Truth Magazine

There is an attitude in the hearts of some Christians that regards debating as beneath the dignity of the followers of Christ and as detrimental to the spread of the Kingdom. The world regards debating with suspicion. This almost universal disapproval of religious debating outside the church has had its effect on the members of the church. For this reason it is good to examine the Scriptures to learn the true attitude one should have toward such matters.

Truth is in constant conflict with error. In view of this situation, what should be our disposition and action amid such a conflict?

A Clarification

Some of those who find debating obnoxious remonstrate with us when we try to reason with them by saying that “debating” is condemned in the Bible. They then quote Romans 1:29 and 2 Corinthians 12:20 from the King James Version: “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers. . . .” “For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults.” The words “debate” and “debates” in these passages are pounced on to condemn religious discussion.

These words are translated “strife” in the American Standard Version. They are derived from a term which means “a disposition to be quarrelsome and contentious and is an outgrowth of enmity” (W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, IV:82). This is strife for its own sake and not discussion to learn the truth. Strife causes division. In fact, those engaged in it are divided and such conduct is inimical to real Christianity. But the idea of bringing truth and error into conflict is not in the word “debate” in the above passages. To condemn debating on the basis of these passages is to pervert the Scriptures.

Contend for the Faith

Jude’s exhortation to contend for the faith once for all delivered is most familiar to Christians. Yet, some brethren have not felt the impact of this passage for they have a distaste for debates. The word “contend” is compounded from two words. One means “about or upon”; the other means “a contest.” One engages in a contest as a combatant. Thus it follows that a Christian must intensely (indicated by earnestly in Jude 3) contest that opposed to the faith or the gospel. Obedience to this commandment makes it impossible for one to be a non-controversialist (emphasis added, sfd). Since error and truth are constantly in conflict, it follows that the Christian is and must be in constant conflict with all those who espouse the cause of error. This conflict of necessity involves controversy.

An Apology

The word “defense” occurs in a number of passages and means a verbal answer made in favor of one or his belief. An examination of some passages in which the word occurs will aid us in arriving at its meaning.

“Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: the one do it of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel; but the other proclaim Christ of faction, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for me in my bonds” (Phil. 1:15-17). Paul was set for the defense of the gospel. Whether against Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in intellectual Athens, or in a Jewish Synagogue, or before a heathen king, Paul made answer showing why the gospel should be accepted and the other systems rejected. When they remonstrated with him, he disputed with them. These disputes are studied elsewhere in this article.

On numerous occasions Paul had charges leveled against him. To these he made an answer or a defense. Festus laid the case of Paul before King Agrippa stating that Roman law provided for the accused to face his accusers and to make a defense, an answer (Acts 25:16). Paul made answer to the false teachers who tried to undermine his influence with the Corinthians but he called this answer his defense (1 Cor. 9:3). When attacked by a Jewish mob, Paul stood and made a defense (Acts 22:1). Finally, Paul stood alone in making his defense or answer in Rome (2 Tim. 4:16). These four incidents from the life of Paul should clearly indicate the essential meaning of defense. There is in the term the idea of putting two things side by side in order to determine which is right.

The truth is that no Christian can be loyal to the cause he espoused and fail to defend his position. “But sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:15). The word “answer” in this passage is the same word “defense” in the passages immediately above and could be translated apology.

The Good Fight

The word “fight” in 1 Timothy 6:12 and 2 Timothy comes from a word that originally meant “to lead, then to an assembly and finally a conflict or a contest” (Vine, ibid, II:94). Timothy, “fight the good fight of the faith.” Here then is a conflict or a contest involving the faith. He was to lead in this conflict in favor of the truth. Christianity is aggressive. The gospel is God’s might or ability to save the soul (Rom. 1:16). It expunges error from the heart and life and instills the wisdom of God. This is a mighty conflict! No true disciple can avoid the fight The life of a Christian is a fight of the faith.

When ready to lay his armor aside, Paul said tersely, “I have fought the good fight.” We shall have denied the Lord if we cannot so comment when we are about to depart. Yes, the Christian’s life is a militant battle with the forces of error whether in the form of false religions, perverted gospels, infidelity, or immorality.

