THE TRUTH IN PRINT
Vol. 11 Issue 5, June 2005
A
Publication of the Valley
(928-539-7089)
Dear reader the
following bold headings are selected articles that appeared in our local
newspaper the Yuma Sun. The intent of these articles is that each shows a love
for and desire to present the Truth without
incorporating the emotional flavor so popular with other religious
bodies today.
Has
Someone Pulled The Plug From Your Life?
Does your life seem empty and without purpose? Do you seem to grasp that
your days are fleeting and even at its best that life is like a shadow passing
away? Do you feel like you have been made to possess sorrow and wearisome
nights? Do you feel troubled by the flattering speech and double-mindedness you
see and hear? Do you see men speaking foolishness and their right hand as a
hand full of deceit? Is it upsetting that men of low degree are empty and men
of high degree are liars? Do your own sins bother you? Do you see how men grasp
at youth and beauty, although it is consumed away with time? Do you see the
rich who cannot be satisfied with riches, seeking still more? Do you see
dissatisfaction in mind as men try to find the answer to life by grasping after
mirth and pleasure? Is man’s envy a vexation of spirit? Do you yearn to be
removed from vanity and lies and simply have that which is necessary? Do you
see psychology, mere human wisdom, failing miserably again and again in
providing the right answers to vexation of spirit?
Dear reader Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I
am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My
yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-32).
Holding
Back Truth To Be A “Seeker Friendly” Church
The clear instruction in the New Testament is that man should turn from
useless things to the living God, who made heaven, the earth, the sea, and all
things that are therein (Cf. Act 14:11-18). Every person should repent of their
sins and seek God for He is not far from each one of us, Paul taught (Cf. Acts
17:27-32). The reason being that God has appointed a day of Judgment wherein
each will give an account for the deeds done in the body, for every secret
deed, whether good or bad (Cf. 2 Cor. 5:10; Heb. 9:27).
The above said,
what is the local church to present to one who should be seeking God? Simply
stated the church is to be the pillar and support of the truth as revealed in
the New Testament, Paul said (I Tim. 3:15). Its worship is to be rendered in
spirit and in truth (Cf. John 4:24, 8:32). The church has a responsibility
through its teachers to present “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). Thus
there will be no “holding back” in order to impress and attract visitors. It
should never be as one explained in saying that the district had sent their
church notice not to teach on divorce, for that would keep them from being
“seeker friendly.” When churches do their own work, as stated above, then
visitors who need to repent and turn to God will hear and see the truth and
force of the Gospel and be called to account in their own conscience before
God, Paul said. These will appreciate the truth (Cf. I Cor. 14:24-25).
Among The Apostles There Was No Pope!
The Lord chose “twelve” apostles for His ministry (Cf. Matt. 10:2-4). To
replace Judas the qualifications for another apostle were clearly set forth.
The man had to have “accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in
and out among us beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was
taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His
resurrection,” Peter said (Acts 1:21-22). This and being an eyewitness of the
resurrected Christ before His ascension was required. The Pope is sadly lacking
here! The Lord’s choice of Matthias made “thirteen” apostles in this official
usage of the word.
Later the Lord appeared personally to Paul calling him to be an apostle
(Acts 9; Gal. 1:1, 11-17). Referring to himself as one born out of due time
Paul said, “Then last of all He was seen by me also” (I Cor. 15:8). Being the
14th and last Paul declared that he “was not a whit behind the
chiefest apostle” (Cf. 2 Cor. 11:5). If Paul was not a whit behind Peter, then
Peter could not have enjoyed supremacy! (Cf. Gal. 2:6-9) When the apostles
argued over supremacy Jesus countered with “it shall not be so among you”
(Matt. 20:25-28). Paul had to rebuke Peter publicly because of his racism and
hypocrisy (Gal. 2:11-21).
Jesus is the head of His church thus possessing all authority in heaven
and on earth (Cf. Matt. 28:18-20; Col. 1:18). The apostles’ authority was not
legislative authority; they simply presented to the world what Christ through
the Holy Spirit gave to them (Cf. John 16:13; Mk. 16:15-16). They were guided
into “all” the truth, the revelation of His will was completed in the first
century, and those who would add to it or take from it were to be accursed (Cf.
Jo. 16:13; Gal. 1:8-12; Jude 3). Paul warned about men who would desire “to be
considered just as we are” stating that such are false apostles, deceitful
workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ” (Cf. 2 Cor.
11:12-15).
Scriptural
Warnings Appropriate For Grad Night
With the view in mind that there are still parents and young adults who
care about morality and integrity we issue the follow scriptural warnings:
1. Do Not Be The
Parent Whose Child Knows You Are A Hypocrite. Teens are plenty capable of
connecting the parent’s own immorality with their telling them not to do the
same. Telling kids to say “No” to drinking while engaging in such one’s self is
simply hypocritical! Jesus said, “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out
of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of
thy brother's eye” (Matthew 7:5).
2. Do Not Give In To Your Child’s
Wrongful Wish. Now is the time to talk! Don’t miss your time and especially if
you suspect fowl play. Many a parent’s weakness is giving in to their child’s
importunity (Cf. Prov. 19:18). Say “No!” and mean it when you must (see Prov.
27:5).
3. Do Not Make Provision For Sinful
Lusts (Romans 13:14). The word “provision” in Rom. 13:14 involves one’s
planning in advance. Parents would certainly not allow their children to talk
them into letting them couple up and get a motel room for the night. Also, even
attending the “drinking parties” without the idea of drinking one’s self is
wrong (I Pet. 4:3). The same goes for the “lascivious” dancing that is done
today; simulating sex before others heightens emotions, breaks down
self-control and leads from the dance floor to the bed! (Gal. 5:19). Moreover,
warn kids against the service providers willing to hand out condoms to teens (I
Cor. 6:18).