The Truth in Print Vol. 25 Issue 2, Mar. 2019
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website
Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Various Newspaper Articles from 2018 #2
Surely Know What A Pharisee Is ~ When Charging
Others As One!
False names are spewed at others by those in
total ignorance of the meaning of the labels used. Most don’t have the faintest
idea what a real live Pharisee was in New Testament times. Pharisaism
is defined as “2. Hypocritical observance of the letter of religious or moral
law without regard for the spirit” (Am. Heritage Dict.). Jesus stated that God
must be worshipped “in spirit and in truth” (Jo. 4:24). Jesus said “He that
hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that
loveth me” (Jo. 14:21). You can’t remove the
“keeping” part and be pleasing to Him. Loving Him is keeping His commandments!
The one who obeys His commands is the one He loves in return (Jo. 14:21-24).
God requires hearts that desire to obey His word. All of the New Testament
requirements are His revealed Word (Matt. 28:18-20; Jo. 16:13-14; I Cor.
14:37). God expects us to keep all of His commands (Ja. 1:22, 2:8-10). Moreover
we love fellow Christians acceptably only when we keep His commandments (Read I
Jo. 5:2, 3:18).
Who honored God with their lips, but their
hearts were far from Him? Whose worship
was empty (useless) because they rejected the commandments of God, and taught
for doctrine the commandments of men? (Mk. 7:3-9). Whose hearts bound religious
observances God never bound? (Matt. 9:14; 15:2; Mk. 2:16). Who loved the honor
of men above that of God’s? (Matt. 23:2-7). Who disregarded righteous judgment?
(Lk. 11:42). Who was known for telling others what was right but they
themselves did not practice it? (Matt. 23:3-7).
In all of these it was the Pharisees!
Surely Friends of Jesus ~ Those Who Accuse
Others of “Legalism” for Obeying Christ’s Commandments
The word “Legalism” is defined in the
American Heritage Dictionary as “Strict literal adherence to the law or to a particular
code, as of religion or morality.”
“Legalist!” is among labels spewed by those who have the teachings of
Christ all wrong. Jesus said "If you love Me, you
will keep My commandments” (Jo. 14:15). So what is wrong with obeying Christ by
keeping His commandments? Only a phony and hypocritical understanding of what
it means to “love Him” would say otherwise. Christ said “And thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mk. 12:30).
This “keeping” does not lack love!
In Jo. 15:14 He said “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” Christ defines
“friendship” with Him not you. Jesus said “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth
me” (Jo. 14:21). Jesus defines “love” for Him not you. Self-deception is
thinking you are His friend, and you love Him when you are not keeping His
commands. He said “He who does not love Me does not
keep My words” (Jo. 14:24). Keeping His commands defines what it truly means to
love fellow Christians (I Jo. 5:2). We must love in deed and in truth (I Jo.
3:18). “Tongues” that accuse others of being legalists (negative sense) for
their keeping the commandments are not God’s love, not His deeds and certainly
no friends of Jesus!
Surely Farfetched ~ The
Church Can’t Be About Religion Or It Is A Cult
“Religion” simply means observance, worship.
The New Testament doctrine is the religion of Christ that comes by obeying His
Word (See “sound doctrine” in 2 Tim. 4:1-5, 3:16-17; Rom. 16:17). Concerning
Christians, James says one can think himself to be religious, deceive himself,
and his religion be empty should he not bridle his tongue (Ja. 1:26). Contrary
to this James 1:27 defines pure religion. We are to be doers of the word not
hearers only (James 1:22-26). The Word revealed by the Holy Spirit is “the
perfect law” (Ja. 1:25, 2:12). God’s grace through Christ has a “law” that one
is always to obey; James addresses the individual Christian’s duty under
Christ’s law. That has caused some to think that the only “religion” God
requires is that the individual “keep himself unspotted from the world” (James
1:27). This is used to deny the necessity of local church membership and being
a part of its collective work. Beware! Commands such as “not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together” (Heb. 10:25) are thought not worthy of
consideration.
The title statement is truly farfetched.
Christ’s “perfect law” (the N.T.) also gives a specific organization through
which Christians are to function i.e. the local church (Acts 14:23). The
members of the church at Philippi were to be in one spirit, with one mind
striving together for the faith of the Gospel (Phil.1:27). Christ’s “law” gives
specific instructions for collective duties involving worship, teaching,
support of preaching, oversight, the place of women, withdrawal etc. Those
specifics present the “church” and not a body following its own teachings made
up by mere men.
The
Valley Church of Christ
2375
W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928)
782-5058 ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday
Services – Classes ~10:00; Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday
evening – 7:00 pm.
The Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street,
Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 782-5058 ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00;
Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm.
To learn more call, visit or visit our website at: