Truth Magazine

By Larry Ray Hafley

Is someone making life miserable for you at school? Is a boss at work unfair to you? Are there brethren who seek to be-rate and belittle you with gossip, rumors, and false accusations? So, what are you going to do about it? Whoa, wait a minute! If you are like me, your first impulse might not be the right one! What can you do that is right before God?

There are a number of things. Likely, you have tried the obvious ones. If not, do so. If you have reacted bitterly, if you have fought fire with fire, re-turning evil for evil, you have taken the wrong course. Again, though, assuming you have prayed for your adversary, and assuming that you have done all you know to do, there is one more thing you might try. Ask the Lord to deliver you from evil men!

“Finally, brethren, pray for us … that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith” (2 Thess. 3:1, 2). “Deliver me, 0 Lord, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. They have sharpened their tongues . . poison is under their lips. Keep me, 0 Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who hath purposed to overthrow my goings . . . Grant not, 0 Lord, the de-sires of the wicked: further not his wicked device” (Psa 140:1-8).

“And he spice a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint saying, There was in a city a judge which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard men; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

“And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily” (Luke 18:1-8). So, with persistent humility, ask the Lord to deliver you from evil men.

Guardian of Truth XL: 12 p. 7
June 20, 1996

By Mike Willis

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty (Prov. 10:15).

This proverb states a truth that some religious people are unwilling to admit  namely, that wealth has advantages over poverty. Sometimes preaching against the dangers of covetousness borders on making poverty commendable and wealth a sin. Covetousness is sinful, but wealth is not. We can think of several very wealthy men who served the Lord: Abraham, Solomon, David, Joseph of Arimathea, Barnabas, and others. Being prosperous is not sinful.

George Lawson’s commentary effectively undermines the truth this proverb teaches because of his predisposition against wealth. He writes that wealth “is not a strong city, but his strong city. He thinks it will prove a sufficient defence to him from that destruction which his mouth merited” (Proverbs 179). Derek Kidner responds to this concept, though not to Lawson, warning, “You may be called to forgo wealth; you must certainly rate it below honesty. But don’t affect to despise it; don’t embrace poverty out of laziness or romanticism” (Proverbs 87).

The wise man holds out before us a truth that needs to be considered. Wealth provides a defense against some of the things that befall men. Kell and Delitzsch correctly observed, “. . . the rich man stands thus independent, changes and adversities cannot so easily overthrow him, he is also raised above many hazards and temptations; on the contrary, the poor man is overthrown by little misfortunes, and his despairing endeavors to save himself, when they fail, ruin him completely, and perhaps make him at the same time a moral outlaw” (Proverbs 219). He concludes emphasizing that one of man’s goals is to “make the firm establishing of his external life position.”

This proverb was written before many of the social programs that have been established as “safety nets” for United States citizens were in place. This goes back before health insurance, life insurance, unemployment, social security, medical disability, and such like things. Think of some of the things that wealth provides a person a defense from: (a) the troubles that come from losing one’s job; (b) the problems that come from long-term illness and no income from work; (c) protection from the weather because he has a warm house in which to live; (d) protection of his family from starvation that might come from an unexpected death that leaves his wife widowed and his children fatherless; (e) a means of support in one’s old age when he is unable to work; (f) absence of fretting and worrying about food, clothing, and shelter; (g) bankruptcy. There are some things against which wealth provides no defense. Wealth cannot protect man from: (a) The eternal consequences of sin; (b) Ill health; (c) Death. There are limits to what wealth is able to provide a defense. If one recognizes that wealth is a defense in some of these temporal matters, he who is wise will build his defense as strong as he can (so long as he does not compromise his faith in God while doing so).

Wealth also enables a person to en-joy such things as. the purchase of some of life’s luxuries (nice houses, cars, clothes) and the ability to travel and enjoy life.

The poor man is more exposed to the problems of life. Because he can-not afford to lose his job, he may take more abuse from an employer than a richer man might take. When medical bills come, the amount not covered by his insurance may sink him so deeply in debt that he can never re-cover. The poor may not even be able to afford insurance. He may not carry life insurance because he needs every dime he makes to buy food, clothing, and shelter; therefore, his family is more exposed to the dangers of premature death. He probably lives “hand to mouth,” without any cash reserve set aside to provide for unforeseen circumstances. He can little afford luxuries of life such as travel, expensive cars, and nicer clothes.

The writer of proverbs therefore emphasizes to young men their need to be zealous in their work and industrious to make the best possible provisions for their family. Compare these following proverbs:

The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends (Prov. 14:20).