Dispute or Reason

“For three Sabbath days” Paul reasoned from the Scriptures with the Thessalonian Jews (Acts 17:2). Likewise at Corinth he reasoned in the synagogue seeking to persuade both Jews and Greeks (Acts 18:4). Whether in the synagogue with Jews and religious persons, or in the marketplace with any who would talk, Paul reasoned seeking to win people to Christ through his argumentation (Acts 17:17; 19:8, 9; 18:19). Before a ruler of this world he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come (Acts 24:25).

The word “reason” or “dispute” used in these above passages originally meant “to think differently about a thing with one’s self”; therefore, the idea of arguing or disputing with others was an easy transition in meaning. What Paul did when he reasoned was to argue or dispute with others. There is the interplay of truth and error with the idea being to cause truth to stand out in contrast. Truth is made to shine brightly when set beside error. Error appears in darkness when set against the real light of truth. May no Christian shrink back from this worthy effort of arguing for the truth!

Proving the Point

Confounding the Jews at Damascus, Paul proved that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 9:22). A joining or compacting together is the idea of the word prove in the statement before us. The word “knit” in Ephesians 4:16 and Colossians 2:19 is from the same word. Thus Paul stirred up the Jews by “knitting” or compacting Scripture together to demonstrate to their minds that Jesus was the promised Messiah or Christ. Frequently, some one says that he does not like all this “skipping” from passage to passage. The idea in the passage before us is that Paul took various passages and knit them together and that which he compacted proved his point! The conclusion from such a joining together denies every false conclusion. It is therefore impossible to prove one point without arguing against the false notions on the same point. One cannot help being a controversialist.

Conflict

It was amid “much conflict” that the Thessalonians first heard Paul preach the gospel (1 Thess. 2:2). From the shameful treatment at Philippi, Paul entered Thessalonica to be opposed by the jealous Jews, by vile fellows of the rabble and by an unruly mob who set the city in an uproar against the apostle (Acts 17:1-9). He was in continual conflict with the enemies of the gospel. But, today, in many quarters this kind of conflict would be vulgar and beneath the dignity of the gospel and the “respectability” we have gained of late. May God help us to the end that such warriors as Paul may always be with us and not ashamed to meet error head on.

Confute

“And when he was minded to pass over into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him: and when he had come, he helped them much that had believed through grace; for he powerfully confuted the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ” (Acts 18:27, 28). This word “confute” in the original is formed by a combination of three words: through, down, and to convict. Hence Paul met their opposing arguments in turn, brought them down to the ground and consequently brought their blame to them. He convicted them by this process of reasoning. He convicted by taking the arguments in turn and showing their falsity. This is a truly classic example of truth routing error and its exponent. Who said debating is sinful?

A Summary

Contend, answer or apology, fight, reason or dispute, prove, conflict and confute are expressions used that demonstrate that debating is not foolish and wrong. A Christian is forced, if faithful to his duty, to debate the exponents of  errors, to throw down his arguments that truth might stand in the eyes of men.

From Truth Magazine October 1956 (Vol. 1, No. 1)

By Phil T. Arnold

For some time now the world has been accustomed to a loose use of the term “Christian” without much regard for anything the Bible or Christ has to say. If a person is religious, he is a “Christian.” If someone expresses any faith in Jesus or the Bible, he is a “Christian.” If a person is a good neighbor, a good parent, a good moral person, he is a “Christian.” According to some we even live in a “Christian” nation. While such is expected from the world at large, this trend also seems to be increasing among members of the Lord’s church. More often than ever in my memory, members of the church will speak of those outside covenant relationship with God through Christ as being “Christians.” And we read more and more about those in pulpits of “churches of Christ” accepting and even encouraging such.

“Are you saying that our denominational friends are not ‘Christians’?” “Who made you their judge?” Well, I’m not applying for the job of judge nor am I usurping that position. I have no desire to “judge” anyone. But I am commanded to “judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24) which requires that I would accurately understand and apply the word of God. I am also held accountable for informing other people of God’s judgments as expressed in his word (see Ezek. 3:17ff). Therefore, to be pleasing to God my “judgment” of who and what is a “Christian” must simply be the same as the “judgment” of God which he has revealed through his Word. I cannot apply that term to those whom God would not simply to be agreeable and non-judgmental in the eyes of the world.

