The Truth In Print
Vol. 13 Issue 12, January 2008
Selected Newspaper Articles From
The Valley Church Of Christ
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.
When You’re Promised You’ll Like
It!
Have
you ever considered “pitches” for attracting visitors in the light of what
God’s word should produce? Even seeing their bill boards today should make one
stop and think. As one in town put it, “I hate to admit it but going where I go
I think at times I’m looking at Ken and Barbie.” Ken and Barbie productions are made to please
man not God ! (cf. Gal. 1:10). God’s word teaches that
the fault lies with “both” the listeners and the speakers. Read the below along
with the recommended scriptures for yourself in the Bible:
1. Listeners: Wanting to have their ears tickled they accumulate
teachers who will allow them parties and booze, lying when it is personally and
financially profitable, being partial or silent rather than rebuking, and in
general to be just like those great guys in the world whom they love more than
God’s word (2 Tim. 4:3-4).
2. Speakers:
Those who being slaves themselves of their own like covetous and carnal
appetites, who through their flattery, entertaining, and artful speech find
that the above listeners are more than willing to support them quite well! (2
Tim. 4:3-4; Rom. 16:17).
3. Speakers & Listeners: The so called
woman “pastor” along with the non-spiritual weak men who love to have women
leading their church (I Tim. 2:11-12; I Cor. 14:34, 37-38).
4. Speakers & Listeners: Together, both
speakers and listeners who are bold in their wickedness, practicing or
condoning fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, and all manner of wickedness,
and are liars and tell those who love the above things, and more, that God will
not punish (Jer. 5:5, 7-9, 12, 24-31).
Politics Does Not Make Evil To Be Good!
There
is much said about the fear associated with "political correctness"
in our society. Religiously speaking, true Christians are going to tell people
they are wrong when they are wrong morally, i.e. religiously. That's so at
least for those who have not begun, as others have, to practice "political
correctness" in the church! For example, Jesus' list of things proceeding
out of the heart that defile a person contains "fornications" (cf.
Matt. 15:19-20). His condemnation of "fornications" (pl. form)
includes illicit sexual intercourse such as adultery, fornication,
homosexuality, lesbianism, and intercourse with animals. The logical order in
which Sin appears is from one's mind (heart) to being carried out by their
sinful action (Matt. 15:19). No amount of political correctness will ever
change that religious truth! (cf. Acts 24:25).
Politicians, like so called ministers, who tell others they don't
believe "fornications" are sinful just seek to reverse in peoples'
minds what the truth about Sin really is. All of them will always be
religiously wrong! Like fornications, Jesus said that "murders" come
out of an evil heart. Abortion is murder. Evil thoughts produce transgender
nonsense today. Saying children must "choose" sexual preference is
indeed sick. Open your eyes to the vast amount of perverted nonsense pushed by
those who are themselves corrupt. Concerned reader, repent and be baptized for
the remission of your sins as commanded and save yourself from this corrupt
generation! (cf. Acts 2:37-42). To begin a study and learn about the just
mentioned salvation you may go to —
http://www.yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/churchone.htm.
God Knows
When Men Conceal the Truth
Some would like to fix things to prevent Christians from teaching
against sins that damn the soul. All such hate the one who reproves sin and
speaks uprightly (cf. Amos 5:10, Pr. 9:7-8). They also hate the truth of God’s
word that states the sins! The sin of homosexuality is listed in I Cor. 6:9-10
with several others sins that will cause some to be lost. It belongs with
degrading passions flowing from impure hearts which cause both men and women to
dishonor their bodies among themselves, Paul said (cf. Rom. 1:24-27). Such
persons had exchanged the truth of God for a lie! Moreover they worshiped and
served the creature rather than God the Creator.
Those claiming to preach God’s word while restraining their lips are
known by God for concealing His truth from the people (cf. Ps. 40:9-10; Acts
20:20, 27). Being covetous and not fearing God they flatter the arrogant rich
and powerful in society for financial gain (cf. Matt. 6:24, 2 Pet. 2:1-19).
While professing to teach God’s word they help the ungodly and love those who
hate the Lord! Moreover they are companions of those who lapse into falsehood
for fear of being persecuted (cf. Ps. 40:4, Gal. 6:12). Those who hate the good
and love the evil in society will be condemned by God (cf. 2 Chron. 19:2, Ps.
34:21, Micah 3:2). But the man who is blessed trusts in God, and has not shown
regard to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood (cf. Ps. 40:4). This
man hates evil, and loves the good and establishes justice so that God will be
gracious to him (cf. Amos 5:15).
Justifying Self By Saying Church
Responsibility Is Not Necessary
Read the following answers to self
justifications offered for not studying and seeking a scriptural church:
1. “Jesus said enter into your closet and
pray in secret. If good enough for Jesus it is good enough for me!” Answer: One
lesson on “private” (individual) prayer and worship, to counter the Pharisees’
hypocritical public prayers, does not mean people do not have to concentrate on
“where” and “with whom” they worship collectively (Read Matt. 18:15-17; I Cor.
5; Heb. 10:24-25).
2.
“Jesus said the kingdom of God is within you.” Answer: Christ dwells in
the heart of true Christians (Eph. 3:17), and they will not disobey this
command to not forsake assembling themselves together: “Not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one
another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25).
3. “I
have a personal relationship with God, thus I can pray in private without being
a member of a church.” Answer: The Christians addressed above in Hebrews
10:24-25 also had a personal relationship with Christ in prayer (cf. Hebrews
4:14-16). But that did not eliminate the necessity of collective work and
worship in the local church!
4. “The Bible says ye are the temple of the
living God.” Answer: Since this statement was made by Paul “when” he wrote to
the local church at Corinth, and regulated their assemblies, it could never
mean you can choose to not consider carefully your collective responsibility!
(cf. I Cor. 1:1, 3:6, 11:17-34, 14:1-40; 2 Cor. 6:16) To understand this
collective obligation you may go to —
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/churchfour1.htm .