The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly (Prov. 18:23).

Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour (Prov 19:4).

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender (Prov. 22:7).

Conclusion

Young husbands and fathers need to pay attention to these proverbs. Recognizing the legitimate truth that wealth does provide a limited defense from some of the troubles of life, do the best that you can to provide for your family. Try to excel on your job, get job advances, make wise investments, save what you can, and otherwise make your family as financially stable as possible.

While you do this, also be aware of the danger of making the accumulation of wealth your main goal in life. This will lead to covetousness, dishonesty, and other forms of sinful conduct. While wealth is a goal, it is not a primary or more important goal than greater than honesty, integrity, one’s wife and children, or one’s loyalty to the Lord.

Most of us are industrious to do what this proverb teaches because of parental training, but some may be surprised to learn that the proverbs also teach young men this gem of wisdom.

Guardian of Truth XL: 12 p. 2
June 20, 1996

By Jim Gabbard

Paul tells us in Philippians 4: 6, 7, that religion is good for our mental health. According to current news re-ports, (I’m sure you’ve heard it on TV) religion is also good for the physical health. We have known for a long time, of course, that true religion is good for the health of the total person; what we wonder is, why are scientists just now finding it out? A column appeared February 12, 1996, in the Dallas Morning News, written by Maggie Gallager, who writes for Universal Press Syndicate, parts of which we wish to share, and about which we’ll make certain comments.

But first, let me just say that Christians do not suffer alone. There are many things in this life that we do not understand; much of what we some-times endure goes beyond our comprehension. But God gives us a context in which to put all of these eruptions which plague our lives and are difficult or impossible to cope with. Paul himself was arrested essentially for believing in the resurrection, which was really not contrary to the Roman law, and was sent to jail, a hard fact to swallow. Yet, sitting there in chains, he said, “But I rejoice in the Lord greatly . . . I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in anyand every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Here this innocent man sits in prison, rejoicing. Just about any ordinary man would be moaning his head off and his heart out over the plight Paul was in. And what was he in for? Nothing! Innocent! Then, why is Paul so calm about it and even rejoicing? Because his name is written in the Book of Life (Lk 10: 20). Because he has a context into which he can put his trouble, and so do all true Christians everywhere, anytime.

Recently, a child of a friend of mine was diagnosed with not one, but two very serious physical maladies. In a discussion with the father, I noted quite clearly that he had minimum of anxiety about it, which reminded me that he was a child of God. The very word of Paul to the Philippians came to mind. Forgetting the financial circumstances for the moment and focusing on the part where he said, “… In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Back to Gallager’s column. It starts with a question, “Is God good for you?” and soon gets around to a re-sounding positive report based on a number of research findings primarily from a report by Patrick Fagan of the Heritage Foundation, summarizing his findings in a brief, Why Religion Matters. Ms. Gallager informs us of that which we have known forever, that “thinkers” like Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud, and other intellectual elites view faith in three evil ways: first it was an irrational superstition; second a distraction for the oppressed, and finally, a crutch for the weak. She then quoted George Washington, as saying, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

Fagan further suggested, according to Gallager, that people who go to church, synagogue or mosque, on a regular basis reap benefits, in addition to being happier and better adjusted, of a healthier kind. The re-port says “by far” they have lower rates of depression, higher self-esteem and a much less frequency of alcohol and drug abuse or crime. They are also credited with longer, happier marriages, and wouldn’t you know that our sex obsessed media added that women even have bet-ter sex than agnostics.

The report goes on to suggest that religious people have less problems with blood pressure, on average by 5 milli-meters  enough to reduce mortality rate by as much as 20 percent. That is a significant amount. One of the odd statistics in the report is one which says that among people who smoke, church attendance decreased the risk of an early stroke by 700 percent.

It seems that there is something for everybody in this report. One of our big problems today is black teenage pregnancies, which, in girls with religious background, is reduced significantly: premarital sex also is greatly reduced. Another provision which begs for attention by black people, shows that black men in prison come almost exclusively from one group: those who never went to church or those who stopped going at about age 10.

Another social benefit of being a careful worshiper is reaped by minority youths who live in the inner-city. Their chances of “escaping” the cycle of poverty there is greatly increased. Also affected is school attendance, work activity, and frequency of socially deviant behavior.

As unlikely as it may seem to many, an analysis of a large national sample found a very positive relationship between religion and prosperity. Among those who at-tended church weekly, the average family income was $37,021 in 1993, while those who attended none or less had an average income of $24,361.