One might think, feel, and call himself a citizen of the USA, but that does not make him a citizen. Citizenship requires the meeting of certain standards. Likewise, one is not a citizen of the Lord’s kingdom simply because he thinks and feels that he is and claims the name “Christian.” There is a standard revealed within the Word of what it takes to be a citizen of the Lord’s kingdom, to belong to Christ and to be married to him, and thus rightfully wear his name.

According to the Bible, who is a Christian? In Acts 11:26 we read, “So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Thus, according to the Bible those who are “Christians” are “disciples.” But how can we identify disciples? “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’” (John 8:31, 32). In order for one to be a disciple of Jesus one must “know the truth” and “abide in His word.” Should I therefore refer to others as “Christians” who do not know the truth nor abide in his word? We certainly do not live in a “Christian” nation! Simply being a good neighbor or a good parent or even a good moral person does not make one a Christian! Even being religious and even calling upon Jesus as “Lord” does not make one a Christian! Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). And again, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord, and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

What about our denominational friends? Are they Christians? Well, do they know and abide in the truth, the words of Christ? Are they doing the will of the Father, the things which Jesus said? Only if such questions could be answered in the affirmative could one rightfully be thought of and referred to as a Christian.

Consider a simple yet vital part of this matter of knowing and abiding in the Father’s will. The truth, the words Christ Jesus said in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” The baptism commanded by Jesus is said to be “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38) and “to wash away one’s sins” (Acts 22:16). With this understanding of the word of God, how could we refer to those who have not believed in Jesus and been baptized for such purposes as “Christians”? Have our denominational friends believed in Christ and been baptized for the forgiveness of their sins? If they have not, they are not “Christians” according to God’s word, according to the judgment of God, and cannot be so regarded by one who desires his judgment to agree with God.

The term “Christian” simply means “of or belonging to Christ.” Only two verses in all of God’s word speak of how one enters “into” Christ — into that relationship where one belongs to Christ. “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” (Rom. 6:3). “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). Again, these verses speak of that same act of baptism for the remission of sins based upon one’s faith in Christ. Should we refer to those who have never entered into Christ as belonging to Christ? How can we refer to them as “Christians”?

In our age of tolerance, compromise, and “political correctness” it does not seem fitting to limit the use of the term “Christian” to only those who are defined as such by the Scriptures. But then again, the world has never approved of the will of God, his Son, or his people. More members of the church and more pulpits of churches of Christ may seek the world’s favor. Yet, we simply must determine whether or not we are seeking the approval of man or God and allow that determination to define our use of the term “Christian.”

From The Evangelizer, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73139

By Lewis Willis

Not only are there a number of people here — mourners — but there is also a flood of memories crowding its way into this small chapel. That’s the way it is at funerals. Sometimes a family can scarcely see the people who are present, because of the memories. Go ahead and remember — reminisce — that’s what I intend to do in my remarks to you today, perhaps in a way that some might consider irreverently!

We Willises have been a large family of nine people. Naturally, each has his or her own thoughts today. My thoughts of the daily activities of the family are primarily of things that happened before I left home. The events in the lives of the younger children, I was not there to witness, and, therefore, I cannot speak of those things. Forgive me if there is something I should have included in these comments; I either do not know of them, or, more than likely, I have simply forgotten them. That’s the way it is with us old men!

I thought for some time for a word or expression that would somewhat sum up the life of Mom. I finally settled on “family”; I think her family was the essence and substance of her life. Make absolutely no mistake about it, her first interest was God and the Church. But after that came her family. Anyone who knew her soon learned that her heart was centered on her children and grandchildren. Thus, I call to remembrance some memories about the Family.

