PREACHING THE GOSPEL IN LOVE

 W.L. Totty (Deceased)

          “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16.) In that statement John expressed the epitome of love.

          We hear so much about “preaching the gospel in love.” We all agree that we must preach the gospel in love. Love for lost souls should be what prompts men to preach the gospel. Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15-16.) When we hear a person today talking about “preaching the gospel in love,” and that we must “have love,” generally that person is advocating a compromise with error to keep from offending someone.

We have examples of Christ’s preaching in love, and we are to follow him. Speaking to the Pharisees, he said, “Ye hypocrites, well did Esias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matt. 15:7-9.) It seems that the disciples were surprised that Jesus would condemn the Pharisees so severely and asked him, “Knowest though that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?” (V. 12.) The way we hear some people talk about “preaching the gospel in love,” one who does not know the scriptures would conclude that Jesus then went to the Pharisees and told them he was sorry for what he had said to them, that he had not exhibited as much love as he should. When his disciples asked that question, he answered, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” (V. 14.) Would anyone say Jesus was not preaching in love? He did not apologize; and if we imitate Christ, we will have no necessity for apology.

When Christ had preached in the synagogue at Capernaum, he knew that some of his disciples murmured because they thought his teaching was “hard”; and Jesus asked them, “Doth this offend you?” (John 6:61.) Instead of apologizing, he said, “...the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life….Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” (John 6:63,65.) And the Bible says, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” (V. 66.) Jesus did not apologize but, rather, turned to the twelve and asked them, “Will ye also go away?” (V. 67.) Then Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Vs. 68-69.) Jesus preached the truth, and the people could accept it or reject it. We likewise have no other to whom we can go; therefore, we must preach the truth in love of truth, not in love of error.

Not only did Christ preach in a straightforward manner, but his apostles and those who worked with them preached it without fear or favor. Stephen said to the unbelieving Jews, “Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers.” (Acts 7:51-52.) The people were so enraged at Stephen’s preaching that they killed him; yet, it did not call for an apology on his part.

If Paul had compromised the truth and apologized for everything that offended the people, there would have been no necessity of his having to escape their wrath by being let down over the wall of the city of Damascus at night in a basket. At Philippi Paul condemned error and was beaten and put in jail. Moreover, he wrote to the church at Thessalonica that he had preached the gospel to them with much contention. (I Thess. 2:2.) To the church at Corinth he said, “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.” (I Cor. 4:16.) Paul was following Christ, for in I Cor. 11:1, he said, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” His condemning of error in preaching the gospel finally resulted in his being killed.

When Peter and John were threatened in Jerusalem by the Jewish authorities, Peter answered, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20.) Again, when he had been charged by the high priest with having filled Jerusalem with his doctrine and of accusing the Jews of being guilty of the blood of Christ, Peter answered, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

We must love the truth of God enough to follow the example of Jesus, Paul, Peter and others and be willing to die, if necessary, in order to preach it; and we must “hate every false way.” (Psa. 119:4.)

THE SOBERING PERIL OF SPIRITUAL DREAMERS

 John Chowning

          “These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding upon themselves without fear; clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame, wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.” (Jude 12-13.)

They destroy Christian fellowship and brotherly love: They are spots (or hidden rocks-ASV) in your love feasts. In the first century, Christians ate together (Acts 2:46, 20:11). Regardless of whether these meals were potlucks where everyone brought a dish or were dinners furnished by wealthier Christians for their destitute brothers and sisters, they were called “love feasts”. They were intended to be a time of pleasant social interaction which would strengthen the bonds of fellowship and brotherhood. Like a hair in a sumptuous dish, change agents are spiritual pollutants—”spots”—which can and will destroy the brotherly kindness and love which prompt these occasions. Like a dangerous reef just below the water line in a river, these spiritual dreamers are a covert and sure peril to the love and unity of God’s people. Even though these occasions of eating together are intended to encourage unselfishness and greater, more fervent brotherly love, spiritual dreamers use them for self-serving purposes. They were so successful in their efforts that church historians state these meals were discontinued by the fourth century because the change agents had selfishly turned them into ungodly debaucheries. Spiritual dreamers pollute and shipwreck Christian fellowship and brotherly love.

