December
5, 1999 Volume 0 Number
2
Cecil F. Cox
There
is a great movement afoot today to destroy, in the minds of people, the
authority of the Scriptures. This is a serious charge; but, nevertheless, there
is adequate evidence to prove it. Men are being told that the Scriptures are not
the Word of God; but, rather, the words of men. Being taught this by their
religious leaders, many are not aware of the fact that this is contrary to Bible
teaching.
Therefore,
before we plunge headlong down this road, let us notice that this refusal to
accept the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God denies the claim that the
Scripture makes for itself. In 1 Corinthians 2:12, 13, the apostle Paul said,
"But we received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from
God, that we might know the things freely given to us of God. Which things we
speak, not in works which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the spirit teacheth;
combining spiritual things with spiritual words." 2 Peter 1:21 teaches that
the Scripture did not come "by the will of man: but men spake from God,
being moved by the Holy Spirit."
The
attitude of not accepting the authority of the Scriptures is not new. It is with
much sorrow that we observe that man had rather follow his own will than accept
the Word of God. Speaking of Israel, God said they were "children that will
not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the seers, See not; and the prophets,
Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy
deceits" (Isaiah 30:9,10). In Jeremiah 6:16, we read: "Thus saith the
Lord, Stand ye in the good way, and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your
souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." The apostle Paul said,
"Preach the word for the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but having itching ears, will they heap to themselves teachers after
their own lusts; and will turn aside unto fables" (2 Timothy 2:2-4).
While
there are those who do not have regard for the authority of the Scriptures,
there are others who have the same attitude expressed by the apostle Paul in
Acts 20:32: "And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace,
which is able to build you up and give you the inheritance among all them that
are sanctified." The psalmist declared in Psalm 119:128: "I esteem all
the precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false
way."
Which
of these attitudes is representative of your life? Do you respect the authority
of the Scriptures? Or, must you admit that you believe and teach that which is
not really authorized in the Scriptures?
Let
us make a few practical observations that will help us to decide which it may be
in our own lives.
1.
We find many today teaching that men are saved "at the point of
faith"; that is, the very moment that they believe. Hence, according to
these, salvation is obtained before and without water baptism. Is the authority
for such a doctrine found within the pages of Divine inspiration? I submit unto
you the proposition that it is not. Nowhere does the Bible ascribe salvation on
the basis of "faith only." Many times we read that one is saved by
faith, but never by faith only. Faith only is faith plus nothing, but the
scripture teaches that the faith that avails is the faith that worketh
(Galatians 5:6). The faith that saves is not faith plus nothing, but a faith
that leads one to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). The essentiality of
repentance and baptism in order to be saved is clearly taught in the Scriptures.
See the following verses: Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30,31; 2 Peter 3:9; Mark 16:16;
Acts 22;16; 1 Peter 3;21. So a man who really respects the authority of the
Scriptures will move away from the doctrine of justification by "faith
alone."
2.
Some teach that a man is born a sinner. Some would tell us that babies are born
into this world totally depraved. Now does such teaching come from the word of
God? No! Jesus said, "Except ye be converted and become as little children
ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). Is our Lord
saying that adults are pure and sinless and must be converted (changed) and
become totally depraved sinners like little children in order to be saved? Most
assuredly not!! He is saying just the opposite. Speaking to mature accountable
people, he said that they must be converted and become innocent and pure, like
little children, in order to be saved. Jesus also said, "Suffer little
children and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of
heaven" (Matthew 19:14).
Let
us be careful and be sure all that we believe and teach in religion is
authorized in the word of God. And, in conclusion I quote from another:
"This book (the Bible, CFC) contains the mind of God; the state of man, the
way of salvation; the doom of sinners, and the happiness of the righteous. Its
doctrine is holy; its precepts are binding; its records are true; and all its
decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise; believe it to be saved; and
practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you; food to support you,
and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the
pilot's compass, soldier's sword, the Christian's charter. Here paradise is
restored, heaven opened, and the ways of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand
object, our good its design, and the redemption of man its end. It should fill
the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. It is a mine of wealth, a
paradise of glory, a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be quoted
at the judgment and remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility,
will reward the obedient, and condemn all who trifle with its precepts."
(Author Unknown)
Truth
and Religion
Cecil F. Cox
Indifference
toward the truth is shocking, even tragic! We hear people saying, "It does
not matter what you believe." We hear, "The important thing is that
you be honest and sincere." I would not minimize the importance of being
sincere but these traits of character would not guarantee that what I believe
and practice in religion is acceptable to God. Consider the early life of the
apostle Paul (Saul of Tarsus). He said, "I thought with myself, that I
ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth" (Acts
26:9). He went on to say that he did what he thought was right; he was honest
and sincere but was wrong in what he did.
Religion,
like anything else, must have a basis or foundation upon which to stand. In the
religion of Christ this basis or foundation is the truth. Truth cannot be
stretched and still be truth. Truth is not elastic. The modern conception of the
Truth is that it can be and must be stretched to include all the ideas and
faiths of men, some of which are contradictory.
One
great failure I see among many religious people today is the failure of
recognizing the value and importance of Truth. Men today elevate human wisdom to
the place of the Truth. The importance of the Truth can be seen in the
following:
1.
Christ came to bear witness unto the Truth. "To this end was I born, and
for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.
Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice" (John 18:37).
2.
The Holy Spirit came to reveal the Truth. "Howbeit, when the Spirit of
truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of
himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak: and he will show you
things to come" (John 16:13).
3.
The Truth makes free. "And ye shall know the truth and it shall make you
free" (John 8:32).
4.
Our religion is vain without the Truth. "But in vain they do worship me,
teaching for doctrine the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9).
Many
other passages could be given to show the importance of the Truth, but maybe
these will be sufficient to stimulate our thinking. In religion, we must not
wander from the Truth. A vital question that each person must ask himself: Can I
believe and practice what I practice in religion and still be found walking in
the Truth?
What Is
Truth?
Many
today ask as Pilate of old, "What is truth?" To some, truth is what
Mother and Daddy believed and practiced. Of course, those who would imply this
would not do so in every field of their activity, only in religion. To others,
truth is that which the theologians have handed down through the councils of
men. To some, the truth is that which is contained in the Creed of their
respective denomination. But let it be pointed out that the councils and creeds
of men set aside and contradict each other. What then is truth? Jesus speaking
to the Father said, "the word is truth" (John 17:17). The simple
conclusion to which we arrive is this, unless a doctrine of practice is taught
in God's Word, the bible, it is not the truth.
Now
then with this standard, measure your faith and practice. Things foreign to the
Word of God, which was spoken through Jesus Christ, is error. "Whosoever
transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that
abideth in the doctrine of Christ, hath both the Father and the Son" (2
John 9).
I
beseech you to take your stand upon the Bible, the word of God. Not the Bible
and the councils of men, not the Bible and the creeds of men, but upon the Bible
and it only as your guide in religion. "If any man speak, let him speak as
the oracles of God" (1 Peter 4:11). 9
Reactions
To Truth
James H. (Jim) Deason
Long
ago someone told me a most interesting, though tragic, story of the sinking of
the steamboat "Robert E. Lee." Time has taken its toll by taking many
of the details from my memory, but I believe consideration of the story would
prove interesting to our readers.
According
to my memory, a fire broke out in a main section of the steamboat. Progression
of the fire caused the ship to begin taking on water. A messenger was sent from
door to door of the steamboat's cabins to warn the suspecting passengers. Damage
to the ship was such that time would only allow the messenger one trip around
the boat to sound warning. Many people perished that day by fire and water. The
reason was attributed to varying reactions of the people the messenger's
warning. This is that which we wish for you to consider very seriously.
Some
Heard, Became Angry
Many
were indulged in acts of drinking and pleasure. When the messenger warned them
they were angry at being disturbed from such sensual pleasure. Their anger
caused them not to take the warning seriously, and they soon returned to their
games and eventually lost their lives.
How often, today, do people react in this manner to the preaching of the
gospel? People become so engrossed in this pleasure mad world that they, much
like the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21), forget about the judgment to come. Being
oblivious to any danger, when one warns them of their sinful ways, they become
angry. A question asked by the apostle would be appropriate to consider here:
"Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"
(Galatians 4:16).
Some Slept Through The Warning
Some
were asleep in their comfortable cabins as the messenger gave out the warning of
impending disaster. They were unaware of any problems that were in existence.
How
much like many people today this seems to be! Many are ignorant of the Bible,
Jesus Christ, and God's plan of salvation. They are not aware of the destruction
that lies in disobedience (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Regrettably, some of this
ignorance is brought about because they have closed their eyes to God by
prejudice and other tools of Satan (Matthew 13:15). Dear Reader, if you are in
this condition, heed the pleadings of the apostle Paul to "Awake thou that
sleepest be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is"
(Ephesians 5:14-17).
This
thought also places a grave responsibility upon those of us who are Christians
to teach those who are ignorant. James said, "Let him know, that he which
converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death,
and shall hide a multitude of sins" (James 5:20).
Some
Heard, Were Amused, & Waited For A Second Warning
Some,
in hearing, thought that someone was playing a practical joke and waited for a
second warning that never came. They were, as those who became angry, guilty of
taking the warning too lightly. They did not realize the urgency in the words of
the messenger.
Many
do not realize the urgency in the gospel message. There is no reason for you to
put off your obedience to the Lord. Paul said, "Now is the day of
salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). Do not wait for a convenient season, for it
will never be more convenient than now!
Some Heard, Complied, & Were Saved
There
were a few aboard the "Robert E. Lee" who realized the truth of the
urgent message. They made preparation to be rescued and their lives were spared.
Tragically, in our story only a few of the people made the necessary
preparation. But, the same is true when we consider those who are obedient to
the gospel. They are few. (Matthew 7:13-14). Are you one of these?
To
be saved you must obey God (Matthew 7:21). Salvation is not promised apart from
obedience (Hebrews 5:8,9). Christ is pleading for you to come unto Him. Do so by
believing in Him and His Word (John 3:16; Hebrews 11:16), repenting of your sins
(Acts 2:38; 17:30), confessing Christ as the Son of God (Acts 8:37), and being
baptized for the remission of your sins. If you will obey Him and remain
faithful, He will save you. This is the urgent message of the gospel. We plead
with you to hear and obey.
Sentence
Sermons
Stretching
the truth will ruin it.
Truth
often angers those whom it does not fully convince.