Of course, the beginning of a family is the marriage. Mom and Dad had been happily married for 68 years when he died exactly one year ago to the day that Mom died, August 2. What an irony! She was never the same after Dad’s death. It is inevitable that such is the case. Two people who have been together so long do not function normally when one has gone. Theirs was a good marriage. If it experienced any major problems, I was never aware of them. Oh, there were the usual fusses and disagreements, but never did Dad abuse Mom in anyway, nor she him. She was the reason for his life! She loved and respected him, and they stood beside each other until the ravages of age separated them with his death. Mom’s failing health concerned him greatly and the changes brought by her decline he was never able to understand or accept. I am convinced that his confusion over nursing home living accelerated his death. You will remember he was hospitalized for the last time when, left alone the first night at a nursing home in Ft. Worth, he tried to get to Mom to comfort her in her distress. We would all have been surprised had he been indifferent toward her plight. But he never recovered from his anxiety over her condition.

And, Mom never recovered over her loss of Dad. She often spoke of her feelings of despair that she had not mourned his death as she thought she should. With Alzheimer’s disease, I’m not certain she had the capacity to mourn as she normally would have. If she was in possession of normal capacities, however, she knew Dad was much better off in death than he could possibly have been living in his condition. How do you mourn when someone goes to Heaven’s rest? So, death separated them. That’s what happens to us all sooner or later. Such is burdensome to observe, especially when one’s parents are going through that crisis. Sadly, we watched the ravages of age on them and their marriage. Personally, I am grateful they have now been delivered from that trauma.

I want to now speak to you of Mom. She and her kids are quite another story. There were always a number of children around. Alone, we were a crowd. But, she wanted our friends to come to our house to play, “so she could keep an eye on” her kids; she insisted on knowing what we were doing. I’m not certain there was much comfort to her in that knowledge. Some of the things she saw looking out the windows watching her kids had to be less than comforting.

She saw Cecil and Don painting Grandma’s house next door. They got to the end of the job, except the gable of the wall next to our house. Unfortunately, they didn’t have a ladder long enough to reach the top so they had to make some provision to enable them to finish the job. They took two step-ladders, with a 2×12 extended between them, then placed a straight ladder in the middle. Don held the feet of the ladder on the 2×12 while Cecil climbed to the very top, with paint can and brush, and finished the painting work. With the job finally done, it was time for some fun. Cecil asked Don what he’d do if he sprinkled him with paint. Don said he’d just turn loose of the ladder he was holding. Whereupon Cecil came crashing to the ground from the top, landing on his back and catching the falling paint can just before it landed in his face. The paint sloshed out right into Cecil’s face and hair — and folks, that was the days before water-based paint! Mom not only had to witness this debacle, she also had to clean the paint off Cecil’s head. She probably should have let him just wear it off!

Out that same window she saw Cecil and Billy light a possum on fire with kerosene. The possum, with flames leaping up higher than a man’s waist, headed straight for escape under the family house, directly under the window out of which Mom was watching. The possum ran toward the house, not once but twice, and the boys barely prevented the house being burned down! I’m sure she was comforted to watch what her kids were doing that day!

One of the most frightening things to happen was when she learned that Don was severely injured when the saddle slipped on the horse he was riding, catching his foot in the stirrup, and dragging him across a bridge. He was unconscious, and was taken to the hospital. You had to be in pretty bad shape at our house to be taken to the hospital in those days. After the marvelous medical care he received in Lufkin, he was sent home, still unconscious! And he remained unconscious for three days! Apparently it was thought he might as well be at home, after all, there were no broken bones. And, he survived, though we have always had an obvious explanation for Don through the years since that happened!

I was the third child; the only truly good one of the bunch! I was never any trouble; I was always doing exactly as I had been told to do. The only problem I ever had was surviving all the slanderous reports about me that Ouida gave to Mom. Though she is younger than I, that’s the way it is with oldest sisters. They always get their brothers in trouble. Unfortunately, remember Mom made us play at home so she could watch all of this confusion and hear hourly behavior reports.
Then, there was Sue; beautiful Sue! Always primping and preparing for her anticipated glamourous life! I cannot recall her every doing anything mischievous or mean. For that matter, I cannot recall her ever doing anything at all! Just sitting around looking pretty!

Mom watched out her window as Mike became a cowboy. He learned to ride calves at a very early age. Cecil came home from college, we had a new baby calf, and little Mike (perhaps three years old) simply had to learn to ride that calf. He had some difficulty at first but he soon mastered the art . . . when Cecil tied Mike’s feet under the belly of the calf! Mike bounced around the yard on that calf until he because an expert cowboy. Or, until the calf tired of jumping. Or, until Mom demanded that Cecil save her baby! I don’t know which came first. But, the shaking he received also somewhat explains Mike today, doesn’t it? I’ve heard him say that he has no hair today because that calf rubbed it all off, dragging him around the yard. I don’t knows if that’s true or not; something definitely happened to Mike’s hair though!