They destroy faith by creating false hope: They are clouds without water. A thirsty land—parched by heat and arid conditions—longs for a gentle refreshing rain. Anticipation builds as rain clouds move from the horizon to overhead. These hopes, however, are dashed when the clouds move away without leaving a drop of moisture. Change agents speak great swelling words which are smooth and impressive. Because people are pointed to a faith in them instead of God, their words—when believed—ultimately cultivate a spiritual cancer of disappointment and disillusionment. Instead of offering an anchor to the soul which is steadfast and sure, they promise much and deliver nothing of substance or benefit. Spiritual dreamers subvert Biblical hope and then blow out of town.

They sabotage good works and spiritual maturity: They are late autumn trees without fruit. Fall is harvest time in an apple orchard. Imagine the barrenness an orchard would have in the autumn if every tree were dead from the roots up. Instead of fruit, all you could see would be branchy skeletons which need to be turned into firewood. Because of the toxin of their false teaching, change agents kill off the root of spiritual growth. They destroy the fruits of obedience and good works which are essential to Christianity. Good soil has been poisoned. Spiritual dreamers decimate spiritual growth.

They thrive on “making waves”: They are raging waves of the sea. One of the soothing appeals of an ocean’s beach is the sound of ever moving water. Regardless of whether the tide is ebbing in or out, a steady roll of waves breaks upon the shore. Each wave leaves behind its own personal deposit of seaweed, shells, and other aquatic odds and ends. Like the ocean, change agents always strive to have something astir. They crave the attention that unrest brings. Their ravening egos need constant sympathy and recognition. But all this only results in spiritual flotsam. Nothing holy or spiritually beneficial comes from these spiritual prima donnas. Spiritual dreamers foment unnecessary division.

They are doomed rebels: They are wandering stars headed for a spiritual black hole. A wandering star is an anomaly. Typically, the lights in the firmament of heaven—the sun, moon, and stars—are most predictable in fulfilling their assigned task of marking days, seasons, and years. A wandering (or shooting) star may briefly light up the night sky and impress the few stargazers who are watching, but its brief moment of fame is quickly over, and its eternal oblivion is irreversible. Change agents—like Cain, Balaam, and Korah (v. 11)—get to do their own thing for a while, but their notoriety is temporary, and their infamy is eternal. Once they depart from this life, they are forever in a spiritual black hole with no possibility of return. Spiritual dreamers are ungodly rebels without a noble cause.

—Christian Messenger. May 2, 2024.  Vol. XLV, No. 18.

SOME CHANGELESS THINGS IN A CHANGING WORLD

BEN F. VICK, JR.

          The world about us is constantly changing. The world of 100 years ago would not recognize this new world of today. There have been advancements in the fields of science, medicine, technology and in many other areas. The world of computers is progressing so rapidly that those who buy them for their businesses soon recognize them as being out of date. But in a world of change, there are some things which are changeless; and in an age of constant movement, there remains some things which are constant and unmoveable.

Down through the tunnel of time, with each new generation, Satan and his devices have remained the same. He is cunning and subtle in his attacks. (Gen. 3:1; Eph. 6:11.) His appearances may be concealed with the clothes of an angel of light; but beneath the garb, he is cloaked with the dagger of death. (II Cor. 11:14; Rom. 6:23.) His methods remain the same, regardless of the victim. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (I John 2:16.) Therefore, let us not be ignorant of Satan’s devices. (II Cor. 2:11.)

Though the world is changing, man with his basic needs and desires has not changed. We are born into this world with souls as spotless and as pure as the freshly driven snow, but we become polluted and stained by our transgression of God’s law. (I John 3:4.) The Wise Man said, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” (Eccl. 7:29.) Though the prophet Ezekiel was referring to the king of Tyrus, the principle is the same when he said, “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” (Ezek. 28:15.) Man has always had the freedom of choice as to whether he wanted “life and good” or “death and evil.” Man’s need for salvation will never change as long as sin is in the world. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23.)