It seems that that the “great” liberals of the past (and present) had (have) it all wrong. We believe, whether or not these reports confirm it, that the dynamic force of religion, and the great value of being a Christian, is the resurrection, and without the resurrection, our faith would be worthless, Be that as it may, it seems that folks reap a very great host of other benefits for their religious efforts. I do not wish to close, however, without saying that, while it may be true as stated in this report that many benefits accrue to church goers, the only benefit that really counts comes from a very careful, fine-tuned study of the Scriptures, and obedience to it precepts. In the final analysis, the only problems that matter are: Who am I? Where did I come from? What does it mean that I’m here? and What will happen to me when this life is over? The answer to these questions will not come from church attendance alone. It will not come from any library, or from science, or any man or men. The only source which speaks positively and correctly to these questions is the Bible, the word of the Living God.

Guardian of Truth XL: 12 p. 1
June 20, 1996

By P. J. Casebolt

In the days of Hezekiah, it is said of Israel and Judah with respect to the Passover feast, “. . . for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written” (2 Citron. 30:5).

Both Israel and Judah had been doing some things which were intended to be acts of service, sacrifice, and worship, but not “as it was written.” Many people in the religious world never have done things according to that which is written in God’s word. Their entire system is based on the doctrines, commandments, creeds, and traditions of men, and therefore vain (Matt. 15:8, 9). Some in this system have even forsaken their own original traditions, and for the most part could not tell you what they believe or why they believe it. They have been merged into a milling mass of philosophy and social agendas which have neither point, purpose, nor identity.

But among the Lord’s people at this present time, there are those who have not served God for a long time “as it is written,” and a generation or two have never even heard what is written with respect to their worship, service, and spiritual sacrifices.

In a recent meeting with a congregation which still teaches and practices things “which become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1), brethren from churches of Christ which have not done things “of a long time in such sort as it was written” were invited to attend, and like the invitation of Hezekiah to “all Israel and Judah,” divers accepted the invitation and came.

After a sermon on “The Unity of the Spirit,” a dialogue was initiated by the visiting brethren who had never heard things which pertained to unity among brethren, and why division exists among the people of God. I judged these men to be in their 30s or 40s, and they were sincere brethren who were willing to discuss issues which divide us, and made an effort to justify their present practices.

When one of them asked if they were not “doing a good work” by preaching the gospel through human arrangements such as sponsoring churches and elderships, I told them that this was exactly the same argument which was made to justify the human missionary societies of the last century. They had never heard of a missionary society, and wanted to know what one was. (In fact, they were sending their support for a particular TV program through two sponsoring churches.)

When I and other brethren pointed out that the digressive “Christian Church” or “Disciples of Christ” was formed from divisive efforts to bind “expediencies” and “methods” upon other brethren, these brethren conceded that they did not know why this division took place. They knew that some used mechanical instruments of music and some didn’t, but had no idea as to how, why, or even when such things transpired. They had never heard that a “good work” had to be defined, determined, and limited by the Scriptures, or a “thus saith the Lord” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 1 Pet. 4:11).

We cannot be held responsible for the fact that many churches of Christ have not done things “of a long time in such sort as it was written.” Preachers and elders in those churches have long since ceased to justify doctrines and practices by “book, chapter, and verse,” and have purposely kept the membership of such congregations in darkness and ignorance as to why we do not have unity in the Lord’s church. But we can be held responsible for not indoctrinating present and coming generations in those congregations which still practice things “as it is written.”

Even among what we know as conservative churches of Christ, we are neglecting to teach new converts and remind older members about such things as scriptural authority; the work, mission, organization, and worship of the church; what has caused division among God’s people in times past; and the importance of “book, chapter, and verse” preaching.

Not only are we neglecting such subjects in the local pulpits, classrooms, and in gospel meetings, we are becoming preoccupied with gimmicks, philosophy, psychology, sermons and assemblies more on the order of a TV sit-corn or talk show, and otherwise appealing to the desire to be entertained and pampered.

We have only so much time on Sundays, in mid-week classes, and gospel meetings to indoctrinate the member-ship of local congregations. If necessary, we need to “observe other seven days” (2 Chron. 30:23), in addition to our regular efforts to preach the gospel to the unbeliever and edify the believer.

Once we become negligent and fall behind in doctrinal matters, it won’t be long until we fall behind in matters of morality, and even forsake the true and living God for the gods of this world. It would be better to explain to our children why we observe divinely approved memorials, rather than try to explain why we have not observed them “of a long time.”

Guardian of Truth XL: 11 p. 24-25
June 6, 1996