Now, Barbara was the youngest, and was therefore totally spoiled. The kids that were still at home as she grew up probably, at the time, didn’t even like her. Mom had decided that Barbara was going to be a concert pianist, I guess. Anyway, she saved her dimes and coins until she was able to buy Barbara a piano. This was probably the worst thing that ever happened to the other kids. Thereafter, anytime there was a job to do around the house, Barbara was unavailable to help; she had to practice her piano lessons. Mom must have really been “watching her kids” at that time. I’m a little surprised that both Barbara and the piano didn’t just mysteriously disappear one night!

Yes, Mom kept us at home, so she could watch us, and know what we were doing. She must have felt much  better about us all, after witnessing some of the things we did! The other mothers of the community, no doubt, felt better about the safety of their children, knowing Mom was “watching us.”

There were times when discipline was required. Switches were the order of the day; she could use one better than most mothers. On a bare back, her switches seemed almost lethal. Psychologists and psychiatrists today, with all their psycho-babble, tell us how damaging discipline is for kids. However, I’ve now seen several generations of children who have been raised on their philosophy, and I prefer Mom’s child-raising philosophy more than theirs. I believe her approach worked better and I think my brothers and sisters share that same view. None of us was permanently damaged by her discipline.

Mom’s love for the Lord and the church must also be remembered. She did something special which certainly none of us understood at the time. You see, until Cecil, and then Don, started preaching, Dad didn’t go to worship. She always took us to every worship . . . alone! I do not believe there was a family in the church more faithful than ours. During the critical, formative years of her children, she was determined they would know the Lord. That was the principle work of Mom. Dad was off somewhere else at worship time. He was usually working on one of his trucks all day, getting ready for Monday morning and his logging work.

Sundays always began the same way. A big breakfast was prepared for all. After breakfast, Dad had the boys do the dishes, then help him make the beds, and he swept the entire house, from one end to the other. Meanwhile, Mom was getting the girls ready for worship. Each had long hair and she meticulously curled every strand; she did it perfectly, and they were beautiful. We all had special “church clothes” which Mom had carefully prepared ahead of time for the worship. When we went off to worship, we were wearing the very best, and cleanest clothes we had! We didn’t sit in the back at worship; we were seated on the front benches. For some reason, she always had me sitting on the bench directly in front of her and every time Ouida did something, Mom pinched me! I still don’t understand that.

Let me tell you something else I remember about the religion of our family in those days. In spite of our dire financial circumstances, we always had “meat” to eat on Sundays and Wednesdays. That’s because the preachers ate with us on those days. The men who preached here in Groveton always had a Sunday invitation to lunch at our house, and to spend the afternoon with us. If it was just the preacher, or him and his wife, or him and his wife and five kids, whatever, they all were invited to our house on Sunday. And, usually in the afternoon, the neighborhood kids assembled there as well. Some good football games were played on Sunday afternoons on the dirt road that ran in front of our house.

But, this was not all about food and fun. Mom was raising a large family, and she was determined to spiritually lead us properly. If Dad was not there to take the lead, then she had to do all she could, enlisting the help of the godly men who preached here, to see that her kids turned out to be Christians. If she had to work harder to accomplish that, she would pay the price. Cecil and Don, in their critical teenager years, came under the influence of these brethren, and they obeyed the Gospel. Through the influence of Mom, Grandma and Jodie, and those preachers, in time Cecil and Don decided they would spend their lives preaching the Gospel. They were nurtured along and encouraged by Mom and these brethren, and by the time they were in high school, both had Sunday preaching appointments in small congregations throughout this part of the country. Though Dad was still not faithful, the boys would each take a log truck, and drive to their preaching appointments on Sundays.