The world of the past as some knew/know it has altered; yet, the love of God for mankind has never admitted alteration. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16.) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8.) At the same time that God loves the sinner, we must recognize his hatred for sin. (Psa. 119:104; Rev. 2:15.) Regardless of man’s rejection of the only begotten Son, the Father in heaven still loves him. This does not mean God approves of man’s ways. (Jer. 10:23.) Though the prodigal son was in a far country, wasting away his substance in riotous living, the father still loved the lost boy. But this in no way means he approved of his son’s actions. (Lk. 15.) Friends, though the world changes, the Lord said, “I change not.” (Mal. 3:6.)

The church will remain as God intended, even when the world about her is moving. Paul wrote, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we many serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Heb. 12:28.) Daniel wrote by the Holy Spirit 600 years before Christ, “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” (Dan. 2:44.) Someone might ask, “Well, what about during the Dark Ages, where was the church?” It may have only been in seed form, but it existed. (Lk. 8:11.) A farmer may have his crop for next year, but only in seed form. The organization, doctrine, worship, practice and name of the church can be found within the seed which is the word of God. If we plant the same seed, we will produce the same crop as the early church did.

In an age of cell phones, i-Pads and laptops, the word of God remains constant and unchanging. We can rely upon it and place our trust in its promises. The Psalmist wrote, “The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” (Psa. 12:6-7.) Men have attempted in a number of ways to taint, mar, and pervert it; “but the word of the Lord endureth for ever.”

It is a fact that the life span of man today has increased compared to past generations, but death will still come to all until Christ returns. Paul wrote, “For as in Adam all die…” (I Cor. 15:22.) “What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?” (Psa. 89:48.) The Hebrew writer states, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.” Both death and the judgement cannot be altered. Therefore, the time to prepare is now. (II Cor. 6:2.) There are no second opportunities after death.

The fact that there is a heaven and hell promised to two classes of people cannot be altered. Men may attempt to “explain away” the place called hell, but it still remains. We may not be able to fathom the glories of heaven, but they remain for the obedient. “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matt. 25:46.) Hell is prepared for the devil and his angels, but others will be cast there as well. (Matt. 25:41; 24:51; II Thess. 1:6-10; Rev. 20:10.) Heaven is a sure place for the faithful and obedient. (Rev. 2:10.)

Thus, in a world filled with change, let us “hold to God’s unchanging hand” and trust in his abiding word.

“I AM THE DOOR”

BEN F. VICK, JR. 

          “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” (John 10:7-9).

          In the gospel of John, chapter ten, we have another of our Savior’s “I Ams.” Earlier, after a debate between Jesus and the Jews, they took up stones to throw at him. But Jesus left the temple area and passed through the midst of them. As he passed by, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. Jesus anointed his eyes with clay and told him to wash in the pool of Siloam, which he did, and his eyes were opened. Five conversations ensued between the former blind man and his neighbors, the blind man and the Pharisees, the Pharisees and the parents of the man born blind, the Pharisees again, and finally Jesus with the man.

Jesus said, “I am the door of the sheep…. I am the door….” Jesus portrays himself as “an opening that permits passage.” In this context, he is the entrance or gate through which sheep pass. Jesus is “the door,”  not a door. Entrance into the Lord’s sheepfold or sheepcote is singular. The definite article “the” tells us there is only one entrance. That entrance is Jesus.

Later, we read Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). There is only one way into the sheepfold. Thus, it is not through Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, nor Mohammad, the founder of Islam, nor the Pope, nor the founder of Mormonism, nor Emanuel Swedenborg, nor Mary Baker Patterson Eddy, the founder of the Christian Scientist, nor Ellen White, Joseph Bates, J. N. Andrews, and James White,  founders of 7th Day Adventism, nor by John Wesley founder of the Methodist Church nor by  John Smyth, founder of the Baptist Church, etc. These are all thieves and robbers (John 10:1,8).

Peter said, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The entrance into the church and ultimately into heaven is by Jesus Christ. One must follow his commands in order for the Lord to add one to the church (Acts 2:47). Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). The writer of Hebrews penned these words: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:8-9). John wrote, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:14). Just what does the Lord, the entrance into the church, require?

