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).