Mom had achieved her objective with her two oldest children. Through their influence, in time I also became a gospel preacher, as did Mike; all four of us. The girls all also obeyed the gospel. Ouida’s husband was an elder in the church, and Sue’s husband is a deacon. The family has had a significant impact on the church as a result of Mom’s faithfulness. When Cecil held his first gospel meeting here in Groveton, Ouida and I were baptized, and Dad was restored. Dad remained faithful to the end of his days! That, too, must be attributed to Mom’s faithfulness. Had she just lived as he had, none of us would likely be serving God today.

The preaching of Mom’s sons has been far-reaching. In those days, she could never have imagined the impact her family would have on the church of the 20th and 21st centuries. From this small town of about 1000-1200 people, her boys have gone forth. We have preached in most parts of Texas, into many different places in Florida, Kentucky, Kansas, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia, Alabama, California, Illinois, Michigan, Hawaii, Alaska, and Wisconsin. Probably other states as well. We have preached in Eastern and Western Canada, in the Philippines, in Israel, Germany, and in Greece. We have had opportunity to teach many more through religious journals we have edited, articles we have written for publication, church bulletins we have edited, radio teaching we have done, published debates we have conducted, and books and tracts we have written. Who would ever have dreamed that a Mother living in a small East Texas town might touch the lives of so many, in such distant places, as Mom did through her sons? She put us in a place to be taught the Truth, and was determined we would know how important it is to teach and defend it. It is a tribute to Mom, for without her direction, such would never have happened.

Mom was not totally absorbed in her husband and her children. She actively sought occasion to get out of the house and into her own activities. When we owned the Woodlake store, she was in it meeting, talking with, and serving the people of the community. Through the years, she worked many hours in the Post Office at Woodlake. She loved to laugh and joke, till near the end of her life. When the doctors told her she was dying, Ouida asked her if she wouldn’t like to go see Dad. She responded, “Let Sue go!”

Her passion was crocheting. Dad called it knot-tying. She made many beautiful items for her family and friends through the years. Her last big undertaking was crocheting family last names for her children and grandchildren. She even made some of these items for distant relatives and strangers. She crocheted probably 125 of these name displays. They are beautiful when mounted and framed. Young people, Mom would be pleased if, each time you see and admire her crochet work in the future, you would remember her, and her love for you which prompted her to spend so many hours making that “name” display for you.

Mom dearly loved to sing. All of her children can and love to sing, also. We used to travel throughout this region to singings conducted by churches of Christ. We had a quartet, consisting of Mom, Cecil, Don, and me. We entertained our area brethren with spiritual songs, until we learned that the worship of the Lord is not to be entertainment. Had we had our preference, we would have preferred to continue.

Many hours were spent at home singing. When the peas were picked each year, after supper we all went to the back porch to shell them. Sometimes there would be several tubs of peas to shell, so it took a lot of time. Sometimes the neighbors came to help with the task, sometimes we helped them at their homes. But, always we sang! We knew the words, the parts, and the music by heart. There were very few songs we couldn’t sing. We sang the “fancy, spirited” songs, and we sang the old standards. You know the words of one of them. Sing it with me:

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear;
What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer.
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, Everything to God in prayer.

Listen . . . Listen . . . Can you not almost hear her singing the alto part years ago, or in later years, singing the tenor? Yes, we hear and we remember. That’s why we could hardly sing that old familiar song today.

Family and friends, ladies and gentlemen, these things of which I have spoken are family memories — Precious Memories. J.B.F. Wright penned a song by that title, some of the words of which stir our souls today:

Precious father, loving mother, Fly across the lonely years;
And old home scenes of my childhood, In fond memory appear.
Precious mem’ries, how they linger, How they ever flood my soul;
In the stillness of the midnight, Precious, sacred scenes unfold.

It has occurred to me that this will very probably be our last family gathering here in Groveton . .  . this occasion then will itself become a Precious Memory, hopefully. We have briefly gazed back upon an ancestor and our ancestry. We have shared some laughs and some tears. And now we must take Mom to her final resting place beside Dad and Cecil. The moments will pass swiftly now; savor them each and every one. Paint the scene indelibly on your mind and heart as we go to Sumpter Cemetery. Remember each mile, each step of the way. And, should your travels bring you into this area in the future, remember their grave sites; pause to visit, to pay your respects, to remember.