He commands us to believe. “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). Jesus said, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Acts 15:7; Rom. 10:17). One who does not believe stands condemned. Jesus said, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). In the same context, Jesus said, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). It is interesting how the American Standard renders this verse:  “He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). “Believeth” in the King James Version is replaced with “obeyeth” in the American Standard Version of 1901. 

One must repent. Paul to the philosophers on Mars Hill in Athens said, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30). Jesus said, “He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). Repentance is a change of heart brought about by godly sorrow which leads to a reformation of life. It is the most difficult command to obey because it involves the will. See these other verses: Luke 13:3,5; 24:46-47; Acts 2:38;  3:19; 2 Cor. 7:10; 2 Peter 3:9. 

Acknowledging or confessing Christ before men is also commanded. To the Romans, Paul wrote, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:9-10). Paul told Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1 Tim. 6:12). The Ethiopian eunuch made the good confession:  “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:37).

Baptism is also commanded to enter through the door. Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16). On that first Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ, Peter told his hearers:  “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). When we are baptized, we in a symbolic way go through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Rom. 6:3-4). Jesus shed his blood in his death; we are baptized into his death; therefore, we contact his precious blood in baptism. Baptism puts us into Christ or the one body (Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Cor. 12:13).  

Once in Christ, the one sheepfold, we must be obedient to the voice of the Good Shepherd. Have you entered the Door?

THE EARLY VIOLET

A violet was lodged near the steps of a house where, in the early spring, it could receive the noonday sun. When a pleasant day came around the early sun touched it tenderly, and it began to lift itself up to see once more the world from which it had been so long retired, and to hear the bird songs that were part of the vernal happiness. But the north wind happened to see it, and enraged at its audacity and presumption, and especially at its contempt of hyperborean authority, attacked it fiercely and drove it back to its seclusion. It was the most savage wind of the season. The brightness and joy that were appearing where it had reigned with its rigors and destructions irritated it to unaccustomed passion, and its bluster was such as neither December nor January had equaled. Its wrath was all concentrated upon the retreating violet. By night and day it scolded, shook its fists, brandished its weapons, shrieking, threatening, and abusing as only the north wind can. And then it came with chilling rains, after which it beat it with snow and pelted it with rain and hail. The least sign of activity in the violet would start it up, when, all over again, the plant would bear its reproaches and peltings for daring to intrude its flippant vanity upon the traditional gravity of the season. All this while the violet said nothing. Why should it fight with anything so unreasoning as a Rocky Mountain tempest? But as it had opportunity it sent its roots a little farther down into the soil and starting the life to circulating through its stems and leaves, waited for the wind to become jaded and discouraged, when it would no longer interfere with its liberty. And at length it had its reward, for one bright day it pushed up its purple face and smiled a breath of fragrance on the air, the north wind only frowning, grumbling, then sulkily stalking off to leave it to itself.

When the owner who had planted and watched it leaned down close to see its beauty and inhale its sweetness, it pleasantly whispered in his ear, “Let me be a lesson to you. When men assail you, just let them have their way. Nothing is gained by fighting ill-tempered passion. Wait in patience, do your work as you can, believe in the coming sunshine, look out hopefully on the future, trust in God, and when your assailants have wearied themselves and gone off, you can smile and be thankful just as I do to-day.”

--Jeremiah Rankin Johnston, pp. 87-88.

The apostle Paul told Timothy, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Tim. 3:10–12).

Persecution may come in different forms. Jesus warned his disciples, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:22–26). 

Jesus said, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt. 5:10–12). Peter sets forth Jesus as an example to imitate when persecution comes our way: “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2:20–24).

Paul encouraged Hebrew Christians to endure despite the persecutions that came their way: “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” (Heb. 10:32–39).

At the instituting of his supper and in the shadow of the cross, Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you [plural pronoun, speaking to all his apostles – bfv], that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee [Simon Peter], that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31–32). Jesus warned his apostles of the efforts of Satan. Then he said to Peter, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” Do you suppose Jesus prays for us in our  times of difficulties that our faith will not fail?  Regardless of the persecution that will come our way as Christians, we must endure.   BFV