Liars Part 3

We concluded our study last week by mentioning religious liars. Among that group would those who claim apostolic powers. They too are among false teachers. Rev 2:2 says, “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars.” We also read in 2 Cor 11:13-15 about such men. There are those today who claim such ability.  But we see that in the NT times those individuals were tested and shown to be liars.  Today we too must test individuals’ claims to be men of God. We do that, by comparing their fruits with God's. When God completed the Bible, it brought an end to the need of apostles.  No more revelations were needed, no more miracles being worked by the hand of men were needed, God's will was in written form and it was no longer necessary for individuals to perform miracles to prove God has done all that He has done. In the near future will examine 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, which tells us when miraculous abilities ceased. 

Also, those who profess to know Him, but are disobedient are religious liars. . In 1 Jn 2:4 it says, “He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” Titus 1:16 says, “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.” Those who claim to love God while hating brethren are also liars. I Jn 4:20 tells us, “If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” Those who claim fellowship with God while in darkness can also be included. 1Jn 1:6 reveals for us, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”

How God Views Lying:

In contrast to those who would say that, “God is love and love alone,” the Bible reveals for us a different picture of Jehovah.  God is multifaceted. Not only is He capable of loving individuals He is also able to Hate sin (that which separates us from Him).  Proverbs 6:16-19 says, “These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” God finds these things nauseating. Notice two of the seven refer to lying. He says He hates a “lying tongue,” (vs. 16), and a “false witness who speak lies,” (vs. 19).“ An argument can also be made that lying would be among the characteristics of someone who would sow discord among brethren.  Either way, God hates liars. He also admonishes against it. Notice the following passages: Eph 4:25 says, “Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.” Paul says in Col 3:9, “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds.” And finally Peter writes in 1 Pet 3:10, “For "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.”

Destiny of Liars:

Again let us turn to the Bible to determine the truth.  In Rev 21:27 we read, “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.” We also read in the book of Revelation. “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."  There is no room for this quality in a person’s life.  The Proverb in Ch. 19:5 tells us with no uncertain terms, “A false witness will not go unpunished.”  We should abhor lying (Psa 119:163). There is no such thing as “white lies, little lies, lies that do not hurt”…lies are lies...sin is sin.

Carlos Aguilar

If Worship Were Like Fishing

Yes, indeed! If worship were only like fishing, there would never be any problem in getting me out to the services of the church. Every time the weather's nice, I'm ready to go after that big one. There isn't anything that could be more important to me than that ol' fishing hole. Wild horses couldn't keep me away. Too bad worship isn't like that. If it were, why, you'd see me at every service-and hear me complain because there are too few opportunities to assemble with my brethren.

Why, of course, if worship were like fishing, I'd be one or the most zealous Christians you ever saw. I never go on a fishing trip that I don't learn something or find something to tell my friends about. I hardly talk about anything else! But worship, the church, it's not like that. If it was anything like fishing, that's all I'd ever talk about. There wouldn't be any of my friends with whom I had not talked about the church, and encouraged them to attend.

If worship were like fishing, I'd rarely ever be "too tired" to attend. Why, I can go the entire night without a wink and then go fishing the next day. It just has so much interest for me that It overcomes all such considerations. Now, if I were as much of a Christian as I am a fisherman, you would seldom hear that as an excuse for my absence.

Let me tell you, if worship were like fishing it would be the easiest thing for me to give of my means cheerfully and generously. It's nothing for me to spend eighty, ninety dollars or more on a weekend fishing trip or for equipment. I like the sport so well that I've even sacrificed to get that new reel or rod. If worship affected me and the rest or my brethren like that, there would be no limit to what the church would be able to do.

I'll have to admit, if worship were like fishing, I'd never get tired sitting for a mere hour (or a little longer if the preacher gets longwinded). You all know that I have been known to sit in a boat or on a bank the entire day without complaining. Even when I'm wet, sunburned, dirty, hungry and worn out, I come home and tell everybody what a good time I had! Sure wish worship were like that. But, as it is, with me, it's like pulling teeth to sit for an hour at the church building and if it goes five or ten minutes over - I've had it!

Sure is a tragic thing that worship isn't like fishing. Otherwise I'd attempt to live the life my Lord has outlined for me in His word. I'd study, I'd attend, I'd teach my friends, I'd......What was that you said???????.........The bass are hitting minnows at the lake?????.......Sorry to cut this article short, friends. You see, there's a very important matter at the lake I must attend to. Now if writing articles were like fishing........But. well, you know how it is with us fishermen.

~Bob West, The Milpitas Messenger

When He (Jesus) had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"  For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. Lk 5:4-11

Home and Family:

From www.bible.ca

Ten Commandments For Husbands

Thou shalt not take thy wife for granted, but will honour and respect her as thy equal. 1 Pet 3:7

Thy highest allegiance, except God, shall be to thy wife, not thy relatives or friends.Gen 2:24

Thou shalt frequently tell thy wife how important & valuable she is to thee. Phil 2:3; Prov 31:10-11

Thou shalt hold thy wife's love by the same means that thou won it. Sos 5:10-16

Thou shalt actively establish family discipline with thy wife's help. Eph 6:4

Remember to do all the little things for thy wife when you say you will. Mt 5:37

Keep thine eyes on thy own wife, not thy neighbors. Prov 5:15-20; Job 31:1; Jer 5:8

Thou shalt make every effort to see things from thy wife's point of view. Gen 21:12

Thou shalt not fail to kiss thy wife every morning. Sos 8:1

Thou shalt not be stingy with thy wife when it comes to money. Esther 5:3

Ten Commandments For Wives

Expect not thy husband to give thee as many luxuries as thy father hath given thee after many years of hard labor. Phil 4:11; Amos 4:1

Thou shalt work hard to build thy house with the husband that you have, not fantasizing about "the one that could have been". Prov 14:1

Thou shalt not nag...hit him with thine frying pan, it is kindlier. Prov 27:15; 21:19

Thou shalt coddle thy husband and be a warm wife. 1 Cor 7:3-5

Remember that the frank approval of thy husband is more to thee than the side glances of many strangers. Ezek 16:32; 2 Pet 2:14

Thou shalt not yell at thy husband but will be a gentle and quiet spirit. 1 Pet 3:1-4

Permit no one to assure thee that thou art having a hard time of it. 1 Pet 5:9

Thou shall not fail to dress up for thy husband with an eye to please him, as thou didst before marriage. Sos 4:9-11

Thou shalt submit to thy husband from thy heart and allow him to be head of the household. Col 3:18; 1 Pet 3:6; Eph 5:33

Thou shalt assure thy husband and others that he is the greatest man alive. Phil 2:3; Sos 5:9-16