Yes, We Are Going Down The Valley One By One, Frankie, then Cecil, Dad, and now Mom. She committed herself to place in our hearts and lives the faith of the New Testament. If you have never obeyed that Gospel, do so at your earliest opportunity; don’t waste any valuable time in doing so. If you are not a faithful Christian, repent of your sins, and start serving God again. If you are in a human denomination, get out while you can; you cannot go to Heaven in that human-controlled church. If you are in an unfaithful church of Christ, one teaching, sympathizing with, and/or practicing error, get out while you can.

We, too, will join that procession into eternity ere long, marching toward Judgment Day. Let’s all get ready so we can join our loved ones who have gone before, and by God’s grace and mercy, let’s enter the portals of Heaven itself, safely at home again with each other and with our God, as a family!

491 E. Woodsdale, Akron, Ohio 44301

By Irvin Himmel

All of us are babes when born into God’s family, but maturity should be our aim. A mature person is fully developed, grown up, seasoned, experienced; he has attained spiritual adulthood or wholeness.

The word “perfect” sometimes is used in the Bible in the sense of mature or complete, rather than meaning flawless (Eph. 4:13; Col. 1:28; 4:12; Heb. 6:1; Jas. 1:4).

The following are some indications of maturity:

Childish Things Are Put Away

Paul once remarked, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11). His illustration of a point about the duration of spiritual gifts may be applied to our subject.

Childish speech is put away. A child’s speech may be broken, incoherent, and confused. Clear speech requires clear thinking (1 Cor. 14:20). Childish attitudes and reactions are discarded. Grown men and women who whimper and whine to get attention are childish. Reacting to a problem like a spoiled brat is a childish thing. Arguing as if to get in the last word is a childish thing. All such actions are put away by the mature.

Ability to Take Solid Food

Some Christians who ought to be teachers still need first principles; they need milk, not solid food. “For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5-12-14). Many church members prefer spiritual pablum to divine T-bones! Growth comes through use or practice.

Experience in the word of God is gained by searching the scriptures (1 Tim. 4:13; Acts 17:11), by meditation (Pss. 1:1-2; 119:97), and by being taught and by teaching others.

Ability to Discern Good and Evil

“But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil” (Heb. 5:14, NASB). The faculties of the soul must “discriminate between those things which differ in their moral qualities” (R. Milligan). We are constantly confronted with decisions relating to morals and ethics. Mature minds are discerning minds. Skill in discernment is “the hallmark of maturity” (R.S. Taylor).

Isaiah charged that some in his day were so confused that they called evil good, and good evil. “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa. 5:20). Today, some do not see any wrong in dancing, mixed bathing, social drinking, buying lottery tickets, etc., because they lack mature discernment of the difference between good and evil. They fail to distinguish between that which brings honor to God and that which brings reproach on his name.

Self-Discipline

A mature person has learned to control anger. Someone has compared anger to a circus performer walking the high wire with no safety net. Even a quick flash of anger has great potential to lead to sin (Eph. 4:26-27). When someone gets mad, anger takes control of him. “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Prov. 16:32).

A mature individual bridles his tongue (Jas. 1:26; 3:1-12). When properly used, our words perform much good in God’s service. When wrongly used, they produce enormous damage. The tongue, though a little member of the body, is a potential fire; it can generate a world of iniquity. Speech-control is a must.

A mature Christian keeps his body in subjection (1 Cor. 9:27). He keeps a watchful eye on himself. The practice of self-restraint requires submission to God and denial of self. The desires of the flesh are not allowed to override the higher spiritual interests.

Steadfastness

A sure sign of immaturity is one’s being carried about with every wind of doctrine. Paul tells us to “be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness . . . But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph. 4:14-15). A stern warning is issued in Hebrews 13:9, “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.” Some people seem attracted to every novel idea that is introduced.
Instead of vacillating from one stance to another, the mature Christian is “stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). His feet are planted solidly on the foundation of truth. He will not yield to popular trends and powerful personalities. He rises above petty bickering and perseveres in pursuing peace and holiness (Heb. 13:14). He runs with patience the race set before him, focusing on Jesus, the source and perfecter of his faith (Heb. 12:1-2).

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