to do is to do their best to bring their lives up to the standard. The church should never allow compromise on God’s moral standard.

Alexander Campbell summed up the standard of morality in seven words, “One God, one moral system, one Bible” (Campbell, 15).

 

Bibliography

Alexander, Archibald, I.S.B.E., Vol. II, Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1974.

Campbell, Alexander, The Christian System, Standard Publishing Co. (no date).

Geisler, Norman L. The Roots of Evil, Zondervan Publishing House, 1981.

Geisler, Norman L. and Feinberg, Paul D., Introduction to Philosophy, Baker Book House, 1980.

Poiman, Louis J., Ethics, Wadsworth Publishing House, 1990.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 13, p. 22-23
July 4, 1996

By Don Alexander

We live in a time in which the marriage and family relationship is in trouble. Abuse, molestation, adultery, secrecy, deceit, hatred, materialism, and selfishness  these all tell a sad tale about modern times. The church is not immune to the world’s values, but is susceptible to them. The world cites the decline of the “traditional family”  “two parents, kids, house in the suburbs, station wagon, a dog and a cat”  in sarcastic and cynical tones. Then the world offers us “alternative lifestyles” to replace the “traditional family” they snippily decry. It is time for God’s people to lead the way in proclaiming what the marriage relation is in the view of Jesus Christ. Jesus stated that “what God has joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt. 19:6). This article will address principles of Jesus for those whom “God has joined together.” Those marriages need to be preserved.

I believe that “marriage” is “. . . a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between a man and a woman, to which the consent of the parties capable of making that contract is necessary . . .”(State of California, Family Law Code, Division 3, Part 1, Section 300.) The law further speaks of the issuance of a license and solemnization of the marriage. But the “personal relation” called marriage pre-existed man’s civil code. God joined a man and a woman in the Garden of Eden, and sanctioned their being “one flesh,” joining their commitment, desire, bodies, and goals (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:21-25). They are bound together until death (Rom. 7:4). Their love and will pledge commitment (Eph. 5:25f; Tit. 2:4-5). Their union becomes the foundation of the family relation and the agent for teaching future generations about God (Deut. 4:7-9; 6:4-9). The civil laws of man must be honored regarding marriage (Rom. 13).

Since what we seek to preserve is something God has created, we are wise when we consult him as the expert. Contrary to many workshop tapes, videos, and books which are “not available at any store, but only through this toll-free number,” the Bible is freely available, and in multiple copies, in most homes. Jesus preached the greatest sermon extolling the virtues and principles of God’s people under the New Covenant in what we know as “The Sermon on the Mount.” While setting forth positive truth, he also takes the Pharisees to task for their distortion of God’s views of righteousness (Matt. 5:17-20). But at the core of the sermon are principles which can be applied to every individual, every marriage, and every family member while doing no injustice to the main thrust of his teaching. To preserve and strengthen our marriages before God we must go up to the mountaintop and listen, breathing in deeply the fresh air of his teaching, and returning to our homes to apply it to our lives. Consider some principles we can learn from Jesus from Matthew, chapters 5-7.

1. We must have character in the characters (Matt. 5:1-10). Husbands and wives must realize that we bring ourselves to the marriage. Our character is the driving force of a marriage relation. The marks of Christian character must be seen in Jesus’ disciples. Imagine a marriage and family relation in which spouses are “poor in spirit,” seeking the best interest of each other, that shows mercy in the place of justice when one partner makes a mistake; a husband and wife who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” together and whose motives are “pure in heart”; who become “peacemakers” who “mourn” over their sins, seeking together God’s comfort; whose anger is restrained and channeled constructively instead of abusively because they are “meek.” In truth, what we and our family members are when we walk into the church building for worship ought to be what we are when we sit in the family room or express our marital love in the bedroom.

2. We must be the preserving salt in the home (Matt. 5:13-16). The Christian has influence on a dark and lost world just as salt and light preserve and enlighten that which they touch. Christian character in word and deed influences for good because the character Jesus requires of his disciples permeates their being and spreads to those around them. A husband who seeks a good marriage cannot think that flowers, candy, and gifts will accomplish this while being hypercritical of his wife, selfish in the use of his time and money, and abusive in his words and actions (1 Pet. 3:7). A wife who seeks a good marriage will realize that adopting the “Barbieism” of the world in make-up and dress will not accomplish that which “a meek and quiet spirit” will achieve (1 Pet. 3:4). We must realize that salt is healthy, beneficial, comforting, and powerful. Let us seek to influence with the words of Jesus in our hearts. Let us influence “the world” around us. But let us understand that our “salt” and “light” begins at home.

3. We must seek the righteousness of Jesus which begins in the heart (Matt. 5:17-48). Jesus contrasts the Godheads view of righteousness with that of the Pharisees, pointing out that righteousness is not something that is purely outward and ritualistic. Jesus connects behavior and thought and motive, making the heart the source of behavior (Matt. 15:17-20). For a husband and wife to be righteous, hearts, not just behaviors, should be the focus. Jesus discusses the connection of character and obedient work to the righteousness for which they hunger and for which they are persecuted. Righteousness which develops the desires, will, and commitment of spouses will preserve their marriage. Jesus touched on factors that threaten personal righteousness and family relations:

 Improper anger  Matthew 5:21-26

 Lust in general and infidelity in marriage  Matthew 5:27-32

 Dishonesty in speech and life  Matthew 5:33-37

 Improper treatment of those in opposition and conflict  Matthew 5:38-42

 Making love of others conditioned on being loved first  Matthew 5:43-48

The solution to these is found not just in outward behavior control, but begins in the heart. “It’s O.K. to look, but not touch” is a sham. “She pushes my buttons and I get mad and can’t control my temper” is an empty excuse. “He doesn’t understand me like Jim does at work.” “My husband doesn’t deserve my love” is a dynamite stick whose fuse is 3/4 burned. “I can never forgive my mate for what was said to me” flies in the face of the forgiveness of the God who made us. Righteousness moves us to love our mate even in unloving moments (Matt. 5:43-48).

4. We must apply the “Golden Rule” in our marriages (Matt. 7:12). Before I speak or act toward my spouse, I must ask, “Is this the way I would like her to treat me? Will my words or actions likely move me toward her or drive a wedge between us?” Some husbands and wives treat the paper boy with more graciousness and mercy and respect than they do each other.

What a breath of fresh air fills our hearts as we sit at the feet of the “Great Physician.” Since the word of Christ in fact “holds all things together” (Col. 1:15-17), surely he can hold our marriages and families securely in the hollow of his hand and preserve us together.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 13, p. 18-19
July 4, 1996